Inclusion, diversity
and equity
Inclusion, diversity and equity (ID&E) are core to Vertex’s ability to create and deliver transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. We believe in ID&E not only because it’s the right thing to do, and it is, but also because our business depends on it. We are the most innovative, make the best decisions for patients and attract the highest caliber of talent when we have an inclusive, diverse and equitable workforce and culture. Learn more about our ID&E journey, progress and priorities.
Inclusion
Our Priority: Fostering a culture where each employee has a strong sense of belonging because they feel, and are, valued for sharing their perspectives and challenging ideas across differences
Our Approach: Equip all Vertexians with the skills and resources to activate and live ID&E in their daily interactions and decisions
Diversity
Our Priority: Ensuring that our workplaces reflect the rich diversity of our communities, recognizing that each of us is different based on our life experiences, identities, backgrounds and cultures
Our Approach: Invest to address gaps in representation in our talent pipeline, with a focus on racial, ethnic, cultural and
gender equity
Equity
Our Priority: Promoting balanced representation and fair treatment by providing the opportunities, information and resources needed so each of our employees can grow and thrive
Our Approach: Embed inclusive and equitable practices throughout the employee experience
We have a longstanding commitment to ID&E
Our formal ID&E efforts began in 2014 with the opening of our first Learning Lab and our support of STEAM education in the community.
Soon after, we launched our Employee Resource Networks (ERNs), which strengthen community and belonging within Vertex across functions and levels, provide employees with access to peer and executive mentors and professional development, and amplify the voices, insights and experiences of colleagues from traditionally underrepresented groups.
Our Employee Resource Networks (ERNs)
IWILL
Inspiring Women in Leadership and Learning
Seeks to strengthen Vertex’s efforts in attracting, retaining, developing and enhancing the career satisfaction of women and contributing to their professional advancement
VIBE
Vertex Includes Boundless Ethnicities
Supports the empowerment and growth of our racially and ethnically diverse employees as leaders, building a diverse community based on trust and respect
Vertex PRIDE
Supports, provides visibility of and celebrates our LGBTQ+ employees and allies
ID&E Week
We launched our inaugural ID&E week in 2017 to provide an opportunity for Vertexians to connect and explore the important role ID&E plays in our business, culture and communities. While we recognize that ID&E must be activated and sustained every day throughout the year, this week provides a chance for Vertexians to step back from our daily routines, reflect on recent world events and take a holistic look at how we work together and the ways in which we can improve. Our sixth ID&E week in 2022 focused on the theme of 'Catalysts for Change' — a call to action for Vertexians to advance ID&E, be inclusive team members and leaders, and accelerate their own growth.
Ongoing Learning
In 2019 we began formal ID&E learning for our senior leaders and in 2020, we developed and released a training to all employees on unconscious bias in the workplace. In 2021 we introduced the LIVE ID&E Learning Portfolio, a comprehensive learning portfolio to provide employees with resources to listen, learn and advance their fundamental understanding of what it means to LIVE ID&E at Vertex. Through this portfolio, employees Learn key concepts, are provided with tools to Implement the concepts in their daily interactions, Validate what works, and Embed ID&E in our systems and processes.
We have focused efforts to increase the diversity of our candidate pools and hires
Our career growth programs are critical to nurturing a diverse pipeline of talent. We have robust summer internship, co-op and industrial placement programs and have established several flagship programs such as: Vertex Fellows, Physician Investigators, PharmD Fellowship and MBA Summer Associate program. We're intentional about ensuring these programs provide equitable access to individuals from communities that have been traditionally underrepresented in biotech.
We know we can’t do this work alone; we partner with organizations that allow us to drive equity across the entire educational and career journeys of students and young people in our communities.
We have made progress and recognize that achieving true excellence in ID&E takes a sustained push. We are committed to doing even more.
Employee and board of director demographics
Promoting gender equity
We have made progress and recognize that achieving true excellence in ID&E takes a sustained push. We are committed to doing even more to promote gender equity throughout our organization.
Data as of December 31, 2021
Investing to address gaps in representation
We have made progress and recognize that achieving true excellence in ID&E takes a sustained push. We are committed to doing even more to address gaps in representation, with a focus on racial, ethnic and cultural equity.
Data as of December 31, 2021
Advancing ID&E with our leadership
The diverse perspectives of our board, combined with decades of experience, is critical to the guidance and stability they provide to help us execute on our mission.
Data as of December 31, 2021