Upcoming Events

2024-2025 Annual Theme: Grit, Growth, Gratitude

The journey of a woman, especially professionally, is an ever-evolving experience that, while integrated in the world, is still very unique to each of us. Women strive to break barriers, shatter glass ceilings, and pave the way for future generations through their careers. This journey entails embracing and representing grit, growth, and gratitude. For many women, particularly in the STEM industries, grit means tackling challenges head-on. Through grit and determination to continue the journey, women embody an infinite growth ability. Professionally, growth is not just about accumulating knowledge but also about evolving as individuals and as leaders. This means seeking out opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and continuous education. This the mission that WEST seeks to fill, and one of the many facets of the WEST community that our members love. As women grow, we reflect on the grit, growth, support, and opportunities required to get where we are, and embrace gratitude. For WEST, gratitude extends past the individual journey and leads us to generously give back to the community that has empowered us. After much reflection, as well as looking ahead to the future, these tenets, grit, growth, and gratitude, have been selected as WEST’s Annual Theme for 2024-2025.

may21

WoW - WEST on Wednesdays Networking - SOLD OUT
May 21, 2025, 5:30-7:30 PM ET 

The WoW - WEST on Wednesdays Networking series has become one of our most popular! These events are great opportunities to network with other STEM professionals while enjoying drinks and appetizers. 

LocationBeam Therapeutics, 238 Main St., Cambridge, MA

Cost: Members: $0; Non-Members: $10

Register

 

may29

Career Possibilities Panel & Speed Networking - Regulatory, Clinical Trials, Technical Clinical Writing
May 29, 2025, 6:00-7:30 PM ET 

This panel is designed to help you think about your career path and the different options that are open to you. The panel will have an informational interview type feel with panelists sharing their career paths, a look at what their job entails, transferrable skills for those looking to make a change, tips for uncovering opportunities, advice for others, and how to make brave leaps.

Location: Zoom

Cost: Free to All

Register

 

June10

Giving & Receiving Feedback: Discover How to Make these Conversations Easier- For Both of You!
June 10, 2025, 12:00-1:30 PM ET 

The goal of this workshop, led by Etta Jacobs, is for participants to understand that giving and receiving feedback is not one-size-fits all. They will reflect on what they need to feel safe/comfortable receiving feedback and they'll learn how to customize their feedback for anyone on their team—including their manager.

Participants will learn 4 basic steps
 to giving meaningful feedback in a way that feels safe for both the giver and receiver.
They'll learn the importance of appreciation in offering feedback.
They'll walk away with three questions they can use to start any feedback discussion.

LocationZoom

Cost: Members: $5; Non-Members: $15

Register

 

June24

WEST Women's Health Panel: Innovation and Investment - Is the Tide Turning?
June 24, 2025, 5:00-7:00 PM ET 

Join WEST for an insightful and interactive panel discussion exploring the latest advancements and investments in women's health. Building off last year's momentum around women's health, we are hosting a panel that will focus on real-world innovations shaping the future of healthcare for women. Our expert panelists spanning biotech and investment will dive into key innovation areas such as cardiovascular disease, oncology, and autoimmune disorders.

Panelists to Include:

  • Farnaz Bakhshi, Director, Innovation, BrightEdge - American Cancer Society
  • Megan Greenfield, Partner, McKinsey & Affiliated Leader, McKinsey Health Institute, McKinsey & Company
  • Rachel Greenfield, Manager - Lilly Gateway Labs | External Innovation, Eli Lilly and Company
  • Carla Klattenhoff, Senior Director/ Scientific US Lead for Research and Early Development in CV, Renal and Immunology, Bayer
  • Cynthia Pussinen, CEO, Spes Bio
  • Kathryn Rexrode, Chief Academic Officer, Brigham and Women's Hospital
  • Karen Lackey, CEO, X-Chem, Panel Moderator
Location: Bayer CoLab, 238 Main St., Cambridge, MA 02142

Cost: Members: $0; Non-Members: $10

Register

 

July23

Career Possibilities Panel & Speed Networking: HR, Talent, and Learning & Development
July 23, 2025, 6:00-7:30 PM ET 

In the world of science, careers are no longer linear or predictable. What was once a clearly sign-posted path as you progressed through milestones, a career road map is now circuitous presenting new challenges and opportunities at every bend. Life-long careers in one sector or one company are becoming a rarity as new technologies and shifting social norms disrupt traditional careers. Both employers and employees are seeking more diversity of experience, lifestyle flexibility and alternative paths. This panel is designed to help you think about your career path and the different options that are open to you. The panel will have an informational interview type feel with panelists sharing their career paths, a look at what their job entails, transferable skills for those looking to make a change, tips for uncovering opportunities, advice for others, and how to make brave leaps.

