Marianne Viskum Olesen

I'm the Human Resources Business Partner for New Product Discovery and Global Development - R&D at LEO Pharma.
 

Marianne at work
My main tasks are to support managers at all levels with tasks related to employees and the organisation. I deal with all HR-related issues in R&D such as recruitment, organisational changes, legal and performance. Basically, it’s all about finding the right balance between what each of us wants as employees and what LEO Pharma needs.

A balanced approach
I’m always looking for the balance between personal and company needs. John Forbes Nash, the mathematician (Nobel Prize winner) who came up with the Nash Equilibrium and Game Theory, explained the balance in this way. You get the best result/equilibrium if a group of players each one makes the best decision that he or she can, taking into account the decisions of the others. And at LEO we’re determined to find that balance.
Open communication and dialogue are key principles here. If you have an idea and you’re passionate about it, you’ll be heard. That’s very motivating for everyone who works here.

Life before LEO
Before I joined LEO Pharma, I worked for the Danish Red Cross. It was the time of the meltdown in the former Yugoslavia and we had to deal with an influx of approx. 30,000 refugees into Denmark. Housing them all and making sure we met their needs was a huge logistical challenge, which stretched resources to the limit. Five years went by with a blink of the eye.

I loved working for Red Cross because it is a company with strong values and passionate people. So when I decided it was time to move on, I wanted to find a company whose values were equally strong. I found that at LEO Pharma.

Common values and goals
We take people and their needs very seriously. LEO Pharma’s products help people all over the world achieve healthy skin and a better life quality. I find it very motivating to make my contribution to this very important task.
Even though we’re the third largest pharma company in Denmark, there’s a family atmosphere at LEO Pharma. I think it's because we feel connected by our history and values. We have a rich heritage and set of traditions that we share even though we’re are many people from different cultures all over the world.

Professional challenge
I’m always open to new opportunities and get them here. If I want a new assignment or a new challenge, I have always been met with a positive and constructive dialogue. It’s great to know that management believes in me and values what I can offer the company. My biggest opportunity for personal and professional growth lies in the diversity of my tasks. I plan to stick around here for as long as I feel I can make a difference.

Marianne at leisure
I spend a lot of time with my family. We have four boys and a dog, so there’s never a dull moment at home! One thing we like doing together is travelling. We don't just visit places and take photos. We enjoy a challenge. Last year we were in Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. It's nearly 6,000 metres high and the highest mountain in Africa. It took us six days to complete the hike. It was a fantastic experience and a great challenge.