EWIB-Los Angeles: Boardroom Readiness – Relationships, Roles, and Ethics

Executive Women In Bio Los Angeles recently hosted an invitation-only gathering of senior leaders for a candid, practical conversation on what it takes to step into board service with confidence and credibility. With nearly 40 attendees in the room, the evening created space for honest dialogue, peer learning, and meaningful connection among women navigating the path to board leadership. The program featured an accomplished panel of leaders spanning biotech, medical affairs, investing, and corporate governance: Stephanie Astrow, Chief Scientific Officer at Chimeric Therapeutics; Eleonora Goldberg, Vice President of Medical Affairs at Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals; Helen McBride, Partner at Bold Capital Partners; and Heather Spilsbury, CEO of 50/50 Women on Boards. The discussion was expertly moderated by Marisa Tricarico, Partner at Ivy Tree Advisors.

Throughout the conversation, panelists demystified common misconceptions about board service and offered clear, actionable guidance. One consistent theme was the importance of relationships—board opportunities rarely arise from passive interest. Attendees were encouraged to be explicit about their goals, to tell trusted colleagues and mentors that they are interested in board service, and to engage in many conversations well before joining a board. Panelists also emphasized the importance of understanding the differences between nonprofit, private, and public company boards, particularly when it comes to fiduciary duties, expectations, and time commitments. A critical distinction highlighted repeatedly: boards are responsible for governance, not management. Knowing where that line sits—and respecting it—is essential to being an effective and trusted board member.

Equally important was the concept of fit. Speakers encouraged prospective board members to conduct their own diligence by speaking with the CEO, members of management, and fellow board directors to assess alignment around values, culture, and how power and influence are truly distributed in the organization. As one panelist noted, understanding “how much women are really running the show” can be as important as the formal org chart. The evening concluded with a lively Q&A and continued networking, reinforcing that board readiness is not a single milestone, but an ongoing process of learning, positioning, and relationship-building.

Executive Women In Bio Los Angeles extends sincere thanks to our generous sponsor and host, Xencor, with special appreciation to Jennifer Sandoz, and our sponsor, Syneos Health, particularly Paola Bain, for making this impactful conversation possible. Events like this reflect EWIB-Los Angeles' continued commitment to creating spaces where executive women can gain clarity, share lived experience, and prepare for leadership at the highest levels. We look forward to building on this momentum in future programming.

Submitted by Lauren Bradley