Felix Keller - Bridging the gap: Driving data excellence through collaboration
Insights and growth from a career in master data management.
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Inspiration
I am inspired when the right stakeholders come together - the ones actually dealing with the challenges of bringing data together across different parts of the organization due to misaligned reference data. In a recent workshop, I didn't need to explain why this mattered; they immediately understood because they were living the problem every day. The energy shift was incredible - suddenly we were all speaking the same language and could move forward together to set a roadmap for a better solution.
Loving Roche because of…
I love Roche's clear purpose of 'doing now what patients need next,' and I have seen an exciting shift over the past year as the whole company has been placing more value on data - both from insights and governance perspectives. Our Enterprise Master Data work feels increasingly connected to that mission as the organization recognizes how foundational data quality enables everything else.
My career journey
I started as a consultant in data migration and discovered my passion for master data management. I built expertise in MDM service management. Then, moved into Roche within the divisional MDM leadership in diabetes care. From there, I expanded into cross-divisional transformation programs with ASPIRE, and now, enterprise master data governance across all of Roche. Each role naturally built on the previous one, allowing me to apply MDM expertise at increasing organizational scope - from regional service management to global divisional leadership to enterprise-wide governance and strategy.
Self-development
I learn best by listening to different stakeholders and teams about the problems they are facing. Since similar challenges often appear across different groups, getting multiple perspectives helps me anticipate solutions that could work for others too. For example, during the EMDM initiative, before it became an organisation, we discovered teams working on identical topics with similar challenges, who didn't even know each other existed. The first success was simply bringing them together - my mantra is that we can always learn from each other.
Maintaining passion at work
I am actually energized by difficult problems - they keep me engaged. When I face challenges like competing priorities across divisions or people not seeing the value of data governance, I take a step back and listen to understand what is really happening. I rely on my network and team for different perspectives, and I see these challenges as learning opportunities. What sustains me most is seeing the impact when solutions finally work, and connecting teams who can help each other.
My career advice
My advice is to actively seek opportunities that increase your scope and complexity - don't let fear of the unknown hold you back. Say yes to challenging opportunities, but make sure you have a team and leadership that supports you in taking on those challenges. Build relationships across the whole organization that will help you grow and learn from others - some of the best insights come from unexpected connections, and these networks create new opportunities. The exciting career moments happen when you stretch beyond what feels comfortable.