Like many areas of our society, inequalities in healthcare leave the Black community with the short end of the stick, from Black women being three times as likely to die during childbirth, to an ongoing pandemic that has disproportionately affects people of color. As a leader in science and technology, Roche has used its role as a global healthcare company to focus on improving health outcomes, including in vulnerable communities across the globe. Roche has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic through innovations in diagnostics and partnerships across the industry, to help control the outbreak. Roche and Genentech, which is a member of the Roche Group, also strive for an inclusive workplace by committing to hiring and supporting diverse tech talent. By embracing diversity, Roche understands that every discussion and decision can be enriched. We spoke to Roche and Genentech employees on the value of diversity in their workplace. “My interest in drug discovery and development drew me to...

Kaiser Permanente (KP) is dedicated to helping underrepresented groups thrive in tech. Karen Ford, Executive Director and Chief of Staff – Strategy, Planning and Portfolio Management at Kaiser talks about why she loves her job and Kaiser Permanente. Her primary job function includes supporting the 2000+ employees charged with keeping KP’s IT system running smoothly and efficiently. Ford isn’t a stranger to being the only woman — and woman of color — in the room, and she’s excited to be working at a company like KP that reinvests in communities and promotes diversity and inclusion in its ranks. At the end of the day, Ford’s job is to help KP deliver high-quality, affordable health care to Kaiser’s customers. Coming from a career in advertising, marketing, radio, and production, Ford never saw herself in the health care industry. However, she credits her advertising experience with inspiring her to imagine endless possibilities for herself. She still uses the skills she learned early...