Empowering women and allies: a preview of the 2025 Women in Advanced Therapies Congress
The Women in Advanced Therapies (WIAT) Congress has become a vital platform for advancing gender equity and fostering collaboration within the life sciences and advanced therapies sectors.
Ahead of the 2025 Congress on 20 January, Becky Johnson-Kent, Head of WIAT, provides a closer look at this year’s event, sharing her thoughts on its themes, standout sessions and the initiatives driving meaningful change in the field.
What key topics or themes will be discussed at this year’s WIAT Congress?
With space for over 200 people (the most we’ve ever had) panels and 20 roundtable discussions this year’s WIAT Congress has the capacity to address a wide range of impactful topics all aimed at empowering women (and their allies) within the life sciences and cell and gene therapies space.
Key themes include exploring challenges women face in leadership, solution-oriented discussions on overcoming barriers, building diverse networks and driving inclusion through equitable policies. We’re offering practical strategies such as leveraging mentorship, promoting self-advocacy and fostering work-life balance, alongside broader discussions on challenging stereotypes and harnessing innate skills. These discussions aim to foster collaboration through shared experiences, provide actionable insights and inspire meaningful progress for women in the advanced therapies ecosystem.
Are there any standout speakers or sessions you’re particularly excited about?
I’m particularly excited about the opening panel, which sets the tone for the event with its theme of Investing in Women. This panel emphasizes that investing in women is not just the right thing to do — it’s a strategic imperative. The session will explore the transformative impact of investing in women across leadership, funding women-led ventures and increasing the presence of women as investors. Attendees can expect thought-provoking insights into how advancing gender equity drives innovation, fosters diversity and shapes the future of advanced therapies. It features a strong lineup of investors and pharmaceutical leaders, including Audrey Greenberg (Center for Breakthrough Medicines; PA, USA), Lynn Fischer (KMAK Capital; AZ, USA), Adriana Herrera (Pierre-Fabre Pharmaceuticals; Toulouse, France) and Sarah Creviston (Novartis Gene Therapies; IL, USA), who will deep dive into a discussion that’s both engaging and relatable to everyone in the room.
Networking is a big part of any congress — how does this event foster meaningful connections and mentorship opportunities?
WIAT has always had connection at its core and the WIAT Congress is no different. The format we’ve curated is designed to foster meaningful connections and mentorship opportunities. The roundtable discussions create intimate settings where participants can engage in open, candid conversations, freely asking questions and sharing experiences. These smaller, more focused groups allow for deeper interactions and the building of stronger professional relationships.
WIAT also develops its own mentorship program, lasting 6 months and running from May/June every year. Many attendees take the WIAT Congress as an opportunity to meet in person for the first time or strengthen existing connections made virtually.
How do you measure the impact of the Congress?
Our amazing community isn’t backward about coming forward and so quite simply we get told! We value and take very seriously the feedback from those who participate not only in our in person WIAT Summits but our online meetings as well. WIAT has grown from a mentorship program comprising 10 people to a 100-person strong program, a 24-hour virtual event and 2 in-person meetings (at Advanced Therapies Week and Advanced Therapies Europe). WIAT has always been for the community and has grown with the community and by the community. I’ve been told the WIAT Congress is like the pre-party where you get to know everyone, which I think is a great analogy.
How is the Congress supporting broader diversity and inclusion in advanced therapies beyond gender?
The Congress supports broader diversity and inclusion in advanced therapies by bringing together attendees from diverse backgrounds and walks of life. We are focusing on topics that create social and cultural awareness, such as the need for greater representation of different ethnicities in leadership roles and addressing health challenges and policies to promote inclusivity. In addition to engaging women, we are also encouraging their allies to participate, which is why we have a session dedicated to involving men in gender equity discussions. We believe that increasing male participation is crucial to driving meaningful change and advancing diversity in the field.
What would you say to someone considering attending the WIAT Congress for the first time?
If you’re thinking about attending the WIAT Congress for the first time, I’d say it’s a fantastic experience! It’s not just inspiring, but also a lot of fun. The atmosphere is relaxed, welcoming, and full of positive energy. It’s the perfect space to feel heard and seen, and to build connections with a wonderful network of amazing women (and men!).
The opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of RegMedNet or Taylor & Francis Group.