In 2023, Johnson & Johnson separated from its consumer healthcare division (proprietor of well-known brands such as Aveeno, Band-Aid, Benadryl and Neutrogena), creating an entirely new company—Kenvue.
There are plenty of challenges when it comes to carve-outs, especially one of this scale, but perhaps most crucial is developing a strong culture as a freshly independent business. How does a company go about building a new identity in the shadow of a titan like J&J?
Luani Alvarado can tell you how. As chief people officer for Kenvue, Alvarado gladly took the opportunity to “roll up our sleeves, take a step back and think about what kind of culture we wanted to shape, and why.” She shares insight into Kenvue’s journey, how the company is creating more inclusivity and strategies to support women in the workforce.
You’re building a company culture from scratch after the separation from J&J. How did you and your team establish new company values to help build a brand new Kenvue identity?
Since our separation, we’ve had the incredible opportunity to carve out our own identity. This was an opportunity for us to roll up our sleeves, take a step back and think about what kind of culture we wanted to shape, and why. We knew then, as we do now, that our culture needs to be rooted in everyday care and our commitment to serve approximately 1.2 billion people who use Kenvue products every single day.
We embarked on an excavation process to understand what our Kenvuers truly valued—what was important to them, what were the workforce trends and what would make Kenvue the place to be for the very best talent in our industry. Through this process, it became clear that our team and prospective talent seek a higher purpose beyond just a job; they want to make a meaningful impact, feel a sense of belonging, grow and get recognized for their impact.
Creating a culture is not something that happens overnight; it takes time and, more importantly, intentionality. It requires consistency and commitment from everyone. Every interaction matters, and shaping our culture is a collective responsibility, not just something driven by title or position.
While we have built a strong foundation, this is just the beginning, we are deeply committed to walking the talk and evolving, together, as we move forward.
How is Kenvue prioritizing a company culture and policies that helps build up women and provides work/life balance?
As a consumer health company, we recognize that women make important decisions every day about their health and the health of their families. They have unique needs, and it’s essential that our workforce reflects the consumers we serve. With women comprising 50 percent of our workforce and 53 percent of our people leaders, creating a supportive and inclusive environment for them is not just the right thing to do, it’s critical to our business success.
Across the industry, we’ve seen a significant shift in the role women play in the workplace and how flexibility demands have evolved over the past four years. Many women juggle multiple roles as their personal and professional lives intertwine, making flexibility essential for their success. To successfully reimagine how the workplace is structured and centered around women’s needs, we consider two angles: what can we do as companies, and what can we do as women. It is a partnership between both.
We at Kenvue are very committed to living our purpose and values through transparency, empowerment and accountability. As a company, we have declared that we are not a virtual company. We recognize that moments of cross-functional collaboration and the power of a team coming together are really important to who we are as Kenvue. But that doesn’t preclude us from infusing flexibility into how we come together.
We’ve given our teams the tools to think about their own goals and agree on their own operating norms and rhythms. This helps set women up for success in creating meaningful impact at Kenvue by striking a delicate balance of structured flexibility that allows for personalization and for “life” to happen.
I’m particularly proud of our initiatives that center around women’s needs and bring our purpose and values to life. For instance, our collaboration with Stayfree in India aims to normalize conversations around period poverty, shifting the narrative from shame to openness.
Our partnership with the Maven Clinic in select countries offers free, 24/7 virtual support for various family health needs, including fertility treatments and parenting. Additionally, we launched Versalie, a digital resource in North America for those navigating menopause, providing virtual care services and curated product recommendations.
While we’re still on this journey, I genuinely believe we’re making strides toward creating a workplace that supports women and fosters a healthy work-life balance.
How are you tackling stereotypes of working women to create a more inclusive workplace?
Promoting a strong sense of belonging is essential in tackling stereotypes of working women and creating a more inclusive workplace. When each Kenvuer feels like they have a voice and that they matter, they are likely more willing to speak up and show up as their best self to help Kenvue succeed.
Belonging is also deeply personal to me; I’ve experienced moments in my life where I felt overwhelmed, especially as a mom of three living abroad. There were times in my career when I thought I might need to take a break or even quit my job because I just couldn’t cope. Fortunately, I had a supportive boss who encouraged open communication and helped me problem-solve. This experience taught me the importance of being there for one another during pivotal moments.
In my role, I strive to embody that same support within my team. I share my story to create a safe space where others can voice their challenges and seek help. It’s also crucial for us to scale this support across Kenvue. We have various tools available—digital platforms for emotional, financial and physical well-being—that we promote to our Kenvuers, empowering them to utilize these resources.
Equally important is equipping our people leaders to foster an environment where these conversations are normalized. I often reflect on the support I received and how someone took a chance on me, which allowed me to be where I am today. This motivates me to think about how I can pay it forward, and I invite all leaders to consider how we can collectively enable and empower women to achieve their dreams and ambitions.
What are your thoughts on the future of women in the workplace?
As the demand for flexibility grows—whether it’s to balance work and family commitments or prioritize personal health—organizations will need to adapt. At Kenvue, we’re all about embedding structured flexibility into how we work. This way, we create a personalized work experience that helps everyone manage life’s demands, especially empowering women to thrive both here and in their personal lives. It is that balance and flexibility that fuels people to give their best energy for Kenvue to reach many more consumers with our amazing brands.
I see progress as a journey, much like caring for a plant. You have to nurture it daily, ensuring it has everything it needs to grow. Sure, the journey isn’t always straightforward, but when you finally see those flowers blooming, all the effort pays off.
