Join us for a panel discussion featuring women leaders in science and technology as they explore the critical topic of AI ethics in the regulated life sciences. Our panelists will address transparency, bias, compliance, and responsible innovation.

Those with positions at the Director-level and above are invited to our pre-event panel with Slalom Consulting Beyond Transformation – Evolving into an Adaptive Organization with AI. Our speakers will share their insights on how AI is revolutionizing research, operations, and innovation, empowering professionals to work smarter, faster, and more effectively.

Note: Each ticket includes two drink vouchers.

Program 

Pre-event Executive Panel (Director-level and above only)
5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.  Check-in and Networking
5:30 p.m. – 6:20 p.m.  Slalom Executive Panel: Beyond Transformation – Evolving into an Adaptive Organization with AI

Panel Discussion (all)
6:15 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.  Check-in and Networking for Main Panel Discussion
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  Panel Discussion: AI Ethics in the Life Sciences Industry
7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.  Networking

Speaker Bios

Main Panel

Sharmila Bristol, Technology Strategist, Global Healthcare & Life Sciences at Slalom

Sharmila is a seasoned industry executive with extensive global experience leveraging advanced technologies to drive innovation and create substantial business value. Renowned for her strategic thinking and empathy-driven approach, Sharmila excels in orchestrating large-scale digital transformations, while simplifying complex scenarios with practical execution strategies to ensure sustainable customer success. She is deeply passionate about working with organizations that harness technology to enhance the human condition, particularly in the realms of health and education. A dedicated advocate for women in STEM, when she is not deep in strategic delivery, Sharmila devotes her time to advancing female leadership in industry through values-driven coaching and mentorship.

Paula Ramos, PhD, Senior DevRel and Applied AI Research Advocate at Voxel51

Dr. Ramos is a Senior Computer Vision Advocate Lead at Voxel51 and an expert in Computer Vision, Machine Learning, and Edge AI, with over 20 years of experience building technology that works in the wild — from Colombian coffee farms to international smart deployments. Her mission is to make AI accessible, practical, and impactful, with a focus on agriculture, healthcare, and sustainability. She's a passionate advocate for open-source, real-world applications and building solutions that empower people, not just machines.

Bina Thakkar, IT Manager for Observability and Monitoring at SAS

Bina spent over 30 years in software and IT across India and the U.S. and recently stepped back to master the AI revolution. As an AI strategist, she helps business owners translate complex artificial intelligence into clear roadmaps and competitive advantage. Most businesses know AI is important but don't know where to start and she helps bridge that gap with responsible implementation and practical results. Bina is deeply passionate about community, mentoring, and giving back. She volunteers with ekal.org, mentor youth and emerging women leaders, and love exploring new cultures through travel.

Heather Fraser, Director, Carolinas Life Sciences Industry Lead at Slalom, Moderator

Heather is a go-to-market leader with over 20 years of experience helping companies transform how they operate to achieve meaningful business outcomes. As the Life Sciences Industry Lead for Slalom in the Carolinas, she works with pharma, biotech, and clinical research organizations in the Triangle and beyond to drive better patient experiences, enhance the value of data, simplify processes, and drive value out of technology and AI. Heather brings deep expertise from both consulting and enterprise SaaS, with a passion for turning strategy into action and building high-performing teams. Outside of work, she’s also a certified 500-hour Power Yoga teacher who brings intention and a growth mindset to everything she does. 

Slalom Executive Panel

Sharmila Bristol, Technology Strategist, Global Healthcare & Life Sciences at Slalom

Sharmila Bristol is a seasoned industry executive with extensive global experience leveraging advanced technologies to drive innovation and create substantial business value. Renowned for her strategic thinking and empathy-driven approach, Sharmila excels in orchestrating large-scale digital transformations, while simplifying complex scenarios with practical execution strategies to ensure sustainable customer success. She is deeply passionate about working with organizations that harness technology to enhance the human condition, particularly in the realms of health and education. A dedicated advocate for women in STEM, when she is not deep in strategic delivery, Sharmila devotes her time to advancing female leadership in industry through values-driven coaching and mentorship.

Johanna DeYoung, Global Industry Lead, Healthcare & Life Sciences at Slalom

Johanna is a distinguished leader who spearheads the strategy and go-to-market direction for Slalom Life Sciences. With 20 years of dedicated experience, she has consistently demonstrated a customer-obsessed approach and partners with some of the world's leading Life Sciences companies to create compassionate patient experiences, drive top-line growth, and maximize the value of data, technology, and innovation. Johanna’s strategic acumen is instrumental in supporting the needs of Life Sciences customers across the value chain, delivering transformative value from molecule to market. Her expertise spans commercial strategy, M&A, customer experience, transformation, launch strategies, data strategies, market access, and field force enablement. Johanna’s strong executive-level relationships and ability to stay ahead of industry and therapeutic trends solidify her reputation as a thought leader and an international industry speaker.

Heather Fraser, Director, Carolinas Life Sciences Industry Lead at Slalom, Moderator

Heather is a go-to-market leader with over 20 years of experience helping companies transform how they operate to achieve meaningful business outcomes. As the Life Sciences Industry Lead for Slalom in the Carolinas, she works with pharma, biotech, and clinical research organizations in the Triangle and beyond to drive better patient experiences, enhance the value of data, simplify processes, and drive value out of technology and AI. Heather brings deep expertise from both consulting and enterprise SaaS, with a passion for turning strategy into action and building high-performing teams. Outside of work, she’s also a certified 500-hour Power Yoga teacher who brings intention and a growth mindset to everything she does.

Pricing Information

• Members: $25
• Slalom Team Members: $25
• Non-members*: $35

*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