WEST Wisdom Blog

Gender Parity

WEST is hosting a gender parity panel discussion on 9/30. This topic is essential because while more women are finding themselves in STEM careers in general, there is still work to be done to get more women into leadership roles. In leadership roles, women often feel like they are walking a tightrope to be likeable and respected. This panel will include leaders from academia, industry, and consulting services who have worked for gender parity in science and technology. They will discuss techniques they have used to achieve gender parity and how to advance more women into leadership roles.

Topics: Leadership, Gender Balance, STEM, Gender Balance, Women, Career, Panel, Mentoring, Women in STEM, Upcoming Events, Equal Pay, Balance, Gender Pay Gap, Advocate, Diversity, #WESTevent, #WESTorg, Gender Parity, Webinar, 20th Anniversary

Celebrating WEST's 20th Anniversary with 20 stories of impact. This week's stories are from Chesley Chen, Maria Lalioti, Joseph Lehar, Anna Li, Enith Morillo, Makeda M, Liz O'Day, and Elizabeth Wu.

Topics: Events, Leadership, Women, Transitions, Career, Awards, Community, Giving Back, Work Life Balance, Resilience, Entrepreneurship, Network, Giving, Job, negotiation, Leader, Women in STEM, Workshop, Networking, Upcoming Events, Professional, Connect, Balance, Inspiration, Role Models, Delegation, Developing Your Skills, Volunteer, Board of Directors, Confidence, Leaders, Book Club, Impact, Career Development, New Opportunities, Mentor, Inclusion, #WESTevent, #WESTorg, 20th Anniversary, Grow

Celebrating WEST's 20th Anniversary with 20 stories of impact. This week's stories are from Anne Cheung, Elissa Hobert, Reina Improgo, Mariana Nacht, Juliana Soto, and Anne Thessen.

Topics: Events, Leadership, Women, Transitions, Career, Work Life Balance, Resilience, Network, Giving, negotiation, Leader, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Professional, Connect, Balance, Inspiration, Role Models, Developing Your Skills, Confidence, Impact, New Opportunities, Mentor, Inclusion, #WESTevent, #WESTorg, 20th Anniversary

Celebrating WEST's 20th Anniversary with 20 stories of impact. This week's stories are from Denise Aronson, Leah Cole, Elise Huang, and Yelena Wetherill.

Topics: Events, Leadership, Women, Transitions, Career, Resilience, Network, negotiation, Leader, Women in STEM, Networking, Upcoming Events, Professional, Connect, Inspiration, Role Models, Confidence, Impact, #WESTevent, #WESTorg, 20th Anniversary

Topics: Leadership, Women, Career, Awards, Women in STEM, Upcoming Events, Balance, #WESTevent, #WESTorg, Webinar, 20th Anniversary

What is “Walking the Tightrope?”

Societal expectations have created a world where women are typically seen as either likable or respected, but not both. Many of the stereotypical traits of women align with being caretakers, while for men they are associated with being strong leaders. When women come off as confident and strong, people might associate them with being unlikable.

Topics: Leadership, Women, Career, Women in STEM, Upcoming Events, Balance, #WESTevent, #WESTorg, Webinar

How do you build an effective community?

WEST began in 2000 intending to create a supportive environment for women in the fields of science and technology. The community has been growing over the past 20 years into an even more influential group impacting women every day. The goal for this year is to build a strong community of resilient women making a positive impact on the world.

Topics: Leadership, Career, Community, Resilience, Network, Women in STEM, Networking, Annual Theme, Upcoming Events, Connect, Making a Difference, Career Path, Developing Your Skills, Engage, Impact, Career Development, Diversity, #WESTevent, #WESTorg, Webinar

Leadership is shown in many ways, and Anne Cheung has turned working with her introverted nature into a strength, focusing on doing the work and cultivating the passion of others in joining her work. Her style of leadership has resulted in work that improves the lives of others. 

Topics: Leadership, Science, Career, Interview, Women in STEM, Member Spotlight, Rockstars, Inspiration, Role Models, Leaders, Career Development, Advocate, #WESTorg, Be Fearless, Be Brave

Katherine Andersen serves as Head of Life Science & Healthcare Relationship Banking at SVB, which covers growth companies from Series A investment all the way up to Middle Market. She also sits on the Board of Directors for SVB's Joint Venture in China, SPD Silicon Valley Bank. Her team spans the U.S. and focuses on providing advice and delivering specialized solutions in the areas of biotech, tools, diagnostics, healthcare services and IT, medical devices and digital health. 

Topics: Leadership, Science, Career, Interview, Women in STEM, Member Spotlight, Rockstars, Inspiration, Role Models, Board of Directors, Leaders, Career Development, Advocate, #WESTorg, Be Fearless, Be Brave

Mariana Nacht, Ph.D., is the Chief Scientific Officer at Cereius, a Biotech startup in North Carolina. She has been a WEST board member for 5 years. Mariana works with scientific personnel on science strategy to meet goals, get funding, and build a successful company.

Topics: Leadership, Science, Career, Interview, Women in STEM, Member Spotlight, Rockstars, Inspiration, Role Models, Board of Directors, Leaders, Career Development, Advocate, #WESTorg, Be Fearless, Be Brave