Quita Highsmith

Executive Mentor | That’s a Good Question | Reinventing Your Career Portfolio
QUITA HIGHSMITH is vice president and chief diversity officer at Genentech, the first in the company’s 46-year history. Reporting to the CEO, she leads enterprise-wide initiatives to drive business impact through commercial efforts, stakeholder engagement, research innovation, and community relations. With expertise in brand marketing, business development, and global leadership, Highsmith previously held key roles at Genentech, Sanofi, and Aventis, improving revenues and diversifying clinical research. She co-founded Advancing Inclusive Research® to promote equitable access. A sought-after speaker, she has addressed Congress and contributed to major media outlets. Recognized as a top 15 chief diversity officer (Diversity Global, 2024) and top woman in biopharma research (Endpoints News, 2024), she also advises Cerebral and Artis Ventures. Highsmith holds an MBA and an advanced diversity and inclusion certificate from Cornell University and serves on nonprofit boards, including the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.