UNLEASH America 2025: ‘Skills advance and empower our workforce on our journey of change and transformation’

On stage at UNLEASH America 2025 in Las Vegas, VP of Talent & Culture at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), Jamaal Sebastian-Barnes, spoke about how the pharmaceutical giant’s strategies for identifying emerging skill needs, implementing agile learning programs, and future-proofing talent for sustained success.

Speaking to UNLEASH Senior Journalist, John Brazier, in an exclusive video interview, Sebastian-Barnes explains one of his key takeaways for attendees: ensuring the ‘why’ of reskilling is kept front and center.

“In our organization, our focus is on patients and really ensuring that human life continues to be cultivated,” he explains.

“And so we’re building our skills for that next generation, building our skills to really ensure that our patients around the world are well supported for their journeys ahead.”

As well as detailing elements of BMS’ AI skills initiatives, Sebastian-Barnes offers his insights into how HR peers can get their own reskilling initiatives off the ground or address roadblocks that are impeding their efforts.

A mentor of mine once said to ‘think big, start small, move fast.’ And I would say to bring that same mentality into the HR space or into the skilling space in particular for HR leaders.”

Don’t miss this fascinating interview!

Feeling the FOMO from UNLEASH America? Don’t worry, you can sign up for our digital webinars and roundtables, plus buy a pass for UNLEASH World 2025 in Paris, which is from 20-22 October!