I’m Akash Kataria, and I currently serve as the CEO of Trust Pharma International JSC, a proud member of the globally respected TH Group a brand best known for its world-class dairy products and growing presence in multiple sectors, including pharmaceuticals.
At Trust Pharma, we are committed to delivering high-quality, affordable medicines while navigating the evolving demands of the healthcare industry. In my role, I lead the company’s vision and strategy, manage our resources, represent us to stakeholders, and oversee key decisions that shape our business trajectory. But more than any title or responsibility, I see leadership as a chance to make a meaningful impact on people, on performance, and on purpose.
Leadership, to me, isn’t defined by authority or status. It’s about intention, action, and the capacity to inspire change. My approach has always been grounded in ethics, hard work, and a sincere desire to serve both the organization and the people within it. I strive to operate with full capacity and pure intentions values that I believe are essential to sustainable leadership.
As I reflect on my early years, I’m reminded of the exceptional leaders I had the privilege to learn from. These individuals didn’t just focus on results they took pride in developing the people around them. They understood that a successful organization grows when its people grow. Their mentorship instilled in me a deep respect for empathy, fairness, and inclusive leadership.
One of the most important qualities I observed in those early mentors was their ability to remain grounded, even in success. They actively lifted their teams, celebrated others’ achievements, and created environments where everyone felt valued. These experiences helped me understand that true leadership isn’t about shining alone it’s about creating space for others to shine alongside you.
Today, I carry those lessons forward, especially when it comes to team building, communication, and setting a strong organizational culture.
Every leader faces their share of challenges, and in today’s global business environment especially in the pharmaceutical sector those challenges can be complex. For us at Trust Pharma, the biggest ones have included managing cross-cultural teams, building trust across departments, and navigating regulatory requirements in a rapidly changing market.
We also face the challenge of fostering creativity and innovation while ensuring compliance and consistency. These are not opposing forces but finding the right balance requires thoughtful planning and the right people on your side.
To tackle these issues, I believe in leading from the front. During critical moments, I make it a point to work alongside my team sometimes even taking on their tasks to show that leadership means support, not separation. Through collaboration, shared goals, and open dialogue, we’ve been able to strengthen our operations and boost morale during tough times.
The landscape of leadership in 2025 has transformed. It’s no longer enough to rely on traditional management styles. Today’s leaders need to be adaptable, transparent, and emotionally intelligent. Particularly in the pharma industry, we must embrace regulatory and business changes with agility and foresight.
At Trust Pharma, we are focusing on several strategic goals, including gaining new certifications, improving operational efficiency, and driving innovation. I believe that achieving these goals requires a team that feels empowered and trusted. Clear communication, shared purpose, and a culture of accountability are essential.
A strong leader must also prioritize decision-making based on both data and empathy. Setting clear goals, providing honest feedback, and being receptive to new ideas are the building blocks of a high-performing team.
I am also a firm believer that a clear vision, effective communication, passion, decision-making, and empathy are not just “nice-to-haves” they’re non-negotiable leadership qualities. And in an age where organizations are becoming more diverse and dynamic, these qualities must be matched with the ability to truly listen, adapt, and stay open to continuous learning.
Mentorship has played a vital role in my growth both as a mentee and as a mentor. The guidance I received early in my career helped me build skills, confidence, and clarity. Today, I feel a strong responsibility to pay that forward. Whether it’s offering advice, opening doors, or simply listening, I make it a priority to support emerging leaders within my team. I also encourage them to embrace “reverse mentorship” where younger professionals share their perspectives on culture, innovation, and new ways of thinking. This exchange not only fosters growth but keeps leadership grounded and future-ready.
Creating an inclusive culture is another area I care deeply about. At Trust Pharma, we strive to build teams that are diverse in gender, background, and skillset. But inclusion goes beyond hiring it’s about ensuring everyone has a seat at the table and a voice in the room.
We actively promote inclusive policies, invest in employee development, and address unconscious bias through training and open conversation. Building such a culture takes time and intention but the results are worth it: stronger teams, deeper trust, and better outcomes.
I I had to distill my leadership journey into a few guiding principles, they would be simple yet powerful:
- Honesty in all dealings
- Hard work, no matter the role
- Clear and respectful communication
- A consistently positive attitude
- Self-confidence that inspires, not intimidates
These are values I carry with me every day and I believe they are the keys to both personal and professional success. There are no shortcuts to integrity. When leaders stay true to their values, they naturally attract loyalty, commitment, and high performance.
Another area I’ve been passionate about is Relationship Intelligence (RQ) the ability to understand and manage relationships in a meaningful way. This, combined with the concept of servant leadership putting the team first and focusing on how to help others grow can transform a workplace from ordinary to exceptional.
Looking ahead, my goal is to continue creating an organization that thrives on trust, empowerment, and innovation. As we build the next chapter of Trust Pharma, I’m excited not just by what we’re doing, but how we’re doing it together, with purpose and integrity at the core.
