42
Inclusion
Index
2019
Johnson & Johnson
Seina Lee, PharmD
Regional Strategic Marketing Director,
Janssen Asia Pacifi c
Her True Self: Raised in South Korea,
Seina immigrated with her family to
the U.S. in 1996. She earned a doctor
of pharmacy degree and decided to work for a
pharmaceutical company to make a diff erence on a
larger scale. Seina and her husband, Seuk Hyoung,
have two children, daughter Yoonha Joy, 7, and son
Joonho Jonathan, 3. The family moved to
Singapore two years ago for her international
development program.
Company Support: Although her daughter was
born through an emergency C-section and “with
an Apgar score of 1,” Seina was determined to
return to work after maternity leave, but she was
diagnosed with postpartum depression. The
company helped her get through it. “I promote the
law of gratitude within J&J. I talk about it and do
something so it can be multiplied. For me, this has
translated into being a mental-health diplomat,
part of an employee-resource-group initiative
around mental health.”L’Oréal USA
Neahle Jones
Vice President, Learning for Transformation
Her True Self: Raised in New York
City, Neahle’s passion for clothing
design and style led her to initially
pursue a career in fashion buying, but
a national student competition brought her to
advertising and media. She was recruited to the
beauty company, where she joined the Women of
Color Think Tank, which helps multicultural
women advance, and advises on consumer issues.
Company Support: “I have a voice and an
opportunity to express my concerns around
representation in beauty for women of color, espe-
cially black women. Had it not been for the think
tank, I don’t think I would be as vocal as I am now.
It’s helped strengthen my resolve and encourages
me to always speak up. It reminds me that I’m not
alone in my experience and provides me with a
place to channel my passion for inclusion.”Merck
Alex Ibanez
Director, Site Business Operations
Her True Self: Born in Brazil, Alex
spent her childhood moving through
Latin America for her dad’s job. The
family moved to Washington, D.C.,when she was 12, and she attended college in
Florida, where she received bachelor’s and master’s
degrees in cell and molecular biology, plus an
executive MBA. She is a single mom of Boris, 16,
who has a heart condition and cerebral palsy and
requires 24/7 care, and Elena, 7.
Company Support: “Working here has been a
wonderful experience, not only as a woman of
color, but also as a single mom. We understand that
employees are also parents, partners, caregivers.
It’s invaluable to have managers who are
supportive and policies that take away some of the
stress. At times, when family matters have to come
fi rst—for example, my son going through open-
heart surgery—I have been able to work around my
work schedule to take care of him.”Sodexo
Mia Mends
Chief Administrative Offi cer, North America
Her True Self: Mia came to the U.S.
with her parents and two sisters when
she was 8, after great turmoil in their
native Ghana. Her parents instilled in
her the value of education and hard work. Mia
graduated from Harvard Business School and
wanted to work for a values-driven company with a
clear social mission. The food-services company
transformed her career path seven years ago; that’s
when she was asked to take on a sales leadership
role, relocating to Brazil with her husband and two
young children.
Company Support: “My boss, who brought me to
Latin America, had the conviction that my presence
would challenge not only me, but the organization
as well, and that the D&I challenges we would
confront would make us all more conscientious and
self-aware. He was right. I can’t speak for all women
of color, but pushing myself and extending beyond
the familiar has made me a better leader.”Verizon
Natalie Williams
Director, Indirect Sales, Southeast Market
Her True Self: As an 18-year-old
unmarried mom without formal
education in South Carolina, Natalie’s
career opportunities were limited.
Then Bell Atlantic Mobile moved a major call center
to the area and needed operators. Hired in 1999, she
moved up (the company merged into what became
Verizon) and relocated to Atlanta. Via Verizon’s
tuition-assistance program, she earned bachelor’s
and master’s degrees. She married Pacian, and they
have three sons: Federico, 21, Pacian Jr., 9, and
Chance, 7, one of whom is on the autism spectrum.
Company Support: “I was completely embraced
and accepted for who I am from day one. There
were times I felt embarrassed or ashamed by
my background, but I was encouraged to share my
story often so I could help others around me.”