Johnson & Johnson Innovation
Activating Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Early-Stage Health Innovation Ecosystem
Services
Industry
Health
Challenge
Johnson & Johnson Innovation (JJI) serves as the entry point to Johnson & Johnson’s global expertise for early-stage life science innovators and startups. With a unique opportunity to shape the next generation of health innovation, JJI recognized the need to help embed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at the earliest stages of the companies they invest in.
Goal: To ensure that the future of health innovation is built with equity at its core.
Approach
Working closely with JJI’s global leadership and strategic partners, developed and launched a comprehensive DEI platform centered around three pillars:
Shaping and promoting a diverse innovation ecosystem
Recruiting and preparing diverse leaders for executive and board roles
Championing innovation that advances health equity
To activate these pillars, designed and executed programming including:
A high school internship initiative to diversify early talent pipelines
A board preparedness program for emerging health innovation leaders
Educational tools for startups to integrate equity into their business models and solutions
Impact
Launched the DEI initiative at JJI’s Healthcare Innovation for All symposium in Washington, D.C., a high-visibility event co-hosted with Children’s National Hospital and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). The convening brought together a powerful group of health equity leaders, innovators, and investors committed to building a more inclusive health innovation ecosystem.
Amplified the launch, by creating dynamic digital and editorial content, including:
A dedicated DEI initiative webpage
Visit SiteA video spotlight series featuring diverse innovators
Watch VideosMedia coverage in Fierce Biotech
Together, this work positioned JJI as a leader in not only funding and guiding innovation, but in actively shaping a more equitable future for health care.
