Our stories

How one leader built a 16-year career spanning continents by stepping outside her comfort zone, taking ownership of her development, and consistently showing up – even when the path wasn't certain.

Geographic mobility as a growth accelerator

In the pharmaceutical industry, where markets operate under different regulatory frameworks, healthcare systems vary widely, and patient needs differ by region, leaders who can navigate complexity across geographies bring critical value. For Aurélie, building that global perspective meant taking risks that genuinely scared her.

Her move to Hong Kong was one of the biggest leaps. Relocating to Asia from France meant navigating a completely different culture, time zone, business environment and ways of working. The first few weeks were the most challenging.

"At any point over the first weeks, I was ready to go back home if the opportunity presented," she admits.

But she stayed. She pushed through the discomfort. And by the time she left, her perspective had completely shifted. "I looked back at what we accomplished as a team, the impact we had on the communities we serve, and I cried the most."

That's the paradox of growth. The experiences that challenge you most are often the ones you're most grateful for later.

Each geographic move brought new lessons. Different stakeholder dynamics. Different healthcare systems. Different ways of leading teams. These weren't just career moves. They were investments in becoming a more adaptable, capable leader.

Taking ownership of your development

Aurélie's career hasn't followed a straight line. She's applied for multiple roles within Astellas over the years, and not every application was successful. But rather than viewing those experiences as setbacks, she approached them as learning opportunities.

"Each experience taught me something, whether it was skills I needed to develop, experience I needed to gain or where to focus,” she says.

Rather than waiting for opportunities to come to her, Aurélie created her own path forward. She contributed voluntarily to company-wide projects outside her usual scope. She raised her hand for challenging assignments. She scheduled networking conversations with leaders across the organization. She took ownership of her development.

This proactive approach reflects a broader shift happening across the pharmaceutical industry. As organizations become more global and cross-functional, employees who take initiative, seek diverse experiences and build capabilities beyond their immediate roles are better positioned to lead.

Reframing success and self-doubt

Taking bold moves doesn't eliminate self-doubt. Aurélie is candid about the imposter syndrome that has followed her through promotions.

"Every time I got a new role, I always wondered if I was the right person, the best fit," she says. "Did they make the right choice? Will I be able to meet expectations?"

But she doesn't let that stop her. Instead, she has reframed how she thinks about her success.

"I'm trying not to be my worst enemy, and not to always think that I've been lucky," she explains. "Yes, there might be 'being at the right place, at the right time.' But I think mostly you create your own chances by showing up, taking action and delivering on your commitments."

This shift in mindset from luck to agency has been critical. Rather than attributing her career progression to external factors, Aurélie recognizes the role her own actions have played: applying for roles even when she wasn't sure she was ready, moving to unfamiliar countries, seeking feedback and acting on it, and consistently delivering results.

Building capability through observation and action

Interestingly, Aurélie hasn't had a formal individual mentor throughout her career. But she has been intentional about learning from senior leaders around her, observing how they navigate challenges, communicate with stakeholders and make decisions.

She also proactively sought feedback across Astellas, communicated openly about her ambitions and leveraged development resources available to her.

"Don't wait for your manager to tell you what to do," she advises. "It's up to you to take ownership of your growth and career development. For that, you need to leverage your own strengths, but also be willing to learn and work on your areas of improvement."

At Astellas, this kind of proactive development is encouraged through cross-functional projects, global assignments, mentorship programs and leadership development initiatives. But the foundation is employee ownership. The company provides the opportunities; employees must take action.

The willingness to try

Looking back, Aurélie sees a career built not on a single breakthrough moment, but on a series of bold moves. Moves that felt risky at the time and pushed her to grow, but that also consistently propelled her forward.

Outside of work, Aurélie once dreamed of being a singer. She recorded herself to test the idea and quickly realized it wasn't her path. But she tried. And that willingness to test ideas, take risks and move forward regardless of the outcome has defined her approach to career growth.

Her advice to others considering a career at Astellas or thinking about their next move? Don't wait for the perfect moment or perfect qualifications. Apply for the role. Take the international opportunity. Ask for the feedback. Create your own chances.

"If you don't try, you will never know," she says. "And you have nothing to lose."

For prospective employees considering Astellas, Aurélie's journey illustrates a culture that values resilience, global experience and employees who take ownership of their development. It's a place where geographic mobility is supported, where proactive development is encouraged, and where growth is measured not just by titles, but by the willingness to expand your capabilities.

###

Voices of VALUE is a series spotlighting employees who have grown their careers at Astellas. Through their stories, we explore the diverse pathways, experiences and lessons that shape individual career development and collectively, drive our innovation and success.