Read the Conversation
Meeting highlights:
- Celebrating more than 6 decades of Pfizer's presence in Saudi Arabia in 2024, marking a historic milestone as the first multinational pharmaceutical company to establish a local manufacturing plant in the Kingdom.
- Prioritizing initiatives to develop local expertise, empowering Saudi professionals to drive innovation and sustain healthcare excellence.
- Supporting diversity and inclusion by fostering opportunities for women in alignment with global standards and national aspirations.
- Contributing to Saudi Arabia's 2030 Vision of increasing economic diversification by fostering a knowledge-based economy and enhancing local healthcare capabilities.
- Upholding Pfizer's mission is to enhance the well-being of Saudi citizens by advancing innovative treatments and healthcare access.
- Creating opportunities for growth and professional development within Pfizer Saudi, empowering employees to make a meaningful difference in patients' lives.
- Contributing to Saudi Arabia's high vaccination rate during the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting Pfizer's pivotal role in protecting public health.
- Mohamed Fawzy, reflecting after almost 15 years in Pfizer and 25 years in the Pharmaceutical sector.
EF: Can you share your experience and perspective on moving to Saudi Arabia during the pandemic and leading Pfizer Saudi's transformation in alignment with Vision 2030?
MF: I have been in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the past four years and have seen how it has experienced significant growth and momentum, driven by its Vision 2030 initiative. I joined Pfizer Saudi in mid-2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic—a challenging and uncertain time. Through incredible partnerships with the government on various fronts, Pfizer Saudi became a trusted thought partner for decision-makers, building strong relationships that grew exponentially during this time. This trust and collaboration are things I feel deeply fortunate to have experienced as a leader. Pfizer's presence in Saudi Arabia dates back to the early 1960s, giving us a long legacy of serving patients in the region. However, the last four years have been transformative, not just in the number of patients we have reached but also in how we have evolved globally as a company. Pfizer has undergone a major strategic shift, and this new vision is having a direct impact on how we operate in Saudi Arabia, driving meaningful change strengthening our commitment to the Kingdom's healthcare goals and delivering breakthroughs that change patients' lives.
EF: Could you elaborate on Pfizer's current footprint, key priorities, and how the company is supporting Saudi Arabia in achieving Vision 2030?
MF: Over the past few years, Pfizer has undergone a significant transformation globally, moving away from being primarily known as a pharmaceutical giant focused on primary care products toward becoming a leading biopharmaceutical company specializing in areas like oncology, vaccines, rare diseases, and life-saving hospital products. This shift reflects a completely new strategic direction and operating model for the company. In Saudi Arabia, we have successfully adapted to this global transformation. The country's Vision 2030 initiative has created a unique environment for innovation. The government's focus on bringing breakthrough medical advancements to patients quickly has enabled cutting-edge treatments and technologies to reach those who need them sooner. Pfizer's footprint in Saudi Arabia is something we are very proud of. Our footprint in the Kingdom includes being the first multinational pharmaceutical company of 100% foreign ownership licensed in Saudi Arabia, a manufacturing site in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC). Also, to contribute to the knowledge economy in the Kingdom, we established the Pfizer Scientific Institute (PSI) in 2021. PSI's main mission is to enhance local scientific research capabilities and infrastructure through partnerships with key stakeholders in the R&D ecosystem, aiming to drive forward strategic initiatives that support Vision 2030.
In line with Saudi Arabia's Saudization efforts under Vision 2030, our aim is not just to hire Saudi talent but also to place them in impactful roles. We are also leading in women's empowerment—a key focus of Vision 2030. To address this, Pfizer Saudi launched the Women in Leadership program, designed to fast-track the growth of talented Saudi women by building their skills and giving them the tools they need to take on leadership roles. This initiative reflects our commitment to gender equality and our role as an active contributor to Vision 2030's goal of empowering women in the workforce and diversifying the economy.
