June 9, 2016
By Michael Krieger, BioSpace.com Breaking News Staff
SAN FRANCISCO – In technology-related fields, women are often underrepresented. In high tech, it has only been the past decade that has brought women into the executive suite for major tech brands such as HP and Yahoo. For biotech, the disparity is greater, which is why for more than a decade, Women in Bio (WIB) has been promoting the careers, leadership and entrepreneurship of women in the life sciences.
Their efforts seemed particularly urgent here just five months after LifeSci Advisors was scorned for hiring models in tight dresses for an industry party at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. The leaders of LifeSci Advisors came to the BIO‘s convention to work with Women in BIO to close the gender gap and preparing more women for leadership roles in the pharma industry.
At BIO 2016, WIB took the lead by organizing a series of events to help promote their cause, and their program began with a plenary panel event held at the Clift Hotel on Monday evening.
The panel, moderated by Nicole Fisher of HHR Strategies, featured: Lisa Cohen, executive director of Washington Global Health Alliance; Renee Compton Ryan, vice president of venture investments at Johnson & Johnson ; and Frances Colon, deputy science and technology adviser to the Secretary of State.
Panelists discussed how everyone—male and female—can help promote women in biotech, as speakers and on industry panels. Attention was also given to Young Women in Bio, which creates programs and events geared towards encouraging middle- and high-school girls to consider the life sciences as a career choice.
One of the major initiatives that WIB was promoting at BIO 2016 is called Boardroom Ready, a program that, no surprise, is designed to groom women for directorships on public and private boards, thus improving gender diversity in the industry from the top down. Boardroom Ready is one of many programs the all-volunteer WIB offers, and the nascent program is seeking not only candidates but also coaches to serve as mentors and sponsors who will guide participants through the networking process before, during and after the planned curriculum to be offered at George Washington University.
“I am so thrilled to announce that we are officially accepting applications for the Boardroom Ready program,” said Carolyn Brougham, co-chair for the Boardroom Ready program committee at WIB. “This milestone is the culmination of a year of planning and research and this course is just the first step in the process.”
Other WIB events at Bio 2016 included a speed networking Meet-up Wednesday and finally, “The Last Pitch,” today at 2:00pm at the Bioprocess International Theater, Booth #5476, where a panel of investors and company presenters will receive feedback and advice on their company pitch.
