Pittsburgh’s legacy of grit and reinvention sets the stage for WIB-Pittsburgh's 12th Annual P.O.W.E.R. event, showcasing the region’s most dynamic women leaders in life sciences and healthcare. Join us for an evening of bold insight and inspiring dialogue as these trailblazers share how they’ve turned disruption, technological, financial, regulatory, and organizational, into a catalyst for transformation. From navigating volatile supply chains to securing funding in uncertain markets, they’ll reveal what it takes to lead with resilience, drive innovation, and reimagine the future of biotech and healthcare. This year’s theme, From Steel to Science, celebrates the region’s industrial heritage while spotlighting its powerful pivot toward innovation, equity, and growth in the life sciences sector.

Note: Each ticket includes heavy appetizers and two drink tickets.

Speaker Bios

Priya Amin, Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Pittsburgh Innovation Institute, Moderator

Priya Amin is an entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, seasoned marketer, and mother to two boys. She has an undergraduate degree in biotechnology from Rutgers University and an MBA from the University of Arizona. She worked at large corporations such as IBM and Nestlé and also ran two successful startups, ROKI Consulting, which supported startups with their marketing efforts, and Flexable, a tech-enabled startup focused on driving gender equity in the workplace through the provision of pop-up childcare. Priya and her cofounder supported thousands of organizations and families across the US, while also raising $1m in funding and being a part of the 16th AlphaLab cohort.

Helena Chaye, PhD, JD, CEO of KaliVir Immunotherapeutics

Helena has over 23 years of experience in the biotechnology industry, having held leadership positions in operations, corporate affairs, business development, and IP management, primarily in oncolytic virotherapy development. Most recently, Helena served as Chief Business Officer at SillaJen Biotherapeutics, Inc., where she managed all operations, including corporate and business development strategies, R&D strategy, and intellectual property. Prior to joining SillaJen, Helena held the positions of VP of Corporate Affairs & IP at Jennerex Biotherapeutics and the Director of Business Development at MediGene. Helena received her BS in biochemistry, her PhD in genetics from the University of British Columbia, and her JD from Dalhousie University.

Samira Kiani, MD, Co-Founder & CTO at HexemBio

Mara McFadden, CEO of Endolumik

Mara McFadden is the CEO and co-founder of Endolumik, a venture-backed MedTech startup pioneering fluorescence-guided surgical tools to improve safety and outcomes in minimally invasive surgery. Under her leadership, Endolumik launched the first device to earn the FDA’s “Safer Technology” designation. With a degree in mechanical engineering from UC Berkeley and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon, Mara has built her career at the intersection of engineering, business, and innovation. She began at Johnson & Johnson, developing global medical products, led Philips Healthcare’s life-support ventilation business, and later shaped product strategy at a consumer technology startup. Passionate about mentorship, Mara has advised numerous early-stage MedTech companies and served as an Executive Fellow at Carnegie Mellon, where she taught one of the most popular leadership courses. She is a frequent speaker on innovation, leadership, and product development.

Katherine Shannon, VP and Site Head, BaseCamp Pittsburgh at ElevateBio

Katie currently serves as Site Head, BaseCamp Pittsburgh with ElevateBio, a technology-driven genetic medicines company, where she has leadership responsibility for site operations of a biomanufacturing facility that will deliver innovative advanced therapeutics to patients through collaboration with ElevateBio’s industry and academic partners. She has over 20 years of biopharmaceutical industry experience in strategic and operational leadership roles in clinical and commercial biomanufacturing operations and new facility construction. Previously, Katie held leadership positions overseeing engineering and facilities, portfolio management, and manufacturing technology functions with Thermo Fisher Scientific and Brammer Bio, highlighted by her leadership of the design, build, and startup of three gene therapy manufacturing facilities. Earlier in her career, Katie held engineering management positions with Biogen and Sanofi Pasteur. Katie received her BS in chemical engineering from Lehigh University and her M.Eng. in engineering management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

Megan Kahn Shaw, President & CEO of Pittsburgh Life Sciences Alliance

Megan Shaw is a mission-driven life sciences leader with 20 years of experience in strategy development, early-stage investing, and growth company execution. She is the President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Alliance, a nonprofit that serves as strategic advocate in developing the greater Pittsburgh region into a global life sciences leader and economic engine. Previously, as Managing Director of Life Sciences at Innovation Works, she managed investments in over 35 life science startups, launched AlphaLab Health seed-stage healthcare accelerator in partnership with Allegheny Health Network, and served as a board observer for numerous portfolio companies.

Pricing Information

• Members/Guests: $25
• Non-members*: $50

*Not a Member? Click here to purchase a WIB membership and gain access to our video library, mentorship opportunities, and more.  

Please read WIB's Code of Conduct and Refund Policy.

Note: A confirmation email will be sent after registration has been completed. 

Maximum Capacity

120

Parking Information

Free street parking is available nearby.