Drexel Celebrates the Merck Drexel Advanced Leadership Program’s Diverse Supplier Graduates
Aug. 8, 2022 | By Mandie Boardman
Today marks the graduation of the second cohort of the “Merck Drexel Advanced Leadership Program for Diverse Suppliers (Merck Drexel ALP).” Merck & Co., Inc. and Drexel University recognized nearly 40 participants from this year’s cohort along with the participants from the inaugural Merck Drexel ALP program in 2021 with a special in-person graduation ceremony in Jersey City, N.J.
“Our communities’ success depends on creating stronger representation and enabling diverse business owners to share and grow in the market,” said Vibhas Madan, PhD, Dean and R. John Chapel, Jr. Dean’s Chair at Drexel’s LeBow College of Business. “By investing in the development of these business owners, the Merck Drexel ALP prepares them, through an evidence-based and experiential curriculum, to create a lasting impact on the businesses and communities where we live and work.”
The Merck Drexel ALP is a four-month program designed to help diverse business owners enhance their leadership and business acumen and strengthen and grow their companies. The learning modules are delivered through a combination of live and virtual sessions to foster continued cohort connection throughout the program.
“At Merck, we know that there is strength in our differences, but there’s power in inclusion, and we are proud of our partnership with Drexel to develop and bring forward this advanced leadership program for diverse suppliers,” said Susanna Webber, senior vice president and chief procurement officer at Merck. “Our work to support these diverse business owners allows us to contribute to their growth potential and important impact on society.”
Participants from the second cohort were recruited from across the United States and Puerto Rico in collaboration with the Diversity Alliance for Science (DA4S). This class of participants represented companies spanning the pharmaceutical supply chain. The initiative between Merck and Drexel was managed by Drexel’s LeBow College of Business’ Krall Center for Corporate and Executive Education and the Drexel Solutions Institute.
