Behind every medicine is a story—a story of people who make it possible. In the series Where Craft Meets, Daiichi Sankyo explores and celebrates the people behind our medicines and shares how our unique crafts contribute to our collective mission to help patients.
As a proud first-generation Jordanian American, Dalal Nesheiwat learned early on that resilience is strengthened by those who believe in you. Discover how those lessons shaped her leadership journey and why she's committed to paying that support forward.
When my mother left Jordan for the United States at 16, she left behind nearly everything she had ever known. Through determination, she learned English and built a new life. With my father's encouragement and the support of his family, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree later in life and became an art teacher for students with special needs. Her experience taught me that it’s never too late to receive an education and most importantly that perseverance, combined with the encouragement of others, can create extraordinary opportunities.
Those early lessons became the foundation for how I approached my own career: embracing opportunity, seeking out mentors, and recognizing the responsibility to do the same for others.
Dalal’s family is always there to support her achievements.
Seizing Opportunities
Careers are rarely built in a straight line. Mine certainly was not. It has been shaped by curiosity, perseverance, a willingness to embrace opportunity, and mentors who challenged me to think bigger than I imagined for myself. Some saw potential in me before I saw it in myself. Others encouraged me to look beyond my current role and consider what might come next. Those conversations reinforced that growth often begins when someone takes the time to invest in another person's potential.
One of the most influential opportunities I received came through the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program at Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy. That experience made higher education possible and reinforced a lesson I have carried throughout my career: opportunity has the power to change lives, but we also have a responsibility to recognize it, seize it, and make the most of it.
I have come to believe that success is measured not only by the work we accomplish, but by the people we help develop, the culture we create, and the example we set.
Dalal and her twin sister Tonia served as keynote speakers at the Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy graduation.
Paying it Forward
Over the years, I have had the privilege of serving as an adjunct professor at Long Island University, mentoring students, and sharing my experiences with emerging pharmacy professionals. What began as a way to give back has become one of the most meaningful parts of my career, with many of the students I've mentored going on to become fellows or interns at Daiichi Sankyo and across the industry. Watching them grow and succeed reinforces my belief in the lasting impact of mentorship. That same belief shaped my experience at Daiichi Sankyo, where I have been fortunate to learn from leaders who challenged me, encouraged my growth, and created an environment where I could lead authentically while continuing to evolve professionally.
Today, I serve as an executive sponsor of the PharmD Fellowship program through Rutgers Health Institute for Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowships and the BELIEVE program at Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., fostering meaningful connections and professional growth across the organization. In a global company like ours, mentorship brings together diverse perspectives across functions, geographies, and backgrounds, strengthening collaboration, innovation, and our culture – ultimately leading to better outcomes for patients. I have experienced that same commitment through the company's investment in developing leaders by creating opportunities to lead, increase visibility, and contribute with confidence. To me, leadership is most impactful when it is rooted in community, shared purpose, and a commitment to helping others succeed. That is the culture I have experienced at Daiichi Sankyo and one I am proud to help cultivate.
My career has taught me that leadership is about creating a path with intention, embracing change, and helping others discover what is possible for themselves.
Of all the lessons my parents have taught, the most valuable has been is that no one succeeds alone. We all benefit from people who challenge us, encourage us, and open doors we may not have seen ourselves. By investing in others, we strengthen individual careers, our organizations, and ultimately the future of Daiichi Sankyo.
Watch Dalal Nesheiwat in “Where Craft Meets”
For someone facing cancer, the next breakthrough can’t come soon enough, and it likely won’t come from doing things the way they’ve always been done. Throughout her career in R&D, Dalal Nesheiwat has been driven to think differently in pursuit of better outcomes. At Daiichi Sankyo, she found a culture where she can be her authentic self, help shape the future of research and innovation, and make a meaningful impact on people around the world. As a driving force of scientific innovation, she is committed to mentoring the next generation of leaders and inspiring others to carve out their unique paths.
Learn more about our people and the culture shaping the future of patient care
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Behind every medicine is a story—a story of people who make it possible. In the series Where Craft Meets, Daiichi Sankyo explores and celebrates the people behind our medicines and shares how our unique crafts contribute to our collective mission to help patients.
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