LocationZoom

Cost: Free

Register

 

July29

Unlocking Mental Fitness: How to Stress Less and Focus More
July 29, 2025, 12:00-1:00 PM ET 

In this engaging session, you'll discover how to strengthen your mental fitness — your capacity to handle life’s challenges with greater ease and clarity. Drawing on powerful insights from neuroscience and Positive Intelligence (PQ), Melissa O'Hara will share practical strategies to help you:

  •  Break free from negative thought patterns that drain your energy
  •  Focus better and make clear decisions under pressure
  •  Build mental resilience so you can show up as your best self at work and beyond

If you're ready to feel more energized, focused, and in control, this session will give you simple tools to get started.

Location: Zoom

Cost: Members: $5; Non-Members: $15

Register

 

Aug6

Deep Work in a Distracted World: Skills to Sharpen Your Focus
August 6, 2025, 6:00-7:00 PM ET 

In our world of constant notifications, endless emails, and overflowing to-do lists, the ability to focus has become incredibly challenging, risking our ability to achieve our most important goals. In his book Deep Work, Cal Newport explores how we can cultivate sustained concentration in the face of these challenges.

Join our interactive 60-minute virtual discussion where we'll explore Newport's four strategies for enhanced productivity:

  • Work Deeply: Create rituals and routines that protect your cognitive resources

  • Embrace Boredom: Strengthen your focus muscle by resisting constant stimulation

  • Quit Social Media: Reconsider digital tools that fragment your attention

  • Drain the Shallows: Minimize low-value tasks that consume your day

Location: Zoom

Cost: Members: $5; Non-Members: $15

Register

 

Aug28

Hacks to Your Dream Job
August 28, 2025, 6:00-7:30 PM ET 

Job hunting and preparing for interviews can feel a bit like a guessing game. What types of jobs can you look for, what kinds of jobs should you be looking for? Should you be using a recruiter? When you do land an interview, what are companies looking for? How can you stand out from the other candidates?
These are the questions that Jobgini is here to answer! In her upcoming event, Hacks to Your Dream Job, Gunjan Kuthiala will take a deep-dive look into how to be found by a recruiter, use their guidance to apply for the right jobs, and what preparations will make you stand out as a candidate. In this workshop we will:
  • Explore where & how to post your resume
  • How to exhibit A+ skills
  • Behavioral interviewing techniques that will engage the interviewer
Location: Lab Central, 700 Main St., North, Cambridge, MA

Cost: Members: $10, Non-Members: $20

Register

 

Sept10

SuperPowers in Action
September 10, 2025, 6:00-8:00 PM ET 

What Happens Here? 

Our MIND SHIFT℠ methodology turns a risk-averse mind into an innovation ally by empowering participants to:

  • Reclaim their SuperPowers and craft unique success stories
  • Boost authentic confidence to lead with courage
  • Design intentional goals for professional and personal growth
  • Optimize habits for sustainable breakthroughs
  • Build cohorts that thrive beyond the program 
Location: Alexandria Real Estate, 400 North Beacon St., Engine Room, Watertown, MA

Cost: Members: $15, Non-Members: $30

Register

 

Sep16

Career Possibilities Panel & Speed Networking - Breaking Traditional Career Boundaries in Biopharma Communications
September 16, 2025, 6:00-7:30 PM ET 

This panel is designed to help you think about your career path and the different options that are open to you. The panel will have an informational interview type feel with panelists sharing their career paths, a look at what their job entails, transferrable skills for those looking to make a change, tips for uncovering opportunities, advice for others, and how to make brave leaps.

Location: Zoom

Cost: Free to All

Register

 

oct2

Tantalizing Technical Talks: How to Make Complex & Bland Topics Captivating & Compelling
October 2, 2025, 6:00-7:45 PM ET 

When you join me in this talk, you will receive methods that I’ve shared in training over 30,000 career professionals in 30 cities internationally so you can influence with impact.

In this fun and interactive session, you will:

  • Receive 3 well-tested practical tools that you can use immediately in your very next meeting or presentation that brings LIFE to even the driest technical topics.
  • Understand the 3 most common mistakes that make a presentation a total “snooze-fest” AND what to do instead so you leave your listeners wanting more.
  • Discover a profound bonus method that the pros use to ensure that you can win over your audience no matter how technical or bland your topic is.
Location: Lab Central, 700 Main St., North, Cambridge, MA

Cost: Members: $5; Non-Members: $15

Register

 

Oct22

25th Anniversary Celebration & Awards Event
October 22, 2025, 6:00-8:30 PM ET 

Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate 25 years of advancing women in science, technology, and engineering at the WEST 25th Anniversary Celebration & Awards. This milestone event will bring together our vibrant community to honor the people and moments that have shaped WEST’s legacy—and to spotlight the bright future ahead.

The night will be filled with delicious food, drinks, and meaningful connections as we reflect on the incredible achievements of the WEST network. Enjoy a dynamic evening of networking with like-minded professionals, leaders, and changemakers who share a passion for equity and innovation in STEM.

Our program will feature the presentation of the WEST Awards, recognizing the outstanding individuals and organizations that exemplify the spirit, values, and mission of WEST. We'll also share about how WEST has grown, what we’ve accomplished together, and where we’re heading next.

Location: Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc., 600/700 One Kendall Square, Atrium, Cambridge, MA

Cost: Members: $50; Non-Members: $75

Register