myGwork chats to Katie Rajhans about allyship, rugby and inclusion in the workplace
BY MYGWORK, IMAGE PROVIDED
In a conversation with Vertex’s Katie Rajhans, myGwork sat down to discuss how her career in healthcare and her experience as a parent and ally has shaped how she thinks about inclusion at work and beyond. From representing Canada on the rugby field to supporting her daughter and engaging with Vertex’s internal Pride community, Katie shares how sport, family and professional life have all influenced her commitment to creating spaces where people feel accepted for who they are.
Could you tell me a bit about your background and career journey leading up to your current position at Vertex?
I’ve been fortunate to work in the pharmaceutical industry for over 20 years. I graduated from McMaster University with a degree in Kinesiology and, somewhat unexpectedly, found my way into pharma through a friend whose mother worked at Pfizer.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work across several therapeutic areas, including gastroenterology, oncology, ophthalmology and hepatology. Most recently, I’ve joined Vertex, where I’m excited to be working in cystic fibrosis.
Can you tell me about your childhood? Where did you grow up, and did you have any hobbies?
I grew up in Barrie, Ontario, as the youngest of four children and the only girl. With three athletic older brothers, sports were pretty much a way of life in our household! I played everything, all day, every day.
Eventually, rugby became my passion, and I was fortunate enough to represent Canada in the early 2000s. Sport has played a huge role in shaping who I am, not only through competition but also through the friendships, teamwork and sense of community it has given me.
Can you share your personal journey with the LGBTQIA+ community?
My connection to the LGBTQIA+ community really began through rugby. Playing in Toronto introduced me to an incredible group of people from all walks of life, many of whom happened to be gay. It was a community where friendships were built around shared experiences, mutual respect and a love of the game.
But the most meaningful moment in my personal journey came in 2020, when our daughter came out to us at 15.
For our family, it wasn’t a big moment of adjustment or something that changed how we saw her. She was simply our daughter, exactly as she’d always been. We’ve welcomed her girlfriends into our home just as we would any of our children’s partners.
What that experience has reinforced for me is how important it is for young people to feel loved, accepted and supported for exactly who they are. Every child deserves that.
What has been a standout moment in your career so far?
I’ve had the opportunity to work with some incredible people throughout my career, and while there have been many professional milestones, what stands out most to me are the relationships I’ve built along the way.
Working in healthcare gives us the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives, and that’s something I’ve never taken for granted.
Joining Vertex has been an exciting new chapter, and having the opportunity to contribute to the Canadian Pride Committee adds another dimension to my experience. It’s meaningful to be part of an organisation where I can contribute beyond my day-to-day role and support something that’s personally important to me.
How does Vertex strive for inclusivity and provide an open space for LGBTQIA+ employees?
One of the things I’ve appreciated about my experience at Vertex Canada is the sense of openness and inclusion.
I love that Vertex has an internal Pride community and that employees are encouraged to get involved, share perspectives and support one another.
I’m genuinely honoured to represent the Canadian office on the Pride Committee. When I told my daughter about the opportunity, she was probably even more excited than I was!
For me, that really brought home why initiatives like this matter. It’s about creating an environment where people feel comfortable being themselves and know that they belong.
Throughout your career, have you noticed any developments in attitudes towards the importance of diversity and inclusion?
I think this is an interesting question because I recognise that my experience is not necessarily representative of everyone else’s.
As a cisgender white woman, I’ve had the privilege of moving through much of my personal and professional life without having to think too deeply about whether I would be accepted for who I am.
I’d like to believe we’ve made tremendous progress in creating more inclusive workplaces and communities, particularly for younger generations like my daughter’s.
But I also recognise that progress doesn’t look or feel the same for everyone. I think one of the most important things we can do as allies is listen, remain open to learning and recognise that other people’s experiences may be very different from our own.
What immediate improvements would you like to see for LGBTQ+ equality in the future, both in the workplace and wider society?
I come from a wonderfully diverse family. My husband is Indian, our children are mixed-race, and our daughter is gay. Diversity isn’t something we consciously think about in our household. It’s simply who we are.
We’re also fortunate to live in Toronto, a vibrant, multicultural city where our children have grown up surrounded by people from all kinds of backgrounds.
I recognise that this is a privilege and that not everyone has the same experience or level of acceptance.
One of the things that gives me the most hope is seeing how comfortable younger generations can be expressing who they are.
When I was a teenager, I couldn’t have imagined a 15-year-old girl coming out to her parents and then going on to be crowned prom queen alongside her girlfriend at their Catholic high school!
And yet, that’s exactly what my daughter experienced.
I’d love to see a future where stories like hers aren’t remarkable at all — where everyone, regardless of their identity, feels equally safe, supported and celebrated.
In both our workplaces and our communities, I think we need to keep creating spaces where people feel they belong, while recognising that there is still work to be done.
Is there anything we haven’t discussed already that you would like to include?
I think the biggest thing I’d like to share is that you don’t have to be a member of the LGBTQIA+ community to play a meaningful role in supporting it.
Being an ally doesn’t mean having all the answers or fully understanding someone else’s experience. Sometimes it’s simply about showing up, listening, being open-minded and making sure the people around you know they’re valued.
I’m proud to be part of the Vertex Pride Committee, and I’m looking forward to learning from my colleagues and helping contribute to a culture where everyone feels welcome.
And if my involvement makes my daughter proud along the way, that’s a pretty wonderful bonus!
Vertex is a proud partner of myGwork, the LGBTQ+ business community. Find out more about LGBTQ+ friendly job opportunities at Vertex.
Love media made by and for LGBTQIA+ women and gender diverse people? Then you’ll love DIVA. We’ve been spotlighting the community for over 30 years. Here’s how you can get behind queer media and keep us going for another generation: linkin.bio/ig-divamagazine
Did you know that DIVA has now become a charity? Our magazine is published by the DIVA Charitable Trust. You can find out more about the organisation and how you can offer your support here: divacharitabletrust.com
