AstraZeneca builds employees into next-generation leaders

Carlo Mastrangelo began working with AstraZeneca Canada Inc. in senior roles more than 18 years ago. He credits his growth in the company to great managers, mentors and the opportunity to put his hand up when new projects and challenges are available.

“I’ve had great opportunities to step into new spaces, projects and roles,” says Mastrangelo, now head of corporate affairs, communications and sustainability. “This includes working on global projects, organizational change and an area I’m particularly passionate about – AstraZeneca’s sustainability initiatives.”

AstraZeneca is a science-led biopharmaceutical company that employs roughly 1,200 people in Canada who research, develop and market innovative medicines. And the company is serious about staff development, whether in new roles, project work or expanded responsibility.

Development is a key priority at AstraZeneca. Over 90 per cent of employees reported they feel they’ve learned a new skill in the last year. And 40 per cent of employees reported taking on a new or “stretch” assignment.

“AstraZeneca will take a risk on a development assignment in an area that’s not part of an employee’s original career path,” says Kiersten Combs, country president, AstraZeneca Canada. “We’re growing careers and building leaders for the longer term, not only for the next role.”

The company invests in people development through on-the-job stretch assignments, self-led learning opportunities, programs targeting key needs such as female leadership and early careers, as well as overall leadership programs. These are in addition to tuition reimbursement and partnerships with universities to hire new graduates and develop talent early in their career.

AstraZeneca employees reside all over the country, with a large number of roles headquartered in the GTA. The organization also continuously innovates their people practices to ensure they are staying relevant to changing workplace needs.

“It’s clear employee expectations of their employer are evolving,” says Combs. “We believe face-to-face collaboration is an important driver of innovation, but that we need to balance this with flexible working arrangements.”

The company took early steps during the pandemic to strengthen supports for the health and well-being of employees and their families. “Our leadership actively listens to employees,” Combs says. “Both face to face and through engagement surveys.”

A key area of focus for AstraZeneca is continuing to foster a strong inclusive environment. Both Combs and Mastrangelo believe that a team is at its most creative when it is made up of people who think differently from one another, in an environment where different views and perspectives are welcomed and valued.

And now more than ever, employees are drawn to the company’s focus on developing life-changing medicines in such areas as cancer, asthma, diabetes and COVID-19.

Both Combs and Mastrangelo were attracted to AstraZeneca for its purpose.

“I’m incredibly proud of the work we’re doing collectively to deliver new innovative medicines and hope for patients,” says Mastrangelo. “By taking bold action on sustainability, we’re also helping to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time – from climate change to access to health care – supporting a healthier future for society and the planet.”

“I meet people whose lives have been improved by our medications,” says Combs, “and I share that with our team – that working at AstraZeneca also helps improve the lives of Canadians.”

This article appeared in the magazine announcing this year's Greater Toronto’s Top Employers winners, published December 9, 2022 in The Globe and Mail. This article was prepared with the financial support of the employer, which reviewed but did not write its contents.