WESTPORT — A woman with firsthand insight into the challenges drugmaker Pfizer faced rolling out its COVID-19 vaccine to a world both frightened and polarized will speak Monday at the Westport Library.

Sally Susman, Pfizer’s chief corporate affairs officer, will speak at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5, at the library, 20 Jesup Road. The program is sponsored by the library’s “Common Ground Initiative,” a group established to promote civil discussion of topical, often controversial, issues.

The program will be moderated by Steve Parrish, founder of a consulting firm specializing in crisis management, corporate social responsibility, public affairs and communications for senior executives.

There is no admission fee, but library officials recommend attendees register in advance.

Susman is the author of “Breaking Through: Communicating to Open Minds, Move Hearts, and Change the World,” which examines how “to break through all the noise and conventional thinking to get our message across and make positive change,” according to her website.

Regarding the hurdles of rolling out the COVID vaccine, Susman’s website recounts: “Just as crucial as creating the vaccine itself was the task of winning people’s hearts and minds, and Susman highlights the principles that enabled her to break through, connect and help move people forward …”

“My passion — and my goal — is to give people the tools they need to disagree agreeably,” a Nantucket magazine article quotes Susman as saying. “To open them up to the idea that maybe the other side is at least partially right. … I admire diplomacy a great deal. It’s in short supply these days, and it’s one of the most important things we’re missing.”

For more information, call the Westport Library at 203-291-4800.