■ Enterprising Women in Commerce
■ Enterprising Women in Commerce
practices . A notable example is our partnership with Innovative Medicine Research & Development and ERGs to increase diversity in clinical trials . Our Research Includes Me initiative helps remove barriers to clinical trial participation by underrepresented communities . In addition to connecting patients to available trials , we are working with advocacy organizations to identify research sites accessible to patients of all backgrounds .
It is also critical that we drive DEI impact across the globe . Our DEI Regional Leads understand country-level data , cultures and regulations . They partner with J & J leaders around the world to drive meaningful and relevant strategies at the country level .
Grill-Goodman : How has women ’ s role within the business industry changed ? Bryant Hope : At J & J , the contributions of women have driven our creativity , innovation and growth . In fact , eight of our first 14 employees were women . We continue to focus on creating an equitable and inclusive environment for women . I ’ m proud to say that as of the end of 2023 , 49 % of management positions globally were held by women . Additionally , 36 % of our Executive Committee and 46 % of our Board are women , with women taking on significant leadership roles across the company , driving key initiatives and shaping our global strategy . J & J ’ s Women ’ s Leadership & Inclusion ERG , our largest ERG , highlights our commitment to supporting women through their careers , recognizing that when women are empowered , they become catalysts for change .
Grill-Goodman : What do you want other business leaders to know about DEI ? Bryant Hope : Advancing DEI is not a nice-tohave ; it ’ s a business imperative . Data shows that the most diverse companies at the executive level are now more likely than ever to outperform their less diverse peers in terms of profitability . In fact , a recent McKinsey report found that executive teams in the top quartile for gender diversity outperformed those in the lowest quartile by 39 % – and those in the top quartile for ethnic diversity outperformed revenue targets by the same percentage .
Moreover , diverse perspectives in the workplace are a key driver of innovation . A recent Deloitte study reveals that diverse and inclusive companies are eight times more likely to achieve better business outcomes , six times more likely to be innovative and twice as likely to meet or exceed financial goals .
Grill-Goodman : What would you say is the cornerstone of your success ? Bryant Hope : My ability to surround myself with extraordinary talent has been instrumental in my success . I focus on building teams of individuals with different backgrounds , cultures , experiences and abilities . This approach has helped my teams and me perform extremely
Wanda Bryant Hope has held various senior business leadership positions during her career at J & J , consistently demonstrating an ability to drive growth and profitability .
well . Once great talent is in place , I do my best to listen to their perspectives and value their input and ideas . I then try to get out of their way so that they can do phenomenal work !
Grill-Goodman : What advice do you have for females just starting out ? Bryant Hope : I often advise women entering the workforce to focus on three areas :
1 . Be strategic about your career . Plan for your career as you would any other critical element of business . Understand your strengths and opportunities for development and create a plan to strengthen both areas . Share your career aspirations and plan with others to hold yourself accountable . Life happens , as new opportunities arise remain agile and adjust your plan accordingly .
2 . Have a growth mindset – Challenge yourself to learn something new each day .
3 . Take calculated risks – Get comfortable with being uncomfortable ! This helps you to develop and strengthen your skills and abilities . In my experience , the riskier job opportunities always had the biggest ROI .
Grill-Goodman : You have held a variety of leadership positions across Johnson & Johnson and are also a mother . What advice do you have to parents on work-life balance ? Bryant Hope : Balancing a demanding career with being a mother has reinforced the importance of prioritization . In our business and personal lives , we must prioritize the things that bring us the most value . From preschool through 6th grade , I was [ Tyler ’ s ] classroom mom . I went on field trips , planned classroom parties , and was visible in his school . In middle school when he began his Track & Field career , I never missed a meet ! So how did I do that ? First , I am fortunate to work for Johnson & Johnson , a company that truly values work / life integration . I was able to flex my time on those days and finish my work in the evenings . I also outsourced tasks like house cleaning and laundry so that my weekends could be spent making memories with my family instead of managing chores . This approach allowed me to be present for all the important moments with my family and keep my career on track .
Grill-Goodman : How do you lead others to innovate and perform at their best ? Bryant Hope : Helping others to perform at their best starts with building a foundation of trust , respect and empowerment . It is essential to recognize that team members are people with unique experiences , abilities and perspectives . Leaders must build a culture where everyone can be their authentic selves , share new ideas and experiment and fail without repercussions . When team members feel like they belong and are free to share ideas , true innovation happens !
Grill-Goodman : You mentioned your mother when receiving this award in August . How she was an inspiration ? Bryant Hope : My mother , Tillie Bing Bryant , was a profound inspiration in my life , instilling in me the importance of courage , community and living a life of purpose . These lessons have been instrumental in my success as a leader in both business and my community .
In the early 1960s my mom was a student at Morris College , an HBCU in Sumter , South Carolina . As a college student , she should have
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Photo : Russ DeSantis Photography and Video
November 2024 COMMERCE 17