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Ineverygeneration,thereareleaderswhoriseabovethe
ordinary—thosewhonotonlyachieveprofessional milestonesbutredefinewhatitmeanstoleadwithimpact andvision.For2025,onesuchleaderstandsout:Cicek Wrabetz,whosejourneyfromthesunlitshoresofIzmirtothe commandingboardroomsofEuropeexemplifiesresilience, wisdom,andpurpose.
Cicek’sstoryisnotoneofchance,butofintention.Growingup inaseashoretowninTurkey,sheimbibedthevaluesof disciplineandconnection—qualitiesthatwouldlaterguideher acrossinternationallandscapesandcomplexindustries.Herpath reflectsarareblendofcuriosityandcourage,drivenbyadesire tocreatealegacymeasurednotonlyinfinancialresultsbutin meaningfultransformation.
Herglobalexposure,withprofessionaltraininginTurkey, Chicago,Vienna,andMunich,enrichedherperspectiveand deepenedherexpertise.ArmedwithdualCPAcertificationsand anMBAfromtheLondonSchoolofBusinessandFinance, Cicekbuiltareputationfarbeyondthetraditionaldefinitionsof finance.Today,asDirectorofFinanceatAscendisPharma,she embodiestheevolutionofmodernfinancialleadership—onethat isatonceanalyticalandempathetic,strategicyetdeeplyhuman. Sheisnotsimplyastewardofnumbers,butapartnerin change,enablingorganizationstothrivewhilekeepingpeople andpurposeatthecenter.
WhattrulydistinguishesCicekisherphilosophythatleadership isnotaboutbalancingworkandlifeasseparateentities,but aboutintegratingthemintoonemeaningfuljourney This convictionlendsdepthtoherleadershipstyle,remindingusthat professionalexcellencedoesnotrequirethesacrificeofpersonal authenticity.Instead,itcallsforthecouragetoembraceboth spheresasinseparablepartsofagreaterwhole.
Tothenextgeneration,hermessageistimelessandempowering: courage,determination,andintegrityarenotabstractideals,but realtoolstotransformnotonlycareersbutentirelives.Herrise demonstratesthattrueleadershipisnotabouttitlesor accolades—itisaboutconviction,contribution,andcreating ripplesofinspirationthattranscendboundaries.
Aswelookaheadto2025,CicekWrabetzstandsasabeaconof whattheworldmostneeds—avisionaryleaderwhoseimpact isdefinednotbypower,butbypurpose.
THE SIGNATURE STORY
Redefining Leadership Through Purpose, Resilience, and Human Connection
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Crisis as a Catalyst How Great Leaders Emerge in Uncertain Times INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
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Women at the Helm Redefining Leadership for a New Era
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THE MOST IMPACTFUL AND VISIONARY LEADER TO LOOK FOR IN 2025
The Signature Story
Redefining Leadership Through Purpose, Resilience, and Human Connection
Director of Finance
Ascendis Pharma
FromthebeachesofIzmirtotheboardroomsof Europeanbusiness,CicekWrabetz'sjourneyisone ofdetermination,curiosity,andofpurpose.She grewupinaseashoretowninTurkey,whereshelearned earlyonthevalueofrelatingandofdiscipline,skillsthat wouldserveherlaterinlifeacrossboundariesandsectors. Sheisataleofmakingdecisionsbasedonknowledge fueledbytheneedtocreatealastinglegacyratherthan merelyoneoffinancialsuccess.
Shewelcomedallthechangesasachallengeandan opportunity.Shewastrainedinfinanceandacquiredher proficiencyabroadinTurkey,Chicago,Vienna,and Munich.DuetoherdualCPAcertificationandMBAfrom theLondonSchoolofBusinessandFinance,sheearnedthe reputationofbeingachangepartnerandnotasimple financialadvisor.NowthatsheistheDirectoroffinanceat AscendisPharma,sheistheverydefinitionofthenew financeleader:prudentbutcompassionate,analyticalyet human.
