National Volunteer Week Spotlight: Meet Amina Lobban
Amina Lobban
Head of Culture, Engagement and HR Business Excellence, Global Manufacturing, Supply and Quality, Takeda
HBA Chapter: HBA Metro West MA
Current role with the HBA: Global Chair, HBA Ambassador Program
Volunteering with the HBA is especially important to me because I am passionate about supporting women leaders and driving gender parity. I have seen how the HBA Ambassador Program has positively impacted professional careers and personal development for many people. Seeing HBA’s role in facilitating growth and development in others makes me want to continue to be involved. I believe that my leadership of the HBA Ambassador Program has positioned me to be able to drive and be part of the development of others.
Volunteering has impacted my career by developing my leadership skills, strengthening my personal brand, and expanding my network. In turn, it has enabled me to find mentors and sponsors who have helped me navigate my career.
My favorite HBA event I ever attended was the 2022 HBA Woman of the Year event where I was honored by Takeda as an HBA Rising Star – it was a special day!
Volunteering has expanded my network by connecting me with HBA members and leaders at Takeda and at other companies where we have HBA Ambassador Programs, as well as with HBA volunteers across regions, chapters, and affinity groups.
The most valuable lesson I learned from a fellow volunteer was to not underestimate my talent and the value I bring to a team.
My employer encourages me to volunteer for the HBA because HBA’s mission of advancing women leaders is aligned with Takeda’s Global DE&I Ambition, in which we focus on gender representation and gender equity. The HBA represents one of our largest global partners, supporting our aspirations to achieve gender parity and supplementing our actions around gender equity.
What skills have you acquired or fine-tuned during your time as an HBA volunteer that you feel will help you create a future full of possibilities? I’ve acquired and fine-tuned my strategic planning, innovative thinking, ability to lead a global team, articulation of the business case and vision for the HBA Ambassador Program, and communication with leaders at all levels.
I first got involved with the HBA when I joined the HBA Mentoring Program in 2011. One of my mentors was Bonnie Lappin, who currently serves as the Global Managing Director of the HBA Ambassador Program. She was the Director at Large of Membership for HBA Boston at the time and I joined her committee and started volunteering. I later took on roles as secretary and VP of HBA Boston and deputy chair of HBA New England.
I applied for my current role with the HBA because I am one of the founders of the HBA Ambassador Program and have seen how it impacted my career and the career of so many other women and men. I want to elevate the program to the next level so that we can continue to drive positive change for many more people and accelerate gender parity in the healthcare industry.
What would be your advice to someone thinking about joining or getting more involved with the HBA? Actively volunteer because you get back so much more than you put in – expanded network, professional and personal development, career growth and opportunities, and friends.
Anything else you would like to share? I met some of my closest friends and strongest allies and mentors through volunteering with the HBA.
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