In a perfect storm of challenging events, Karen Laurel held it all together at Purdue Pharma

The last two years have been a perfect storm for Purdue Pharma. The drugmaker filed for bankruptcy protection in September 2019, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty for more than 600 employees. Then add a global pandemic that required a chunk of the workforce to go 100% remote. These were among the layers of stressors employees faced. Health. Safety. Worries for family. Worries about employment. Financial concerns. It was a confluence of factors that would make any HR leader cringe.

Not Karen Laurel, the company’s vice president of human resources.

As the company moved towards bankruptcy in the fall of 2019, Karen Laurel developed an overarching strategy to enhance employee well-being. And when COVID-19 hit, she added multiple new layers of support. Her strategy is not just about addressing the challenges faced by employees—it’s also about helping them embrace opportunities to maximize their success, both on the job and in life.