Australian Pharma leaders join PAIG to tackle renewed focus areas

The Pharma Australia Inclusion Group (PAIG) is delighted to announce its new Executive Committee and 23 member companies to advance the group’s broader focus on inclusivity throughout 2020. 

The PAIG Executive Committee will be comprised of existing PAIG Co-Chairs Kate Richards (AbbVie) and Fabienne Connet (Biogen), PAIG Communications Lead Lee Davelaar (Pfizer), PAIG Legal and Governance Lead Lisa Kurian (Amgen) as well as Fiona Sheppard (Janssen), Hans Staun-Olsen (Novo Nordisk), Maria McManus (Roche), Mariela Gonzalez (Eli Lilly) and Pip Paterson (Takeda).

The Executive Committee will drive the PAIG agenda and deliver the program for 2020 under the new structure. The broader Committee will be comprised of representatives from each member company, who will participate in workshops and help to implement learnings internally within member companies. 

PAIG will champion inclusivity more broadly through a renewed agenda in 2020 focused on mental health and wellbeing, age and generational diversity, and LGBTI+ inclusivity. These new topics will be in addition to structured workshops that focus on embedding the 2019 gender equity learnings across parental leave, pay equity and flexibility.

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Nominations for Co-Chair Positions

The announcement of the new Executive Committee coincides with a call for nominations for the Co-Chair positions. Nominations are open to members of the PAIG Committee, with written expressions of interest due before 24 January 2020. The new Co-Chairs will be elected via vote by the PAIG Committee and will replace Kate Richards and Fabienne Connet. Richards will remain a general Committee member and Connet has confirmed that a new representative from Biogen will be named.

PAIG Co-chair Kate Richards, Head of Corporate Communications at AbbVie Australia and New Zealand, said The Co-Chair role presents a fantastic opportunity for emerging leaders who are motivated by having a positive impact.

“The Co-Chair role is incredibly dynamic, varied and integral to ensuring that PAIG continues to drive positive change across the industry. It has been a great privilege to Co-Chair the group in 2019 and I am excited about welcoming new leadership who will no doubt take PAIG to new heights,” said Ms Richards.

Fellow Co-Chair and Head of Human Resources at Biogen, Fabienne Connet reinforced the opportunities that lay ahead for the new Co-Chairs. She also confirmed that leading global advisory, broking and solutions company Willis Towers Watson has been appointed to deliver the 2020-21 strategy.

“We have worked hard to ensure that the strategy is in place and supported by strong systems and processes so the momentum of PAIG success can be continued into 2020 and beyond. In addition, our new partnership with Willis Towers Watson means that there is great opportunity for the new Co-Chairs to build upon these foundations and further the impact across our sector,” said Ms Connet.

The PAIG Steering Committee expanded in October 2019 with Elizabeth de Somer, CEO of Medicines Australia, joining co-founders Kirsten O’Doherty (Vice President and General Manager of AbbVie Australia and New Zealand), Melissa McGregor (Managing Director of Pfizer Australia and New Zealand) and Kathy Connell (Senior Director New Ventures Johnson & Johnson Innovation Australia and New Zealand).

“Medicines Australia are proud to support the PAIG initiative as we work to demonstrate the value of our industry and talent in a wider context. The medicines industry is an inclusive and supportive industry and PAIG is a fantastic vehicle to showcase what we’re doing well and where we can continue to improve in order to further enhance workplaces for current and prospective employees,” said Ms de Somer. 

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About The Pharma Australia Inclusion Group (PAIG)

The Pharma Australia Inclusion Group (PAIG) is a special interest group of Medicines Australia. It was established in 2017 to build a more inclusive industry where all people are equally valued, rewarded and thrive.

Originally named PAGE (Pharma Australia Gender Equity), the group has evolved to reflect a broader focus on inclusion. PAIG is committed to establishing the pharmaceutical industry as a known leader in inclusion to strengthen talent attraction and retention as well as create conditions that bring out the best in all people. 

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