Ilmac hosted a powerful panel discussion under the banner Women in Life Science, spotlighting the voices and vision of women shaping the future of healthcare. Among the distinguished speakers were Shayesteh Fürst-Ladani, CEO of Luminance Health, and Joanna Hanley, Head of Quality Assurance, whose contributions underscored the urgency of advancing gender equity in life sciences.

Shayesteh Fürst-Ladani brought both passion and purpose to the conversation, addressing the systemic barriers that continue to hinder women’s progress, from the Gender Health Gap to the persistent underrepresentation in leadership roles. “These challenges don’t just affect careers,” she noted, “they impact innovation, research, and patient outcomes across the healthcare ecosystem.”

At Luminance Health, diversity, equity, and inclusion are not optional, they are essential. Shayesteh’s participation in the panel reflected the company’s commitment to fostering meaningful change and creating space for actionable strategies that support women at every stage of their professional journey.

Joanna Hanley joined fellow industry leaders to share insights on leadership and career development, drawing from her extensive experience in regulatory compliance and global quality systems. As Head of Quality Assurance and Responsible Person (RP) on Swiss establishment licences for everything from small molecules to ATMPs, Joanna highlighted the intersection of scientific rigour and operational excellence.

“My journey from a PhD in molecular biology to inspection readiness and compliance strategy has taught me that leadership is as much about listening and learning as it is about guiding,” Joanna shared.

The Ilmac panel served as a reminder that progress in life sciences depends on inclusive leadership and diverse perspectives.