Khadija Ben Hammada joined Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany in 2010 and became Member of the Executive Board of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and Chief People Officer in March 2025. She is also responsible for Corporate Sustainability, Quality & Trade Compliance, Inhouse Consulting, and Site Management of our corporate headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany.

Since joining the company, she has held global roles in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the United States, driving transformations, major integrations and strategic initiatives across all sectors and various functions within Human Resources and beyond. Before being appointed Chief People Officer, she served as Chief Human Resources Officer at Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. She also held the role of Chief of Staff to the CEO of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, where she played a pivotal role in advancing a high-impact culture throughout the enterprise. 

Khadija Ben Hammada has always valued learning and inclusion. She is a trailblazer in her field – representing the next generation of executives who lead with empathy and a people-first approach. As a business leader, Khadija Ben Hammada works towards a future where organizations succeed through a balanced combination of strategic leadership, sustainable practices, and a strong focus on people. 

Her vision is centered on fostering organizational excellence, championing employee upskilling, and cultivating leadership growth. During her tenure as Chief Human Resource Officer, her team has driven a portfolio of step-changes related to leadership excellence, strategic business partnering and family-friendly benefit offerings such as enterprise-wide support for fertility and caregiving.

Khadija Ben Hammada was born in 1980 in France. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Strasbourg College and a master’s degree in business administration and general management from IAE France, University School of Management. She also participated in executive leadership programs at Stanford University and INSEAD. 

Responsibility for Group functions

  • Site Management
  • Group Human Resources
  • Corporate Sustainability, Quality & Trade Compliance
  • Inhouse Consulting

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The Curriculum Vitae of the Executive Board Members are updated when changes occur or regularly upon the publication of the invitation to the annual general meeting.