Thriving through Change: the thrilling story of Maryna Larionova
Maryna Larionova joined Acino Ukraine as an Accountant in August 2017, during a transformative period in her life. As a new mom, she wasn’t actively seeking a new challenge, but Acino’s culture, values, and people drew her in. Her journey with Acino has been rewarding and turbulent at times, inspiring us all.
Hi Maryna. Can you tell us more about how you joined Acino?
When I was approached about the opportunity with Acino, I was on maternity leave and not looking for a new job. The position was also not on the level I had been working on before my maternity leave, but I was captivated by Acino’s culture, values, and its people. I decided to join, initially as an accountant, during the setup of the global Shared Service Center (SSC). My role involved transitioning accounting responsibilities from Switzerland to Ukraine for global projects. Acino quickly recognised that my skillset went beyond just accounting and within six months, I was promoted to Head of SSC Finance, overseeing a team of five.
Over time, my role expanded to include more people, including accounting responsibilities for other regions too. I have built a very strong team of dedicated people, who I love to work with and evolve Acino.
How did Acino and your managers support you on your journey?
My managers understand that new projects and challenges motivate me. They have always encouraged me to take on new tasks. I have sought to get involved in various parts of the business to deepen my understanding of the challenges different departments were facing. By joining their meetings, I tailored my team’s processes to better meet Acino’s needs.
Acino provides continuous support by offering courses and evolving my role and responsibilities. I am proactive in taking on tasks and encourage my team to do the same, focusing on learning and gaining experience.
What were the biggest challenges you faced during your transition from Ukraine to Switzerland?
The transition was very abrupt due to the war. I only had a very short time to decide whether to leave or not, and we ended up leaving with only two backpacks. The biggest challenge was for my son and my mother-in-law to adapt, as they had no familiar connections in Switzerland. Leaving my husband, relatives and friends behind in a war situation with no electricity, water or gas was also very difficult. Thanks to Acino’s unwavering support and providing a safe space for my family, I managed to adjust relatively quickly and stay focused on my work.
My stay in Switzerland has become more permanent than I first anticipated. Not only because of the situation in Ukraine, but because the close collaboration with my colleagues at the headquarters has brought new career opportunities. I recently took on a new role as Head of Group Accounting. In this role, I will also be overseeing key projects related to enabling efficiencies of financial activities in addition to my current job. I am grateful to Acino for allowing me to continue learning and growing both professionally and privately.
How do you manage a team remotely in a war situation?
Managing a team remotely during the war requires regular communication and support. We maintained close contact through regular meetings, chats and virtual coffee/teatime calls. Celebrating birthdays and personal milestones, even remotely, helps maintain team morale. I encourage my team member to be proactive, embrace challenges and continuously seek learning opportunities to advance their careers. I am very happy to see that they share my philosophy and, thanks to the efforts of each of us, we can celebrate the success of more than 30 global and local automation projects during these turbulent years.
Why would you recommend Acino as an employer?
Acino truly values its employees, offering plenty of opportunities for growth and development. The supportive environment, especially during challenging times, is exceptional. Understanding how I work and what I need to stay motivated is key. At Acino, you can expect to be part of a dynamic and diverse team, working on global projects that make a real impact on our own and patients’ lives.