WILD stands for CEOs in Life Science: Women for Business Networking. The goal of the network is to strengthen female leadership in life science and promote female role models. Some examples of life science companies with female CEOs are Abliva, Invent Medic, Neola., WntResearch, Xintela, Arcade, Toleranzia, Idogen, Smell and AlzinovaLife science may have more female leaders than other industries, but female CEOs are still in the minority, which VILDA wants to help change.
Sarah Lidé tells more about VILDA
Medicon Village in Lund is supporting the initiative by hosting and sponsoring the first meeting on February 2. The idea is that more meetings will be arranged in, for example, Stockholm and Gothenburg.
BioStock contacted Sarah Lidé, vice president at Medicon Village Innovation, to learn more about VILDA.
Could you first tell us a little more about your background in life science?
– I basically have an education in finance and law, but began my journey in life science in 2014 as a management consultant at PwC where I was part of the team that helped Region Skåne to develop its life science strategy. Since then, I have led a number of different projects related to life science and healthcare both globally and in Sweden. I have also produced reports for thought leadership and presented trend reviews in life science and strategic analyses at various conferences and seminars.
– In 2019 I joined Medicon Valley Alliance (MVA), a life science cluster for the Öresund region, as Senior Strategy & Project Manager. As part of my role, I led the Microbiome Signature Project which was a 3-year collaborative project between MVA, Invest in Skåne and Copenhagen CapacityThe project aimed to map, strengthen and position Medicon Valley as a leading research and innovation hub in the exciting microbiome field to attract talent and investment to the region.
– After three fantastic years at MVA, I took on the role of Vice President at Medicon Village Innovation in October 2022.
How did the idea for VILDA come about?
– It has actually been a wish I have had for a while – to see a forum where we can highlight female leaders in life science and to empower women who want to grow in their leadership. I am grateful to have come into contact with my co-founders Anna Thorns and Cecilia Bröms-Thell, who share the same desire and vision to create a network of female life science leaders to share experiences in a safe environment and support each other in our respective leadership journeys. And so VILDA was born!
»It's actually been a wish I've had for a while – to see a forum where we can highlight female leaders in life science and empower women who want to grow in their leadership.«
What is the main purpose of the network?
– The aim is to create a trusting forum for women in leadership positions where members can exchange experiences, gain new insights and be inspired by each other. The goal is to develop and strengthen their role, both business-wise and personality-wise, while everyone develops a valuable network.
– The network is aimed at female business leaders (current or former CEOs with human resources responsibility), board members and corresponding female leaders in academia and healthcare.
How will you specifically proceed to achieve your goals?
– The ambition is that the first network meeting in Lund will be followed up by meetings in other parts of the country, such as Stockholm and Gothenburg, eventually culminating in a national “summit” where Life Science women in leading positions from all over Sweden can gather and strengthen each other.
You are organizing the first meeting at Medicon Village in Lund in February. How should you proceed if you, as a female leader in life science, are interested in participating in the event?
– You are most welcome to contact me at [email protected]