Takeda Welcomes The Honorable Susana Mendoza As Guest Speaker At Deerfield Headquarters To Celebrate Company's Commitment to Latino Culture

Major issues facing citizens in Illinois will only improve if there is open discussion, Mendoza noted.  "I'm glad to participate in this session at one of the state's premier employers to help broaden the discussion about issues facing people of Hispanic heritage.  While we've made a lot of progress, there are many issues yet to tackle and corporate employers play a role in helping bring forward solutions."   

Susana Mendoza was elected Illinois Comptroller in 2016. She became the first Hispanic to ever run for and win a statewide office in Illinois as a Democrat.  Prior to her statewide election, she made history by becoming the first woman ever elected as Chicago City Clerk.  Prior to her service as City Clerk, Mendoza served six terms between 2001 and 2011 as a Democrat in the Illinois House of Representatives.  Mendoza served as Co-Chairperson of the Conference of Women Legislators and has served three times as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. She is a co-founder of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus. 

Takeda's Colombo, who serves as the executive sponsor for the Takeda employee resource group that invited Mendoza to its campus, said it was part of the company's efforts to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.  The company has a number of activities planned during October, ranging from educational displays about Hispanic heritage; success stories about Takeda Hispanic employees; and, hosting speakers to better inform employees about issues of concern in the Hispanic community.

Takeda has a strong history of support of issues important to the Latino community.  For example, the company has participated in a program with Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep in Lake County, IL. Through this work study program, teams of predominately Latino high school students are assigned a full-time role in Takeda at the company's offices in Deerfield, working five 8-hour days per month during the school year.  Students gain valuable workplace experience and earn tuition money and the company gains fresh perspective from the students.  In the 2017-18 school year Takeda is sponsoring teams with 38 students in total, ranging from freshman to seniors.

Takeda employees have served as mentors to high school students through the Illinois Science & Technology Institute which encourages careers in science, technology, engineering and math fields (STEM).  Takeda employees have served as volunteer mentors at a mainly Latino high school in Chicago, Solorio, located on the city's southwest side.

Another group the company partners with to support its Latino employees is the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE), a national non-profit dedicated to the employment, development and advancement of current and aspiring Latino professionals.  Through professional development, resources and networks, HACE helps Latinos succeed in every phase of their careers.

Takeda has been honored with more than one dozen workplace awards for its innovative employee programs and distinctive culture, Colombo explains. Among the more popular programs the company has underway is the establishment of seven employee resource groups (ERGs) which help Takeda build a more supportive and inclusive culture.  ERGs consist of individuals with shared characteristics and life experiences, as well as their advocates and allies. These groups work to enhance career development, foster personal development, and positively contribute to business outcomes.

The ERG for Latino-connected employees, called La Voz ("The Voice") has more than 100 members and was started at Takeda in 2015, Colombo says. She notes that La Voz also is working with Takeda leaders to improve the company's understanding of the unique characteristics of the Latino patient population.

About Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE: 4502) is a global, R&D-driven pharmaceutical company committed to bringing better health and a brighter future to patients by translating science into life-changing medicines. Takeda focuses its research efforts on oncology, gastroenterology and central nervous system therapeutic areas. It also has specific development programs in specialty cardiovascular diseases as well as late-stage candidates for vaccines. Takeda conducts R&D both internally and with partners to stay at the leading edge of innovation. New innovative products, especially in oncology, central nervous system and gastroenterology, as well as its presence in emerging markets, fuel the growth of Takeda. More than 30,000 Takeda employees are committed to improving quality of life for patients, working with our partners in health care in more than 70 countries.

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About Takeda in the U.S.A.

Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. is the U.S. commercial organization of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. Takeda has a strong commitment to the U.S. with more than 5,000 employees, a significant R&D presence, Oncology and Vaccine headquarters and manufacturing capabilities.

SOURCE Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.

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