International Women’s Day:
Seattle Biotech & Science Conference creates opportunities
By Dianne Dotson
Info.Resource, Inc.
Seattle, WA
In celebration of Seattle’s women in biotechnology and science, the Seattle Biotech & Science 2008 conference for International
Women’s Day created an opportunity for women in biotech to listen to notable women biotech leaders’ inspirational accounts of
their careers, and encouraged networking among a diverse group of women in the field via workshops and other opportunities.
H. Stewart Parker, CEO of Targeted Genetics, a publicly traded developer
of molecular therapeutics based in Seattle, described her 26 years in the biotech field as an amazing, wild experience. She
summarized her path to success by the phrase "Well . . . how did I get here?" which she was inspired to use from the Talking
Heads song, "Once in a Lifetime." Parker described her path from being a majorette in eastern North Carolina to becoming
a CEO of a successful Seattle biotech company, and detailed the challenges and needs one must face to succeed in the field.
Parker, after receiving an M.B.A. from the University of Washington (UW), was hired as one of
the first employees of Immunex (now part of Amgen) doing day-to-day business
management and serving in varying positions. At Immunex, she felt that it took drive and initiative, and that she had the power
to make things happen. Eventually Parker’s drive vaulted her into an executive role at the Immunex offshoot, Receptech Corporation,
a maker of soluble cytokine receptor products. She later became CEO of Targeted Genetics, a molecular genetics company
developing products for treatment of arthritis, HIV, congestive heart failure, and other morbidities.
In relating her experiences, Parker said biotechnology is a challenging field, and "if it’s easy, why do it." She
describes it as a tough sector for several reasons, including the lengthy period of product development, the need for
hundreds of millions of dollars, the many ups and downs and restructurings in companies, and its nature as a heavily regulated
field. Biotech also requires exhaustive human testing, a lengthy and expensive process. With each new technology, she
acknowledged there are periods of exuberance, despair, and exuberance, and one needs to maintain perspective.
Parker stated the rules for managing are not textbook, and without the hard work of all employees at all levels in the
company, there could be no success. She acknowledged one needs the power to overcome hurdles, and one cannot force others to
do things. She emphasized a need for people at any level in the company to feel the ability to influence change.
Parker expressed her personal challenges in biotech with the American perception of risk-free, cheap, perfect "cures," in
addition to the friction with the FDA, which she said currently experience low morale and other challenges,
making it untenable for companies to develop new drugs. Parker recalled that biotech once held a sparkling reputation, but that
times changed due to various factors. She saw no perfect solution, but emphasized the imperative to participate in bioethics
discussions, which have been influenced by media and movies, and can be confusing for the media. Parker stressed it is very
important to educate the public and get ahead of events. She recounted the tragic serious adverse event and death of a gene
therapy trial patient in 2007, and how Targeted Genetics was vindicated, but there was no follow-up in the media. Parker
remarked how there should be a shared burden of education.
The entire process of succeeding in biotech, Parker related, is daunting, and one would be "insane" to enter the business.
She stated that one needs certain “genetic traits” to thrive in biotech and effect change. When asked, Parker stated that
being a woman in the business has made a difference, perhaps due to aspects of personality and patience. Parker concluded
by emphasizing the importance of believing in yourself, taking it day by day, and keeping perspective.
Dr. Susan Lauzac, Ph.D., a Seattle career coach for Career Journeys,
addressed the challenges of women leaders in the industry, as well as the future of women and girls pursuing technical careers.
Dr. Lauzac emphasized that shaping progress requires quality leadership, and a positive environment that fosters empowerment of
others. Lauzac acknowledged that leadership is not so much a science as it is an art form, and that prior to the 1940’s it
was regarded as inherent, but today leadership can be learned.
Lauzac stated that certain skills are needed to succeed, including natural talent, although this alone is not enough
for a stellar career; hard work and commitment; mental toughness; and belief in one’s abilities. Lauzac described the model
of shaping progress in terms of the Deming cycle, in which one needs to plan ahead and predict results, do it, study the result,
and act to standardize or improve. Lauzac described a great archetype for women leaders in the comic book character
Wonder Woman, who sacrificed her lifestyle as a princess for a greater cause; Lauzac stated that an incredible woman
leader has a greater cause. Lauzac recounted her own role model was her mother, whose role model was anthropologist
Margaret Mead.
