What was your first day on the job like?

I remember feeling very welcome on that first day. My manager, who is still a mentor to me, spent a great deal of time talking with me. One of the things that stuck in my mind is the emphasis he placed on building strong relationships with people; that message just resonates as I think back on that first day. Also, I was really impressed by the fact that I had fifteen or twenty people stop by my office to welcome me to the company. It made me feel very much part of the team from the start.

What makes you proudest about working for Abbott?

I truly believe that we have some of the finest people that I ’ve ever known working for this company. They ’re hardworking, innovative, energetic,  and enthusiastic. The company leadership really cares about the employees who work here, and it is evident through our commitment to employee development. We spend over $90 million a year on employee training and development. As an Abbott employee, I ’ve certainly benefited over the years from such programs.

What do you think makes Abbott so attractive to students of color?

I believe it has to do with the culture. Abbott feels very much like a small company inside a global company. Even though we have 70, 000 employees in 130 countries, when you come to work at Abbott, you are made to feel welcome, you are supported, and you are provided with the training and development you need to be successful. I also think it ’s the fact that new employees have the opportunity to do meaningful work. From the beginning of your career at Abbott, you are expected to contribute, your work is valued, and you are recognized and compensated competitively for the results of your work.

Describe Abbott ’s diversity initiative. What are your goals in this area?

Abbott ’s commitment to workplace diversity starts at the top of the organization; in fact, our chairman is our diversity champion. We have aggressive goals for our managers requiring them to fill least 50%of their open positions with women and least 25%with minorities. We also routinely ask our employees ’ opinions about how we are doing. Using this feedback, our managers develop action plans for improving the work environment. Our managers also participate in diversity training to ensure they are equipped with the skills necessary to lead diverse teams. 

In your time at Abbott, have any of the company ’s diversity initiatives impacted your experience with the company?

I have definitely benefited from the company mentoring and work/life programs. Specifically, have a number of mentors who provide me with ongoing career guidance. Abbott offers mentoring programs tailored to each stage of an employee career, from programs to help a new employee come on board to programs targeting senior managers.

How would you complete this sentence: People who succeed at Abbott Laboratories are …?

Those who embody the company ’s values: innovation, excellence, productivity, respect, leadership, responsibility, quality, integrity, and trust.