Women of Color in Pharma (WOCIP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the development and advancement of women of color in the life sciences industries. In one week, from November 7-10, WOCIP’s 8th Annual Conference is taking place in Scottsdale, Arizona with workshops, panels, fireside chats, networking sessions, and more, all designed to spark thought and action. As leaders in this space prepare for the event, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide of what to expect at WOCIP’s 8th annual conference this fall. 

Key Topics of Discussion 

With nearly 100 speakers from over four dozen companies across 60+ sessions, here are the key themes that attendees can expect: 

Health Equity & Inclusive Research 

Attendees at this year’s conference will explore the need for equity and inclusivity in healthcare and clinical research. Sessions will cover many topics under this umbrella, from the underrepresentation of Women of Color (WOC) in clinical trials to the FDA’s Diversity Action Plans and how these guidelines are shaping the future of clinical trials to the ethical use of AI in clinical trials.  

Consider attending some of these sessions: 

• Empowering Inclusive Research: Decoding FDA’s Diversity Action Plan Guidance & Applying ICER’s Measurement Framework 
• Kidney Health Equity and Transplants for All 
• Precision Medicine: Health Equity & Justice 
• From Exclusion to Inclusion: Key Strategies for Improving Clinical Trial Enrollment Among Women of Color 
• Advancing Inclusive Research: How Genentech Drives More Equitable, Just, and Fair Clinical Research 
• Beyond Trust: Rethinking Strategies for Improving Enrollment of People of Color 
• TECHquity: Responsible AI and DEI in Clinical Trials 

Mentorship, Leadership, and Career Empowerment 

Another key theme attendees should note is that of mentorship, leadership, and career empowerment. Various sessions will focus on the power of mentorship and allyship in shaping career trajectories, with particular emphasis on health equity, featuring experts who have successfully navigated major career transitions and broken through barriers as women of color.  

Related sessions include: 

• The Role of Sponsorship, Mentorship, and Allyship in Health Equity: A 3-Part Series 
• Trailblazing Leadership: Advancing Health Equity 
• Navigating the Corporate Climb: Lessons from Women at the Top 
• Master the Pivot: Power Moves to Propel Your Career 
• Mastering Career Moves: Strategic Negotiations for Long-Term Success 
• The MastHER Plan: Curating Your WOCIP Personal Action Blueprint 

Health, Wellness, and Sisterhood 

The third theme we’d like to highlight is health, wellness, and sisterhood, which offers a powerful and candid look into shared experiences that unite WOC as well as the critical role of coming together to combat chronic diseases in underserved populations. 

Below are two relevant sessions: 

• Hot Flashes & High Fives: Building Bridges Through Menopause & Sisterhood 
• Stronger Together: Leveraging Faith-Based, Community, and Corporate Resources to Combat Chronic Diseases 

Corporate Strategy 

In corporate strategy-related sessions, from building and executing a successful commercial launch plan to maintaining inclusive marketing techniques, attendees will learn from real-world examples and walk away knowing how to sharpen their strategic planning, marketing, and execution skills. 

Some sessions on this topic are: 

• Boss Moves: Mastering Commercial Strategy Before, During, and After Launch 
• Not Like Us: Reclaiming Market Share Through Inclusive Marketing 
• The Novo Vibe: How We Show Up for our People & the Patients We Serve 

Industry and Market Trends 

As 2025 draws near, prepare to pinpoint and dissect upcoming trends with industry leaders and experts. Attendees will gain insight into the key drivers influencing the industry, from leveraging AI responsibly to inclusive marketing strategies to increasing diverse enrollment in clinical trials. 

This will be discussed further in: 

• “KeKe” About 2024 Industry Trends 
• The Pivot, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson 

Collaboration 

The final theme, collaboration, will center around the role of partnerships and teamwork in tackling healthcare disparities facing communities of color. Sessions will discuss the importance of cross-functional collaboration, strategic alliances, community engagement, diversity in clinical trials, and more. 

Sessions on the topic include: 

• Understanding the Importance of Collaboration to Improve Access and Service Delivery for Communities of Color 
• United for Impact: How Sista Collaboration Drives Health Equity 
• Transforming Exclusion into Empowerment: Let’s Get in Formation! 

Let’s Connect 

We’re looking forward to exploring these topics further at WOCIP’s 8th Annual Conference next week! If you’re planning to attend, we’d love to connect. Set up time with us here.