Lauzac described the need for certain leadership capabilities. These include communicating, group dynamics, inventing
and visioning, character skills and building, and inspiring individuals. Lauzac made the point of "the Me I See In Her Is,"
which posed the fact that one would not appreciate her role model if she did not have the same qualities in herself.
Dr. Pat Wahl, Ph.D., discussed the "Consequences of a Random Walk," comparing her career in academia, the "ivory tower," as
a career path more like a random walk. Dr. Wahl’s lifelong love of math led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in math.
Following graduation, she became a programmer at Lockheed, and entered graduate school
at Stanford, and later became a programmer at the UW. During this time, she witnessed the
rise of research and the need for data analysis, and obtained a Ph.D. in biostatistics. Following that, she was offered a faculty
position, and later became full professor. Dr. Wahl is currently Dean the School of Public Health and Community Medicine
at the University of Washington.
Dr. Wahl stated that she had been very opportunistic and often said “yes” when it did not always serve her well. She
stated that she needed to have a career plan, but did not know the proper steps to take. In fact, at the time she had no
real women role models or mentors. She actually learned to lead by leading climbs with the outdoor recreation and preservation
group, the Mountaineers. While Dr. Wahl says she was never really discriminated against as a
woman, she was often the only women in her classes. She noted the biggest challenges for women, and often for men,
include discrimination, balance of work, home, or even within work, having a life, elder care (which tends to fall
more on women), dual careers with “trailing spouses” in which the woman’s career seems somehow less important, and
flexibility, especially with the challenge of having a family and the timing of that combined with childcare, a big issue.
Dr. Wahl emphasized that women need a non-linear career map with off-ramps and on-ramps for various stages of their careers
and lives.. When describing leadership, Dr. Wahl stated the hardest step for leadership was recognizing and managing the
differences as one moves along a career, from the beginning as a “doer,” to middle management, to preparation to lead.
Dr. Wahl emphasized the need as a leader to think strategically and long-term for goals and the necessary steps to meet
goals; to adapt to a fast-changing environment; and the need to change tactics and sometimes goals. Dr. Wahl stated that
leaders need honest, critical feedback, including negatives, to encourage new ideas. Leaders also need to be prepared to
make hard decisions for the good of the company or institutions, and Dr. Wahl described the challenge of having to eliminate
an entire department due to lack of NIH funding. Dr. Wahl concluded by advising “do as I say, and
not as I do.”
The final speaker, Sherri Edwards, a career consultant, trainer, and coach for
ResourceMaximizer, brought her impressive expertise as recruiter, staffer, sales, service,
and training to help shape the careers of individuals and the customer service and human resource issues of businesses.
Her presentation “Network Your Way to Success” emphasized the tremendous and essential importance of networking to
advance one’s career.
Edwards emphasized a strategic approach for successful networking, since approximately 85 percent of all positions are
filled without publications and announcements, therefore relying upon not what you know, but whom you know. Edwards
advocated the need to develop relationships when networking, since resumes are essentially only pieces of paper. Her
advice included learning about the cultures and styles of the company one is interested in, preparing a scripted 30-second
introduction to tailor every audience, not just scientists, and developing self-confidence from extensive preparation.
Edwards encouraged thinking through what one should relate from an experience. In researching companies and organizations,
she advised learning what the organization needs and what skills are in greatest demand. She recommended learning new
techniques and applications to increase one’s market value. Importantly, Edwards advised immediate follow-up with new
contacts, building relationships and staying in touch, but also being succinct about what one can offer the company.
She also emphasized the importance of learning how to share, in order to help others’ careers. Edwards advised making
a plan, identifying appropriate ways to make contacts, finding a good candidate for a mentor, planning months ahead to
attend networking events, stop procrastinating, taking action, and expecting to get a little uncomfortable rather than
wait for opportunities.
The IWD Seattle Biotech & Science 2008 conference ended on a positive note of encouragement for networking, and it is
hoped the conference will become an annual event.
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