Founded by a global people, culture and equity strategist, inclusion thought leader, advisor, and executive coach.

FOUNDER

Perika Sampson

Perika Sampson is a visionary leader and trusted advisor known for helping organizations translate inclusion into measurable impact. Over the past 20 years, she has guided Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits through transformational change, building cultures where people thrive and leadership aligns with purpose.

As the former Global Head of Inclusion and Diversity at Gilead Sciences, Perika led strategies that advanced equity across health, talent, and community engagement. Her career includes leadership roles at Morgan Stanley, Bank One, and Charles Schwab, as well as founding Dearborn Consulting Partners, where she advised executives and teams on people, culture, and leadership strategies.

Beyond her corporate impact, Perika serves on the board of the American Heart Association, Los Angeles County, and led the equity, diversity, and inclusion effort for the Oakland Symphony, where she now serves as an emeritus board member. Perika is a member of Biopharma Leaders of Color (BLOC) and the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association. She is deeply committed to championing initiatives that expand opportunity and strengthen community resilience.

At her core, Perika believes leadership rooted in empathy, accountability, and vision has the power to transform systems—and that inclusive leadership drives both human and organizational excellence.

  • Fierce Pharma Crafting Inclusive Campaigns for Industry Transformation November 2023

    Healthcare Businesswomen Association Addressing the Looming Challenge of the Healthcare Workforce of the Future November 2023

    Young Black Pharma Advocating for Health Equity November 2023

    Black Wealth Summit Fireside Chat: Small Business Administration October 2023

    Los Angeles Times Harnessing the Value of DEIA October 2023

    New York Moves Women of Distinction May 2023

    MM+M (Medical, Marketing and Media) Empowering the Female Health Consumer May 2023

    California Conference for Women March 2023

    PhRMA Fighting For Diverse Talent in Biopharma November 2022

    National Diversity Council DEIB Best Practices in Healthcare September 2022

    British American Business LGBTQ+ Community and Allies Pave a Way to a More Inclusive Workplace July 2022

    BioCentury-BayHelix East-West Summit Recruiting and Retaining Diverse Cross-Border Management Teams July 2022

    Fierce Pharma PR and Communications Summit June 2022

    LA Bioscience Ecosystem Summit Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategies For Recruitment and Retention In Life Science May 2022

    Black Enterprise Women of Power Closing the Pay Gap: How to Get Paid What You’re Worth March 2022

    National Health Council. Inclusive Workplaces: Building A Representative Workforce October 2021

  • Medical Marketing & Media (MM+M) Women of Distinction Class of 2023

    7uice Foundation (Jaylen Brown Boston Celtics) Energy Shifting Award, 2022

    Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals Purpose Awards Social Impact Team of the Year, 2022

    NY Moves Magazine Moves Diversity Leader and Mentor Award, 2022

    National Diversity Council’s Top 100 Diversity Officers, 2022

  • Perika Sampson is a highly sought after speaker. To inquire about her availability for speaking engagements, please contact us.