PBN Diversity Equity & Inclusion 2024 Awards
MANUFACTURING: Amgen Rhode Island
AT AMGEN RHODE ISLAND, an environment of inclusion fosters innovation, which then drives the company’s ability to serve patients.
The company’s diversity and inclusion philosophy is about every employee taking responsibility for creating a welcoming, inclusive and productive work environment where all employees feel valued, regardless of their differences.
For the past few years, the West Greenwich biomedical manufacturing facility, where Enbrel is made, has worked to develop a diverse and inclusive talent pipeline to recruit, mold and retain a workforce that represents the local communities Amgen serves.
Human resources prioritizes recruiting and hiring from a large, diverse pool of candidates. In partnership with its employee resource groups and Diversity Inclusion and Belonging Talent Council, Amgen’s HR department plays an integral role in local community outreach efforts, particularly among underrepresented groups.
From providing science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, labs to high school students in underserved communities to volunteering with LGBTQIA+ organizations across the state, the company is committed to social justice and equity in its hiring practices and inspiring the next generation of biotechnology leaders.
Amgen currently has 12 global employee resource groups, nine of which maintain a robust active membership at the local facility. All groups have executive sponsorship from the CEO and staff, and are organized around the primary focus of advancing diversity, equity and belonging at Amgen.
Some activities the employee resource groups lead include networking events, community and volunteer activities; health care topics relevant in local communities; public speaking events; mentoring programs; and cultural awareness.
Moreover, the employee resource groups also provide strong engagement to support diversity recruitment efforts at colleges, universities and conferences, including the National Society of Black Engineers, as well as Women in Manufacturing.
Amgen’s Rhode Island site holds several events for employees to recognize diversity and equity. Among them are staff-inclusive events for International Women’s Day, Black History Month, PRIDE, Hispanic Heritage and Disability Awareness; a weeklong Juneteenth celebration with activities celebrating Black and African American history, art, poets, musicians, culture and food; introducing a Diwali celebration; and a Diversity, Equity & Belonging Talent Expo.
Amgen’s commitment to diversity is reflected in its values and in every part of the organization, including the suppliers it works with.
Along with this commitment to diversity, Amgen’s Supplier Diversity Program actively engages with small and diverse suppliers. As part of the company’s procurement program, they include businesses owned by minorities, service-disabled veterans, veterans and women, as well as disadvantaged and historically underutilized business zone suppliers.
“At Amgen, diversity is a cornerstone of our values and a driving force behind our success,” said Myra Coufal, a process development director at Amgen who also serves as global vice chairperson for the LGBTQ+ employee group Amgen PRIDE, as well as diversity, inclusion and belonging lead. “We truly believe that our differences lead to better science and better business outcomes, enabling us to better serve patients.”
Coufal says that the company’s dedication to diversity is deeply rooted in its core values and is embedded across all facets of the organization. Amgen’s guiding principles define diversity as everything that makes each human being unique, including all aspects of a person’s physical, emotional, experiential and intellectual dimensions – a holistic approach that starts at the top.
“Our leaders understand that ‘diversity, inclusion and belonging’ encompasses more than just recruiting diverse talent; it also involves fostering an environment in which everyone feels welcomed, valued and empowered to contribute to our mission,” Coufal said.
Imaris Viera Vazquez, Amgen’s HR lead, says the company’s commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion and belonging in the workplace is reflected in the company’s strategic planning.
“In a changing global landscape, our leaders view the commitment to diversity as not just a moral imperative but a strategic advantage that drives innovation, creativity and growth,” Vazquez said.
Amgen seeks to be an industry leader with a diverse workforce, in which everyone feels welcome and has equal opportunities to thrive. The company expects its global leaders and employees to model and create an inclusive and productive workplace where they feel safe and respected.
