2026, July 25
Women Who Lead: Zuri Zarate on Building a Career Through Curiosity and Courage
When Zuri Zarate joined Harley’s Limited in 2009, she was stepping into unfamiliar territory. Having worked in hospitality and recently relocated from another country, she knew very little about the pharmaceutical and distribution industry. It was a completely new environment, one that required her to learn quickly, adapt and build her confidence from the ground up.
She wasn’t alone. Harley’s General Manager, Nishil Haria, joined the business around the same time, and together they learnt the organisation by getting involved wherever they could. “We made mistakes, learnt through trial and error and gained experience by being fully involved in operations, sales, customer service and distribution,” Zuri recalls.
Nearly 17 years later, she still talks about those first few years at Harley’s. They taught her that growth comes from being willing to learn, take responsibility and keep moving forward, even when the path is unfamiliar.
Today, as Head of Commercial, Zuri leads one of Harley’s most dynamic business units. Every day brings a different challenge. What keeps her motivated is the people around her. She describes the Commercial team as driven and resilient, united by a shared determination to deliver results month after month. Seeing that commitment and watching people grow in their roles is one of the most rewarding part of her job.
Yet for Zuri, success has never been measured by numbers alone. “Beyond business, we are helping ensure that essential medicines and wellness and beauty products reach the people who need them.” That sense of purpose has remained constant throughout her career. It is a reminder that behind every order, every delivery and every customer relationship is someone whose health depends on the work being done well.
She laughs when describing herself as someone who has “a huge fire” within her, a quality that has helped her embrace challenges and push through difficult moments. “I have learnt that confidence does not always come from having the answers. It comes from being willing to face challenges, make decisions, learn from mistakes and keep moving forward.”
Outside work, Zuri values the moments that allow her to switch off and recharge. Spending time with family and close friends helps her stay grounded, while travelling back to Spain gives her the opportunity to return refreshed with new energy and ideas. She believes maintaining that balance is just as important as delivering results because it allows leaders to show up fully for both their teams and themselves.
As someone who has built her career by embracing opportunities before feeling completely ready, Zuri hopes more women will have the confidence to do the same. “Do not be afraid to start before you feel fully ready. Growth comes from experience, and confidence is built through action and consistency.”
She encourages young women to stay curious, ask questions and trust that every new experience adds to their growth. Challenges and moments of self-doubt, she believes, are part of the journey, not reasons to stop.
Her final message is simple. “Believe that you deserve to be in the room, to lead and to have your voice heard.“
Her story is still unfolding. Nearly two decades after joining Harley’s, she remains just as curious as she was on her first day. Still learning, still challenging herself and still encouraging others to do the same.
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