Selma missed a professional network for women – now she’s part of HBA

Selma Keceli is quite passionate about her job.

She is a pharmacist and currently works as a Medical Manager at Sandoz, where she operates across all the Nordic countries.

Working in the Life Science industry is both challenging and meaningful, and 35-year-old Selma Keceli has no doubt that she has found her true calling.

However, there is something she sometimes misses in her busy life with a demanding job and three small children: Time to geek out, find inspiration, and network with other women in the industry.

Selma Keceli has longed for a greater sense of professional community in her daily life, and about a year ago, she began looking for a professional network.

She found her place in the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA).

“I had heard about WILD (Women in Life Science Denmark) and a few other organizations, but I’m neither a manager nor very senior, so I didn’t quite fit in,” she explains.

Many women’s networks – such as WILD – are aimed at those in leadership or board-level positions. But Selma wanted a place where you don’t need a long CV or a high-ranking title to join and contribute.

“I wanted to find an organization where you don’t have to be someone important to be part of it – and that’s where I felt HBA opened some doors.”

Networking and Expats

HBA is an international organization for women working in the Life Science industry.

The organization is relatively new in Denmark and the Nordic region, and right now, Selma and a few others are working to establish the network on Danish soil.

Globally, HBA is dedicated to advancing gender equality – especially in countries where being a woman in the workforce can still be challenging.

“In some countries, HBA is quite large and does important work. For example, we have many members in Spain and Turkey, where the opportunities for women in the Life Science sector are not the same as in Denmark,” Selma says.

“I wanted to find an organization where you don’t have to be someone important to be part of it – and that’s where I felt HBA opened some doors.”

In Denmark, the focus of HBA is less on the gender equality struggle and more on building professional connections.

To begin with, Selma and the Danish HBA team plan to host two to three events a year, bringing together women from across the Life Science industry.

Each event will include both a professional presentation – offering new insights and inspiration – and time for informal networking.

Because of its international foundation, HBA will place particular emphasis on supporting expats, Selma explains.

“There’s a special culture in the Danish job market – for example, you have freedom with responsibility from day one. In many other countries, that’s something you have to earn,” she says.

HBA aims to help women who come to Denmark for work – both by building social and professional networks and by navigating the written and unwritten rules of the Danish workplace.

Want to Join?

If you’re curious about HBA, you can attend the next networking event, taking place on 11 November from 16:30 to 19:30 at Pharmadanmark.

You’ll be introduced to the organization, and leadership coach Pia Ravn will give a presentation.

Everyone – naturally, men as well – is welcome, and participation is free of charge. You can sign up here: Meet the HBA and Pharmadanmark.