Ever been to an event that shows just how unstoppable brilliant women are—even over Zoom? That’s exactly what happened at the recent Women in the Enterprise of Science and Technology (WEST) Career Possibilities Panel & Speed Networking event, where I had the pleasure of moderating. It was all about making bold moves and building valuable connections in AI and computational science.
Karen von Hodenberg, President of WEST, kicked things off with a warm welcome and a quick overview of what WEST offers. From virtual workshops to mentoring programs, WEST has got resources for women at every stage of their STEM careers. The secret sauce? Flexibility and inclusivity. Whether you’re squeezing in time between meetings or logging on after bedtime stories, WEST ensures you have the support you need to thrive.
A personal favorite? The “Wow Events” (West on Wednesdays)—casual meetups that are all about building real, meaningful connections. Because let’s face it, the best career moves usually come from the right conversations, not just from polishing up your résumé. WEST creates the perfect space for those conversations to happen.
Our panel featured three women who I’d personally describe as “super cool”: Catherine Lefebvre, Senior Advisor at the Open Quantum Institute, Tanya Cashorali, Founder and CEO of TCB Analytics, and Maria Mole, Senior Staff Machine Learning Engineer at GeneDx. Each shared their experiences on navigating careers, breaking barriers, and pushing boundaries in STEM.
Catherine shared her journey from chemistry to quantum computing, where she’s tackling huge global challenges like climate change, healthcare, and food security. Her big takeaway? Collaboration is everything. Building networks that cross industries and ideas is crucial to creating real-world solutions.
Tanya, who’s been a friend of mine for years (we’ve bonded over the shared trauma of starting our own consultancies), described her path from pioneering a dual degree in computer science and biology, to navigating the fast-paced world of biotech startups, and ultimately founding her own data consultancy. She was refreshingly candid about burnout and how she pivoted to build a career that balances fulfillment with well-being. Her advice? Stay curious, keep asking questions, and don’t be afraid to forge your own path.
Maria shared how she’s using machine learning to streamline processes for genetic counselors and medical professionals. Her journey from economics and math to data science was anything but linear. Her advice? Keep learning, stay persistent, and never stop asking questions. For Maria, curiosity is the driving force behind success in STEM.
By the end of the discussion, three things stood out: the power of community, the importance of setting boundaries, and not letting career transitions hold you back. Every panelist stressed the importance of finding your people—those mentors and peers who challenge and inspire you. And forget the idea of perfect work-life balance; it’s all about setting “work-life boundaries.” Protect your time, your energy, and your well-being by setting clear limits. Most importantly, each of these women is doing incredible work that’s changing the world–and that’s what truly defines them.
If you’re not already plugged into WEST, now’s the time. They’re building a community that champions women in STEM, and your future self will thank you!