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Women in Leadership at Parexel

More than 70% of our colleagues at Parexel are women, including our Chief Executive Officer Peyton Howell, and our Chairperson of the Board, Sheri McCoy. We are committed to creating opportunities for growth and career advancement for our dedicated team members.

  • 70.2 %of Parexel is female

  • 60 %of managers and directors are female

  • 45.6 %of VP-level and Executive-level are female

  • 42 % women of color in the US

Women Leaders at Parexel

Peyton Howell, Chief Executive Officer, Parexel

Peyton Howell was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Parexel in May 2024. Peyton’s more than 30-year career in healthcare includes senior leadership positions with Parexel, most recently as Chief Operating and Growth Officer and previously Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer, as well as Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen). She has made a significant impact in growing Parexel’s business and shaping our patient-focused culture. Peyton currently represents Parexel as Chairperson of the Association of Clinical Research Organizations (ACRO) and has received several industry accolades, including being named a Luminary by the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA).

Peyton Howell, a female white American, has blond shoulder long hair, wears pink glasses, a black jacket and a necklace.

Information about our Leadership Programs

Parexel offers extensive programs to support the development of women and people of color in leadership, engagement of men in enhancing cross-gender partnerships and inclusive leadership skill development. These programs include:

Wisdom Circle

A nine-month leadership program for manager-to-director level leaders to enhance personal and professional development through structured, peer-based learning. To date, more than 800 highly talented individuals at Parexel from across the globe have participated in Wisdom Circles and reported very high levels of satisfaction, personal growth and skill development.

Change Maker

A multi-day leadership course for men, women and those of other genders to explore gender stereotypes and strategies for cross-gender partnership. The group focuses on how gender expectations define talent and leadership, how group dynamics affect workplace equity and how teams can work across differences. Since 2015, Parexel has run 16 Change Makers programs for leaders in North America, Europe, India and Japan, with more than 600 participants.

Forum for Executive Women

An advanced, one-year executive leadership development program through Women Unlimited. Parexel has been offering this program since 2013 and 12 women have successfully completed it.

Women in Leadership (WIL)

A one-year development acceleration program that celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023. It includes a four-day kick-off provided through Linkage, Inc., and Parexel is a platinum sponsor — the highest level. Since 2013 more than 300 women leaders have participated.

WIL Alumni Group

Parexel also has an internal WIL Alumni Group of more than 150 employees who graduated from the Women in Leadership program. The group hosts regional gatherings, coffee chats and book clubs and supports DE&I initiatives across the company.
Rotating images of Women in Leadership Program participants. Group images, get-togethers and working sessions.

Award Spotlight

Parexel is the only CRO to be recognized with both an ACE award and a Catalyst award, showcasing our ongoing commitment to inclusivity within our business and in the ways we serve patients.
2022 Catalyst Award Winner logo

Workplaces that work for women

We are still thrilled and honored that Parexel is a Catalyst Award Winner! This prestigious award recognized our success in increasing the representation of women at the senior vice president level from 13.3% to 38.8% and from 32.3% to 50.3% at the vice president level (2014 - 2021). Our Wisdom Circle and Women in Leadership programs empower women to excel, and engaging men as mentors, sponsors, and champions amplifies our success.

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Advancement. Commitment. Engagement.

In 2023, Parexel was honored with the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association’s “Advancement. Commitment. Engagement.” (ACE) Award in recognition of the strong outcomes stemming from our “Priority: Advancing Women in Leadership” initiative. This initiative focuses on enhancing gender representation and cultivating a stronger presence of women in senior positions ranging from Director to Vice President across our global workforce.

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Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association’s “ACE” Award Honorees 2023 - including Parexel
Diverstiy award 2024 trophy

India DivHERsity awards

Parexel India was recognized for the fifth consecutive year at the DivHERsity Awards. Parexel was chosen for its exceptional work in accelerating female participation and performance through diversity programs and policies. Top 20 Most Innovative Practices – DivHERsity Programs, Top 5 Most Innovative Practices – Women Returnee Programs, and Top 20 Companies in DivHERsity – Large Enterprises.

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Employee Career Tips

Mwango, a black American woman, she has dark hair tied to the back, wears black glasses. a white shirt and black jacket.

Mwango 

Senior Vice President, Global Head Regulatory Strategy

"At the beginning of your career, learn how to do your job well. This is what is expected of any strong employee. As you learn your role, be curious and be bold! Pay attention to the operations of your organizational unit, learn who the leaders are and the roles they play, and find out what opportunities are there for you to contribute your skills and grow your knowledge. Introduce yourself to people in your organizational unit, both peers and leadership, so others can get to know you. When you identify someone who would be a good role model for you, ask them if you could stay in touch over time. This could develop into a mentoring relationship, whether formal or informal."

Isabelle, a white French woman, she has blond long hair, wears a red shirt and a black jacket.

Isabelle 

Executive Director, Growth Accounts

"Believe in yourself! Professional development is no longer linear. Trust that with hard work, dedication, and figuring out what you want to do with your life, you’ll do fine! I am pleased to see that more and more women realize there is very little that is more exciting than making a breakthrough in your chosen field, and one that will have a big impact on the lives of people in the future. Women are also conscious that they bring unique perspectives to research and scientific conversation. Therefore, I treasure the quote, 'If you can dream it then you can achieve it.'"

Employee Stories

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