Whatsetsherapartisthebeliefthatleadershipis integration,ratherthanbalance,whenworkandpersonal livescreatebutone,significantjourney.Hermessageto youngpeopleisclear:courage,determination,andintegrity canchangenotjustcareers,butlives.Herlifeisalifeof convictionandinspiration.
Wrabetz'sstorybeginsinIzmir,apicturesquecoastalcity onTurkey'swesternshores,wheretheMediterranean climateandwarmcommunityspiritshapedher foundationalyears. "The city gave me the opportunity to go to great schools, practice sports outside and drive to beaches in the summer with family and friends." she reflects.Itwashere,amidstthefriendlyneighborhoodsand outdooradventures,thatshedevelopedtwoqualitiesthat wouldproveinstrumentaltoherfuturesuccess:discipline andcuriosity.
Theseweren'tmerelychildhoodtraitsthatfadedwithtime. Instead,theybecamethebedrockuponwhichshebuilther entireprofessionalphilosophy Theactivelifestyleand
strongfriendshipsofheryouthinstilledinheran understandingthatbothpersonalandprofessionallife shouldbeapproachedwithenergy,openness,andgenuine humanconnection.
ThetransitionfromherbelovedhometowntoIstanbul's BosphorusUniversitymarkedthefirstofmanypivotal movesthatwoulddefinehercareer.Studyingbusiness administrationwithafocusonfinance,shewasalready layingthegroundworkforwhatwouldbecomeaglobespanningjourneyinpharmaceuticalleadership.
Likemanyfinanceprofessionals,Wrabetzbeganhercareer asajuniorauditor,arolethatmightseemmundaneto outsidersbutprovedcrucialinshapingherperspective."It gavemethechancetohaveasenseofdifferentindustries," sheexplains.Thisbird's-eyeviewofvariousbusiness sectorsultimatelyledtoadefiningmomentofclarity:she wantedtoworkwherebusinessdecisionshaddirect, meaningfulimpactonhumanlives.
Thepharmaceuticalindustrycalledtohernotforits financialreturns,butforitsfundamentalpurpose. "I have seen different therapeutic areas so far and patients that suffer from many various diseases, and I have seen how life-changing a therapy can be for an individual patient." shesays.Thiswasn'tabstractcorporatemission-speak,it wasadeeplypersonalrecognitionoftherolethatbusiness professionalsplayinthehealthcareecosystem.
WhatsetsWrabetzapartisherunflinchingacknowledgment oftheemotionalweightthiscarries. "Especially when the patients are pediatric, I mean kids, you feel good to help them as a company, but also the cases can be heartbreaking." It'sthisrawhonestyaboutthehumancost ofdisease,coupledwithanunshakeablecommitmentto beingpartofthesolution,thathaskeptheranchoredin pharmaforover20years.
"The city gave me the opportunity to go to great schools, practice sports outside and drive to beaches in the summer with family and friends.”
AmbitiondroveWrabetztocontinuouslyseeknew experiences,differentresponsibilities,andbroader perspectives.ThisjourneytookherfromTurkeyto Chicago,thentoVienna,andcurrentlytoMunich,each moverepresentingnotjustacareeradvancement,buta masterclassinadaptabilityandculturalintelligence.
Hercommitmenttoprofessionaldevelopmentrunsdeep. Whileworkingfull-time,sheearnedanMBAfromthe LondonSchoolofBusinessandFinanceandobtainedtwo CertifiedPublicAccountantcertificates.Theseweren't simplyresumebuilders;theywerestrategicinvestmentsin herabilitytocontributemeaningfullytotheorganizations sheserved.
"Every move from one country to another was a pivotal moment, as each was a step of professional and personal learning, experiencing, struggling that shaped myself to adapt to new environment, test my resilience, and eventually develop myself." shereflects.Thisperspective transformswhatcouldbeseenascareerdisruptionsinto intentionalgrowthopportunities,amindsetthathasbecome centraltoherleadershipphilosophy.
