I studied social sciences and modern dance in college but hung up my dancing shoes after graduate school. I channeled my passion for the performing arts to working behind-the-scenes in arts management, starting in fundraising for San Francisco Ballet. I wanted to have an impact on preserving the art form and furthering its mission.

After 15 years in the nonprofit world - including a stint in higher education advancement with Harvard University’s West Coast Development Office - I wanted to do something different. I wanted to be a part of the innovative Silicon Valley that changed the way we lived and navigated life. I consulted friends and mentors asking where they saw my skills adding value in the corporate world. Many recommended recruiting because of its focus on building meaningful relationships and connecting others to transformative opportunities. I successfully applied for a role at Genentech dedicated to recruiting a diverse pool of executives, and I was excited to be in another position where I could make a direct impact. In my new role, I had the opportunity to increase diverse representation across the senior-most levels at Genentech, which ultimately benefits the patients we serve. Having diverse perspectives at the leadership table ensures, for instance, that there's an intention to achieve diversity in clinical studies, and provide evidence that our medicines are effective across all patient populations. 

Throughout my professional career, I have been fortunate to work in progressive communities where my colleagues have valued my background as a gay Black man. At Genentech, I felt so accepted and comfortable being myself that I dressed up as Serena Williams at my first Halloween party! Having seen outstanding and outspoken trailblazers before me, I know how important it is for me to show up, shape the narrative of the conversation, and hopefully, be an inspiration to others, especially, those who share similar backgrounds as me. I also know that everyone is at a different place in their diversity, equity and inclusion journey, which is why my team is devoted to creating strategies and learning opportunities that help colleagues along this continuum.

It’s important to me to foster safe environments in both my personal and professional life, making sure that people feel that their perspectives are valued and that their opinions matter. I am inclined to prioritize physical and psychological safety in all I do. This characteristic goes back to when I was in middle school in my hometown of Columbus, Ohio, and my 16 year old cousin, who was like a brother to me, was shot and killed while trying to maintain peace and break up a fight. That moment turned me into a street-smart kid who understands how to anticipate threats and either mitigate or avoid them altogether. I’ve applied that to my professional life, trying to anticipate and prepare for challenges, navigating complications with people who may not see eye-to-eye with me, and finding common ground.

My commitment at Genentech is to attract, retain and develop diverse talent, particularly to increase our representation of Black, Latinx, and Asian leadership. In this way my personal values align with Genentech’s broader Diversity & Inclusion strategy. The innovative work we do – which inspired me to bring my talents to our company – and the bold ambitions we have for the future requires skill sets and perspectives of all backgrounds, sometimes in fields from which we have not traditionally hired talent. I did not have a conventional biotech background. Yet Genentech is committed to creating the inclusive environment in which employees of all backgrounds can thrive, helping us remain relevant at the cutting edge of science, and ultimately improving the lives of all patients across our society.