Episode 5 - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

This month's guest, Rakhi Agarwal, Franchise Engagement Leader at Johnson and Johnson's Janssen Supply Chain, shares that, "The right pool of talent can only come if you build diversity into the fabric and DNA of the organization."  While most supply chain organization's recognize the value and importance of diversity among supply chain talent, how to build a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion can be less clear.  Rakhi shares advice for organizations who wish to start, build, and maintain a culture that leverages diversity.  She shares how we can all become agents of change and how our personal commitment to DEI can translate into change across the enterprise.  Rakhi also shares how diversity fosters change, growth and innovation and how these areas have a critical impact on the success of the enterprise. 

Rakhi also introduces DISCOVER, a cross-industry organization featuring a network of supply chain professionals dedicated to the shared aspiration of building bridges and breaking down barriers for people of color.  ----more----

Rakhi Agarwal is Franchise Engagement Leader, at JNJ in Janssen Supply Chain. She is a visionary sourcing & supply chain leader with proven track record of almost two decades of rich industry experiences. Rakhi joined J&J in Dec 2018 and has been leveraging her expertise in supply chain, distribution and sourcing gained through diversified roles in her career with companies like AMRI, Merck & Bristol Myers Squibb. Rakhi has an MBA in Operations Management from the University of Southern Indiana and an undergraduate degree in Supply Chain Management from Eli Broad Business School at Michigan State University.

Rakhi is also a very active member and volunteer at the prestigious Drugs Chemicals and Associated Technologies (DCAT) for the last seven years. Recently, as chair of the sourcing and procurement task force at DCAT, she has been instrumental in driving the educational program content for the Pharma industry.

Rakhi is a thought leader and has numerous articles on negotiation and risk management published in the Inside Supply Management Magazine. She has also been featured in the Inside Supply Management Magazine in Oct 2017 publication.