Tomya Watt’s Post

Meet this month’s employee spotlight, Oliver! 👋 Oliver is our Health Sciences Advancement Officer and joined the Curtin Advancement team last year to help bring many of our wonderful health sciences projects to life. We caught up with Oliver to learn more about some of the projects he is currently working on. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐲? I love how every day is so different, whether it’s the work I’m doing or the people I meet. Engaging with those who are directly impacted by what Advancement does, even the most mundane tasks feel like a meaningful piece of the bigger picture. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐰? Many exciting things are happening in Health Sciences at the moment! I’m starting to plan Curtin’s booth for this year’s Telethon Family Festival. It will be my first time managing it, but I have a wealth of experience to draw upon. I volunteered last year shortly after I started at Curtin, and it was wonderful to interact with families involved in some of Curtin’s wonderful research projects. I’m looking forward to putting my own spin on it this year! 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤? I’m very much into rock climbing. I’m actually petrified of heights so I started climbing as a way to face that fear, but I grew to really love the physicality of it and the problem-solving. It’s so much fun bringing new people into the sport and watch them crush it, especially when they initially doubt their abilities. I’m proud to say that I’ve roped in a few coworkers and love seeing them reach new heights (puns intended!). 🧗 Want to learn more about Health Sciences alumni opportunities? Find out more here 👉 https://shorturl.at/fo22S #CurtinUniversity #CurtinAlumni #Advancement #Employee #Spotlight #Team #Culture #CommunityRelations #Alumni #TeamCulture

Abilities matter! And, more importantly, not being judge of a perceived lack of ability matters. It is absolutely extraordinary to work for an organization that recognizes and celebrates all abilities! #capABILITYNetwork #atmerckiminspired #diversitymatters #inclusionmatters #disabilityinclusion #differentlyabled #abilitymatters

Excitement is building for the #CWSSummit happening in Dallas, Texas, on September 17th! 🎉 Our very own Allison Moore, Director of Strategic Partnerships, will be in attendance. Allison is passionate about advocating for talent with disabilities and chronic illnesses, and she’s one of the many inclusive forward thinkers you’ll want to connect with. A few sessions that Allison is most looking forward to at this year’s #CWSSummit: 🔹 Reinventing the Human Capital Leader by Astad Dhunjisha, VP of Talent Acquisition & HRBP at AT&T. AT&T has received a perfect score on the DEI for nine consecutive years! 🔹 Unlocking Next-Gen Success: Navigating Contingent Workforce Evolution by Wendy Wu, Associate Director of Contingent Labor at Bristol Myers Squibb. BMS earned a perfect #DEI score for 2024, standing out in the US, UK, and Brazil. 🔹 Insights on Contingent Workforce Solutions by Katie Ketterhagen, Sr. Manager at 3M. 3M has achieved a 100% #DEI score for eight years straight. Come find these inclusive leaders among the crowd, and let’s talk about how we can advance more disability inclusive workplaces together. Peak Performers is proud to be part of this important conversation! #DisabilityInclusion #PeakPerformers #InclusiveHiring #DiversityAndInclusion #WorkplaceInclusion

Really enjoyable time at the inaugural Medway Business & Skills Showcase on Wednesday, organised by Sean Henry and the Economic Development, Innovation & Town Centres team at Medway Council . Several of the excellent panel discussions touched on the challenges facing employers of people from different generations, ranging from Baby Boomers like me, through to Gen Z and how their attitudes, approaches and whole business/life ethos differ. It certainly highlighted the need for the managers of these teams to develop hugely enhanced skills in order to both support and motivate people across the generations - whilst still keeping an eye on the whole purpose of the business exercise, which is to make enough money for everyone to enjoy the lifestyles to which they aspire. It’s too easy to dismiss these different needs by saying “people are still people”, but I have had first-hand recent experience of the very different approach to business that young people just starting out in their careers have, compared to us ‘old timers’ and maybe how the working conditions that we put up with as we progressed would be totally unacceptable to a younger workforce nowadays. In the ‘days of yore’ it was almost as though an employer specifically set out to make any given job just-about-tolerable i.e. the employee was pushed to the absolute limit of their tolerance, just before they either kicked back or, in some sad cases, fell over the edge. Well, those days are long gone! It comes back to some of my previous posts about employers not only having to create enjoyable and fulfilling jobs but also providing a comfortable and pleasant environment in which to work too. So everyone will still be expected to work hard to achieve success, but perhaps at long last noses need no longer be pushed towards the grindstone, the pips need not be squeezed until they squeak and maybe, just maybe, the workplace will be all the better for it?

