At the beginning of the year, we launched Women in Spine (WIS), our Employee Resource Group (ERG), focused on global diversity. Led by WIS co-chairs, Aviva McPherron, Vice President of Commercial IT and Erin McEachren, Vice President of Europe Commercial, and sponsored by Chris Barry, Chief Executive Officer and Lucas Vitale, Chief Human Resources Officer, the women-led organization aims to highlight the value of diversity, inclusion, and engagement, while providing professional development opportunities for all Shareowners. Originally started as a grassroots effort, our co-chairs wanted to ensure that WIS’s future endeavors represented all Shareowners’ voices and experiences. While the name ‘Women in Spine’ stems from the group being “women-led,” Shareowners of all genders, experience levels, and locations have a place in WIS.
Over the past six months, Women in Spine has grown and led several events since its conception. The Women in Spine listening tour kicked off in January at the U.S. NuVasive Sales Meeting in San Diego and at the International Sales Meeting in Madrid. Shareowners from around the globe heard NUVA leadership and WIS Leaders discuss how we can continue to create meaningful impact and opportunities for our talent. From these events, the ERG gained important feedback through facilitating a brainstorming session with our female commercial teams, cross-functional Shareowners, and executive leadership. After analyzing Shareowner survey data, approximately 50% of respondents identified career development as the most important focus area, with mentoring a close second. Other sites that the co-chairs visited for the listening tour included Amsterdam and Memphis.
In April, the first workshop—Impact and Influence—took place at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla in San Diego, CA. The workshop was focused on providing an inclusive opportunity for learning and networking. All Shareowners had opportunities to gain powerful insights and advice on career development from special guest lectures, NuVasive leadership-led workshops, and networking sessions with fellow Shareowners. The day was significant in strengthening WIS’s key role in Shareowner development and success.
There are more exciting events and initiatives coming this year and as we head into 2020. In May, regional chapter leaders and the leadership team were appointed: Mel Ordoñez, Marketing and Communications Manager; Colleen Friedman, Learning and Development Manager; Stephanie DeVreker, Program and Event Manager; and Stephanie Sheehan, Finance Manager. Recently, we welcomed our newest addition to the team, Kim Camacho, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Sr. Manager, who will assist in advising the leadership team. For the remainder of the year and into 2020, WIS will be hosting different activities surrounding career development and mentoring with the help of Shareowner-driven committees. As our first ERG, we hope that building the foundation for WIS will also lay the ground work for future employee resource groups at NuVasive