From Introverted to directing 3 Major Companies

A conversation with Deirdre Connelly, Chairman of the Board, GENMAB

by Luisana Rodríguez

Deidre Conelly is a one-of-a-kind businesswoman. Due to her extensive experience, her expertise ranges from business management and strategic planning to talent development, marketing, and corporate culture transformation. She was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and has worked her way through the corporate world.

And as a Latina growing in corporate America, challenges were inevitable. "When I was raised, they would tell us that the polite thing to do was to let others speak and listen. I had to change that when I came into corporate America. I learned how to speak up and make my point."

With time she overcame obstacles and now stands among leaders. A robust background stands with 30 years of experience; Deidre is the Chairman of the Board of GENMAB, an international biotech company, and is a Director of both Macy's Corporation, one of the nation's largest retailers, and Lincoln Financial Group, an insurance company with over 9,000 employees. 

"I've been lucky to have boards in different industries, allowing me to continue learning."

Connelly reminisces about her beginnings on corporate boards in 2007, the year she was among the Fifty Most Powerful Women in Business according to Fortune Magazine, the title she replicated eight times. "Several companies recruited me towards the end of 2007. But I chose Macy's because it was an iconic brand, something that's part of all our lives. My mother had told me stories about her visiting the store in NYC, so I thought, 'Why not?'"

Other significant awards she received were the Key to the City of San Juan, Puerto Rico, back in 2006, the title of Woman of The Year by the Pharma Business Association in 2008-2009, and a feature in The New York Times' column "The Boss" in 2013. 

But corporate boards were not always Deirdre's obvious choice, "when I was young, and people spoke about boards, the image was one that I wasn't attracted to at the beginning. Then I started having different positions and working more closely with Boards, so I changed my perspective and understood their value -especially the richness of having other opinions to guide a business better." 

Connelly also finds the director role has evolved for the better; now, being one is directly translated to being engaged, prepared, and knowledgeable with a balance of overseeing and supporting. Board Committees also play a significant role in the company's advancement, ensuring that its strategy is logical, reliable, and correct. 

According to her, corporate boards increase accountability and bring fresh ideas that push companies to think about struggles they might not be facing today but that they'll be meeting in the future. "Boards will have distinctive types of talent and capabilities such as cybersecurity, AI, and financial abilities. They'll become stronger in the future with new voices in hand." 

This leads us into one of the great conversations surrounding corporate boards today, diversity. "Today, we have different voices in the room, which we really need. Most of us are better than just one of us. When you have a team from various backgrounds attacking a problem, the final product will be much more effective." 

 However, not all diverse groups are advancing at the same pace. "I don't see as many Latinos yet, but I know it's just a matter of time. There's a significant number of great executives out there," says Connelly.

She feels satisfied with her work as she reflects on it today. Deidre Connelly has an admirable vocation for what she does. After all her adventures, she still has a long way to go and new things to continue learning. 

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Editor's highlight:

"Listen, learn, and lead. Listen to the ones who know and have good advice. Learn new jobs and industries. Lead new opportunities and generations," advices Connelly.

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Photo credit: Courtesy of Deirdre Connelly