Allen Chilson
Allen Chilson
Talent Acquisition Leader, Vendor Management, Danaher Corp.
Allen Chilson is inspired to work in DE&I knowing that there are people coming to the table who have struggles that others may never see. “They always talk about the swan that looks so graceful above water, but whose little feet are churning under the water,” he explains. “We don’t always see what people struggle with below the surface.”
The work provides a constant opportunity to learn and is simply the “right thing to do,” says the talent acquisition vendor management leader from Danaher Corp., a global science and technology innovator.
“It shouldn’t be difficult because we’re simply trying to do the right thing by creating an environment that celebrates differences and values inclusion and diverse perspectives regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation,” Chilson says.
Chilson has been an advocate for DE&I throughout his talent acquisition career. Before joining Danaher about a year ago, he was talent acquisition leader for strategic partnerships at chemical producer BASF.
His ultimate goal at Danaher is to attract diverse candidates and help the company build an inclusive environment. He works to increase the number of diverse suppliers within Danaher’s program, but he also screens to ensure suppliers focus recruiting efforts and build initiatives within diverse communities.
“I look at the downstream effect of the workers’ diversity,” he explains. “Do those workers convert to full time and become part of our full-time workforce? That’s where I’m really looking to produce impact in Danaher’s programs.”
Chilson is growing Danaher’s talent acquisition vendor programs with offerings that are more comprehensive and provide better analytics, service, cost efficiencies and support structure.
He is also proud of his prior DE&I contributions at BASF. There, Chilson was part of a team that established a scholarship and apprenticeship program for women and minority groups within its manufacturing plants’ communities — helping them to build technical skills and experience, which often led to employment with the company.
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