Stefanie Nickel Leverages Change at Sandoz to Advance D&I

Stefanie Nickel took on her current role as Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Sandoz, a Novartis division, while the company was undergoing large-scale business transformation. She took the opportunity to integrate D&I into the business by applying inclusion practices to effectively lead change. Together with the Sandoz D&I Council of business leaders and organizational development colleagues she engaged people managers and associates in open dialogue around fairness, empathy and proactivity. The strategic integration helped create inclusive leaders and better solutions, which led to integrated inclusion efforts connected to culture change and leadership development.

There are a number of best practices that Stefanie uses to drive D&I impact. In addition to an above-division commitment to one D&I agenda at Novartis with expanded equity focus areas including gender balance in management, pay equity, and the inclusion of LGBTQI+, diverse ethnicities, and people with disabilities, Stefanie collaborates with rightsholders and Employee Resource Groups to understand their needs, align priorities and co-create solutions. She also leverages evidence-based interventions and external collaborations to maximize impact and contribute to society. Stefanie’s leadership is based on curiosity, a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives and the belief that best outcomes come from teams, not individuals.