Dagmar Rosa-Bjorkeson, Ph.D.: vice president, Respiratory Franchise Novartis Pharmaceuticals, USA: Dagmar Rosa-Bjorkeson, Vice President for the $700 million Respiratory Franchise at Sweden-based Novartis Pharmaceuticals, USA, learned very early the rewards, but also the price of global success

Latino Leaders: The National Magazine of the Successful American Latino, April, 2008 by Judi Jordan

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Dagmar's father was a passionate hotel manager, and the Rosa family life was shaped around his job, which required frequent moves. Growing up in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Dagmar recalls the Rosas' move to New York, and then to Latin America as her dad assumed the helm of the Caracas Hilton.

Although the hotel life looks glamorous, Dagmar says it is actually very demanding, with very long hours. "Because Dad was always working, we would hang out at the hotel to be close to him; I saw how he treated people, his work ethic and dedication to his career inspired me." This was her first lesson in management. "My dad was very inspirational, he gave people a lot of recognition. I try to do that as well in business."

Dagmar's family was close knit. "It was a very Spanish household; very Latin in the cultural sense; we were all totally bilingual after living in New York, but very tied to the music, dance and culture of the Caribbean. From age twelve to seventeen, we moved back to Puerto Rico, where I had a great time. I was in love with the culture, with the music and dance." Dagmar was also in love with leadership. "I was president of my class all through high school."

When the Rosas moved again, this time to Texas, Dagmar went to the University of Texas, where she experienced a very different type of Latino immersion. Inspired by her father's management style, Dagmar looked at her options and realized that she was fascinated by science. "I knew that I didn't want to go into the hotel business because dad had sacrificed so much, but I knew that the corporate world was a great fit for my personality. I liked the sciences, and by the time I was getting my Ph.D. in chemistry, I saw that the pharmaceutical industry would combine my love of science and working with people.

"In a corporate career, you have to work well with people and possess the ability to inspire and persuade large groups. It's good if it doesn't bother you if processes are made for you, and you also need to be aware that there is a certain amount of politics in the way that decisions are made. This industry offers great opportunities for women. I have been with [Novartis] for seventeen years."

Dagmar has held positions in sales, marketing, advertising, new products and general management. Novartis also took her to Sweden, where she met her husband. Together, they have three children. "We speak three languages at home; Spanish, English and Swedish, my family is tri-cultural."

Speaking about mentorship, Dagmar reflects: "In formal terms, I don't have one mentor, but I had the good fortune to orient myself towards people who did things with a certain style. I sought out as many mentors as sought out me. When I was Country Manager for Sweden, I had the Country Manager for Spain as my mentor. In terms of responsibility, you make choices every day; they can't all be perfect. I'm not a regretful person. I feel lucky with where I am. I'm trying to balance my skill sets. It's not about a job or a race to success."

Dagmar is very aware of her influence on others. "I see now that I'm influencing a lot of people impacting their careers. I mentor too many people! I have a hard time saying no to people who come to me for advice ... I meet with someone almost daily, I do formal and informal mentoring.

"I encourage women to find a career and decide what their strengths are. You build your skills and then deliver your best. As a Latin woman, align your strengths with the choices that you make ... continue to build your skills. You have a set of skills that you get better at. You have to be astute politically. I don't advise to focus on the networking and mentorship first; I'm a believer in transparency, and I like to communicate to people that they must align with their gifts first."

Interviewed at her offices in Novartis on March, 2008 by Judi Jordan