WEST Wisdom Blog

In support of our wonderful community the WEST board has invested in the renewal of our website to make it easier to navigate and find out who we are and what we have to offer. We hope this will provide an opportunity to learn more about WEST’s mission and learning events, the benefits of membership, and the ways in which you can become involved with WEST. Take a look at our new event listings for the fall of 2017 and meet some of our members who have provided testimonials describing what they have gained from joining WEST. There are many ways you can get involved in WEST whether as a volunteer, a sponsor, a blogger or a workshop leader. Please take a look and see all that WEST has to offer and consider becoming a member today.

Topics: Events, Leadership, Women, Team, Science, Community, Networking, Upcoming Events, Excellence, Operational

Is your team operating at its best? Do you have a systematic way of evaluating progress towards goals and removing the various impediments your team faces? Is your team delivering the best service or product quality at the right cost? The concept of operational excellence is a guiding philosophy which requires teams and organizations strive to achieve excellence in all aspects of its operations, adding value at every step. It offers a series of tools and methods that can help efficiency, effectiveness, and adaptability. It makes visible key performance indicators and what needs to be done to support performance. Join us on 9/14 for a workshop on Operational Excellence for Team Performance. You will learn about various operational excellence frameworks and how you can create and implement your own using proven techniques and methods. Specifically, you will leave with 10 tools to make your team more effective that you can start using immediately after the workshop. 

Topics: Events, Leadership, Women, Team, Science, Community, Networking, Upcoming Events, Excellence, Operational

I don’t know either!  Come have breakfast with one of each and find out at our last members-only Rockstar Breakfast of the year! 

Light food and lots of coffee (and other drink options) will be accompanied by conversation with Deb Vernon, Partner at McCarter and English, LLP and Sandra Glucksmann, most recently COO of Editas Medicine, Inc.

Topics: Events, Women, Boston, Science, Community, Leader, Networking, Upcoming Events, law

Now through December only! Huge member discount for WEST workshops. 

Thanks to a very generous donor we are able to offer our members a special discounted rate for workshops through December - workshops will cost only $20 for members, a savings of $30 per event off the non-member rate. Join now and you will quickly cover your annual membership costs while opening the door to our exclusive member-only events.

Topics: Events, Leadership, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Community, Life, Networking, You, Discount, Membership, Upcoming Events

Your career needs to be managed strategically and proactively - it does not just happen. Even though good luck, the right network and wicked smarts help, YOU are the only one who can set the direction. WEST’s programming theme this year has been specifically designed to help women in science and technology think about your career advancement strategically and develop your own plan for execution.

Topics: Events, Leadership, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Community, Work Life Balance, Life, Cambridge, Networking, You, Annual Theme

Are you looking for an opportunity to network and hobnob with local senior leaders? If so, this is THE event for you. Enjoy a light breakfast accompanied by lots of conversation with Emily Reichert, CEO of Greentown Labs and Chesley Chen, CEO of Safety Partners, Inc. Registration will be limited to a maximum of 20 participants to ensure an intimate experience. 

Topics: Events, Leadership, Women, Tech, Science, Career, Community, Cambridge, Network, CEO, Networking

WEST membership offers a chance to meet colleagues and form friendships that will enrich your professional and personal life. Members get discounts to all WEST programs and events, free attendance at networking only events, and one free workshop during their birth month.

They get access to members only events, such as book club and rockstar breakfasts.  WEST currently has three members only breakfasts lined up including 5/4 with Meredith Fisher and Jo Viney, 7/25 with Emily Reichert and Chesley Chen, and 9/13 with Deb Vernon and Sandra Glucksmann.

Topics: Events, Leadership, Women, Tech, Science, Community, Cambridge

In today’s world, technology has made it increasingly easy to expand and do business internationally. With video advancements such as Google Hangouts, Facetime, Skype and Zoom, you can virtually spin up an in person meeting with almost anyone anywhere in the world. Businesses are embracing these technologies to expand their customer base and build teams globally to accelerate their success.

Topics: Events, Leadership, Women, Tech, Science, Communication, Success, Global, Culture

Then mark your calendar for March 20^th when WEST will co-host a combined speed networking and panel event with the Society of Professional Consultants. Six senior panelists who started out in STEM will describe their path to success in STEM or STEM-related careers. Experience a combination of facilitated networking and small breakout sessions with the panelists to hear about alternative career trajectories, learn how to tell your personal story in a compelling way, and gain confidence in your own skills and abilities.

Topics: Events, Tech, Science, Transitions, Career, Network, Inspire

Last week, more than 130 men and women gathered in Cambridge to recognize the honorees in WEST’s Annual “Giving Back Awards” ceremony. EACH YEAR for the past 9 years, WEST has brought the biotech and tech community together to honor incredible women from the science, technology and engineering fields who go above and beyond and selflessly give back to society. This year, in addition to recognizing women, WEST added a new accolade designed to recognize men who have demonstrated commitment to supporting and advancing talented women in STEM careers.

Topics: Events, Women, Tech, Science, Awards, Giving Back, Network, Giving, Inspire