Co rp or at e P h i l anth ro py Derica Rice Executive Vice President, Global Services, and Chief Financial Officer Eli Lilly and Company
Midwestern Pharmaceutical Company Supports Local Minority Youth Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company and the Lilly Foundation believe that future innovation is in the minds and hands of the best and the brightest youth. The company makes it a priority to support organizations and activities that celebrate the contributions of diverse populations and that encourage employee interaction with multicultural communities. Lilly partners locally in Indiana with the Center for Leadership Development (CLD). A unique non-profit, CLD provides minority youth a realistic picture of how to achieve their goals while striving for excellence and encourages young people to prepare to become professional, business and community leaders.
While there is no question that CLD is making a positive impact on the community, the organization was struggling to meet the increasing demands for its programs and services. That’s when Lilly stepped in with a $1.4 million donation to help fund a new CLD center in 2007. “Because of Lilly’s support we’ve been able to dramatically improve the way we perform youth development services,” said Dennis Bland, president of the Center for Leadership Development.
“Lilly is very proud of its long-standing partnership with the Center for Leadership Development,” said Derica Rice, executive vice president, Global Services, and chief financial officer at Lilly and CLD board member. “They are succeeding in investing in and producing the next generation of leaders.”
CLD has expanded its facility and currently serves 2,700 students. With Lilly’s support, the organization has been able to open a college development resource center providing extended high school and college counseling services beyond school walls and into the community. “Lilly has positioned us to be able to speak to and offer answers on area problems in a very specific and tangible way,” said Bland.
The CLD program prepares Indianapolis-area AfricanAmerican youth for college and career success by focusing on self-discovery, service and commitment to high expectations and achievement, and by providing parent education and support. CLD prepares youth for achievement by emphasizing CLD’s core principles for success: character, education, leadership, service and career.
The two partners also come together once each year to host a Corporate Youth Summit at Lilly’s global corporate offices. Students and parents have an opportunity to interact with Lilly executives, tour the C-suite, and attend workshops geared toward exposing youth to corporate America. “Kids literally have a seat at the table – Lilly’s boardroom table – so they can envision themselves here one day filling my shoes,” said Rice. PDJ
Rob Smith, Lilly’s senior director of Corporate Social Responsibility, said the Lilly Foundation supports organizations like the CLD that have a “well-defined sense of purpose, a demonstrated commitment to maximizing available resources, and a reputation for meeting objectives and delivering quality programs and services.”
Eli Lilly and Company Headquarters: Indianapolis, Indiana Web site: www.lilly.com Primary Business: Pharmaceuticals. Employees: 39,000 employees worldwide
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Pro f i les i n Di ve rsit y Journal
Derica Rice, executive vice president, global services, and chief financial officer (left) and Mr. John Lechleiter, Ph.D., chairman, president and CEO (right) present a check to the Center for Leadership Development at their 2007 Minority Achievers dinner.
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