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Daniel Temperli - Loving the diversity of partners and projects

A smiling man wearing a helmet and gloves while paragliding, with a scenic view in the background.

I maintain my passion and drive by keeping a healthy balance in my life. I find a lot of inspiration in my time outdoors, whether I am flying with my paraglider, cross-country skiing, or sailing. These activities give me the space to clear my mind, recharge, and return to my work with renewed focus and energy.

Hike & Fly (paragliding) is one of my favorite hobbies—it is the perfect mix of effort and reward. I love hiking up a mountain, embracing the challenge of the climb, and then launching into the sky to glide over breathtaking landscapes. Whether I go alone or with a good friend, it is my way of stepping back from work, clearing my mind, and reconnecting with nature. Careful planning and always having a backup are essential because nature’s unpredictability is part of the adventure, but safety always comes first!

I also love getting lost in a good book, especially crime series or thought-provoking non-fiction. Winter brings the joy of cross-country skiing, while trail running keeps me motivated the rest of the year. Two years ago, I started sailing—a fascinating adventure that, like paragliding, works in harmony with the forces of nature. These hobbies keep me active, inspired, and grounded.

I am fortunate to be surrounded by meaningful and caring people who support, advise and inspire me. I am inspired by people who lead with kindness, mindfulness, compassion and selflessness, while still maintaining a healthy balance for themselves. 

Whether mentors, friends, or colleagues, they bring out the best in me by showing what it means to lead with trust and care. They remind me of the importance of staying honest, adapting to challenges, and treating everyone with respect. To me, true leadership isn’t about being in charge, but about lifting others up and fostering an environment of trust and support.

My career journey

I studied Mechanical Engineering in Zurich and, through a series of fortunate coincidences, found a passion for operations management in the aviation industry. My master thesis on predictive operational disruption factors for Swiss International Air Lines led to a career with Swiss and the Lufthansa Group, where I developed a strong interest in business intelligence and data analytics.

When COVID-19 hit, it actually accelerated my career. I was able to step out of my usual role and help the company with fact-based decision-making during the crisis, which deepened my passion for data analytics.

In 2021, I joined Roche Services & Solutions to build and leverage data analytics capabilities within the project management chapter (now Enterprise Capabilities). This role allows me to combine my expertise in operations with my passion for data to drive innovation and fact-based decision making. 

I balance complex data-driven solutions, custom analytics, and user-centric dashboard designs to support fact-based decision making. While I work within a world of project management, change management, and communication support, it is the unique nature of project intelligence that stands out to me. Its long-term impact, the close interactions with partners and stakeholders and the multi-faceted work make it both challenging and deeply rewarding.

What truly resonates with me is Roche's positive, inclusive, and collaborative culture. It encourages authenticity and a sense of belonging, promoting trust, humanity, and teamwork—crucial for personal and professional growth. This alignment with my core values inspires me to give my best and contribute significantly. Above all, our greater purpose is to improve a patient's health outcome.

What I love most about my job and our organization is the diversity of partners and projects I get to work with, all supported by incredible technical infrastructure and a great team. For example, I can apply my expertise to improve US operations for DIA’s field engineering organization or collaborate with global product strategy teams to evaluate omnichannel maturity across pharma affiliates. These are just a couple of examples, but they give an impression of the exciting and varied projects I am involved in.

My career tips
A smiling paraglider in a helmet and jacket gives a thumbs-up while preparing for takeoff on a mountain slope
  • Be open and approach inspirational people: Don't hesitate to reach out to colleagues who inspire you or have valuable experiences to share. Building connections and learning from others' insights can significantly contribute to your career development.

  • Stay curious and commit to lifelong learning: Embrace a mindset of curiosity and continuous learning. Actively seek new knowledge, skills, and experiences to stay relevant and innovative in your field.

  • Practice patience and long-term thinking: Understand that career success doesn't happen overnight. Cultivate patience, persistence, and focus on long-term growth. Steady and deliberate progress is key to a sustainable and successful career.

  • Leverage your strengths, but work on weaknesses: Identify your strengths and find roles where you can leverage them. At the same time, continuously work on improving your weaknesses. This balanced approach can help you excel and achieve your career goals.

  • Honesty, integrity, and a sense of humor: Maintain honesty and integrity in all your actions, as a good reputation is one of your most valuable assets. Additionally, it can be helpful not to take yourself too seriously. A sense of humor and the ability to laugh at yourself can make the journey more enjoyable and less stressful. 

My RSS high-5s!

While it is tough to pick just one person, I would say there isn't anyone in particular because there are a whole bunch of great colleagues I want to high-five. They inspire me every day, help me focus on what is important, establish a welcoming and warm camaraderie, and make RSS a better place. I think all the colleagues who are meant will know who they are.