An ‘Activist at Heart’ from the Nonprofit World Joins Nestlé
Riham shares a look behind the Nestlé curtain and gives fresh insight as a new employee making the jump from nonprofit advocacy to food innovation.
Riham recently came to Nestlé after spending nearly five years working for a nonprofit. In her new role as an Employee Ambassadorship Manager, she will help Nestlé employees from across the company share their stories. Riham works with the communications team at Nestlé USA’s new Arlington, Virginia headquarters. We spoke with her during her fourth week on the job about what drew her to Nestlé, the transition from the nonprofit sector, and advice for others considering an industry change.
What spurred your move from the world of nonprofits to a major corporation?
I’m an activist at heart, so I never expected to join the corporate sector, but the move had to do with Nestlé itself. I agree with the company’s values and principles. Before I got to know Nestlé, I believed a lot of stereotypes about how corporations work, that they’re only trying to make money, for instance. But at Nestlé, the goal and mission is bigger. There’s a greater purpose. Nestlé is really trying to improve people’s lives in how we do business.
Wherever I work, I need to feel like I’m actually doing something to make people’s lives better. Here, I know I have that opportunity.
Plus, when I came in for my interview, it felt really comfortable. Nestlé felt like home.
What made you feel so comfortable, so quickly?
I was really surprised when I realized how diverse this company is. I felt it right away. I came in and immediately felt at home, especially as my interviewer took me around the communications offices. I felt at ease in that moment.
What’s the transition from the nonprofit world been like?
Nestlé didn’t feel like what I thought a corporation would feel like. It has a lot of the same qualities I experienced and loved in the nonprofit world, like creativity and collaboration. I see those here, but it’s even better for me because there’s more organization and structure than in the nonprofit world. My creativity can take on new life here, because if I have an idea there’s a process for it and resources to make it happen.
You also have a team behind you. A concern I had in the nonprofit world was that if I came up with an idea, I would have to carry a heavy load — by myself — to execute it. Here, you come up with ideas and five people are ready to help you make it happen. And they all want to succeed with you.
What has most surprised you about working at Nestlé?
One of my fears coming to a big company was that I would feel like one person in a field of a million people. But it doesn’t feel that way at all; Nestlé feels a lot smaller than it actually is.
I love how people just come up and say hello. Generally, I’m a shy person, but the culture here is so welcoming that it’s brought out a different side of me. Now, I’m not afraid to just walk up to people and introduce myself.
What’s your advice to someone who’s considering joining Nestlé or another organization, from a different sector or industry?
Don’t underestimate the skills you bring from your previous experience. Just because you’re transferring to the private sector from a different sector doesn’t mean your skills are invalid. I’ve applied many skills that I developed in the nonprofit world, such as creativity and being able to meet tight deadlines, to my work at Nestlé.
And when it comes to the interview process, do your research on Nestlé or any company you’re considering. Here, we’re undergoing a major transformation, so make sure you understand the new Nestlé business and our values.
Ultimately, I hope cross-industry careers are something that people from many different professional backgrounds can think about and explore, and that many people can think outside the box about what their career future could be. If you’d like to learn more about Nestlé specifically, start digging in at www.nestleusacareers.com.
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