OneofWrabetz'smostcompellinginsightschallengesthe conventionalwisdomaboutwork-lifebalance.Ratherthan viewingpersonalandprofessionaldemandsascompeting forcesrequiringcarefulbalance,sheadvocatesfor integration. "Personal and professional life are to me integrated. It is the way I find most appealing and most manageable." shestates.
Thisisn’taboutworkingaroundtheclockorneglecting personalrelationships.Instead,itisaboutapproachinglife holistically,whereplanning,prioritizing,andscheduling applyequallytoprofessionaldeadlinesandfamilytime. Sheemphasizesthatitinvolvesnotonlyprofessionaltasks andmeetingsbutalsopersonalactivities,familytime,and privateappointments.
Thegeniusofthisapproachliesinitspsychological benefits.Bytreatingallliferesponsibilitiesaspartofa single,integratedwhole,sheeliminatesthementalstress thatcomesfromconstantlyfeelingtornbetweencompeting priorities. "Your mind is not busy thinking about what you are not doing anymore." shenotessimplestatementthat revealsprofoundwisdomaboutfocusandpresence.
Asaleader,Wrabetzembodieswhatmanagementtheorists calltransformationalleadership,butshebringsherown authenticspintoit. "The ability to quickly transform and adapt structures, processes, and products to changing conditions is essential for companies and managers today." sheexplains.However,sherecognizesthattransformation isn'tjustaboutsystemsandprocesses,it'sfundamentally aboutpeople.
"More important is the collaboration, trust, and encouragement of your team members and colleagues that you will need to succeed." sheemphasizes.
Thispeople-firstapproachtotransformationreflectsher deepunderstandingthatinthepharmaceuticalindustry, whereliveshanginbalance,teamsmustoperatewith exceptionalcohesionandsharedpurpose.
Herdecision-makingphilosophybalancesanalyticalrigor withintuitivewisdom.Forstraightforwardsituations,she reliesondata,teaminput,andstructuredanalysis.Butshe acknowledgesthatleadershipoftenrequiresnavigating tremendousuncertaintywithlimitedinformation.Inthese moments,"youwillcontinuewithyourexperienceandhow you'refeelingaboutthesituationtogoforward."
InhercurrentroleasFinanceDirectorforEuropeat AscendisPharma,Wrabetzexemplifiestheevolutionofthe CFOrolefromnumber-crunchertostrategicpartner."Tobe astrongCFOorafinanceleadertoday,youneedtobea strongstrategicpartnertoleadershipandexecutive managementoftheorganization,"sheasserts.
"The ability to quickly transform and adapt structures, processes, and products to changing conditions is essential for companies and managers today."
Herapproachgoesbeyondtraditionalfinancialstewardship. Sheseesfinanceleadersasthecustodiansoforganizational sustainabilitywhomust "follow trends, investigate investments, provide insights, prepare for future challenges, invest in opportunities, anticipate the risks and take calculated risks to grow business." Thisstrategicmindset, combinedwithherdeepindustryknowledgeandcultural adaptability,positionsherasexactlythekindofleaderthe pharmaceuticalindustryneeds.
Wrabetz'sself-awarenessextendstorecognizingherown areasforimprovement.Sheacknowledgesatendencyto make"extremelycomplexissuesandtaskslookveryeasy", astrengththatcaninadvertentlybecomeaweaknesswhen othersunderestimatetheworkinvolvedorfailtoplan accordingly.
Thislevelofself-reflectionspeakstoamatureleadership stylethatvaluescontinuousgrowthovertheappearanceof perfection. "In the end, your strengths can be your weaknesses or the other way around." sheobserves, demonstratingthekindofnuancedthinkingthat characterizestrulyeffectiveleaders.
PerhapsthemosttellingmeasureofWrabetz'ssuccessisn't foundinherimpressiveresumeorgeographicmobility,but inasimplestatementthatcapturesherlifephilosophy: "I am trying to live a professional and private life that if I was born again, I would be happy to live the same life."
Thisisn'tthestatementofsomeonewhohasmerely achievedcareersuccess,butofsomeonewhohas intentionallycraftedalifealignedwithherdeepestvalues.
