Women at Alcon Accelerate Action
time to read 5 minutes
For Women’s History Month, we sat down with women of Alcon to discuss and reflect on Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day programming at Alcon. Introducing us today is Kristen Weirick, Vice President, Talent Acquisition & Chief Diversity Officer at Alcon.
KW: At Alcon, we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace culture where all associates feel valued, respected, and able to deliver their best work. In celebration of International Women’s Day, I was honored to moderate a panel discussion during Women’s History Month, where I witnessed that ethos in the voices of inspiring and accomplished women across our enterprise who boldly shared words of wisdom with the perfect balance of confidence and humility based on their work and life experiences. These women embody our purpose to not only help the world see brilliantly, but to ensure we see each other brilliantly.
This month, we also proudly announced our recognition by Forbes as a 2024 World’s Top Companies for Women, recognizing our efforts to create an environment where all associates can make a brilliant impact.
Alcon was ranked 122 out of 600 companies and #3 in the Health Care Equipment & Services category. This is a testament to our commitment to inclusivity and empowering talent everywhere to create meaningful change and accelerate innovation in everything we do.”
International Women’s Day: Women Innovating Now (WIN) Global Speaker Event
Pictured: Co-hosts Kim Martin, Kristen Weirick with panelists Melvaleen Steward, Julie Gueller, Karen Campbell, Hajiba Raoui and Rozina Camarudin
We spoke with Casey Olsen, Regional Director, West US Pharmaceuticals & Dry Eye and Bree Bovay, Director, External Communications, International, who co-chair our One Global WIN (Women Innovating Now) Employee Resource Group.
Casey, tell us about your experience being part of Alcon’s One Global WIN, and how the ERG has impacted your experience at Alcon?
"One Global Win has been an incredible opportunity for me to connect with women across all levels and functions at Alcon globally and I think the IWD Speaker Event was a great example of that. The purpose of WIN very simply is to support the development of female talent across Alcon. The One Global Model seeks to provide alignment and clarity on that vision across the globe. It is a forum and resource where women and men at Alcon can support the development and career advancements of women in leadership. The goal being that a diverse and well-balanced organization at all levels and function will only continue to support the success and innovation at Alcon from a business standpoint."
Bree, can you share with us your takeaways from the International Women’s Day Speaker Event?
"During Alcon’s International Women’s Day event, panelists shared insights on navigating the workplace with confidence, authenticity, and intentionality. They emphasized the power of women supporting each other, the importance of self-advocacy, and the need to be proactive in networking and allyship. More than one speaker acknowledged the importance of staying true to your values, overcoming biases, and embracing challenges with curiosity and resilience. The conversation reinforced that success is about the journey, not just the destination, and that creating an inclusive, diverse, and empowering environment benefits everyone."
International Women’s Day – Accelerate Action
The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day was Accelerate Action. We asked the women of Alcon to share what this means to them, and why it’s important to celebrate Women’s History Month.
"International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month are a reminder for women to believe in our potential and never underestimate the power of our voice. We should embrace our uniqueness and take risks by stepping out of our comfort zone. It is also an opportunity to show appreciation for the amazing women in our lives, whether they’re colleagues, friends, or family. A moment to celebrate and support each other!"
Fernanda Fantini, Vice President Vision Care Franchise, LATAM
"International Women’s Day is a chance to honor the women who paved the way for the opportunities we have today. At the same time, it's a moment to reflect on the work that still needs to be done to ensure fairness and greater inclusion for all, so that future generations, like my daughter's, can thrive without barriers."
Luiza Barros, Director, External Communications, Americas
“Studies show that female leaders bring valuable skills to organizations from empathy and emotional intelligence and diverse perspectives that result in improved performance. By recognizing International Women’s Day, we can raise awareness for a more inclusive and equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, no matter where they live or work.”
Jeanette Richardson, VP, Global Services
“I have two sons so for me it is extremely important to recognize International Women’s day to demonstrate to them the impact that women have both professionally and personally. I have always instilled in my boys that no matter what gender, we all have our part to play and we treat each other equally and with mutual respect. Gender does not define our path in life, nor should it limit our ambitions.”
Danielle Tickner, Head of Commercial Excellence/Sales Effectiveness, APAC
As Alcon advances on our Journey to Brilliance, we remain steadfast in our commitment to create an inclusive and empowering workplace, helping all associates unleash their fullest potential. For more information on career opportunities at Alcon, visit Alcon.com/careers.
