Women in Advanced Therapies (WIAT) Summit 2025: The Power of Investing in Women

At Women in Advanced Therapies (WIAT) Summit 2025, the video transcript captures a powerful and insightful panel discussion focused on the critical topic of investing in women, specifically female founders, in the life sciences and venture capital sectors. The session begins by highlighting the persistent gender gap in venture funding: despite increasing numbers of female entrepreneurs, women-led ventures receive disproportionately less capital than their male counterparts. The panel presents compelling evidence showing that investing in women is not only an issue of equity but also an economic imperative, with studies demonstrating that businesses led by women outperform male-only teams and could significantly contribute to global GDP growth if given equal opportunity.

The discussion addresses the systemic barriers contributing to this funding gap, such as entrenched gender biases, a predominantly male investment industry, and women’s tendency to present more conservative financial projections. The speakers emphasize that these are deep-rooted challenges but also point to encouraging trends such as the rise of mixed-gender founding teams and growing awareness of the value women bring to innovation and business success.

The panelists, all accomplished women leaders with diverse backgrounds in biotech, pharmaceuticals, finance, and investment, share their personal journeys and insights. They discuss the importance of cross-disciplinary fluency, continuous learning, and cultivating business acumen alongside technical expertise to thrive in leadership roles. They stress the necessity for women to invest in themselves and their careers, build strong networks, and confidently articulate their ventures’ value.

The conversation also tackles interpersonal dynamics, including navigating biases within the industry and among peers, managing passion and authenticity in communication, and the critical role of male allies in fostering inclusive environments. The panelists advise women to assertively and tactfully address inappropriate behaviors and to maintain a collaborative, fact-based approach when engaging with stakeholders.

Finally, an important portion of the discussion centers on managing career growth amid family responsibilities. The panel highlights strategies such as setting boundaries, seeking supportive partners and workplaces, building personal relationships with colleagues, and embracing the ebb and flow of career progression while balancing family demands. The panelists encourage women to recognize that delays in career advancement due to family are temporary and to persist with resilience and intentionality.

The session concludes with a call to action for WIAT Summit 2025 investors, entrepreneurs, and allies to champion women-led ventures, challenge biases, and create a more equitable and prosperous future by investing in women’s leadership and innovation.

Highlights

• Female-led ventures receive disproportionately less funding despite higher performance metrics.
• Investing in women founders could add trillions to the global economy, making it an economic imperative.
• Gender bias and a male-dominated investment landscape remain major barriers for women entrepreneurs.
• Cross-disciplinary skills and continuous learning are crucial for women to excel in leadership roles.
• Male allies and inclusive workplace cultures are key to advancing gender equity in biotech and investment.
• Balancing passion with business acumen enhances women founders’ ability to attract investment.
• Career growth amid family responsibilities requires strong support systems and intentional boundary-setting.

Key Insights

• Economic Impact of Investing in Women: Studies, such as those by Boston Consulting Group and the Allison Rose Review, reveal that female-founded businesses generate 2.5 times more revenue per dollar invested than male-only teams. If women scaled businesses at the same rate as men, the UK economy alone could see a £250 billion increase. Globally, equitable funding could boost GDP by 10 percent, adding a staggering 10.4 trillion dollars. This insight spotlights investing in women not just as a moral imperative but as a catalyst for economic growth and innovation on a global scale.
• Persistent Gender Bias in Funding Decisions: Research from London Business School highlights a subtle yet pervasive gender bias in investor questioning styles, where male founders face promotion-oriented questions emphasizing growth, while female founders are asked prevention-oriented questions centered on risk mitigation. This difference shapes investor perceptions, often leading to undervaluation of female-led ventures. The insight calls for conscious efforts to restructure investor training and awareness to neutralize these biases and foster equitable evaluation.
• The Role of Cross-Disciplinary Fluency: The panel underscores that women leaders who develop expertise across science, finance, policy, and operations are better positioned to contribute strategically and lead organizations effectively. This cross-functional skill set allows women to communicate and negotiate confidently with diverse stakeholders, enhancing their leadership presence. Encouraging women to pursue continuous education, including emerging fields like AI, equips them to navigate the complexities of biotech and investment ecosystems.
• Non-Traditional Career Paths Add Value: Panelists share that unconventional backgrounds, such as experience in consumer goods or other industries outside of biotech, can provide transferable skills like resilience, curiosity, and strategic thinking that enrich leadership effectiveness. Hiring and investing in diverse talent profiles beyond traditional industry norms can foster innovation and strengthen organizations. This challenges rigid hiring paradigms and promotes inclusion of varied experiences.
• Balancing Passion with Business Acumen: While passion is a powerful driver and source of credibility for women founders, it must be balanced with clear communication of business fundamentals, such as return on investment and exit strategies. The panel advises women to harness their authentic passion strategically to engage investors while sharpening their ability to present compelling commercial narratives. This balance enhances their investability and leadership impact.
• The Importance of Male Allies and Inclusive Culture: The discussion highlights that men have a crucial role in supporting gender equity by recognizing biases, creating inclusive environments, and being receptive to constructive feedback. Panelists stress that collaboration between women and men, grounded in respect and open communication, accelerates progress. Establishing diverse teams and portfolios mitigates risk and improves outcomes, benefiting investors and society alike.
• Navigating Career Growth with Family Responsibilities: The panel candidly addresses the unique challenges women face balancing career aspirations with family demands. Effective strategies include choosing flexible workplaces, building supportive personal networks, transparent communication about needs, and accepting that career progress may ebb and flow. Recognizing that family-related delays are temporary and not career denials empowers women to sustain momentum with resilience and self-compassion.

