Athena & Biotech CEO Sisterhood Join Forces to Foster Resilience & Excellence Among STEM CEOs

Athena announces a strategic alliance with Biotech CEO Sisterhood to deliver custom executive leadership programs designed to equip STEM CEOs with the resilience and skills required to navigate today’s fast-evolving landscape.

This strategic alliance brings together these global organizations committed to advancing women leaders and driving transformative impact in STEM industries. The Athena Academy program is tailored for biotech, tech and life sciences executives, offering a blend of cutting-edge insights, leadership tools, and peer-driven learning to empower CEOs with the adaptability, emotional intelligence, and strategic vision demanded by modern leadership.

“In an era defined by unprecedented challenges—from the rise of AI to the battle for top talent—resilience is the currency of effective leadership,” said Holly Smithson, CEO of Athena. “This partnership with the Biotech CEO Sisterhood is a testament to our shared mission of elevating women leaders to thrive, innovate, and drive progress in STEM.”

Key program features include

• Executive Resilience Workshops | Guided by top industry experts, participants will engage in dynamic sessions that explore strategies for managing ambiguity, fostering innovation, and leading with a growth mindset.

• Peer Leadership Forums | A confidential space for STEM CEOs to exchange ideas, address real-world challenges, and cultivate a support network of like-minded leaders hosted in hybrid formats at locations in Austin, San Diego, Boston and London and available to stream on-demand on Athena’s Leadership Lab.

• Bespoke Leadership Playbooks | Tailored guidance and tools to help CEOs enhance their emotional intelligence, communication skills, and decision-making under pressure.

The Biotech CEO Sisterhood, a dynamic network of over 300 CEOs in the biopharma industry, further amplifies the reach and impact of this initiative. Together with Athena’s global movement to advance 1 million women leading in STEM by 2030, this collaboration represents a powerful step toward equipping STEM executives to lead with purpose, clarity, and resolve.

“Leadership in biotech requires domain expertise and a deep sense of purpose and resilience,” said Dr. Sheila Gujrathi, Co-founder of Biotech CEO Sisterhood. “This alliance empowers our community to rise to the challenges of our times, while also advancing leadership excellence and innovation in STEM.”

About Athena STEM Women | Athena is a global leadership development organization dedicated to advancing women in STEM and cultivating workplace allies to strengthen organizational performance and innovation. With more than 25 years of impact, Athena partners with STEM-driven companies around the world to build strong leadership pipelines, accelerate innovation, and drive measurable business results. Headquartered in a global STEM hub and aligned with the UN Global Compact’s SDG5 (Gender Equality), Athena delivers leadership programs created by women in STEM and their allies—advancing both emerging and executive leaders to thrive in today’s dynamic economy.

About Biotech CEO Sisterhood | The Biotech CEO Sisterhood is a vibrant community dedicated to championing the success of women leaders in the biopharma industry.  Rooted in a culture of mutual support and authenticity, the Sisterhood aims to inspire and uplift women while driving meaningful conversations and impact across the industry.  As part of our commitment to nurturing the current and future generations of biotech leaders, the Sisterhood hosts summits, local events, and educational sessions. These programs encourage dialogue about the challenges facing women in biotech, share best practices, and enhance leadership effectiveness.  Since its inception in 2022, the Biotech CEO Sisterhood has grown to 300+ members.  To follow our progress and learn more, please follow us on LinkedIn.