In the latest episode of the Race and Stems podcast, host Steve Fuller sat down with Alice Choi, President of Envision Medical Communications, to discuss her journey as a working mother, leader, and advocate for social mobility in the healthcare communications industry.
Alice shared insights from her upbringing as a Korean-British woman in North Manchester, navigating life as an ethnic minority in the UK and experiencing gender inequalities in Korea. These formative experiences shaped her strong social conscience and passion for creating equitable opportunities for others.
A central theme of the conversation was social mobility. Alice emphasised how social status, race, and gender significantly impact opportunities, particularly highlighted during the pandemic and across healthcare outcomes. She advocates for raising awareness, supporting organisations like the Social Mobility Foundation, and creating pathways that enable people from diverse backgrounds to access professional opportunities.
Alice also explored career growth and mentorship. Drawing from her extensive experience, from client business manager to board member and now President, she stressed the importance of networking, identifying mentors, and taking time to reflect on one’s strengths, passions, and non-negotiables. She highlighted mentorship as a two-way journey, offering fresh perspectives and a safe space to navigate challenges.
Finally, she offered advice for women, people of colour, and anyone striving for equity find relatable role models, seek mentorship, build meaningful connections, lead authentically, and cultivate resilience. For Alice, resilience is not just a professional skill but a life skill, cultivated through persistence and learning from setbacks.
This episode is a compelling conversation about equity, personal growth, and the power of mentorship, essential listening for anyone navigating their professional journey while striving to make a positive impact on others.