From Chemistry to Crisis Leadership: Suriya Khabibullina's Unlikely Journey

Suriya Khabibullina's journey from chemistry to multinational leadership is an unlikely one. Initially, she wanted to be an academic in chemistry, but after the Soviet Union collapsed, she lost her job and began working as a tourist guide. She saw an advertisement for Procter & Gamble sales representatives and took the opportunity, becoming a sales representative at 30 years old.

Her experience in chemistry gave her a clear framework and algorithm that served her well in business. She progressed quickly through various roles, including director-level positions, and became a procurement leader, sales& marketing leader, and strategic manager. This diverse portfolio of experiences has helped her as a management consultant, executive coach, tutor, and sales, procurement, and marketing specialist.

Khabibullina reflects on the importance of stakeholder-led project design in improving implementation. She attributes this approach to the success of multinational companies she worked with, including Gillette/Procter & Gamble and Japan Tobacco International. This experience has also helped her adapt to new cultures and bring resources together during times of crisis, such as the full-scale invasion by Russia.

Her expertise in procurement became crucial during the war. She notes that the biggest problem was ensuring continuity of supply due to transportation disruptions. Despite these challenges, Ukrainian small and medium-sized businesses showed resilience, and Khabibullina believes this is part of Ukraine's struggle for freedom, identity, dignity, sovereignty, and democratic survival.

Initially, Khabibullina had a poor opinion of Zelenskyy but now fully supports him. She attributes his talent for organizing people and communicating to saving Ukraine. As a marketing person, she analyzes his messages as customized to different audiences, consolidating nations to help Ukraine.