Challenging Stereotypes: How Teva Global Operations Is Tapping into Gender Diversity to Drive Excellence

While the manufacturing industry has long been associated with a male-dominated culture, Teva’s Global Operations (TGO) is challenging this norm. Read on to hear from three senior TGO women leaders: Merle Goddard, Head of Teva Global Quality; Tanja Ilic, Site General Manager, Zagreb, Croatia; and Liron Weiss Bazak, Site General Manager, Krakow, Poland, who discuss their own experiences overcoming gender biases, their advice to women in the early stages of their careers, and how Teva encourages gender diversity at all levels.

Have you experienced gender bias in your career, and how did you deal with it?

Merle: When I was younger, I found myself in large conference rooms filled with mostly male leaders. I had a soft voice, and I was often talked over or interrupted. I realized I had to learn how to be heard and taken seriously. My first step was understanding that it mattered where I positioned myself. I found it best to sit near the head of the table so I could see everyone’s faces and get a better read of the room.

Next, I taught myself to speak up with authority. To do this, I would sit up straight and clearly articulate my words by projecting from my diaphragm. I made sure my statements didn’t go up at the end of a sentence, so it was clear I was not asking a question but rather stating my opinion. These steps helped me feel more confident, and I was finally able to have my voice heard.

Tanja: At the beginning of my career, I had an unpleasant experience at work with a male leader who was rude and inappropriate in conversations with me and other women while acting completely differently towards male colleagues. When someone with authority acts like this, you often feel in a weaker position and unsure of how to deal with it. For me, a crucial first step was recognizing that his behavior came from his own biases – and was not a reflection of my own capabilities. This enabled me to speak up about his behavior. Following this experience, I always encourage people to speak up against bias. By doing so, you are not only empowering yourself but also paving the way for a more inclusive and respectful work environment for others.

Liron: I have also encountered unconscious gender bias. It made me realize that people think differently, and what I considered offensive was not intended to offend. Unconscious bias influences people’s decisions and perceptions based on ingrained social norms. I’ve found that challenging these beliefs and talking openly about them helps raise awareness and find ways to bridge the differences of opinions.

What advice would you offer to women in the early stages of their careers or looking to progress in their careers?

Merle: My advice would be to lean in and volunteer to help. Choose an area or project that you are interested in or want to learn more about, put your hand up, and offer to help. Then, take it on with passion. Learning in this way accelerates your knowledge, skills, and experience and helps future opportunities to come.

Tanja: I agree - it’s important to take risks and be open to exploring new things. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and seize opportunities that come along. By doing so, you'll expand your skill set, broaden your experiences, and ultimately enhance your chance of success.

Liron: I'd add to this to be open-minded and confident and seek out mentors who can provide guidance and support. In addition, never underestimate the value of networking! Talk to people, maintain positive energy, don't be afraid to ask questions, and always follow through on what you say you will do.

How important is diversity in realizing our Pivot to Growth Strategy?

Merle: The Pivot to Growth strategy requires teams that can drive change. From my experience, diverse teams tend to be more capable of navigating complex challenges with agility and resilience. They look at problems from multiple perspectives, which increases the chances of finding the best solutions.

Tanja: In TGO, we actively challenge the perception of manufacturing as a male-dominated field. We encourage women to take roles in all areas—from the manufacturing floor to operating heavy machinery in the warehouse and driving our fleet. We need gender diversity in leadership, too, and over the last three years, we have seen an increase in women in senior leadership roles. I greatly believe in this and encourage women to step up and get involved in leading our future.

Liron: My advice for everyone—regardless of age, culture, or gender—is to find a role you enjoy that develops your skills. Work as a team, listen to each other’s ideas, and feel a sense of contribution to our purpose: We are all in for better health.

Find out more

• "My advice to women: Don't be so hard on yourself." Chris Fox, EVP, discusses the power of diverse teams and her advice for women looking to progress in their careers.
• "The Three Women Who Inspired Me” Eric Hughes, Head of Global R&D and Chief Medical Officer, shares the stories of the three women who shaped his journey.
• Discover how diversity fuels innovation in Teva's R&D Management Team.
• Interested in getting involved in the work that we do? Explore a career at Teva