Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Careers at Lilly
Nadia Sartor
Manager of Employee Development
“As co-chair of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council, one of the greatest privileges of my role is learning from diverse perspectives and strengthening my practice through collaboration with our dedicated council members. I am proud to be part of an organization that demonstrates its commitment to DEI at every level. This commitment shows up in our strategies and programs, and in our day-to-day actions — the decisions we make, the conversations we hold, and the culture we create together. By embedding DEI into how we work, we unlock the full potential of our people. It enables us to innovate with intention and deliver solutions that truly matter for the Canadians we serve. When colleagues feel a genuine sense of belonging and are empowered to bring their authentic selves to work each day, we cultivate an environment where everyone can thrive.
Our founder, Colonel Eli Lilly, challenged us to “take what you find here and make it better and better.” My hope is that we continue to honour this legacy — embracing our diverse workforce and customers, seeking to understand and learn from one another, and working to make access to health care solutions for all Canadians “better and better.”
Jason Haug
Manager External Engagement
“Inclusive cultures do more than support people at work. They fuel innovation, strengthen collaboration, and improve how we show up for patients and communities. I have seen this throughout my career, particularly when navigating complex and urgent health issues that require trust, creativity, and collective action.
At Lilly, we cultivate inclusion to attract and retain diverse talent and to better understand the patients who depend on us. Through our local DEI efforts at Lilly Canada, we invest in learning, allyship, and open conversation, including support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
By creating space for dialogue, optimism, and shared learning, we build a culture that reflects our values and strengthens our external engagement every day.”
Francois Gilbert
Associate Vice President of Human Resources
“As the Associate Vice President of Human Resources (HR) for Lilly Canada, I am the executive sponsor of all initiatives created by our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council. I also ensure we are implementing policies, programs, and initiatives that foster a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace culture. My team and I champion diversity recruitment efforts, we provide training on bias awareness, and ensure equitable opportunities for all employees. Additionally, as the HR leader I collaborate with our entire leadership team to embed DEI principles into our organization's values and practices. We want all Lilly employees to feel respected, valued, and empowered to thrive.
Being a Québécois working at our Toronto Head Office for many years now, I could not be prouder of the importance we place on having a strong representation of French speaking employees across the office, within all our functions and especially within our managers.”
Having key organizational communications and documents translated has been a great foundation but allowing employees to ask their questions in French at townhall meetings, offering development sessions in French and acting on feedback from our French speaking colleagues have made a positive difference for many!
I aspire to see a workforce that reflects the rich diversity of Canada's population, fosters innovation through diverse perspectives, and prioritizes equity in access to health care solutions. By embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion, our pharmaceutical industry can better serve the needs of all Canadians and contribute to positive societal impact.”
Mathilde Merlet
President and General Manager at Lilly Canada
“Inclusion is essential to how we do our best work at Lilly Canada. To truly support healthcare professionals and deliver meaningful experiences for patients across Canada, we need teams that reflect diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and ways of thinking. That diversity fuels innovation and helps us better understand the people we serve.
An inclusive mindset also shapes how we show up beyond our organization. It guides our work to challenge weight bias, ensure all skin types are represented in care and diagnosis, and expand options for older adults to age with dignity. Through partnerships, education, and research, we are committed to making life better.
As we continue to build a world‑class team, inclusion remains a leadership priority. As executive co‑sponsor of the Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly in Canada, I am proud to support a culture rooted in integrity, excellence, and respect for people, where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and grow.”