Pavlová: Leadership Isn’t a Destination, but a Journey. Mine Began With Health
52 ǀ POSITIV WOMAN
Leadership
Isn’t a Desnaon, but a Journey
Mine Began With Health
Mgr. Marna Pavlová, Ph.D., Chief Execuve Ocer of FAVEA a.s., discovered a passion for
health-related topics during her studies. Today she stands at the helm of a successful company that has
been transformed into a modern organisaon with an emphasis on innovaon and human approach.
You originally wanted to study pharmacy, but your
path led you elsewhere. When did you realise that
this “unplanned” journey made sense?
Actually, it was during my university studies. At the
Faculty of Science, when I started working on my
thesis and I chose topics related to health. It was
an important moment for me – I could fully immerse
myself in studying and learning that had real meaning
for me. I simply can’t function if I don’t see a deeper
purpose behind my work. And that sense of purpose
gradually deepened throughout my life journey until
it became full circle when I joined FAVEA as Head
of Research and Development.
When did you first feel that you could lead a team?
It began at university, where I gradually built my own
research team and then later on ran a laboratory.
As Head of Research and Development, I then managed
a small team, which was a great experience and a natural
next step. What followed was a major personal
challenge for me – an offer to become Chief Operating
Officer. That was when I fully realised how complex
and fulfilling working with people is. The combination
of leadership, collaboration and the human dimension
has accompanied and inspired me ever since.
During your tenure, you had to transform FAVEA
from a traditional structure into autonomous teams.
Did you encounter any difficulties during those
transformations?
I wouldn’t say it’s a closed chapter – it’s still an ongoing
process. We constantly face new situations, which
I don’t see as obstacles but rather as challenges
that move us forward. What has truly proved itself
and continues to work is harnessing the energy of the
individual autonomous teams. Thanks to that energy,
the teams are highly proactive, independent and able
to keep perspective. From my point of view, it’s inspiring
to watch how this very dynamic delivers the efficiency
I originally sought when setting the leadership strategy
for the entire organisation.
Deliberate sense of risk taught me that
a leader’s strength doesn’t lie in reckless
courage, but in the ability to recognise
when it’s wiser to ease o the pace.
i mentální, pomáhá mi klid – dlouhá jízda autem nebo
na motorce, nebo prostě jen ticho a čas strávený sama
se sebou.
Jak nebo kde chcete vidět společnost FAVEA
za dalších 5 až 10 let?
Vidím FAVEA stále na špičce smluvních výrobců
nutraceutik – nejen v Evropě, ale i globálně. Chceme
posilovat inovace a růst, aniž bychom ztratili blízký
kontakt s koncovými uživateli. I při expanzi na B2B trhu
je pro nás klíčové porozumět skutečným potřebám zá-
kazníků a neustále posouvat hranice toho, čeho může
naše firma dosáhnout.
Děkuji za rozhovor.
Mgr. Marna Pavlová, Ph.D. is the Chief Execuve Ocer
of FAVEA a.s. Throughout her career, she has gained
experience in research as well as team leadership and today
heads a company that ranks among Europe’s leading
manufacturers of dietary supplements. In her leadership,
she combines strategic thinking with an emphasis
on purpose, humanity and team development.