Leyre Santana

At the Holcim EMEA Digital Center, technology drives transformation — but People power technology.

In this new edition of Meet the Expert, Leyre Santana, People Specialist, shares how growth, innovation and human potential are strategically connected to business impact.

People Growth & Development at the core of our digital excellence

When people growth fuels innovation 

At Holcim, individual growth does not simply run parallel to technology; it is its fundamental engine. 

We reinforce this focus through the Holcim Spirit, an organizational philosophy that elevates People as one of our three core pillars, alongside Purpose and Performance. This commitment is institutionalized through Holcim University, a global learning ecosystem offering tailored programs for every career stage: from the Early Career Leadership Program for young talent to specialized functional academies for technical excellence. 

We are fortunate to leverage the Group's powerful resources to drive continuous upskilling and reskilling, ensuring our teams stay ahead of market trends. We actively support our people in obtaining the most relevant certifications, aligning their expertise with the evolving needs of the industry.

Furthermore, we foster global connectivity via Career Catalyst, our digital mentorship platform that breaks down geographical silos and allows our teams at the EMEA Digital Center to learn directly from international experts. 

A standout example of this is our Mentoring Program. This initiative has successfully bridged the gap between business and technology, connecting the EMEA Digital Center (EDC) mentees with mentors from both the EDC and Holcim Spain to foster a culture of continuous learning and collaboration.

From career ladder to growth blueprint

We have moved beyond the rigid ‘corporate ladder’ to embrace the concept of work fluidity. At Holcim, under our motto Growth Starts With Us, we empower every employee to build their own unique growth blueprint based on their specific skills and aspirations, rather than just their job title.

This empowerment is supported by our leadership culture, where managers act as strategic guides. They play a pivotal role in this ecosystem by coaching talent to navigate their possibilities and ensuring that personal development goals align with our global vision.

Thanks to Career Hub, our AI-driven Internal Talent Marketplace, this guidance translates into action. Our professionals can access cross-functional and multi-geographic projects without necessarily changing their permanent roles. This approach enables diverse and non-linear trajectories. Here, success is measured by the acquisition of critical capabilities and the impact made on our journey to become the global leader in sustainable construction.

AI and automation: people at the center

At the Holcim EMEA Digital Center, our investment in people during the AI revolution is driven by a "people-first" philosophy: technology is a catalyst for human potential, not a replacement for it.

We are fundamentally reimagining the nature of work by decoupling traditional job titles from individual skills. Through the continued use of Career Hub, we empower our employees to transcend rigid job descriptions, fostering a culture of cross-functional collaboration and connection across the entire Holcim Group. 

This focus on autonomy includes the ability to self-nominate for talent pipelines, a proactive step for employees to increase their visibility and align with potential growth opportunities as they arise.

This digital evolution is reinforced by AI-driven tools which modernize our talent processes and provide clearer development resources for everyone. Beyond tools, we deliver on our promise of technical excellence through initiatives like the Skills Guild in collaboration with our partners. By mastering cloud architecture and machine learning, our IT teams ensure the EDC remains at the cutting edge of global innovation, with our people always at the center of our success.

We believe People Growth & Development is a strategic lever for business excellence. By investing in skills, fluid careers, mentoring and AI-driven talent ecosystems, we strengthen our position as a trusted, future-ready digital partner — delivering innovation with expertise, credibility and impact.