WiLD Norway Official Launch: A Milestone for Women
Celebrating the Launch of Women in Life Science Norway: A Catalyst for Change
On October 17th, Women in Life Science Norway officially launched with a lively event at Oslo’s Forskningsparken, drawing nearly 120 attendees from across the health & life science industry, academic & health care environments, and political sphere—all passionate about gender equality and leadership opportunities in the sector.
The evening kicked off with a powerful opening by Founder & Chair Chelsea Ranger, who shared a story of her mother’s journey in the oil industry. In a clever twist, without revealing whether the person in question was a woman or a man, she was able to highlight an example of the unconscious biases we all hold, and the necessity for addressing those biases for change to succeed.
An Inspiring Lineup of Speakers
The event featured an impressive lineup of speakers, each shedding light on Norway’s gender challenges and hopeful aims. Among them were Solveig Østby Vitanza of the Labour Party, CORE Director Mari Teigen, and Kari Holm Hejna from First House. Representatives from Menon Economics, Kari Rolfsjord and Erland Skogli, unveiled new data that, while acknowledging progress, showcased the need for continued momentum toward equality.
In short, with just over 600 Norwegian life science companies, the data showed a female representation of 13% at Chairman level, 19% at Board level, and 21% at CEO level, despite the majority presence of women in the life science industry, higher education, and hospital employment. Read their full report here.
Panel Discussions and Insights on Allyship and Mentorship
The panel discussion led by WiLD Norway Board Member, Ole J. Dahlberg, spoke to the strengths that gender diversity brings to the table. Panel speakers Kari Rolfsjord (Menon Economics), Mari Teigen (CORE), Farzad Abdi-Dezfuli (Sarsia), Veronika Barrabes (Novartis), and Cathrine Delp (Ekvi) each reinforced the critical role both men and women play in fostering inclusive environments, including how empowering women not only prioritizes economic well-being, but directly impacts women’s health and public health.
When women lead in the sector, they are more likely to promote gender-inclusive research and clinical studies, as well as value women-led startups and research. This shift could help solve problems related to the lack of gender diversity in investments, clinical research, and clinical care.
Networking & Next Steps
The evening wrapped up with an energetic networking session, inspiring attendees to participate in this journey. The event’s momentum reflects a growing commitment to change. Attendees left motivated, ready to take action, and encouraged by the broad support across Norway’s ecosystem.
Highlights from the event—including the Menon Economics report and video recordings—will soon be available on our Resources page.
Ready to join the Wild Norway journey? Apply here!
The event was covered by Nordic Life Science Magazine. Read more below.