Boehringer Ingelheim Reverse Mentoring Program

We have been transforming healthcare since 1885. With 54,500 employees across 130 markets, we create long-term value through science, innovation, and a deep commitment to improving human and animal health. Our purpose-driven approach combines sustainable thinking, breakthrough solutions, and a strong culture of learning and collaboration.

As Boehringer Ingelheim Türkiye, we have a strong belief in the potential of young people. Their innovative ideas, energetic spirit, and ambitious dreams inspire us daily. This belief drives our commitment to working tirelessly for a healthier tomorrow and a better future.

One of the most bold and innovative steps in strengthening this culture was the launch of the Reverse Mentoring Program, a journey that redefined cross generational learning.

We have successfully completed our 1st cohort Reverse Mentoring Program. Since 2024, our talented young generation employees have been providing our senior leaders with fresh, new perspectives, fostering an enriching dialogue between generations. This program has truly been an inspiring journey, and it has significantly strengthened the bonds and understanding across different generations within our organization.

The program opened a new path where the curiosity and digital instincts of young talents met the strategic vision and experience of senior leaders-transforming learning into a multi directional, living exchange. This journey has been designed by the Human Resources Türkiye team with the aim of designing more than a conventional mentoring model. The goal was to build an environment in which people not only shared knowledge but also genuinely listened, understood, and learned from one another.

The journey has been followed by:

• In the first cohort, 10 young mentors and 7 Management Committee members came together. After completing an extensive 11-hour training, they embarked on seven 1:1 sessions, which quickly evolved into a platform of cross generational insight.

• Throughout the program, participants used an online tool to record their reflections and experiences. This enabled real time tracking of insights, deeper thematic exploration, and data driven improvements to the process.

• A supervision session was also built into the journey to capture collective learnings and ensure continuous efficiency.

• Young mentors generously shared their perspective and expertise-from technology trends to communication styles, evolving workplace expectations, and way of working.

• Management Committee mentees, in return, gained perspectives that influenced not only the decisions they made but, more importantly, how they thought and how they made decisions. These exchanges became powerful moments where "the wisdom of experience" met "the intuition of the future."

• During the half day closing session, mentors and mentees reflected on the learnings they gained throughout the program. The most memorable and defining sentence of the day perfectly captured the program's transformative impact:

  Testimonial: "What we heard in this process did not only influence the decisions we made; it influenced the way we think and make decisions."

This level of ownership and appreciation elevated the program beyond a development initiative, turning it into a lasting milestone of our culture of continuous and mutual learning.

We've recently launched the 2nd cohort as of 2026. Unlike the first cohort-where only Management Committee members participated as mentees-this new cohort expanded its reach, welcoming the entire leadership team into the mentee role. With this, the program grew in depth and scale, evolving into a broader strategic development movement across the organization. This program has been awarded as "Most Inclusive HR program in IMETA nominated as Shing Stars across our region, resulting in expanding our program scope into region.

OPU Turkiye HR Director will be leading the regional level Mentoring Program in our region showcasing our commitment to learning from each other.

Today, at Boehringer Ingelheim Türkiye, young talents inspire leaders with their ambitious and innovative ideas, leaders listen with genuine curiosity creating an inclusive atmosphere.

The Reverse Mentoring Program has become one of the strongest reflections of our confidence in the future and our ""Yount Talent : Our Future", our commitment to inclusiveness, and our unwavering belief in the power of continuous learning.