Kimball Hall credits the culture at Amgen Inc. with supporting her rise through the ranks to her current position, vice president and general manager of the company’s Rhode Island operations.
She appreciates the company’s stance, because she knows that in technical fields, women often must put in that extra effort to get ahead. And she is determined to help those following in her footsteps to get ahead as well.
Hall grew up in Seattle and came to Rhode Island in 2002 as senior director and quality site head from Amgen’s corporate headquarters in Thousand Oaks, Calif., when the company acquired Immunex. She had moved up through the ranks of Amgen’s Quality and Compliance organizations starting in 1999.
In May 2006, she was given responsibility for all of the operations at Amgen’s 75-acre campus, from budgets to manufacturing compliance, and she manages more than 1,100 workers who contribute to the manufacturing of Enbrel, the rheumatoid arthritis medicine.
Tia Bush, executive director of quality at Amgen, who is responsible for manufacturing quality in Rhode Island, has worked with Hall since 1998. She said Hall is a strong and encouraging leader.
“One of the things I have found as being part of her staff is she is very supportive of our career development,” Bush said. “I see her as a leader and respect her, because she has such a strong commitment to the company’s mission, and their patients and the people within our organizations.”
Hall said Amgen has encouraged her during her upwards climb, and she has yet to experience any roadblocks to success at Amgen.
“Amgen is progressive in [its] support of women leaders. They are always encouraging, and have helped me move to areas of my career that I didn’t think possible,” Hall said.
Of course, she wouldn’t have gotten to the position she holds today without her own determination and dedication.
“You have to be just as competent and just as determined to get to where you want to be as the next guy, and be able to show that you are as qualified as anyone else,” Hall said. “Women may have to put in some extra effort in some companies, but it is important to stay in the mindset that you can break the glass ceiling.”
Hall is also active in the community and is engaged in issues important to women in Rhode Island, Bush said.
“She is strong in her business commitment and is also active in outside activities. She is a true role model for good work-life balance,” Bush said.
Hall is part of the company’s Amgen Women Interactive Network (AWIN) and is always looking for opportunities to engage business women and help them succeed, Bush said.
“The level of leadership and responsibility she shows is something that all women at the company can strive for,” Bush said.
She has been recognized outside the company, as well. In October 2006, Gov. Donald L. Carcieri appointed Kimball to the R.I. Science and Technology Advisory Council (R.I. STAC). She is also a member of the boards of both the quasi-public R.I. Economic Development Corporation (R.I. EDC) and the independent Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC). •
