Honeywell Hosts Learning Experience at Global Headquarters in Charlotte, NC

On July 17-18, 2023, Honeywell International Inc. welcomed LCLD Fellows and Alums to their campus in Charlotte, NC, for a Learning Experience. The experience kicked off with a Welcome Event at the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Monday evening, hosted by Womble Bond Dickinson. Attendees competed in tire-changing contests and tested their driving skills through race car simulations, all while enjoying bites, beverages, and meaningful networking.

On Tuesday, attendees were invited to the 14th floor of Honeywell’s global headquarters, which overlooks the Carolina Panthers stadium. Anne Madden, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Honeywell International Inc., kicked off the session with opening remarks that set the tone for the day. Anne shared how the three foundational principles at Honeywell—inclusion and diversity, workplace respect, and integrity and ethics—are woven into the DNA of Honeywell culture.

Following Anne’s welcome, Mehul Patel, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions, and Roman Streitberger, Vice President and General Counsel, Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions, took the stage for an overview of the Honeywell SPS Business and Leadership and Legal Collaboration. They stressed that cross-functional dependency and collaboration are key at Honeywell—as Roman pointed out, every business they have is global, so they need to know the legal implications of their decisions across the world.

Next, attendees learned about Honeywell’s path to sustainability from Su Ping Lu, Vice President and General Counsel, Corp., ESG, and Deputy Corporate Secretary, Honeywell International Inc., and Evan Van Hook, former Chief Sustainability Offer, Honeywell International Inc. Evan shared an overview of Honeywell’s aggressive sustainability goals; about 60% of their research and development pertains to ESG (environmental, social, and governance). Su Ping focused on the social and governance sides of ESG and brought the conversation back to the three foundational principles at Honeywell, which, she stressed, are non-negotiable. “Every one of us has a role to play in making sure that the foundational principles are core to our atmosphere and ecosystem day in and day out,” she said.

The final presentation of the morning, led by Sheila Jordan, Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Technology Officer, Honeywell International Inc., highlighted Honeywell’s digital transformation. “Every single industry in every single sector is going digital. There’s no way around it,” Sheila explained. She also stressed that “digital is a team sport,” and to be successful, it’s crucial to look beyond one’s own function and think about the customer experience.

After a lunch break, attendees were split into two groups: one toured the global headquarters and the other engaged in a coffee chat with a panel of Honeywell attorneys. Once finished, the groups traded places to ensure that all attendees enjoyed the same experience.

The panel, focused on Inclusion and Diversity at Honeywell, featured 2023 Fellow Darryl Wilson, former Assistant General Counsel, Honeywell International Inc.; 2018 Fellow Kelly Chechoud de Moraes, Vice President and General Counsel, Latin America, Honeywell International Inc.; 2013 Fellow Therese LeBlanc, General Counsel, Honeywell Federal Solutions; 2023 Fellow Lindsay Hedrick, Chief Labor and Employment Counsel, Honeywell International Inc.; and Dawn Savarese Moore, Assistant General Counsel, Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions.

Panelists shared their experiences championing inclusion and diversity at Honeywell, including their deep connections to LCLD. A Member organization since 2010, Honeywell has nominated 42 attorneys for the Fellows program and even has an LCLD committee within the Inclusion and Diversity Council. The panelists’ enthusiasm for I&D work was palpable throughout the coffee chat, allowing for open and authentic dialogue with attendees.

The tour of Honeywell’s headquarters was impressive—not only because of the stunning top-floor views, but also thanks to the cutting-edge technology on display throughout the building. Attendees experienced interactive displays, were wowed by targeted sound piping through the ceiling, and got an inside look at the sustainable building operations, which are run through computers in a mission control-type room.

LCLD would like to extend a huge thanks to Anne Madden, Therese LeBlanc, and the entire planning team at Honeywell for hosting this memorable Learning Experience. Thank you also to Womble Bond Dickinson and team for a fun-filled welcome event.