Volker Herdtweck - Finding inspiration in leadership and action

My curiosity extends to the world of artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability. AI, to me, is a way to reimagine possibilities, solve complex challenges, and expand our ways of thinking. Sustainability starts with each of us. Rather than simply discussing global challenges, I constantly ask myself: What can I do today, to make the world a little better? When it comes to embracing new challenges, kitesurfing is at the top of my list. One day, I will take the plunge!

In my professional journey, I draw wisdom from thought leaders like Simon Sinek, who champions purpose-driven leadership, and André Hoffmann, whose relentless commitment to sustainability pushes me to think beyond conventional solutions. In sports, I admire Jürgen Klopp—not just for his achievements, but for his energy, his unwavering belief in his team, and his ability to inspire people to go” all in”. What moves me most is not just what these individuals do, but how they do it — with passion, conviction, and courage.

Bold decisions, resilience, and passion are the key ingredients to meaningful change. These influences align closely with my core values—Passion, Courage, and Integrity—which is also Roche’s core values. A senior leader once shared his three personal rules: Be humble, be honest, be prepared. To me, humility and honesty are the foundation of true integrity and collaboration. Every day, I strive to work with authenticity, to stay humble in the face of learning, and to take decisive action where it matters most.

My career journey

My career has always been driven by three things: a passion for people development, a hunger for innovation, and a commitment to creating opportunities. After earning my doctorate from the University of Mannheim, I took on various roles before joining Roche ten years ago.

What truly sets Roche apart is its unique combination of purpose, innovation, and collaboration. Our purpose of “doing now what patients need next” is something I feel deeply connected to. It is personal. We all know someone—a family member, a friend, a colleague—who has relied on breakthrough treatments. For me, the driving force behind my work is knowing that, in some way, I am contributing to solutions that change lives. Whether it is helping bring medicines to patients faster, innovating smarter, or shaping an environment where people can thrive, my question is always: How can I contribute?

My journey at Roche began with university relations and early-in-career strategies at our headquarters in Switzerland. Over time, I expanded my role to support affiliates in Basel and Kaiseraugst before transitioning to Communications and, more recently, Organization Enablement (OE). As a Workforce Development Partner, my focus is on building talent pipeline programs, creating social learning opportunities, and fostering knowledge-sharing initiatives. One of the most rewarding projects has been designing the Country Chief Accountant (CCA) Talent Pipeline Program, where AI meets career development to prepare future leaders in accounting. I also co-lead the Global Rotational Development Program (GRDP) and drive initiatives that break down language barriers through AI, ensuring a truly inclusive workplace where ideas and knowledge can flow freely.

All of this ties into our broader OE initiatives, particularly through the RSS Academy, where colleagues can find resources to develop skills, and explore career paths. It is about empowering people, shaping the work we do, and making learning accessible and meaningful. I believe in creating a workplace where people can grow, experiment, and push boundaries. The key is to learn fast, adjust, and keep moving forward. This is why I believe in sharing failures and lessons openly. A culture of transparency and innovation is essential for creating impact.

What excites me most about my work in OE is the real impact we create—helping colleagues develop their skills. This fuels me every single day. What makes this team special is our diversity of perspectives, our open feedback culture, and our shared drive to challenge conventional thinking. The global nature of our work makes it even more rewarding, but what I value most is how we support and inspire one another.

Looking back at our transformation, it is incredible to see how far we have come. In the early days, OE felt like a start-up – brimming with ideas, experimentation, and the challenge of defining what we could offer. Over time, those ideas turned into real, impactful solutions. This experience has been meaningful because I know I am part of something bigger. Our work ultimately helps patients by making processes leaner, smarter, and faster. That is what truly counts.

I don’t see obstacles. I see opportunities to grow. Every challenge presents a chance to learn, adapt, and develop new skills. Growth happens outside of our comfort zones, and I welcome that journey. If everything always went as planned, where would the excitement be? The real challenge and reward is in finding creative solutions, adapting to change, and making a tangible impact. Over time, I have developed strategies that help me stay resilient: keeping discussions objective, embracing different viewpoints, and recognizing that every perspective adds value. True innovation happens when ideas are challenged, debated, and refined.

• Never, ever give up. Challenges will come, but perseverance is what sets successful people apart. Keep pushing forward.

• It only matters what is, not what should be. Focus on reality, not hypotheticals. Deliver—and deliver fast. Results speak louder than intentions.

• Networking is key. At RSS, we work across strategic sites across the world. That diversity is an endless source of ideas, perspectives, and inspiration—tap into it!

• Continuous learning is non-negotiable. The world evolves, technology advances, and new opportunities emerge. Stay curious, explore, test, and adapt—learning is the foundation of both personal and professional growth.

• Follow your passion. At the end of the day, passion is what fuels you. Find what excites you, and go all in.

My RSS high-5!

If I could give a high-five to anyone, it wouldn’t just be one person—it would be every single employee who has been part of RSS from day one. Building something as impactful as RSS was no easy journey, but it has been a successful and transformative one. What makes this team stand out is their mindset, the drive to reshape processes, improve efficiency, and make a real difference for Roche, for our colleagues, and ultimately, for the patients we serve. Even though I have only been part of RSS for two years, I feel privileged to witness the progress, to see how far we have come, and to contribute to what is next. If I could say just one sentence to the team, it would be, "I am impressed and honored to be part of this journey."

The Organization Enablement team would like to congratulate Volker on his gig in Automation & Analytics!