On November 17th, 2025, HRPA members, non-members, speakers, and sponsoring partners will come together for Ignite IDEA, a gathering dedicated to advancing inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) in our workplaces and communities. We’re proud to share that this year’s Ignite IDEA Title Sponsor is EMD Serono, a healthcare organization whose very purpose is to support people through challenging times in their life. 

EMD Serono’s Mission is Rooted in Care and Innovation 

At EMD Serono, innovation and care go hand-in-hand. With a portfolio spanning infertility, multiple sclerosis, and cancer, their work is about far more than just delivering therapies. It’s about deeply understanding the human experience and responding to patient needs with compassion, equity, and respect. That mission is what drew them to Ignite IDEA. 

Shifting the Conversation on Fertility 

When we spoke with the EMD Serono team about why they felt compelled to get involved with HRPA’s Ignite IDEA event, they emphasized that IDEA is a necessity, and not only through a workplace lens. Their work in fertility is a powerful example: One in six Canadians will face infertility, yet too often, the conversation is shrouded in stigma. Private insurers frequently categorize fertility treatment as a “lifestyle choice.” Media rarely frames infertility as the medical issue it truly is. For patients, this journey can be incredibly isolating. 

EMD Serono is putting IDEA into Action 

EMD Serono is working to change the narrative on care. They are pushing for a future where building a family—no matter what it looks like—is met with understanding, dignity, and support. That includes advocating for more equitable insurance coverage, broadening benefits criteria, and ensuring that both women and men have access to care and support during their fertility journey.  

This is IDEA in action: removing barriers, addressing inequities, and creating space for every voice and every story. For EMD Serono, it’s about more than just workplace culture. It’s about the connection between equity and patient outcomes. When stigma is reduced, when benefits are expanded, when conversations are normalized, people receive better care, families are supported, and communities grow stronger. 

A Bold Vision for the Future 

Looking ahead, their vision of success is bold: a Canada where fertility care is fully recognized as healthcare, where insurance coverage is more comprehensive and inclusive, and where employees don’t have to choose between their dreams of starting a family and financial security. Today, the median fertility benefit offered by employers sits around $6,000, while one cycle can cost upwards of $20,000 and most people require multiple cycles. EMD Serono is advocating for change, knowing that HR professionals and employers can play a transformative role in bridging that gap. 

An Invitation to Ignite IDEA for HR Professionals and Beyond 

By joining Ignite IDEA as Title Sponsor, EMD Serono is not only supporting this event. They’re sparking an important conversation that reaches across industries. They are inviting HR leaders, business executives, and community builders to reflect: How can we break down stigma? How can we expand access to care? How can we ensure that inclusion is not just policy on paper, but lived experience in every workplace and every healthcare journey? 

We are inspired by their leadership, and grateful for their partnership. With EMD Serono at the helm of Ignite IDEA 2025, we are reminded of what’s possible when organizations lead with both purpose and courage. Together, we can build workplaces, healthcare systems, and communities where everyone belongs and where every family, in every form, has the opportunity to thrive.