Heradvicetoaspiringleadersreflectsthisauthenticity: "Focus on what you want and have courage to take on challenges. Spend time on finding out what you really want in your career and life. Define it and focus on it."
Asthepharmaceuticalindustryfacesunprecedented challengesfromrapidtechnologicaladvancementtoglobal healthcrisestoevolvingregulatorylandscapesleaderslike CicekWrabetzrepresenthopeforamorehuman-centered, adaptable,andpurposefulapproachtobusinessleadership.
HerjourneyfromthebeachesofIzmirtotheboardroomsof multinationalpharmaceuticalcompaniesillustratesthat transformationalleadershipisn'tabouthavingallthe answers,butaboutmaintainingcuriosity,embracing challenges,andneverlosingsightofthehumanimpactof businessdecisions.
Inaworldwherepharmaceuticalcompaniesareoften criticizedforprioritizingprofitsoverpatients,Wrabetz standsasanexampleofhowpurpose-drivenleadershipcan createsustainablesuccessthatservesallstakeholders, shareholders,employees,andmostimportantly,thepatients whoselivesdependontheinnovationsthesecompanies bringtomarket.
Herstorycontinuestounfold,drivenbywhatshecallsher "extremeexcitementforthefutureandwhatitwillbring." Foranindustryinconstanttransformation,havingleaders whoembracechangeasanopportunityratherthanathreat maywellbetheprescriptionforlong-termsuccess.
Crisishaseverbeenthetestofleadership.When uncertaintygloomsettles,whenestablished formulaedisintegrate,andwhenstakesarehighest, leaderscometotheplateingoodfaith.Whileperiodsof peaceunlockmanagementexpertise,itisattimesofbreak withthepast—economicshocks,pandemics,political revolutions,ortechnologyturmoils—thatleadership strengthgetstestedandre-tempaled.Crisisneverselects timesforterrorbutratherasinitiatorsthatturnaveragemen andwomenintogreatleaders.
Crisisturnsthescrewtightontime,creatingsituations whereleadersmustmakedecisionswithgiganticpressure andthinfacts.Suchacutting-edgedecisiontestsleadership skillsandweaknessesbeyondanyotherexperience.Bestto surviveisnotalwaysthemostexperienced,ortechnically bestqualified,butonewithvisionpoweredbycourage, empathy,andelasticity
Wiseleadersknowthatcrisesarenotjustdisruptionstobe weatheredbutalsoinflectionpointswiththepowerto reshapethecourseoforganizations,industries,andsociety. Byseeingopportunityindisruption,theyturncrisisintoa steppingstoneratherthanastumblingblock.
Thecourageisthefirstsignofcrisisleadership.Asfearand uncertaintyhaveatendencytospread,leadersmustact boldly—yetwithuncertainty.Itdoesn'timplyreckless decision-makingbutinclinationtoactwhenothersare afraidtodoso.Riskydecision-makingamidstturbulence provesconfidenceandaccountability,instillingconfidence withintheteamandstakeholders.
Couragealsomeansaccountabilityforoutcomes—goodor bad.Leaderswhotakeownership,eventoflawed conditions,demonstrateintegrityandbuildloyalty
Intheupheavalanddisturbanceofcrisis,visionisworth morethangold.Leadersofhighcalibersimplify complexitytodirection,providingafirmcompasswhen uncertaintybeckonswithimmobility Theyareconcerned withshort-runsurvival,yes,butsignificantlymore concernedwithsurvivalinthelongrun,thatdecisionsmade todaydonotjeopardizetomorrow'soptions.
Clarityalsoexistsin communication. Open,direct,and consistentleaders reduceanxietyand maintaintrust,even whencommunicating negativenews.This enables communicationto serveasastabilizer andrallyingpoint.
Wherestrategyand decisivenessare crucial,empathyis alsoindispensable. Crisistouchespeople atahighlypersonal level—throughjob security,emotional trauma,orlivesbeing putatrisk.Leaderswhounderstandtheserealitiesandshow genuineconcernbuildresiliencythroughouttheir organizations.
