Madelein du Plessis, sub-Saharan Africa HR head for Bayer, began her career in a place few would imagine – the South African army. At just 19, she was tasked with leading, training and connecting with people from every background, age and belief system.
It was in those early years, navigating the challenges of diverse teams and high-stakes environments, that she learnt the lessons that would later shape her philosophy in HR, up until today.
“During my years of service, I’ve come to understand that respect is not simply given, it must be earned. If we fail to take the time to listen, understand and share experiences with others, we risk focusing our time and energy on what may seem important to us but is ultimately insignificant to the individuals or communities around us,” she says.
“I saw that by genuinely investing time in people and supporting their development and wellbeing, we can create opportunities that not only benefit their households but also positively impact the broader community.”
Upon transitioning from the public sector to the private sector, she credits this early experience for helping her leverage enriched and diverse understanding of people.
“It was quite a difficult decision because I really enjoyed the space I was in. I had so much freedom and accountability. But when I joined the corporate world, I immediately clicked this is what HR is. I could pull everything together and engage with people from a full-cycle perspective, not just from a process perspective,” she explains.
“Coupled with corporate HR policies and processes, I witnessed firsthand the significant impact that effective HR practices can have on employee development, engagement, performance, and ultimately, organisational success. It was then when I knew HR chose me and I have been on the journey ever since for more than 20 years now.”
Madelein began as a junior HR consultant in a multinational company, working her way up to manager over eight years before joining Bayer, where she has now spent nine years shaping people strategies across the pharmaceutical, consumer health, and crop science divisions.
“Our pharmaceutical and consumer health divisions play a crucial role in realising the goal of ‘Health for all,’ while our crop science division provides optimal solutions for precision farming, supporting both commercial and smallholder farmers to sustainably achieve ‘Hunger for none’. Sustainability is a fundamental focus throughout our organisation and the communities in which we operate, and it is critical to our success.”
“Our divisions compete in dynamic markets facing challenges like macroeconomic shifts, severe droughts and floods, import and export restrictions and tariff increases. HR must ensure that we have the right talent in place, individuals who can thrive under these challenges and drive decision-making at the grassroots level.”
She highlights how transitioning from a hierarchical structure to a dynamic shared ownership model has required a shift in mindset, empowering individuals to make informed decisions and fostering innovative discussions to launch solutions within a 90-day cycle.
“As the business landscape continues to evolve, HR must also anticipate changes in talent acquisition, people development and retention strategies to support the overall business strategy and fulfill our mission.”
As no place is without challenges, one of Bayer’s biggest challenges, she says, is talent acquisition and retention.
“The competition for skilled talent in niche markets is intense, making it increasingly difficult to attract and retain top candidates. At Bayer, we strive to create an environment that balances career progression with the wellbeing of our employees. We take pride in offering best-in-class benefits, a hybrid work model, dynamic work streams and opportunities for cross-country collaboration. These initiatives reflect our commitment to fostering a supportive and engaging workplace that empowers our employees to thrive.”
Digital transformation is another area where Bayer is investing heavily. “When I was appointed to the HR foundations role in 2021, I encountered communities dedicated to digital transformation and education on Microsoft Power tools, including MS Forms, Power Automate and Power BI.”
“Today, all Bayer employees have access to advanced AI tools such as myGen Assist, Copilot, Microsoft Office applications and chatbots, which enhance efficiency in daily tasks. These tools streamline internal processes, support product launches and advise farmers on critical decisions, such as predicting disease outbreaks and sustainably increasing crop yields. AI is also accelerating drug discovery, tailoring precision health solutions and supporting regenerative agriculture strategies.”
Among her proudest achievements is Bayer’s graduate programme, which she developed in collaboration with the transformation lead.
“Through our diversity and inclusion initiatives, we identified a significant gap in young, diverse talent. To address this, we designed a comprehensive journey for graduates, offering bursaries, exposure on research farms, engagement with commercial sales and production teams, and mentorship throughout their studies. Upon graduation, we provided internships with clear accountability and goals. Many of our initial graduates have progressed into management positions, leading teams and excelling in their careers. It’s incredibly rewarding to see their growth and the lasting impact of this programme.”
And after five, it’s all about her daughter. “She keeps me busy with hockey and rowing and I cook dinner with my husband. On weekends, we try to get out of the city and have a breather. For me, unwinding means escaping the hustle and bustle of city life. My family and I enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and fishing. However, my favourite moments are spent together by the campfire, sharing quality time and building life memories with family and friends.”
“My husband and I celebrated our 18th anniversary this July and we are blessed with a wonderful daughter. Our family also includes our mini schnauzer, Brex, and two Green Tiger pet fish, adding joy and companionship to our home.”
