COS: Fostering a diverse workplace across the globe

We aim to foster a workforce that reflects and contributes to the diverse, global community in which we operate. We are committed to developing, maintaining, and supporting a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion for all our colleagues.

At COS, we take a collective responsibility to create an environment where colleagues feel included, respected and comfortable to bring their whole self to work.

In August 2020 we launched the COS Diversity & Inclusion Group with the specific aim of bringing diversity to the fore.

Stacie Hudgens is our Founder & CEO. 

" The foundation of humanity should be that individuals from all diverse populations inhabiting this earth are included and treated equitably and fairly, irrespective of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual preference, age or gender.

As the CEO of an outcomes research group, I founded this company on this general principle and will continually work to maintain these values at COS. It is my responsibility, as a leader, to ensure equitable treatment across the organization both in terms of current employees as well as those considering joining the COS team.

Personally, as a gay woman who grew up very poor with an amazing single parent, I know what it is to hide your true self and have to fight the odds to find success. It is with great pleasure that I stand behind the new, employee-run Diversity & Inclusion panel at COS; and firmly support that every team member will be embraced for their individuality in our work family. " 

COS marks World BiPolar Day & launches global Diversity & Inclusion Committee 29/03/2021

Pride month – Coming out, is it much easier now than it was decades ago?

In honor of Pride Month, two members of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee came together to discuss how coming out and being gay have changed since they came out.  Linda came out in the 1970’s, while Shehan came out in the early 2010’s.  They discussed what these changes have meant for them.

The first change they noted is the representation of queer people in media.  Linda remembered when the only piece of media she could access with a gay woman in it was a dramatization of that woman’s difficult life and death. It was a drama called ‘The Killing of Sister George’ and was first screened in 1968. 

The COS Diversity and Inclusion team is made up of colleagues based in the UK and US, each with an equal voice.

Emily Calderbank

Medical Writer 1

Michael Chladek,

Associate Director 1

Claudine Clucas

Senior Research Associate

Kelsie Cox

Research Associate 2

Katie Durnell

Research Associate 2

Libby Floden

Senior Director of Biostatistics

I am on the D & I team because I want to foster a work culture that is supportive of all people. More than this, I want to help actively seek people of diverse backgrounds to COS because I believe the richness and depth of various viewpoints and perspectives will elevate our delivery of good science (not to mention enrich my own work experience). On a more macro level, I want to contribute to increasing inclusion and diversity of the patient-voice to clinical trials.

Lauren Garcia

Research Associate 2

Ruby Gogana

Study Coordinator 1

Linda Howard

Operations Director

Heli Kapadia

Programmer 2

Karen MacNab

Director of Human Resources

Shehan McFadden

Senior Research Associate

Sam Rousell

Director, Programming

As an employee with a disability, I feel passionate about working in and promoting an inclusive environment where all are allowed to thrive. Mental illness is all too often treated badly in the workplace resulting in large numbers of capable people feeling unable to work. I am proud to work at COS which champions diversity and where my disability has never been perceived as a problem.

Blue Stevenson

Research Associate 2

I joined D & I because I want to better understand the viewpoints and experiences of others. Empathy is one of the most powerful tools we have for creating an environment where people feel welcomed, respected, and connected. I’m excited to take part in our company’s ongoing conversation about what we can do better!

Brittani Wayne

Senior Research Associate

The field of research lacks equitable representation from individuals in the BIPOC community. As a Black woman in research, it's essential to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and share my experience to reconstruct the field's current racially homogenous model.