Industry Influencers
As we enter Black History Month, I am reminded of a compelling quote from Booker T. Washington: "If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else." This resonated deeply as I reflected on the invaluable conversations and connections made during #JPM2025.
I had the pleasure of meeting several Industry #Influencers. It was an honor to attend the Biopharma Leaders of Color (BLOC) event where we celebrated leaders like Quita Beeler Highsmith, MBA of Genentech who received the Diversity Champion Award. Quita's tireless work advancing diversity in biopharma is a true testament to her commitment to driving change. And congratulations to Reshema Kemps-Polanco, Vice President & Global Head of Oncology Patient Advocacy at Novartis, Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association's 2025 Woman of the Year.
BLOC and Sidley Austin LLP Event
It was inspiring to hear from trailblazers such as Deborah Telman of Gilead Sciences, and Steve Abreu, Executive Director of BLOC, in their thought-provoking fireside chat. Furthermore, I witnessed groundbreaking research by graduate students in the biological sciences at the Scientific Poster Showcase and had the chance to engage in discussions about the future of healthcare equity.
BCBR Event
In addition, I had the privilege of joining leaders from the Black Corporate Board Readiness Program and HealthTech 4 Medicaid (HT4M) for an insightful discussion, where we explored the importance of empowering Black leaders in healthcare innovation and corporate governance.
Moreover,?I attended the The Just Society and Arnold & Porter Reception as well as Deerfield Management's Black Leaders Reception—amazing conversations and connections that are key as we work toward a more innovative future in healthcare.
To all the leaders I met at JPM, including Ted W. Love, MD, Mary Stutts, MHA, Marion Brooks, MBA, Sherie Hickman, and so many others, thank you for letting your light shine and using your platform to help so many. You are making a lasting impact in the healthcare, life sciences, and beyond.
These events have reminded me that Black leaders, especially in biopharma, are not only rising through the ranks but actively bringing others along with them. Indeed, there's a powerful myth that women and people of color do not help each other—communities like #BLOC, #Just Society, #HBA, #BRBC, and #WIB continue to prove that is far from the truth.
In the spirit of continuing these inspiring conversations, I am excited to share that many of these influential leaders will be featured on upcoming episodes of the Acuity + Acumen Podcast. I can't wait to share their stories with you all, as they illuminate critical areas of healthcare leadership, corporate governance, and innovation.
Let's keep the momentum going and continue lifting each other up.
Erika Jefferson Saudat Adamson Fadeyi, PhD, MBA
#Business #AcuityPlusAcumen #BLOC #Leadership #Innovation #Networking #Healthcare #HealthTech #Excellence