As we embark on Interfaith Experience Month at MSD, I would like to reflect on the significant impact of interfaith understanding and collaboration on leadership, business value, talent attraction and retention and community work. Interfaith diversity brings immense value to any global organization. By cultivating an environment where different faith traditions are respected and embraced, we foster leadership skills that are inclusive, empathetic, and adaptable. Leaders who are well-versed in interfaith dynamics are better equipped to navigate diverse teams, promote collaboration, and foster a culture of mutual understanding and respect. Moreover, interfaith understanding is not just a moral imperative but also a business imperative. Embracing religious diversity yields tangible benefits by driving innovation, enhancing creativity, and fostering a more inclusive decision-making process. Diverse perspectives stemming from different faith backgrounds can lead to novel solutions and approaches that benefit our customers, patients, and shareholders. In today's job market, top talent seeks organizations where they can bring their whole selves to work. A strong commitment to interfaith inclusion and respect demonstrates to potential employees that a company values diversity and recognizes the importance of creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported. By being an organization known for its inclusive practices, we attract and retain the best talent from diverse backgrounds, which in turn ensures a breadth of ideas and perspectives crucial for our continued success. Furthermore, our commitment to interfaith understanding extends beyond our workplace. Engaging with diverse faith communities through volunteer work, partnerships, and philanthropy enables us to make a meaningful impact within our broader communities. By demonstrating our dedication to interfaith collaboration and addressing the social challenges faced by people of all faiths, we strengthen our reputation as a responsible corporate citizen, and foster positive relationships with the communities we serve. Together, we can harness the power of interfaith collaboration to enhance leadership, create business value, attract and retain top talent, and make a positive impact in our communities. "Interfaith dialogue is a transformative journey that challenges our preconceptions, broadens our perspectives, and promotes a deeper understanding of our shared humanity." - Karen Armstrong

In the next week, I will mark a significant turning point in my career journey. We all have experienced selecting a role that is not an exac fit, joining a lineage of talented individuals who have encountered similar situations during their career. Over the past couple months, the process of reflecting on a transition has been full of highs and lows, encouraging and distressing but at the end incredibly profound. It reminds me that even with an exhaustive due diligence, a single decision point doesn't always equate to an alignment with what you believe are your mission, vision and values. While I understand the business aspect, it's essential to acknowledge the personal impact and the power of professional and personal connections. Comprehending the career diversion and the business rationale, the profound personal impact has been extraordinary. Being able to take the time necessary to research, spend time in prayer and reflection, and access to the counsel of trusted colleagues and friends, I’m reminded of the intricate balance between professional commitment, personal commitment and overall personal well-being and how that must align to create a work-life balance. Finding a place that is committed to being transformational in the healthcare delivery model through the pharmacy benefit management (PBM) element has been incredibly refreshing. At AffirmedRx, a Public Benefit Corporation, the mission is clear: to champion transparency, patient-centric care and innovative solutions in an industry often plagued by opacity and complexity. We are leading through authenticity and humility, fostering a model focused on integrity and empowerment. I am very excited and will be sharing more and invite you to join us on our journey towards a healthier, more informed pharmacy benefits experience and delivering the care that all Americans deserve… “The time is always right to do what is right.” - Dr. Martin Luther King

The most important asset is your staff.

We’re excited to share two major company announcements: 1️⃣ Don Weinstein, ADP’s former Chief Product & Technology Officer, is joining Summer as our Chief Innovation Officer. Don's decades of leadership in driving tech innovation for over 1 million employers will be invaluable. He will work with us closely to continue building cutting-edge solutions for HCMs, recordkeepers, employers, and their employees. 2️⃣ We’re proud to introduce Summer’s Advisory Board of HR leaders: 1) Joe Bosch, Former CHRO of DIRECTV & Tenet Healthcare  2) Mike Clementi, CHRO of PetVet Care Centers & Former CHRO of Unilever 3) Dr. Grace Ingram, DHSc, CWWS, HR leader for City of Alexandria, Virginia 4) Dermot O'Brien, Former CHRO of ADP & TIAA 5) Cindy Kay Olson, Founder & CEO of Executive Strategic Alliance, LLC 6) Margaret (Maggie) Ruvoldt, CHRO of LEARN Behavioral 7) Mike T., EVP & CHRO of Albertsons Companies 8) Katie Watson, Former CHRO of Solidigm & Gilead Sciences The insights from these advisors will help guide our strategy as we solve the challenges that employers and their employees face with student debt, education costs, and other pressing financial concerns. Read more on the blog: https://lnkd.in/dVay2wtZ

United. There's no where to go but up! I discovered Year Up in 2014 thanks to a Sunday night 60 Minutes clip. I applied for a role that night and have never looked back including three + years at YUPRO Placement Today is an exciting day introducing Year Up United as a comprehensive brand encompassing workforce solutions to US companies. To date we have served more than 45,000 young adults in skills-based training, launching careers at meaningful wages. US businesses herald the talent and deem Year Up students as a solution to their business needs. Please enjoy this video below - there's no where to go but up! #YearUpUnited #OpportunityForAll #OpportunityDivide #YUPROPlacement #GradsofLife