When Nicole Stovall stepped into her new role as Chief Diversity Officer at Merck, it wasn’t just another career milestone—it was the manifestation of years of purpose, persistence, and faith in her own power. As a senior leader at a Fortune 500 company, Nicole now stands at the intersection of leadership and legacy.
Get ready to be inspired by her story. Discover how she balances ambition with motherhood, navigates moments of doubt, and prioritizes self-care while leading with authenticity. Her journey is a reminder that growth doesn’t happen by chance, but by intention—and when preparation meets purpose, doors open exactly when they’re meant to.
Belonging, Innovation, and Impact
As Chief Diversity Officer for Merck, Nicole sets the vision and strategy for fostering a work environment where everyone has a sense of belonging and an opportunity to unleash their full potential. We leverage diverse skills, backgrounds and experiences to spark innovation and solve complex problems. Our goal is to deliver stronger business outcomes for our patients and customers around the world,” says Nicole. “I’m excited for the challenges ahead to connect Merck’s scientific excellence with inclusion—ensuring our innovations reach the people who need them most, and that our teams understand the needs of the communities we serve.”
Integrated, Not Perfect
Nicole says she doesn’t chase balance; instead, she designs an integrated life. “Some days, I’m more mom, some days, I’m more executive, and I stay honest about which hat I’m wearing,” says Nicole. “My family is my top priority, but I’m also fully dedicated to my career, and I reject the outdated idea that the two are mutually exclusive; instead, I ask what ‘having it all’ truly means, because no one can do everything at once, but we can continually adjust, adapt, and prioritize.” She goes on to say that she’s grateful to work for a company that values employees as whole people, enabling everyone to bring their full selves to work and create more engaged, high-performing teams. “The fulfillment I gain from my career makes me a more confident, patient, and present mother and wife, and while I don’t always get it right, embracing that humanity helps me lead with empathy and grace,” says Nicole. She tries to model healthy norms for her team, just as her mentors once modeled how strong performance creates space to show up for the moments that matter at home.
Where Mindset Meets Momentum
“Vision without work is a wish; work without vision can lack direction. I use both,” Nicole says. She also prioritizes self-care, even when life gets busy–whether it’s family trips, concerts with friends, a quiet weekend, or carving out small moments that keep her aligned. Because after all, she has stepped into a big role at a pivotal moment, and while imposter syndrome still pops up, she grounds herself in the experiences and relationships that brought her to this moment. “Growth is uncomfortable, but that discomfort is a sign of stretching into impact,” says Nicole.
As Nicole enters this new season of her career, she is sharing these three tips for all you aspiring leaders out there:
- You’ve earned your seat: Ground yourself in purpose, trust your skills and experience and let confidence grow from consistent action and strong results.
- Build your support network: There are people willing to champion you—inside and outside your organization. Lean in, ask for feedback, and nurture those relationships.
- Stay open and give yourself grace: No one ‘knows it all’ when stepping into a new challenge. Listen more than you speak, learn fast, and study the opportunity. Growth comes from curiosity and humility.
“Every new role brings excitement, new connections, and growth, and I’m energized by the impact my team can drive for our employees, our business, and our patients,” says Nicole. “It’s an honor to lead, and I’m ready to make a meaningful, measurable mark.”
Learn more about Merck’s commitment to Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.merck.com/company-overview/diversity-and-inclusion/.