Dr. Meena Subramanyam
Q: Tell me about Women in the Enterprise of Science & Technology (WEST)?
Women in the Enterprise of Science & Technology (WEST) is a leading not-for-profit organization that focuses on developing future women leaders in the STEM fields. WEST currently has over 1,100 members and enjoys strong support from corporate sponsors in the Boston area including Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, bluebird bio, Ipsen, Sanofi, and Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
WEST has a diverse membership that represents industries ranging from technology and biotech to cleantech and environmental sciences and is a community and forum for early, mid-career, executive, and entrepreneurial women in science and technology.
Q: Tell me about your position at Takeda Oncology?
As a Global Program Leader (GPL) in the oncology therapeutic area, I provide strategic, fiscal, process, and operational oversight and guidance to drug development teams. My primary responsibility is to partner with subject-matter experts to strategically advance pipeline projects through clinical development to commercialization in alignment with Takeda’s business needs and objectives. I also work closely with members of the R&D leadership team on strategies to streamline clinical development practices.
Q: What made you want to get involved in WEST?
The mission of WEST, a community-based organization that serves as a forum for education, mentorship and networking for women in STEM fields, is something that resonates with me and inspires me. Early on in my career I had the benefit of strong mentorship and sponsorship from my managers, as well as peers. WEST in many ways gives me the opportunity to do the same, to help nurture the next generation of leaders. Furthermore, my involvement with WEST has expanded my own network and has helped build strong connections with people of diverse experiences and perspectives. As a board member and President of WEST, I feel confident that WEST is positioned to empower future women leaders to not only build meaningful connections to expand their professional networks, but also serve as an interactive forum for experiential learning. In fact, the recently launched mentorship program at WEST is unique in that it helps mentees connect with an array of mentors and fellow mentees in an immersive pod format to maximize the learning experience.
Q: It’s exciting that WEST just recently had its 20th Anniversary. What are you doing to celebrate?
We celebrated with a special event and a couple social media pieces. We highlighted 20 inspirational women leaders over the period of a month and did20 years, 20 stories posts and compiled a short video to highlight them.
Q: What types of events and programs does WEST offer?
WEST offers a wide range of programming. We have book clubs, a mentoring program, networking nights, awards/recognition events, senior leader panels, career and skills development workshops, DEI focused workshops, events for people in transition, career possibilities panels with speed networking with the panelists, and more.
Q: What are WEST’s goals for the future?
WEST will continue the commitment to provide learning and mentorship to build a pipeline of women leaders to advance our mission to achieve gender balance at all levels. In addition, WEST is also focusing on expanding its outreach to student and minority communities as well as other organizations that share a common purpose. The COVID pandemic in fact has forced us to innovate and build resilience in the programming delivery model. We now offer all of our events remotely! In a post-COVID new normal, we plan to continue a mix of remote and in-person events to grow and support our community.
Q: What advice do you have for other women in the STEM field?
Be open, learn from others, build your professional network and do not get caught up in stereotypes. More importantly, be bold and get used to being uncomfortable as you charter new territory.
Q: Where can one find more info?
