Teamwork Unleashed: How Sanofi Cup Participants Embraced Challenges and Forged Friendships

Sandhiya Krishnan, Lead Agile Coach in Digital Agile Center of Excellence Team

What is your role at Sanofi?

I work with digital teams to implement efficient ways of working using the agile framework, helping to make them more efficient, customer-focused and high-performing.

Why did you participate in local Sanofi Cup activities?

I have always valued teamwork and sportsmanship, and I believe they go hand in hand. The local Sanofi Cup embodies these values by supporting and encouraging people. This inspired me to participate.

What kind of events were you involved in locally and during the Sanofi Cup in Paris?

I participated in the Cambridge Sanofi Cup, where I took part in a 5K walk in the some of the hottest weather of the season alongside other employees. In Paris, I participated in Archery.

How did you feel being selected to represent Team North America?

I was thrilled and honored to be selected. Having lived here for 23 years as an immigrant, I feel like a true American, and this opportunity made me very proud.

How did your participation help you evolve as a Sanofian?

Participating in the Sanofi Cup highlighted our "Play to Win" culture and the "One Sanofi" mindset. Despite coming from diverse backgrounds, we encouraged and learned from each other, embodying the spirit of unity and collaboration. I am proud to be a Sanofian.

How did learning a new sport for the competition help your work mindset?

The Sanofi Cup was a transformative experience for me, both personally and professionally. When I first heard about the opportunity to participate in Archery for the Paris event, I was both excited and nervous. Archery was a completely new sport for me, but the challenge sparked a newfound enthusiasm.

I enrolled in archery classes and quickly realized how much learning a new sport could change my mindset. It required patience, precision, and a calm focus; qualities that are equally important in my professional life.

Being part of a team and preparing for this event was incredibly rewarding. The camaraderie, the shared goals, and the mutual support were highlights of the journey. The three days in Paris were particularly special. I met so many Sanofians from across the world, each with their unique stories and experiences.

The Sanofi Cup wasn’t just about competing; it was about coming together as one, supporting each other, and embracing new challenges. I am proud to be part of such an organization that values its employees' personal and professional development.

Josh Hellwig, Platform Lead, Commissioning and Qualification

What is your role at Sanofi?

I manage the program for testing manufacturing process equipment in Swiftwater, ensuring that we adhere to the manufacturer’s operation recommendations, Sanofi requirements, and current Good Manufacturing Practices.

Why did you participate in local Sanofi Cup activities?

I enjoy competitive sports and can connect with sport as a metaphor for the drive, emotion, and teamwork it takes do well at work. I am also a fan of company-sponsored activities without a direct focus on work for building relationships with coworkers.

What kind of events were you involved in locally and during the Sanofi Cup in Paris?

I participated in the rowing competition and won a close contest! In Paris, I was the goalie for the North America Soccer team and ran the hurdles leg of the 4x100m relay.

How did you feel being selected to represent Team North America?

I was shocked and incredibly grateful to be given the opportunity. With as many employees as there are in the US and Canada, it felt like winning the lottery.

How did your participation help you evolve as a Sanofian?

As a team, we were passionate about doing well, so I was training hard. Being able to connect the highs and lows of training and competition to work has given me more motivation and energy when it comes to my normal day-to-day responsibilities in the office. Interacting and bonding with co-workers from different roles, functions, and from around the world has pushed me further out of my Swiftwater bubble and given me a different perspective.

How did the team’s preparation for the competition help build team a strong team dynamic?

To me, there’s nothing quite like the emotions of competitive sports, especially team sports. Sanofi made a significant effort to give us some of the experiences of an elite athlete, without the requisite athletic ability. I sacrificed a lot of time, put in a lot of sweat, and fought through injuries to be in the best condition possible for my events, and I know others on the team did as well.

We built a strong team despite being spread across the US and Canada. We worked our way through disagreements, battled jetlag and gave up sight-seeing time in Paris to prepare for the competition. We pushed each other, shared disappointment in our setbacks, cheered each other on, and celebrated as a team. It was an event I will not forget.

Congratulations to the entire North American Sanofi Cup team:

• Folake Afolayan, Patient Support Services (Cambridge, MA)

• Cailin Collett, Specialty Care Corporate Communications (Toronto, Ontario Canada)
• Amelia Conway, Consumer Healthcare Performance Analytics (Bridgewater, NJ)
• Luis De La Torre, Consumer Healthcare Finance (Chattanooga, TN)
• Josh Hellwig, Technical Services (Swiftwater, PA)
• Jeanne Johnson, Vaccines Hospital Business Unit (Seattle, WA)
• Sandhiya Krishnan, Digital Transformation (Cambridge, MA)
• Lisa Lawler, Global Specialty Care Internal Communications (Cambridge, MA)
• Luca Liu, Research & Development (San Francisco, CA)
• Stuart Persky, People & Culture (Bridgewater, NJ)
• Sommay Souphanya, People & Culture (Cambridge, MA)