Stories and Viewpoints

September 21, 2021

By Michael Goettler, Former CEO of Viatris

This year my daughter turned 10 years old. I can’t believe she is officially in double digits. It feels like it was just yesterday when I gave her a big hug before I watched her run into her kindergarten class giggling with her new friends. When I talk to colleagues and friends who are taking their teenage kids to visit colleges, I’m reminded that before I know it, I’ll be helping my daughter and son take the big leap to independent young adulthood. 

The same way I think about all the hopes and dreams I have for my children’s futures; I think about all the hopes and dreams I have for Viatris. As a parent my job is to do everything in my power to enable my children to reach their full potential and advocate to ensure they both have equal access to pursue their dreams. And it’s really no different from my job as CEO of Viatris.

We created this new company with a deep commitment to diversity and inclusion. And I’m pleased to report we’re taking important steps to progress this work. For example, I am delighted to share that, on behalf of Viatris, I signed the CEO Statement of Support for the United Nations’ Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs). By aligning with the below seven principles, we are committing to taking bold steps to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and community in support of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and associated Sustainable Development Goals. 

As I’ve shared before, I have experienced firsthand that one of the most meaningful and impactful ways of creating a culture dedicated to diversity and inclusion is through standing up Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). Based on employee input, one of the first four groups is to advocate for women. This group, led by our head of Corporate Affairs Lara Ramsburg, will play an instrumental role in galvanizing our colleagues around the world to uphold these important WEP commitments, among other priorities.

We have a bold mission – to empower people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life – but the only way we will deliver on it and our commitment to access for all patients is by ensuring equality in the workplace. Fast forward 10 years from now when my daughter AND my son begin their professional careers, and I am extremely hopeful that they will both enter a workplace that reflects the strides made by Viatris and businesses all over the world dedicated to inclusivity and equality for all.