WIB-San Francisco Bay Area: Thriving Together – Embracing Belonging in DE&I

Thank you to MBC Biolabs, a biotech startup incubator in San Francisco, for hosting a great WIB-San Francisco Bay Area event with a large turnout for Women’s History Month on March 28, 2024. An insightful panel of senior leaders from Gilead, Ultragenyx, Natera, and Biosavvy Advisors discussed the critical role of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) in the life science industry.

The panelists underscored the importance of advocates and leaders who possess the courage to amplify the voices of colleagues with less visibility, thereby fostering a sense of belonging for all within the workplace and broader community. In response to such advocacy, some workplaces are offering accommodations to alleviate challenges facing new parents returning to work, as well as for minorities, LGBTQ+ groups, and older workers. A fully remote workplace may sometimes limit the ability to make genuine personal connections and discuss sensitive topics with coworkers. An unmet need exists to advance DEIB for patients who experience healthcare disparities as they seek medical care and voices to champion their unique circumstances.

WIB-San Francisco Bay Area looks forward to having further panel events exploring DEIB and other topics in the future.

Submitted by Ana Mrejeru