GALENIKA: A Success that Lasts – People Who Matter
INTERVIEW Jelena Parojčić, Executive Director of Human Resources, Galenika
This year, Galenika marked 79 years of operation. As one of the oldest pharmaceutical companies from the former Yugoslavia and among the longest-standing in Europe, Galenika continues to be future-oriented. Jelena Parojčić, Executive Director of Human Resources at Galenika, shared her perspective on this milestone and the campaign celebrating the company’s people.
Galenika is celebrating 79 years in business this year. What makes the company strong and ready to tackle the challenges of the industry and the ever-changing market conditions?
Galenika is an international company and a regional leader in producing pharmaceutical products designed to ensure health and improve quality of life.
Although this may not be a round-number anniversary, 79 years is still a significant milestone, reflecting resilience, innovation, quality, and expertise. More than anything, it speaks to our greatest strength—our people and our team. That’s why the campaign marking this occasion carries the message:
“Success that lasts – People who matter.”
Six years ago, we began a transformation, characterized by intensive investments, expansion into international markets, and a continuous commitment to quality, community, and environmental responsibility. Galenika has a rich tradition, but it is focused on the future—which allows us to anticipate and overcome challenges.
From your experience as an HR executive, what are the three key qualities of successful candidates for managerial positions?
That largely depends on the company, industry, and sector, but if I were to outline some general guidelines, they would be:
Knowledge,
Confidence, and
Communication.
Professional knowledge and experience are essential foundations that must be continuously developed. Confidence is crucial for managing oneself, a team, and business processes, as it fosters reliability and consistency in decision-making.
However, communication skills are often the ultimate test for managers. Without effective communication, other skills cannot produce results. Strong communication means respecting others, active listening, clearly conveying messages and expectations, providing and receiving feedback, and successfully navigating challenges.
What does equality, inclusion, and diversity (DEI) policy mean at Galenika, and how important is it to business success?
It is extremely important. A strong DEI policy enhances collaboration, employee satisfaction, engagement, retention, and Galenika’s attractiveness as an employer. It also strengthens relationships with partners and stakeholders. Our core values are integrity, responsibility, courage, and passion—which naturally include respecting and promoting equality, inclusion, and diversity. The DEI programs we implement enhance competitiveness, agility, innovation, brand perception, and overall organizational strength.
For example, Galenika employs professionals across more than 100 different educational backgrounds and qualification levels. A majority of our employees hold university degrees, primarily in natural sciences. Remarkably, 63% of managerial positions at Galenika are held by women, a figure significantly above the market average. Diversity is also reflected in the many native languages spoken by our colleagues, including English, Portuguese, Macedonian, Slovenian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, Italian, and Russian.
What message would you share with young professionals considering a career in the pharmaceutical industry and at Galenika?
This is an exciting and dynamic industry that promotes continuous learning and development, something I personally consider essential.
At Galenika, we responsibly create value for consumers, healthcare professionals, employees, and shareholders by setting the highest industry standards and leveraging decades of expertise to deliver innovative solutions in pharmaceuticals.
We are constantly increasing investment in employee training—this year, we have tripled the number of training hours.
The growth of a modern business depends significantly on strategic planning and investment. At Galenika, we have invested heavily in our people, teams, safety, production, digitalization, and environmental sustainability. As a result—something I am especially proud of—Galenika today is both a company of diversity and a company of opportunity.
The interview was published in the daily newspaper “Nova” on October 8, 2024.
