About Joy
Joy Fitzgerald is a Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at UnitedHealth Group, distinguished for her expertise in human capital solutions and transformative DEI strategies that impact business performance and societal well-being.
Who is Joy Fitzgerald?
Joy Fitzgerald is a global executive leader with over 25 years of experience in both the private and public sectors, including Fortune 500 companies. She currently serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer at UnitedHealth Group, where she leads global DEI strategies, talent development, and health equity initiatives. Her work focuses on fostering innovative cultures, enabling growth, and driving financial returns through strategic partnerships with business leaders.
Recognized for her disruptive leadership in corporate America, Fitzgerald is a respected national voice on diversity as an organizational strategy. She champions inclusion by creating safe spaces for discussions on injustice and inequities, impacting individuals and communities, especially underserved populations.
Quick facts about Joy Fitzgerald
| | |:---|:---| | Role | Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer | | Company | UnitedHealth Group | | Expertise | DEI Strategy, Talent Management, Leadership Development, Health Equity, Organizational Culture | | Notable for | Book author, global speaker, transformative DEI initiatives, healthcare disparities research | | BPI affiliation | Expert Faculty member |
What is Joy Fitzgerald known for?
- Leading Global DEI Strategies: Spearheading comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives for large, complex organizations like UnitedHealth Group and Eli Lilly & Company.
- Transformative Business Strategies: Developing and implementing strategies that not only foster inclusion but also drive business growth and financial returns.
- Health Equity Advocacy: Conducting extensive research and implementing programs with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) to reduce healthcare disparities for underserved populations.
- Author of Finding Authentic Rhythm: A best-selling book offering insights and strategies for thriving in corporate careers.
- Global Speaker and Executive Coach: Delivering keynote speeches and workshops in over 25 countries across five continents, and coaching leaders to achieve their aspirations.
- Advancing Organizational Recognition: Her work at Eli Lilly & Company contributed to its ranking among Diversity Inc’s Top 50 Companies, earning the 2019 Catalyst Award.
What is Joy Fitzgerald's background and experience?
Joy Fitzgerald's career spans over two decades in leadership roles within human capital solutions. Before her current position at UnitedHealth Group, she served as the Chief Diversity Officer at Eli Lilly & Company, where she significantly advanced their DEI agenda. Prior to that, she held the role of Director of Diversity and Workforce Effectiveness at Rockwell Collins.
Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Organizational Development and a Master of Professional Studies in Strategic Leadership, both from the University of Memphis. She is also an acclaimed executive coach, guiding leaders in their professional development.
What topics does Joy Fitzgerald speak and write about?
Joy Fitzgerald speaks and writes extensively on the strategic importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, not just as a social imperative but as a key driver of business success and innovation. Her discussions often explore how DEI initiatives can attract and develop diverse talent, improve health equity outcomes, and make a significant societal impact.
She frequently addresses themes related to leadership development, organizational culture, and integrated talent management. Fitzgerald also shares insights from her book, Finding Authentic Rhythm, which focuses on empowering individuals to achieve success in corporate environments on their own terms. Her expertise extends to discussing healthcare disparities and the development of intervention strategies for vulnerable populations.
How does Joy Fitzgerald contribute to the Best Practice Institute?
Joy Fitzgerald serves as an expert faculty member at the Best Practice Institute. In this capacity, she contributes her extensive knowledge in DEI strategy, leadership development, and human capital solutions. Her insights align with BPI's mission to identify and disseminate best practices that help organizations create Most Loved Workplaces® and foster highly engaged work environments, in line with the SPARK Model.
While specific BPI webinars by Joy Fitzgerald are not currently on record, her expertise profoundly enriches the institute's research and resources. She embodies the principles of effective leadership and inclusive organizational design that BPI champions, providing valuable perspectives on how companies can leverage diversity as an economic enabler and a pathway to organizational excellence.
Where can you learn more from Joy Fitzgerald?
To gain further insights from Joy Fitzgerald, explore her book, Finding Authentic Rhythm: How to Win on Your Terms in Corporate America. You can also find her contributions and perspectives in various publications, including Harvard Business Review, Fortune Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and as an opinion columnist for CEOWORLD magazine. Her expertise is also featured in podcasts such as "Why Do Companies Need a DEI Strategy?" on the Strategy and Leadership podcast.
Note: While not explicitly listed as a speaker for BPI webinars in the provided information, her affiliation as an expert faculty member indicates her ongoing contribution to the Best Practice Institute's mission and body of knowledge.