WLP Annual Report

2023: A Year of Transition for Women Leaders in Pharma
2023 has truly been a year of change for Women Leaders in Pharma (WLP). The first signs of this shift came from the growing desire for connection—people wanted to meet, network, and see each other again after the long period of isolation during the pandemic. We watched as members re-engaged socially and professionally, reigniting the spirit of community that defines our organization.

2022: What a year it has been...
It is almost impossible to believe 2022 began with COVID curfews, vaccination passports, and gatherings being limited to small numbers!
After having almost forgotten how the year started, we closed it rejoicing in our renewed freedom: re-acquainting ourselves with traffic and finally meeting colleagues we had only known through a flat screen. For most of us, life in the times of COVID has ended. We can finally assess what has really changed.
COVID emphasized our innate need for human connection and relationships, the preciousness of our mental health, the fragility of healthcare systems, and the precarious nature of life. In the wake of this major disruption, companies and employees had no choice but to adapt. In light of this, how did we as women
adjust? McKinsey and Statistics Canada provide us insight into the workforce dynamics as they relate to gender diversity and to COVID’s impacts.

Women Leaders in Pharma started as a conversation over coffee with a few friends. We shared our love for the life sciences and pharmaceutical industry and its ability to change lives. We also shared stories of challenges we faced over our careers: biases, assumptions, frustrations, and inequities. And I became acutely aware that I had been accepting barriers instead of facing and breaking them down. And that meant I was also leaving them in place for future generations
of leaders...