WIB-Chicago: Rompiendo Barreras – Hispanic Women Pioneering the Life Sciences Space

Guests mingled over tacos and aguas frescas amid vibrant decorations at UNAM on October 17, 2024, during our event celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. A festive round of Lotería Mexicana added to the atmosphere, with Jessica Benitez-Burke and Erendira Sanchez winning grand prizes from the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance. Dorys Lopez, Co-Vice Chair of WIB-Chicago, introduced the event, which was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Amanda Christine Maldonado. Panelists Diana Gutierrez, Sandra Torres, Sofia Yunez, and Andrea Ziblat shared personal stories about overcoming challenges, reframing struggles as strengths, and the value of mentorship. They emphasized having sponsors alongside mentors, noting the benefit of diverse mentorship for different aspects of life and career. Diana expressed a desire to inspire more Latinas to pursue leadership roles; Sandra aimed to clarify the pathways to success in life sciences; Sofia highlighted the need for more Latinos in medical fields; and Andrea envisioned a future with improved representation across all minorities. The evening concluded with a dynamic Q&A session, allowing for deeper connections and insights between the panelists and the audience.

Submitted by Samia Tasmim