It's Never Too Late: Craig DeLarge on Career Evolution, Mental Health Advocacy, and Building Legacy Across Cultures

  In this episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, host Lola Adeyemo speaks with Craig DeLarge, a digital healthcare strategist and mental health advocate whose remarkable 45-year career spans pharmaceutical giants, academia, and global leadership. Craig began as a fashion design major before switching to marketing and has subsequently led to an impressive career trajectory through marketing research, advertising, product management, and eventually digital strategy in the pharmaceutical industry at companies like Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, Novo Nordisk, Merck, and Takeda. Parallel to his corporate roles, he maintained a 25-year teaching career across five business schools in the Philadelphia area. In this conversation, Craig shares invaluable insights on career development across cultural boundaries, the transformative power of international experience, and why it's never too late to pursue new opportunities and advanced education. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why it's never too late to pursue new career opportunities and advanced education How international experience can transform your perspective and challenge unconscious biases The importance of focusing on process and legacy rather than just career outcomes How personal challenges can evolve into professional purpose and advocacy Understanding intersectionality as a source of both challenges and unique strengths Key Career Insights: Age is Just a Number in Career Development Craig completed his first international assignment at 49 and obtained his second graduate degree at 53. His message to younger professionals: "Don't give up... It's not too late if you're called to it, if you surround yourself with the right community, and if you have a vision for yourself and how you want to impact the world." International Experience Transforms Perspective His three years in Singapore challenged his "American Imperial bias" and connected him with the global African diaspora in unexpected ways. For cross-cultural success, Craig advises: maintain a sense of humor about yourself, build community, and be willing to critique your own biases. Focus on Process, Not Just Outcomes "Make sure that whatever outcome you want, you're not forgetting to have fun and to be engaging meaningfully in the process... You have more control over the process of your career than the outcome of your career." Personal Challenges Drive Professional Purpose  A family tragedy involving mental health 19 years ago transformed Craig's career focus, leading to his current work combining digital health expertise with mental health advocacy. This demonstrates how our personal journeys can inform and enrich our professional contributions. About Our Guest Craig DeLarge's career includes executive roles at Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, Novo Nordisk, Merck, and Takeda, alongside 25 years as a university professor teaching marketing, communications, leadership, and business ethics. His educational journey includes degrees from Philadelphia University, University of Westminster (UK), and King's College London. Craig's intersectional identity as an African American male from the South raised in the North, along with his roles as husband, father, and grandfather, have shaped his unique perspective on career development and leadership. Connect with Craig DeLarge: LinkedIn Craig DeLarge Connect with Host Lola Adeyemo: LinkedIn   Want to Get Involved? Apply to be on the podcast: Application Link Join Immigrants in Corporate Non-Profit Community: Membership | Facebook | Instagram Are you an HR, Culture, or DEI Leader? Email [email protected] to Get Your Workplace Community Employee Resource Groups (ERGs / BRGs) Launched, Leveraged, and Thriving!   Send us Fan MailSupport the showThank you for listening to Thriving in Intersectionality with Dr. Lola Adeyemo.This podcast explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today's workplace and beyond. Through conversations with leaders, founders, educators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, we uncover stories and insights that help people thrive across the many intersections of their lives.💬 Have a thought about this episode? Send a Fan Mail message directly through Buzzsprout. I'd love to hear what resonated with you.❤️ If you find value in these conversations, consider becoming a supporter of the show. Your support helps us continue amplifying diverse voices, meaningful stories, and leadership insights from across industries and experiences.⭐ Follow, share, rate, and review the podcast to help others discover these conversations.📬 Continue the conversation - read the companion reflections on Substack🌍 Immigrants and first-generation professionals can join our free community at:www.immigrantsincorporate.orgConnect with Host Dr. Lola Adeyemo on LinkedIn.Keep thriving in your intersections. Your story matters.