HBA Announces 2021 ACE Award Winners

With gender inequality a continued area of focus for corporations and workplaces around the globe, the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) is proud to recognize Merck & Co., Inc. and Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. for exemplary workplace initiatives working to close the gender gap in the healthcare and life science industries. The awards will be presented on Wednesday, 10 November, in conjunction with HBA’s virtual Annual Conference.

HBA’s Advancement. Commitment. Engagement. (ACE) Awards recognize companies committed to ensuring that gender diversity and leadership opportunities for women are part of their organizational DNA. An independent panel of healthcare industry leaders selects ACE Award recipients for their excellence in advancing their female talent and removing the systemic barriers preventing timely progress to parity. Award criteria include measurable results, business performance, stewardship, execution, and sustainability.

With a 26-year history, Merck’s Women’s Network validates the organization’s long-term commitment to diversity and inclusion and demonstrates how integral these values are to achieving better healthcare outcomes for the patients they serve. With 10,000 women participating, there are a variety of initiatives supporting the drive to greater equality including a Gender Equality Council, Mentoring Programs, a Women’s Network European Personal Branding Program, and an Executive Speaker Series.

Otsuka’s Network of Otsuka Women (NOW) has delivered impressive influence and impact in a short time since it was founded in 2019. Sponsorship by the company’s CEO and CCO, and support from the board, speak to Otsuka’s commitment to including diversity, equity, and inclusion as key imperatives as part of its global business strategy.

Read more about the winners here.