Ahsiya Posner Mencin
Ahsiya Posner Mencin, Ph.D., is a transformative leader in global healthcare and pharmaceuticals who currently leads Leadership Development and Employee Experience at Jazz Pharmaceuticals. She designs innovative leadership and hybrid work solutions in partnership with Digital Technology, Global Workplace, and business teams— fueling high performance and employee engagement.
With global business acumen, cross-cultural fluency, and interdisciplinary training, Ahsiya helps grow high-performing, inclusive, and purpose-driven teams that deliver meaningful impact for patients and communities worldwide.
Her leadership approach is shaped by her upbringing in a vibrant, multigenerational household that instilled a deep sense of global citizenship, empathy, and resilience. Known as a natural “fire sparker,” she brings fresh energy, strategic insight, and connective power to everything she does— unlocking potential, inspiring collaboration, and transforming organizations into thriving, values-based, high-performance cultures.
Ahsiya’s path from pre-med to pharma leadership was shaped by personal loss and a firsthand understanding of global health inequities. Her time living, working, and traveling across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East inspired a pivot to leadership and organizational development— where she could drive change on a broader scale. That nonlinear journey has made her a more inclusive leader, a connector of people and ideas, and someone who thrives at the intersection of business strategy, purpose, and innovation.
She loves what she does— and she enjoys meeting new people and learning from different perspectives. Feel free to connect.
• Workhuman Certified Professional
• Holistic Employee Experience Practitioner
• Prosci® Certified Change Practitioner
• Job-Plus Coaching
• ADP Change Practitioner
• The Fletcher School at Tufts University, PhD
• The Fletcher School at Tufts University, MA
• Swarthmore College, BA
• University of Zimbabwe, Internship
• Pulse Volunteer, Founder
• Seeds of Peace
• United States Tennis Association
What do you attribute your success to?
With gratitude and humility, I thank God, my grandparents/ parents/ family, and my life circumstances, all of which provided me with great opportunities. I greeted these opportunities with openness, curiosity, a strong work ethic, a deep sense of purpose, and a healthy dose of grit and resilience. Working, living, and traveling overseas, I witnessed firsthand the profound health challenges faced by people and communities around the world. These experiences forced me to confront uncomfortable truths, which transformed me in unexpected ways— not only professionally, but also personally. My passion to be a force for good in the healthcare/ pharmaceutical industry was ignited! It's this enduring sense of purpose -- to make a meaningful impact for people, patients, and communities at scale -- that wakes me up most mornings with genuine excitement for the day and the work ahead. The art of the possible and the opportunity to make a positive, lasting impact. As our world becomes increasingly complex and daily challenges can sometimes feel insurmountable, I try to approach these challenges with curiosity and a growth mindset. I strive to lead with authenticity and trust. And I aim to inspire others to grow and innovate alongside me.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
See every work experience and conversation as a chance to learn — and as a two-way value exchange. Even when things are tough, this mindset can help you keep perspective, stay grounded, grow, and walk away with something meaningful. It’s also a great way to build a growth mindset grounded in gratitude and resilience.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Stay grounded in your values, stay curious, be brave, and don't ask why... but why not? :)
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think one of the biggest challenges in HR today — especially in biopharma — is balancing rapid digital transformation, evolving hybrid work models, and intense competition for specialized talent, all while sustaining a values-led, purpose-driven culture. We’re at a pivotal intersection of technology, people, and purpose – trying to balance the constant change and disruption with our universal humanity. But I think that’s also our greatest opportunity: to build environments of trust, belonging, and impact where people feel connected to the mission and inspired to contribute. And to do this while simultaneously embracing AI-augmented, global, hybrid work experiences and teams. It's scary to wrap one's head around how to successfully lead and perform in hybrid teams of differentiated, complementary AI and human talent moving forward. But, I think when we lead with a clear vision, empathy, and a growth mindset, we can help people and businesses thrive — not just today but sustainably into the future.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Courage, collaboration, integrity, grit, kindness, the pursuit of excellence, and the art of the possible.
Locations
Jazz Pharmaceuticals
Philadelphia, PA 19103