The talent behind the talent: Sidsel Tenold

In this edition of The Talent Behind the Talent, we are spotlighting Sidsel Tenold, who holds a role that spans multiple areas. From finance and administration to recruitment, consulting, and business development.

Based in Denmark but with responsibilities across both Denmark and Norway, she has become an important part of the Inizio Engage Nordic collaboration, where she moves daily between different perspectives and needs.

How did you end up in the life sciences sector?

My journey into life sciences began far from the industry itself. With a background in hospitality and travel, where service and human interaction have always been central, it was more a coincidence than a plan that led me into the field.

At the time, I already knew the Managing Director of the company, which opened the door to an opportunity. I started as an external consultant while also taking on internal administrative responsibility. What began as a practical role quickly developed into something more, as I became increasingly involved in different parts of the business.

Over the years, I’ve built a broad and deep skill set, where curiosity and a willingness to take on responsibility have been a consistent thread.

I love working with people. Being able to combine structure with relationships and contributing wherever needed, regardless of the task. Variety in the workday is not just something I enjoy, it is also a prerequisite for continued growth.

What do you do in Inizio Engage?

Breadth that creates perspective

My role is difficult to define within a single category, and that is also one of my greatest strengths I think.

In my day to day work, I manage several areas of responsibility in parallel. I work with finance, act as a consultant in marketing support for pharmaceutical clients, drive Inizio Engage recruitment for our outsourced sales and MSL teams, and hold leadership responsibility for consultants in both Norway and Denmark.

At the same time, I am actively involved in business development, working closely with the market to create new collaborations and client projects.

I believe this breadth gives me a perspective that few have. I see how different parts of the business connect, from internal processes to client needs and further into the regulatory frameworks that govern the healthcare industry. This allows me to identify patterns and find solutions that work in practice, not just in theory.

This holistic perspective becomes particularly valuable in areas such as market access and regulatory, where many factors need to align to achieve successful outcomes.

Sidsel’s perspective on market access and regulatory

Within market access and regulatory, I’m seeing a clear shift in how companies need to operate.

One of the most significant changes is that access for pharma, biopharma and med devices to the right decision makers has become more limited. It is increasingly difficult to secure meetings and create meaningful dialogue, which places higher demands on how companies build relationships and communicate their value. Having the right data is no longer enough. It is about adapting the message and being relevant in every interaction.

At the same time, the complexity of regulations and processes continues to increase. Market access is no longer a standalone function, but something that needs to be integrated early and throughout the entire product lifecycle. From strategy and launch to follow up and ongoing development. Understanding how regulatory requirements, local conditions, and health economic perspectives interact is essential for ensuring long term access.

This also means that the need for collaboration is growing, both internally and externally. Organizations must work more cross functionally and ensure that the right expertise is in place at the right time. Flexibility and experience become key factors in navigating this landscape.

I’m frequently seeing increasing competition, particularly in recruitment and talent acquisition within these areas. More companies are building internal capabilities, which means external partners must deliver even clearer value. This can be through specialized expertise, speed of delivery, or the ability to quickly understand complex situations.

At the same time, I’m incredibly proud of the strength of our Nordic collaboration. By working closely across borders and sharing knowledge and experience, the team can act faster and more precisely. This creates confidence both internally and towards clients, especially in an environment where the pace of change is high.

What’s the best part of your role within Inizio Engage?

I’d definitely describe myself as someone who listens, observes, and seeks to understand on a deeper level. As a natural reader of people, I have the ability to quickly assess situations and adapt my approach accordingly.

I’m service minded, accessible, and precise in my communication. Quick responses and clarity are a natural part of my work, whether it involves clients, candidates, or colleagues. At the same time, I’m committed to always treating others with respect and building trust in every interaction.

This becomes particularly important in complex environments where multiple perspectives need to be balanced, which is often the case within both market access and regulatory. It is not only about processes and frameworks, but about people, decisions, and consequences.

Final thought

Whether I’m supporting a client, leading a recruitment process, or developing a business opportunity, the starting point remains the same. To listen, understand, and contribute with solutions that make a difference.

This is also where our work has real impact. In an industry where complexity continues to grow and expectations keep increasing, the ability to create clarity and build strong relationships becomes a critical success factor. Being able to translate strategy into action while maintaining a human perspective.