Novartis: Increased
Health Awareness in rural India
30-day field immersion developing entrepreneurial leaders,
working alongside local health partners across rural India.
THE CLIENT
Novartis is a leading global healthcare company, committed to reimagining medicine to improve and extend people's lives. With a presence in over 150 countries, Novartis combines scientific innovation with a deep commitment to improving global health.
THE CHALLENGE
Novartis wanted to create a leadership program that would stretch its senior talent far beyond their corporate comfort zones. The aim was to develop entrepreneurial leaders capable of navigating complex, high-stakes challenges - while making a tangible difference in global health. The question was: how to design an experience that built critical leadership skills and delivered real community impact at the same time?
OUR SOLUTION
LeadUp partnered with Novartis to create a transformative field-based module for the Entrepreneurial Leadership Program. As part of the program, 30 senior talents spent 30 days in rural India, working alongside local doctors, nurses, and community leaders to address urgent healthcare challenges.
Cross-functional teams visited over 100 villages, raising awareness about preventable diseases, the importance of basic medicines, and access to treatment. They developed health campaigns, ran community workshops, and launched initiatives that helped families access essential care.
To prepare participants, LeadUp developed the Emerging 360 Test to give each leader deep personal insight before traveling. We also provided ongoing coaching and guidance before, during, and after the field experience to ensure the growth was lasting both professionally and personally, helping participants become more connected to their purpose and fostering a deeper sense of empathy, perspective, and fulfillment.
THE IMPACT
health education initiatives
multiple global markets
experience in rural India
"The program became a catalyst for change within Novartis, proving how hands-on leadership development can drive both business value and social impact. Participants returned with new perspectives, stronger purpose, and a deeper commitment to leading as agents of change. Most described it as a career-defining journey - a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to grow as leaders while making a lasting difference in global health."
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