Lilly: Women in the Workplace - A Culture of Inclusion

Mar 5, 2015 4:15 PM ET

Women in the Workplace: A Culture of Inclusion

Today’s guest post comes from Monique Hunt McWilliams, Eli Lilly and Company’s Chief Diversity officer.

In the quest for innovation, not a single person or talent can be wasted. Creating a talented and diverse workforce is vital to the success of our company and to our ability to deliver the best medicines to the people who need them most. In order to achieve this goal, we strive to create a culture of inclusion, where each and every employee feels comfortable, valued, and respected. Championing the skilled female workforce within Lilly represents a critical part of this mission.

Through the years we have been blessed to have dedicated employees who have worked to shape Lilly’s culture. Women have been a central part of our work at Eli Lilly and Company since Colonel Eli Lilly opened the doors of his small manufacturing facility in 1876.  In fact, one of the first ever Lilly employees was bottler and finisher, Caroline Kruger.  Building a culture of inclusion has been part of our company’s heritage since the start, but the mission is not over.

Read on for more about Lilly's female leadership diversity strategy.