Ts. Shivanarayana Mahaletchumanan: Finding inspiration everywhere

Jogging is also a key part of my routine. It boosts my energy and keeps me fit, while clearing my mind and helping me maintain focus. Additionally, I dedicate time to professional reading, especially in the areas of Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) and Business Continuity Management (BCM). Staying updated in these fields is crucial to me, as it ensures I remain informed, sharp, and inspired to innovate.

While I am constantly inspired by the amazing people around me, I believe in the power of self-inspiration. I have learnt to be my own motivator—encouraging myself, pushing harder when things get tough, and setting high standards even when no one’s watching.

Self-reflection is a practice I embrace regularly. It is my way of checking in with myself: Am I growing? Am I helping others grow? Am I staying aligned with my purpose? This mindset of continuous improvement is what propels me forward.

My CareerJourney 

A degree in Food Technology sparked my passion for ensuring food production safety and quality. However, as my career progressed, I realized my interests in broader safety and environmental concerns, which led me to pursue a Masters of Engineering in Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE). This deepened my knowledge in managing workplace risks, ensuring employee well-being, and fostering sustainable practices in various environments.

Being a Competent Person registered with the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) Malaysia is an acknowledgment of my expertise and commitment to safety practices. I hold the professional title of Ts. Shivanarayana Mahaletchumanan, a recognition by the Malaysian Board of Technologists (MBOT) for my role in the Green Technology sector. These qualifications have enabled me to drive initiatives that prioritize safety and promote environmental sustainable governance.  

With nearly two decades in various industries - pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, oil and gas, and construction - I have developed a comprehensive understanding of risk management and resilience. For the past seven years, I have been privileged to take on expanded roles in SHE , BCM and Information Compliance (Known as COREMAP). Aside from supporting local functions in RSS APAC, I have had the opportunity to contribute to Roche Pharma Malaysia. This experience has further enriched my skillset and strengthened my commitment to promote a safe and resilient workplace.

My Roche Moments

The culture at Roche is something that deeply resonates with me. It is built on trust, respect, and empathy—values that are essential in our work in safety and continuity. These core principles guide our actions and decisions, fostering a supportive environment for everyone.

What I admire most about Roche is how we combine agility with a clear sense of purpose of “doing now what patients need next” in everything we do. This mission aligns perfectly with the global Roche SHE goals, as we work to protect our people, environment, and ensure operations remain resilient and efficient. 

The highlight of my role has been witnessing the impact of our collective teamwork. One moment that stands out is when the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) Malaysia officially recognized our SHE Management System as robust and exemplary. This recognition speaks volumes about our team’s dedication and commitment in prioritizing safety, health, and operational excellence.

Some other moments I am particularly proud to include:

• Sparking change through sustainability campaigns: In collaboration with the RSS APAC Eco Warriors and cross-functional teams, we launched a campaign to engage employees on environmental sustainability efforts and spark conversations about workplace health and sustainability.

• Health in unity for the Influenza Vaccination Program: Under the OneRoche concept, we ensured employees are protected during the annual flu season, reinforcing the importance of preventive health measures to maintain business continuity.

• Listening to learn from BCM Awareness Survey: We conducted a survey to assess our employees' understanding of BCM processes, helping us tailor our training and communications efforts to be more effective.

• Resilience in action via quarterly BCM reviews: Stakeholder participation in these reviews demonstrate their commitment to align BCM practices across various functions.

• Strengthening our foundation by revisiting understanding of the organization (UTO): As part of our continuous improvement efforts, we revisited the entire UTO framework to ensure all requirements are in place and our organization is well-prepared for any future disasters.

• Ready for the unexpected in emergency preparations: Leading tabletop exercises for Roche Pharma and RSS APAC ensured our emergency response plans were not only theoretical but actionable when needed.

• Empowering through educational SHE & BCM Training Videos: We created engaging videos to educate employees on topics like evacuation procedures and microwave safety, as well as induction training for new hires.

• Making information accessible through updated SHE & BCM Infosites: These sites have become central hubs for accessible, up-to-date safety content, making it easier for employees to stay informed.

Challenges are an inevitable part of any journey, but I have learnt to approach them with calm and clarity. I focus on neutralizing the emotional aspect, stepping back, and getting to the heart of the issue. This mindset allows me to stay grounded and solution-oriented. I believe setbacks don’t define us—they refine us by offering valuable lessons and providing opportunities for growth, making us stronger, wiser, and more adaptable.

Looking back at my career, I would offer the following five principles:

• Never stop learning: Stay curious, keep developing, and remain relevant in your field.

• Build strong relationships: Collaboration and teamwork are key to achieving great results.

• Seek feedback and feedforward: Growth comes through constructive feedback and the proactive pursuit of improvement.

• Reflect often: Take time to assess your progress, understand what drives you, and set new goals.

• Learn from leaders: Their experiences can provide invaluable lessons for your own growth.

My RSS High-5!

As we celebrate RSS’s 5th anniversary, I feel immense pride in everything we have accomplished together. It has been an incredible journey, and I would like to take a moment to recognize the exceptional individuals and teams that have made it so special:

• Neroshini, my trusted partner in success! Her expertise and unwavering support in SHE, BCM, and Information Compliance have been invaluable. We have tackled every challenge together, and her dedication makes working alongside her an absolute privilege.

• Danny Ang and Nathan Ramakrishnan, for their continued guidance and invaluable support. Working with them has been a privilege, and I am grateful for their leadership and insight.

• Tan Fong, our IT wizard, for always being reliable and solution-focused.

• Elaine, Radha, Jihan, and Aly from the Communications and Global Digital Hub teams for their creativity and clarity in shaping our messages.

• Fatim and Krishna’s teams for their steadfast collaboration and ongoing support in ensuring we continue to meet our goals effectively.

• All APAC REN members, for their consistent support and for providing the necessary resources whenever we roll out SHE activities across RSS. Your commitment and collaborative spirit are crucial in driving the success of our initiatives.

• The SHE Committee led by RSS APAC General ManagerJulio Cruz, for their constant commitment to safety and their ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of our workplace.

• My EcoWarrior teammates for keeping the green spirit alive and driving sustainability efforts.

• The Emergency Response Team, managed by the SHE team, for their dedication in ensuring our emergency response plans are always ready to be executed effectively.

• The BCM Champions team who represent all RSS APAC functions, for your unwavering support and proactive contributions to ensure that our BCM efforts are integrated across every part of the organization. Your dedication and collaboration are crucial to the success of our business continuity initiatives.

And to every colleague at Roche: your energy, dedication, and teamwork are what make our organization thrive. Together, we are building a safer, healthier, and more purpose-driven workplace.