Empathydoesnotinvolvesentimentalizingdecisionsbut makingsurethathumanityisneversacrificedforthesake ofgettingthingsaccomplished.Whenpeopleareheardand caredabout,theywillbelesslikelytocomeapartatthe seamsunderduresswitheachother.
Perhapsnoattributeismoreessentialduringcrisisthan flexibility.Uncertaintylawsarethatnooneplanwillever succeed.Theleadershavetobeflexible,opentolearning, andabletomakequickturnsassituationsevolve.
Agileleaderstryout,takearisk,andmodifywithout clingingtowhattheyfirstbelieved.Theyestablishaculture ofresiliencyandinnovation,whereuncertaintybecomesan openinvitationtoreinvention.Inbeingthemselves adaptable,theymakespacefortheirteamstocreatively respond,notinfear.
Leadersdonotmerelysurfacrisisbutturnitintoachangeagencycatalyst.Crisisexposesweaknessesbutalsolays barethepotentialofinnovation,re-prioritisation,and constructingenhancedsystems.Leaderswhomakelearning fromdisruptiontheirbusinesshaveorganisationsthatcome outwiser,stronger,andfuture-proof.
Forinstance,criseswillspeeduptheembraceofnew technologies,businessmodels,orworkstylesthatnormally wouldtakeyearstoimplement.Thosewhoadoptsuch hasteningoverresistingputtheirorganizationsatthe frontiers.
Crisis-testedleadershiplearningslastlongerthanthe momentarydisruption.Courage,clarity,empathy,and agilitybecomesecondnaturethatleadersuseonsubsequent challenges.Teamsthathaveriddenthroughacrisistogether alsolearnmoretrust,deeperrelationships,andpurpose.
So,notonlydocrisestestleadership—crisesformit.Each disruptionisalaboratoryofresilience,settingleadersand organizationsupforwhat'snext.
Crisisneverarrivesbyhappenstance,butitcarriesunique momentstomakethemostoutofleadership.During uncertaintimes,greatleadersdistinguishthemselvesfrom backingawayinfear,butinsteadconfrontithead-onwith courage.Theyintroduceorderwherethereischaos, empathywherehumanbeingsareattheirworst,and flexibilitywhenobsoletemodelscrumblethrough.Most importantly,theyareabletolookbeyondthecrisisitself anduseitasaforceforchangeandgrowth.
Historyhasshownthatcrisisleadersarethosewhoprotect theirbusinessesintheshortterm,andcreateabetter, strongerfuture.Intimesofturmoil,leadershipisnotso muchaboutsurvivingupheaval—it'saboutapplyingitasa platformfortransformation.
Leadershipischangingfromwhereitwasborn.The oldhierarchicalanddogmaticmodelsaregiving waytonew,human,empathetic,andadaptive models.Itiswomenleaderswhoareleadingthischange becausetheirgrowingpredominanceoverboardrooms, governments,andstartupscenariosisradicallyalteringthe verynatureofleadership.Womenleadersaren'tjustfilling thegaps—butestablishingnewones,anditgoestoshow thatleadershiptodaycallsforbalance,cooperation,and boundary-lessvision.
Womeninthepastdecadeshadnobusinessbeingin leadershippositions,relegatedtosecond-stringerrolesor leftoutentirely Today,thestoryischangingaswomen breakwallsandoccupytheirrightfulplaceasdecisionmakers.Theirascendanceisnotmerelyaboutquantity—it isaboutredefiningwhatleadershipisallabout.Women leadersareprovingthatstrengthandempathyarenot mutuallyexclusive,thatdecisivenessandscopecango together,andthatresultsneednotbemeasuredindollars butintermsofcontributingpositivelytosociety
Femaleleadersbringanewdynamictoleadershippractice, oneofrelationship,flexibility,andemotionalintelligence. Insteadofcommand-and-control,theyprizelistening, buildingconsensus,andcreatingculturesinwhichthe voicesofalltypesofpeopleareheard.Thisisnot weakenedleadershipbutstretched-outleadershipthrough innovation,engagement,andtrust.
