AN INTERVIEW WITH PETER ANASTASIOU, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT & HEAD OF NORTH AMERICA
Why was it critical for your organization to be involved in the Gender Parity Collaborative?
Gender parity is something I’m passionate about and made a priority at Lundbeck. However, I recognize we can’t achieve gender balance in healthcare operating in isolation. We need collective focus on the larger environment and collaborative action to achieve systemic changes. When we’re together, we begin to see and shape the possible. But we also stay grounded in concrete plans and measured progress.
As one of your organization’s leaders, why are you personally committed to advancing gender parity in the workplace?
I champion gender equality in the workforce not only because it’s the honorable thing to do, but also because it’s good for business. Studies demonstrate that an equal gender mix contributes to diversity of thought and leads to better business performance. I have experienced this firsthand, with our company led by a dynamic female CEO, Deborah Dunsire, the 2009 HBA Woman of the Year, and guided by a North American senior leadership team with strong female representation. Here – and everywhere – the business case for gender equality is clear.
Bolstering the talent pipeline through gender parity initiatives will benefit the industry as a whole, but also Lundbeck, specifically. These are women who will contribute to our work and help us make a meaningful difference in the lives of more people impacted by brain diseases.
Of what current company gender parity initiative are you most proud?
Gender parity is prioritized at the highest level of our company. As a global organization, Lundbeck is committed to the principles of the United Nations Global Compact and advancing progress of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Goal 5 is gender equality, and a 2020 global objective for the company is to strive to maintain an equal gender split for people managers globally. In 2019, 57 percent of Lundbeck’s U.S. managers and 58 percent of vice presidents were female, and I’m very proud of our record of advancing qualified women to leadership roles.
Why has it been necessary to create the Collaborative— this first ever industry consortium?
The adage ‘what gets measured gets done’ is particularly relevant to gender parity. Keeping a continued focus on this and tracking member-companies’ progress is the recipe for ensuring true progress. Each of us may be passionate advocates for gender equity, but the collective commitment and engagement of our companies working together is what will create a movement.
The value of gender parity is providing more perspectives and instilling diversity of thought into our organizations. In similar ways, the diversity of experience within the Collaborative enriches Lundbeck’s own efforts and empowers us to accelerate gender parity.
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