Erin Krolikiewicz, Novartis Pharmaceuticals

·31 min·3 clips

Erin Krolikiewicz, Global Head of Talent for Novartis, reveals how her blue-collar upbringing in a small farming town shaped her leadership.

The episode begins with host Sue Rocco introducing Erin Krolikiewicz, the Global Head of Talent for Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Erin describes growing up in Mira Loma, California, a small farming community east of Los Angeles, in a blue-collar family. She and her sister were the first in their family to go to college, moving together to San Diego for university. Erin recalls early aspirations inspired by her mother's accounting studies and playing office with her cousin. She identifies as an introvert and old soul, influenced by mentors from high school. Erin's first jobs included being a candy striper and a hotel operator. She holds degrees from San Diego, Cornell, University of Washington, and Rutgers. Post-COVID, her role expanded globally, allowing her to work across time zones. As Global Head of Talent, she hires executive leadership and notes that in coaching, she sees women returning for a second act. Erin defines heart-centered leadership as focusing on people's passion and engagement. She believes work-life balance is a myth and emphasizes integration, noting pressure from reduced community support. Companies like Novartis are trying to provide agility. Erin discusses her divorce and co-parenting two sons, worrying about social media and drugs for their generation. Her favorite quote is 'you didn't come this far just to come this far.' She reads coaching books and follows Esther Perel. Professional goals include moving overseas and combining talent work with coaching. Erin finds people's life stories uniquely inspiring and advises women to invest in their networks for support.

As heard by us

A reflective conversation on keeping human connection at the center of leadership and human resources.

Leadership at Novartis Pharmaceutical comes through as a human practice before it becomes a management method. Sue Rocco's conversation with the Global Head of Talent centers on leadership coaching and on the guest's choice to lead from a heart-centered place.

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Why you'd press play

You want leadership advice that keeps the human side of HR visible while business strategy stays in frame.

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