Recently, I had the distinct honor of delivering a keynote address titled “From Tokenism to Transformation: Realizing True DEI Commitment” at the FiercePharma PR & Communications Summit West in Newport Beach, California. This event provided an invaluable platform to discuss the important role communications professionals can play in helping to advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within their organizations or with their clients.
Communications professionals play a critical role in shaping and driving DEI initiatives. We possess unique skills that are suited for this endeavor — skills such as curiosity, courage to ask probing questions, active listening, and the ability to work across various parts of the organization to gain alignment. These capabilities enable us to act as effective thought partners to C-suite leadership, guiding them through the complexities of DEI challenges and opportunities.
Reflecting on my own career, specifically my time at Pfizer where I was their first Chief Diversity Officer, I shared anecdotes that illustrated the evolution of a corporate DEI program. I also highlighted the varying attributes of a company’s program which can help assess if they are leveraging DEI as a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Currently, as a Senior Advisor for FGS Global, I counsel clients on issues surrounding DEI along with the importance of their employees. By fostering greater inclusion and diversity they can create a more productive and engaged workplace that is also more equitable. DEI programs shouldn’t be just about compliance and optics but rather harnessing the full potential of every individual to drive innovation and achieve business objectives.
The event’s dynamic agenda included additional topics such as next-gen social intelligence monitoring, M&A communications, and strategies for successful drug launch plans. They sparked meaningful and empowering discussions, proving that communicators hold powerful roles within their organizations and have the ability to contribute significantly to all parts of the business.
These discussions were instrumental in providing a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape communicators are navigating. I look forward to continuing these essential conversations and driving positive change within the pharma industry and beyond. It is through our collective efforts that we can realize DEI done the right way and transform our workplaces and our society for the better.
Karen Boykin-Towns is a distinguished strategist who has forged a reputation as a global business and civic leader. Being solution-oriented, she focuses on creating strategies to tackle the problem at hand. Karen also serves as vice-chair of the NAACP National Board of Directors and committee chair of the Image Awards.
Connect with Karen on LinkedIn.
