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A reintroduction to Parexel Pride

At Parexel, we take immense pride in fostering a culture of respect, equality, and inclusion. Our commitment to inclusivity goes beyond just supporting our colleagues; it extends to our customers, partners, and, most importantly, the patients we serve worldwide.

As we commemorate Pride Month throughout June, we want to introduce you to the driving force behind Pride at Parexel: our dedicated Parexel Pride Committee.

Comprised of passionate colleagues from across the globe, Parexel Pride is an employee-led, volunteer committee. These committee members serve as the face and voice of Pride at Parexel, actively striving to advance and nurture our inclusive culture. They contribute insights, provide leadership, and take action on issues that impact the LGBTQ+ community.

By embracing open and accepting minds and hearts, we believe we can create a more inclusive environment. Together, we can better support one another, cater to the unique needs of our customers, partners, and ultimately improve the lives of patients worldwide.

We caught up with two enthusiastic Pride Committee leaders, Executive Sponsor Jeff Kopicko, VP, Global Data Operations, and Kim Maguire-Wright, VP, Real-World Evidence (who co-leads the committee alongside Jeff Barth, Senior Director, Global DEI), who provide a look at what Pride means to them and the efforts the committee is spearheading to make Parexel an example of inclusivity — in our industry and beyond.

Where does your passion for creating, fostering and maintaining an inclusive environment and culture come from?

Jeff: This is deeply personal to me. It’s a result of my own life experiences and the communities I've been a part of. Growing up in a small conservative town, I witnessed firsthand (and continue to) the lack of inclusivity and the challenges faced by marginalized individuals. This has always had a significant impact on me and helped fuel my determination to make a difference. I realize the importance of building environments where everyone feels valued and accepted, regardless of their background or identity.

Kim: My passion stems from a fundamental belief in equality. It's about recognizing that every individual brings a unique perspective that can contribute to the collective wisdom and innovation to Parexel. This passion is further fueled by personal experiences — which unfortunately include some discriminatory experiences earlier in my career — and the desire to contribute to a culture where being “out and proud” feels safe, and where everyone, regardless of their identity, feels valued and empowered.

 

In what ways have you seen Parexel evolve and advance in terms of inclusiveness over the years?

Jeff: We were an early adopter of domestic partner benefits, demonstrating support for diverse relationships years before the right to marriage equality became a reality in the United States and in many (but not enough!) nations around the globe. Since then, Parexel has made significant investments in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, expanding our breadth and depth over time. These efforts have helped to build a workplace where we can feel proud to work for a company that prioritizes inclusivity and diversity.

Kim: In particular to LGBTQ+ inclusivity, Parexel’s accomplishment of achieving a high ranking for the past four years in the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Corporate Equality Index demonstrates our company’s commitment in incorporating equitable practices and nurturing a culture in which colleagues can thrive and live life authentically. I personally supported the workstream to develop the best practice guideline issued last October: “Supporting Gender Transitioning Employees Guidelines for Best Practices.” Providing visibility to LGBTQ+ people who frequently face discrimination supports Parexel is committed to creating a safe environment that empowers all.

Why is this so important for our people, our company and patients?

Jeff: Creating an inclusive environment is crucial for our people, our organization and, most importantly, our patients. It empowers individuals, drives innovation and collaboration, and enhances patient care and outcomes by addressing diverse needs. Additionally, fostering inclusivity promotes compassion and understanding among colleagues and our customers, creating a supportive work environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated.

Kim: An inclusive “We Care” culture is vital for our colleagues because it allows everyone to bring their whole selves to work, which is essential for personal well-being and professional performance. For our company, it drives creativity and innovation, as diverse teams are known to outperform homogeneous ones. For our patients, it ensures that we understand and cater to a wide array of needs and backgrounds, ultimately leading to better health outcomes and patient care — With Heart™.

In what ways does Parexel celebrate differences in people and ideas and demonstrate respect for people and their differences that make you most proud?

Jeff: Parexel actively fosters an inclusive environment. This is demonstrated through our hiring practices, inclusive communication and collaboration and comprehensive diversity and inclusion awareness programs. These initiatives showcase Parexel's commitment to respecting and embracing the unique qualities of each individual, which makes me PROUD to be an ongoing member of the Parexel family.

Kim: Parexel actively acknowledges and values the varied life experiences and viewpoints that each colleague brings to the table. For the LGBTQ+ community, this respect is manifested through our policies, our diverse hiring practices and our support for LGBTQ+ community initiatives. What makes me most proud is seeing these efforts translate into a supportive workplace culture where everyone feels seen, heard and included with open dialogues such as the Pride Fireside Chats and Pride Meet & Greets.

 

What do you hope to see the Pride committee accomplish in the short and long term?

Jeff: The Pride committee continues our work to create and sustain an inclusive workplace where LGBTQ+ colleagues feel respected, valued and free to be their authentic selves. Through awareness campaigns and education, the committee aims to continue our support of our culture of acceptance and equality for the LGBTQ+ community. Ultimately, the Pride committee strives to help continue to build a company where LGBTQ+ individuals can thrive and contribute to its success without fear of discrimination or prejudice. We have accomplished so much over the past four decades, and we are PROUD of that for sure! But we know our work is not done, and we need to continue to advocate for our colleagues, our community and our family going forward.

Kim: In the short term, I hope to see the Pride Committee enhance our current programs, increase visibility and awareness through events and education and foster allyship within the company. Longer term, the goal is to solidify the company's reputation as a leader in diversity and inclusion, influence industry-wide change and ultimately contribute to a societal shift where LGBTQI+ rights are universally upheld and celebrated.

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