Inspiring People, Inspiring Journeys, is a new podcast series in 2023, moderated by Sanja Haas, Chairwoman of the Advisory Board for the European Human Capital Center at The Conference Board. Each episode features an informal conversation with a CHRO about their role & responsibilities, professional journey and perspectives about HR careers and the future of the function.

In this eighth episode, Sanja sits down with Mieke van de Capelle, CHRO at dsm-firmenich. Mieke shares with us what it’s like being a CHRO in a newly merged conglomerate (the B2B company touches 4 billion people on a daily basis indirectly) and how this is a daunting experience - both incredibly rewarding and challenging at the same time. Rewarding because of the opportunity to be building a company fit for purpose; challenging because everything is up for reevaluation. She tells us about her different professional experiences and journey which prepared her for the current role, including being part of a very long post-merger integration as her first role as CHRO in 2012.

Mieke explains that she does not have a “recipe book” and that every situation is different with no “one size fits all”. Having experience is one thing, but not enough. Mieke shares that in order to make a difference as an HR Professional, experience needs to be coupled with a mindset of being open to listen, learn and understand what is needed for the business.