Alumna Honored at Kean’s 2008 Undergraduate Commencement

Honorary Degree Recipient Michelle Gadsden-Willams ‘93

Michelle Gadsden-Williams currently serves as Vice President and Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Novartis Pharma A.G.  In this role, she provides strategic direction and leadership and champions the development of an inclusive environment by integrating diversity into all aspects of the business on a global scale. An exemplary role model, Gadsden-Williams works tirelessly at refining processes, policies and programs that support an inclusive work environment.

Among many accomplishments, she is responsible for the re-vitalization of the Global Pharma Diversity Council, the formation of the Executive Diversity Council in the US, the development of a comprehensive Diversity Training Curriculum, and she played a major role in the start-up of several active employee resource groups.  Gadsden-Williams has acquired a number of community service awards and accolades for her work in Diversity.  She has been profiled in Black Enterprise Magazine in 2002, 2006 and 2007, DiversityInc, Ebony, Essence, Fortune, Jet, New Vision, Science Magazine, Sister to Sister, and Target Market News.  She was recognized as one of 40 Outstanding Executives Under 40 in America by the Network Journal in 2006.  Gadsden-Williams was also one of 75 women honored for her accomplishments at the 2005 Tribute to Women in Industry (TWIN) Gala, Harvard’s 2008 BMF Businesswoman of the Year and more recently presented with the Rainbow Push Coalition’s Bridge Builder Award by the honorable Reverend Jesse L. Jackson. 

In addition to her impressive career as a diversity executive, her community service speaks volumes about her dedication and interest in equality and social justice.  She currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the SLE Lupus Foundation of New York City where she advocates for research, patient awareness and education of system lupus erythematosus which disproportionately affects women of color. She also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Jackie Robinson Foundation of New York City where she actively raises scholarships for academically gifted minority college students in the US.  She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.

Gadsden-Williams earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Kean and a Master of Science in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania.  She is currently on a 3-5 year assignment in Basel, Switzerland.