Vision 2030 is fundamentally about increasing Saudi Arabia's economic diversification and building a knowledge-based economy. This shift involves investing in people, enhancing quality of life, and fostering service industries that drive sustainable growth. At Pfizer Saudi, we are happy to contribute to this transformation by advancing healthcare and investing in talent and capabilities that support the Kingdom's broader goals. We are proud to be part of this journey and to play a role in shaping the future of Saudi Arabia.
EF: What initiatives are you leading in Saudi Arabia that you are most excited about, particularly the Pfizer' Committed to You' program?
MF: The idea for this campaign came from our discussions about how to make Pfizer's 175th-anniversary celebrations more meaningful for Saudi Arabia. While Pfizer has been celebrating this milestone globally, we wanted to create something unique that truly reflects our commitment to the Saudi people and society. That is how the concept of a bespoke campaign, 'Committed to You,' came to life with its three key pillars: Committed to your future, committed to your well-being, and committed to your progress". This campaign has two key dimensions: internal and external. Internally, the message 'Committed to You' resonates strongly with our employees, showcasing Pfizer Saudi's dedication to its team. For example, 'Committed to Your Future' sends a powerful message to young Saudi talent joining Pfizer, highlighting how we are invested in their growth and career development. Externally, the campaign reflects the impact of our efforts on society. Take vaccines, for example—' Committed to Your Future' can also mean helping individuals live healthier, longer lives by taking preventative measures like vaccination.
The second aspect, Committed to Your Progress, is about how we are helping to build capabilities within Saudi Arabia. For employees, this includes professional development programs. In contrast, for society, it includes our initiatives to develop local talent and capabilities and enhance the knowledge economy and the idea that good health is foundational to achieving progress in any area of life.
'Committed to Your Well-Being' focuses on overall wellness. While this may sound like an external message aimed at society, where we are committed to developing breakthroughs that change Saudi patients' lives, it also applies internally to our employees, as we deeply value their health and well-being.
EF: Could you describe your management style and how you inspire your team and the broader organization?
MF: Leadership, in my opinion, truly reveals itself during challenging times. It is easy to lead when everything is going smoothly—when you have a strong pipeline, things are going well, and success feels effortless. But real leadership shows in moments of difficulty, whether the challenges come from within or externally. During those tough moments, I look to the people around me to see how they step up and demonstrate leadership. Another essential aspect of leadership is inclusiveness, which goes hand in hand with diversity. I believe in building a diverse team—bringing together people who think differently, approach problems from unique angles, and behave differently. But diversity alone is not enough. Inclusiveness means creating a safe space where everyone feels encouraged to contribute, share ideas, and even fail without fear. As a leader, it is important to celebrate not just successes but also failures. When you do that, you create an environment where people feel comfortable coming forward with their ideas. Often, the best ideas do not come from senior directors or executives but from those closest to the customer, someone who understands the challenges firsthand. It's important not just to have diverse voices but also to truly listen to them and empower them. Inviting people to the party is not enough—you need to bring them onto the dance floor and give them the space to shine. That is what inclusiveness in leadership is all about.
EF: As you approach 15 years with Pfizer next year, what would you consider your most significant achievement, and what will you celebrate?
MF: What truly excites me and makes me proud is seeing people at Pfizer achieve more than they ever thought possible. Watching them grow and surpass their expectations is incredibly rewarding. Another thing that deeply moves me is the impact I have made in Saudi Arabia and other countries I worked in, such as Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt. Serving patients who are in such great need is something that has always inspired and driven me.
I am immensely proud of what Pfizer accomplished during the COVID-19 pandemic. Saudi Arabia has become a global example of how to manage the crisis effectively, and I am honored that Pfizer has contributed to the vaccination goals of the Kingdom. Saudi vaccination rates were among the highest worldwide, and that success played a crucial role in reopening Hajj and Umrah to Muslims worldwide. During the pandemic, these sacred rites were deeply affected, so seeing them reopen and witnessing people return to these spiritual journeys was one of my career's most defining and proudest moments.
