Women In Bio Announces First Boardroom Ready Program Graduates

NEW YORK, Oct. 31, 2016 -- Women In Bio (WIB), an organization of professionals committed to promoting careers, leadership, and entrepreneurship of women in the Life Sciences, today announced the successful completion of their board certification course by the first class of 20 women executives participating in its Boardroom Ready program. Boardroom Ready is a recently launched executive-level, board certification, coaching, sponsorship, and networking initiative that positions executive women in the Life Sciences to serve on corporate boards of directors.

The Boardroom Ready class of 2016 completed a five-day intensive program at George Washington University’s Executive Education School, which focused on the fundamentals of business operations and corporate governance including finance, corporate strategy, investor relations and crisis management.  Boardroom Ready executives also engaged in case studies that addressed the challenges associated with fiduciary responsibility, legal liability, cybersecurity, and risk management. 

“The sessions covered many topics that are relevant to the Life Sciences industry today and featured lively debates that drove potential solutions to some of the more pressing challenges we face,” said Kristi Sarno, National President of Women In Bio.  “We are confident that these women executives who completed our inaugural program are poised to make meaningful contributions as future board members, and we look forward to assisting them in securing these positions.”

The Boardroom Ready graduates are now actively seeking opportunities to join corporate boards.  Women In Bio, along with LifeSci Advisors, the founding sponsor of the program, Biogen and MassBio are engaging their networks of companies that are looking for exceptionally qualified biotech executives to serve on their boards.  In addition, Boardroom Ready coaches are introducing these candidates to a targeted network of investors, CEOs, and board members.

“We could not be more impressed by the skills and backgrounds of the Boardroom Ready inaugural class,” said Michael Rice, Founding Partner of LifeSci Advisors. “We look forward to networking with the class and helping Women In Bio achieve their goal of placing every graduate on a corporate board.”

CEOs, corporate directors, and all those who are interested in enriching the talent on company boards will be well served by considering and hiring a Boardroom Ready vetted and sponsored graduate.  

WIB plans to hold the Boardroom Ready program on an annual basis. To apply to the program, identify board openings, sponsor this program, and/or become a mentor to one of the class participants, please email [email protected].

For more information about the Boardroom Ready program, please visit http://womeninbio.org/executives/board-ready.

Women In Bio (WIB) is an organization of professionals committed to promoting careers, leadership, and entrepreneurship of women in the life sciences. Each local chapter hosts numerous events throughout the year, that vary from networking events to career development, to professional education, to executive level-focused events. In addition to events, WIB hosts a mentorship program which offers women the chance to mentor or be mentored, a Young Women In Bio program, which offers events and encouragement to middle-school aged girls, webinars, and the support of a large national organization with 13 chapters and growing. As a volunteer organization, WIB offers leadership opportunities at every stage of your career, and a chance to expand your network in a supportive and professional environment. For more information, visit www.womeninbio.org

Contact: Carolyn Brougham, Co-Chair Boardroom Ready

616-560-7989    

[email protected]