Adeline Wong – From reading people to enabling organizations

The people in my life play a huge role in shaping who I am. My partner supports my wildest ideas while keeping me grounded. Despite living across the globe, my childhood best friend remains my unwavering confidante. At work, I thrive under an inspiring manager and a team that embraces my quirks, providing a safe space for collaboration. And then, there’s Marley, my late dog, whose 5 p.m. ritual of reminding me to pause and play still lingers. His legacy lives on, teaching me the importance of balance, even on the busiest of days.

The center of my career journey: People

I studied Psychology — not to read minds (unfortunately!) — but because I have always been fascinated by people. My career path has been anything but linear. I have navigated the worlds of business development in fashion, global manufacturing operations and People & Culture, each role teaching me something invaluable. In manufacturing, I found myself chasing down plant managers around the world to explain why their OTIF (on-time in full) wasn’t meeting targets. Transitioning into People & Culture, I found my passion for people-focused initiatives like learning and development, engagement and recruitment.

When I joined the People & Culture team of Roche Services & Solutions (RSS) APAC in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2016 as the first official hire, I focused on setting up processes from payroll to operations to companywide employee engagement initiatives. I worked on projects that truly made an impact, leading the Roche Children’s Walk 2019 in Malaysia, founding the site’s first Toastmasters Club as its charter president (despite having zero experience!), and launching the Mental Health @ Work program. These opportunities not only helped me grow but also allowed me to contribute to making this a great place to work.

Since 2023, I have been working as a Culture Transformation Partner in the Organization Enablement unit of RSS, supporting business leaders in developing and implementing workforce strategies. Although exciting, the role has been a steep learning curve. Understanding our business helps me connect the dots and shape strategies that truly align with our people and goals. Mistakes were inevitable, but each misstep was a lesson. I have learned resilience, the courage to step into uncertainty and the openness to innovate.

What has made this journey extraordinary is the people. The leaders who coach and empower, the colleagues who provide a psychologically safe space to share and grow, as well as a workspace culture that genuinely values our people. At RSS, development isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. There is flexibility, collaboration and a strong commitment to well-being.

Connected to a purpose: Our patients 

At the heart of it all, what drives me is the knowledge that our work impacts lives. A few years ago, my mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer. Thanks to a breakthrough Roche medicine, she fully recovered and now enjoys a quality life with us. That personal experience reinforced my belief in what we do and why we must constantly evolve and push forward. At the end of the day, the patient is waiting. Every decision we make contributes to their well-being, and that meaningful purpose of ''doing now what patients need next" fuels me every morning when I step into work.

But I don’t do this alone. I am surrounded by an incredible team that makes the journey fulfilling. My colleagues create a safe space where I can be my quirky self, and my manager continues to inspire me with unwavering support for our development. Together, we navigate challenges, celebrate wins and drive impactful change.