Whenbusinessesandsocietiesareflailingtoaddress difficult,interconnectedissues,suchcapabilitiesaretheir weightingold.Womenleadersareteachingusthat sensitivityandflexibilityarenot"soft"butcorestrengths forsurvivingaworldofuncertaintyandtobuildsustained growth.
Perhapsthemostamazingwaywomenarerevolutionizing leadershipisthemannerinwhichtheyexercisepower. Traditional,pastideasofleadershipapproachedpowerfrom theperspectiveofdomination.Conversely,mostwomen leadersemploypowerasatoolforupliftingothers. Empoweringothers,mentoringotherstobefutureleaders, andcreatingwebsofassociation,womenareredefining influenceassomethingtobeshared,notpossessed.
Thisshiftisparticularlypertinentintoday'sglobalizedway oflife,whereinternationalproblems—fromglobal warmingtocomputerization—havesolutionsthrough cooperation,notasingleindividual'sauthority
Italsocounterbalancestheemergenceofwomenleaders.A numberofwomenleadershavebeenprovedto counterbalancethedelicacyofleadershipwithchallenges beyondwork.Theybalancingtheirrolesasaninspirationto moremoralleadershipthatembracestheworkersaswhole personsandnotjustmoney-generatingmachines.
Bypromotingagileoffices,inclusiveculture,andthewellbeingofemployees,womenleadersarecreatingtheirown wayandconstructingworkplaceswhereskilledemployees fromvariousbackgroundscanthrive.Thisnewmodelof leadershipisaresponsetoshiftsinsocietytovaluequality oflifeasmuchasprofessionalsuccess.
Womenleadersareamongthestrongforcesforbringing morediversitytoorganizations.Merelybeingthereforces heterogeneityandcreatesthepathtomorediversedecisionmaking.Butbeyondthat,therearehundredsofwomen leaderswhoactivelypushfairnessandopendoorstogroups thathavetraditionallybeenkeptout.
Notonlyisthistherightthingtodo—it'sgoodbusiness. Againandagain,studieshaverevealedthatdiversified leadershipteamsaremoreinnovative,moreeffectiveat problem-solving,andachievesuperiorbottom-line performancethanhomogeneousteams.Womenleadersare provingthatinclusiveleadershipisnottherightthingtodo butalsosmartstrategy
Womenleadershavediscoveredtheroadtoleadership narrowandscarce.Theyhaveexperiencedinstitutionalized suspicion,bias,andmorerigorousscrutinythantheirmale counterparts.Yet,thesechallengeshavedeveloped tenacity—thecharacteristicthatbestdefineseffective leadershipinanewera.Throughpurewillpower,women leadersdemonstratecourageandresilience,encouraging otherstoapproachobstacleswithcourageand determination.
Thisisnotastruggleofresilienceofisolationbutoneof buildingfacilitativenetworks,exercisingpowerin community,andnotbeingstuckbynormallimitations.In thesewomenleaders,thecommunitarianethosof leadershipthetimesdemandisexemplified.
Asmorewomenoccupyleadershippositions,leadership itselftransforms.Futurewillnolongerbemarkedbyrigid hierarchiesbutbyfluidcooperativemodelswithflexibility andopennessgiventhesamereverenceascompetenceand power Womenareleadingthisrevolutionandareshowing thatintheemergingworld,leadershipisempowerment,not domination,purpose,notcontrol.
Theircontributiongoesbeyondtheirorganizations, reachingsociety'svaluesandprovidingexamplestofuture generations.Youngmenandwomenallovertheworldare watchingleadershipredefined—proofthatgreatnessisnot singularbutpluralandbrighterwithdiversity
Womenleadersbecomenotjustchartingcompanies;they're rewritingthedictionarydefinitionofleadership.Their vision,empathy,andbraveryarereshapingwhatit'sliketo bealeaderintimesofcrisisandchange.Withtheir maelstromofbreakingglassceilings,buildingbridges,and livingresilience,they'reforginganewmodelofleadershiponethatemphasizespartnershipovercontrol,missionover power,andhumanoverhierarchy.
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