Detailed Analysis
The transcript from WIAT Summit 2025 vividly illustrates how deeply entrenched gender disparities persist in the venture capital and biotech sectors despite growing awareness and initiatives. The data presented, from the low percentage of VC funding going to female founders to the stark contrast in questioning styles during pitches, reveal systemic biases that are often subtle but impactful. The panel’s call to not only acknowledge but actively challenge these biases is a critical takeaway, emphasizing that true progress demands cultural and institutional change, not just surface-level programs.

The discussion on skill development and leadership progression is particularly insightful. It reveals that women benefit from cultivating broad expertise beyond their technical disciplines, enhancing their ability to lead multifaceted organizations. This aligns with leadership theories advocating for adaptive, cross-disciplinary fluency as essential in complex industries like biotech. The emphasis on lifelong learning, including emerging technologies such as AI, positions women to be future-ready leaders in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Equally valuable is the panel’s recognition of the importance of authenticity and passion balanced with strategic business acumen. Women founders are encouraged to embrace their natural communication styles and emotional intelligence while also mastering the language of business to effectively attract and retain investment. This dual approach addresses a common gap where technically strong female entrepreneurs may struggle to convey their ventures’ commercial potential compellingly.

The nuanced exploration of interpersonal dynamics, including handling bias from both men and women, enhances the discussion’s depth. The advice to address inappropriate behaviors calmly and factually, along with fostering mutual accountability, provides practical tools for navigating complex professional environments. Moreover, the acknowledgement of the critical role male allies play in fostering inclusive cultures points to a collaborative path forward for gender equity.

Finally, the candid dialogue on balancing career and family responsibilities adds a vital human dimension often overlooked in professional conversations. Recognizing the challenges women face and sharing actionable strategies for managing these pressures with support and flexibility sends an empowering message. The panelists’ insistence that career delays due to family are temporary and surmountable reinforces hope and resilience for women navigating these dual roles.

Collectively, this rich, detailed discussion not only highlights the persistent challenges but also offers a roadmap for systemic change, personal growth, and collaborative allyship essential for unlocking the full potential of women founders and leaders in biotech and investment.

Speakers:
🔹 Adriana Herrera – CEO, Pierre Fabre Pharmaceuticals
🔹 Audrey Greenberg – Founder and CEO, AG Capital Advisors
🔹 Tamika Jackson – Relations Director, Bullpen
🔹 Sarah Creviston – Global Vice President, Patient Advocacy and Public Affairs, Novartis Gene Therapies
🔹 Lynn Fischer – Managing Director, KMAK Capital
🔹 Lee Buckler – SVP, Advanced Therapies, Blood Centers of America

Conclusion
This WIAT Summit 2025 panel is a compelling call to action for investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to recognize the immense value women bring to innovation and economic growth. By confronting biases, investing in women’s leadership development, fostering inclusive cultures, and supporting work–life integration, the venture capital and biotech sectors can unlock untapped potential and drive transformative impact. The insights and experiences shared provide a foundation for future efforts to achieve equity and excellence in the industry.