Upcoming Events

2024-2025 Annual Theme: Grit, Growth, Gratitude

The journey of a woman, especially professionally, is an ever-evolving experience that, while integrated in the world, is still very unique to each of us. Women strive to break barriers, shatter glass ceilings, and pave the way for future generations through their careers. This journey entails embracing and representing grit, growth, and gratitude. For many women, particularly in the STEM industries, grit means tackling challenges head-on. Through grit and determination to continue the journey, women embody an infinite growth ability. Professionally, growth is not just about accumulating knowledge but also about evolving as individuals and as leaders. This means seeking out opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and continuous education. This the mission that WEST seeks to fill, and one of the many facets of the WEST community that our members love. As women grow, we reflect on the grit, growth, support, and opportunities required to get where we are, and embrace gratitude. For WEST, gratitude extends past the individual journey and leads us to generously give back to the community that has empowered us. After much reflection, as well as looking ahead to the future, these tenets, grit, growth, and gratitude, have been selected as WEST’s Annual Theme for 2024-2025.

 

nov4

LinkedIn For Personal Branding: How to Stand Out in a Crowded Market
November 4, 2024, 6:00-7:30 PM ET 

In today's technology-driven age, your LinkedIn presence holds immense power as the primary digital impression you make on potential clients, hiring managers, partners, and colleagues. LinkedIn offers the opportunity to craft a powerful profile, foster meaningful engagement within your network, and harness the potential of an amazing content platform to enhance your visibility and credibility. Discover how to navigate the impact of artificial intelligence while staying true to your personal authenticity. 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Join author Sandra Long in this enlightening presentation as she guides you through the art of leveraging LinkedIn authentically to elevate your personal brand and forge a path to success in your career or business. 

Learn and be inspired to:
• Elevate your brand presence and strategic network.
• Position yourself for referrals and new career and business opportunities.
• Demonstrate your expertise and authenticity using LinkedIn’s newest profile and content sharing
capabilities.

Location: Lab Central, 700 Main St., Lobby, Cambridge, MA 02139

CostMembers: $15; Non-Members: $25 - light dinner included

Register

 

nov6

Launching Leadership: Navigating the Journey of Women as First-Time Executives & Founders
November 6, 2024, 8:00-10:00 AM ET 

Are you a woman leader on the cusp of stepping into executive or founder roles? Join our intimate and insightful forum, specifically designed for women like you. Hear from a panel of accomplished women CEOs and founders who have successfully navigated the challenges and triumphs of leadership. Our 'Launching Leadership: Navigating the Journey of Women as First-time Executives and Founders' event offers a unique opportunity to learn from their experiences, gain practical advice, and connect with like-minded women leaders. This in-person event will feature a panel discussion featuring four experienced women CEOs and Founders, an intimate forum ensuring meaningful connections and interactive Q&A, and a networking session to connect with fellow women leaders. This event will be moderated by Rachele Ryan, Director of Partnerships at LabCentral.

Panelists to include:

Vered Bisker-Leib- Former CEO of Compass Therapeutics
Parastoo Khoshakhlagh- Co-Founder, CEO of GC Therapeutics; Termeer Fellow
Nele Van Dessel- Co-Founder, CEO of Ernest Pharmaceuticals; Termeer Fellow
Jo Viney- Co-Founder, CEO of Seismic

LocationTermeer, 1393 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02215

CostMembers: $15, Non-Members: $20

Register

 

Nov13

Actionable Tips for Women in STEM to Break Glass Ceilings & Uplift Their Colleagues
November 13, 2024, 6:00-7:30 PM ET 

Join Foley Hoag and WEST, a learning community that provides women in the enterprise of science and technology with the inspiration, knowledge, and connections to reach their full potential, to learn more about the legal aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Affirmative Action in June of 2023. This timely and important conversation will focus on what corporate leaders, business leaders, and those outside the higher education space need to keep in mind regarding the legal ramifications of this decision, early responses to the decision from a legal and political perspective, and recommendations and best practices for pursuing DE&I goals.

Together Rosa J. Nuñez, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Foley Hoag, and Chris Hart, Partner, DE&I Counseling, Defense & Investigations at Foley Hoag will discuss key topics including:

  • Structuring transparent and measurable corporate DE&I programs to reduce any potential legal risk
  • Reviewing and aligning DE&I policies/activities to promote equity fairly and lawfully
  • Trends, opportunities, and challenges for the new era of DE&I initiatives and programs

We will also hear from Karen Campbell, Chief Information Officer at Foley Hoag, and Amy Baker Mandragouras, Partner, Intellectual Property at Foley Hoag as they share their journeys, pivotal career moments that enabled their success, experiences on their way to the top, and actionable tips for others. They will also share the strategies and best practices they now use as leaders to prepare future generations of leaders. This is a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights from distinguished legal and business leaders on this profound shift in the DE&I landscape. An interactive Q&A will allow you to have your specific questions addressed.

LocationFoley Hoag LLP, Seaport World Trade Center West, 155 Seaport Boulevard, 17th Floor, Boston, MA 02210

CostMembers: $0; Non-Members: $10

Register

 

dec4

Networking Night
December 4, 2025, 5:30-7:30 PM ET 

Networking is a crucial part of career growth. Spend an evening networking with other STEM professionals all around the Greater Boston Area. Join WEST for an amazing evening of appetizers and networking. This is a professional development event that will be just as much fun as it could be great for your career!

LocationFoley & Lardner LLP, 111 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02199

CostMembers: $0; Non-Members: $10

Register

 

Jan30

Tips from Recruiters & Industry Leaders: Resume Building, Interviewing, and How to Get Your Resume In Front of a Hiring Manager
January 30, 2025, 12:00-1:00 PM ET 

Join WEST, Stratacuity, and hiring managers from Boston-based biopharma companies! Stratacuity, a biotech recruitment firm with over 20 years of experience connecting life science companies with the brightest talent in the Boston area, will bring their expertise in the R&D, Technical Operations/CMC, and Clinical Research/Regulatory spaces to put you in the best position as a candidate to land your next career opportunity. We will also be joined by 3 hiring managers actively working in the biopharmaceutical industry that will provide their perspectives on the following topics:

  • Tips for putting together your CV/resume
  • Interviewing tips
  • The value of pre and post interview activities
  • How to best present yourself during an interview
  • How to best utilize a recruiter
  • Best avenues to get your resume in front of a hiring manager and land an interview
Location: Zoom

CostMembers: $5; Non-Members: $15

Register

 

feb4

Rise & Thrive: Visioning Tools to go from Stress to Success & Achieve Your Dreams
February 4, 2025, 11:30 AM-1:00 PM ET 

Women’s health is disproportionately affected by stress and anxiety. Women have 30% more neurons firing at any given time than men, which supports their having stronger skills such as empathy, intuition, collaboration, and self-control, but it also makes women vulnerable to anxiety, depression, pain, and insomnia. Women leaders need tools that support our cognitive and mental well-being in order to thrive.

Rimi Chakraborty, an entrepreneur and leadership development consultant will guide us through a practical exercise based on her book, Beyond Resilience to Rootsilience: A Revolutionary Women's Leadership Framework for Balance, Well-being and Success.

You'll hear how Rimi went from chasing someone else's dream to defining and living her own, and then you'll be guided through an impactful visioning exercise designed to overcome mental roadblocks, ease anxiety, and align your vision with your personal and professional aspirations. You’ll walk away with tangible strategies to shift your mindset, restore balance, and create a prosperous future, both inside and out.

Location: Zoom

CostMembers: $5; Non-Members: $15

Register