74 TWENTYFOURSEVENBIOPHARMA Issue 1 / March 2025 WOMEN IN SCIENCE Dr Shilpa Gadgil’s journey in the pharmaceutical industry is a testament to resilience, passion, and the power of an inclusive work culture. As VP Head of Process and Analytical Development and Head of CDMO development at Enzene, she has navigated an industry that remains male-dominated at senior levels, breaking barriers while fostering environment that supports diversity and innovation. Speaking to 24/7 BIOPHARMA ahead of World International Women’s Day, Dr Gadgil acknowledged the deep-rooted gender bias that exists not just in pharma but across industries. “It doesn’t matter where you work; gender bias is very real and deeply rooted,” she says. “Especially in India, there’s a longstanding societal perception that men are the breadwinners and women are homemakers. This conditioning seeps into the workplace, affecting promotions, appraisals, and overall career growth.” Women in leadership often find themselves having to prove their capabilities repeatedly, navigating biases both inside and outside the office. Yet, at Enzene, she has found a culture that values talent above all else. “I won’t take credit for this alone—our company culture is built on true equal opportunity. We ensure that talent and passion, rather than societal expectations, determine career growth.” The company operates as an equal opportunity employer, ensuring that promotions and opportunities are based on merit rather than gender. In fact, some of her team members have received promotions even while on maternity leave—a powerful statement that career growth does not have to pause due to life’s milestones. Dr. Gadgil understands first-hand the challenges of taking a career break. “You are talking to someone who has taken one,” she says. “I was fortunate to have the freedom to choose my career path, both before and after marriage. After my PhD, I took a break when I had my son, but I had tremendous support at home.” She credits one of her mentors, Dr. Gyongi Szabo, MD PhD at UMass Medical Center, for encouraging her return to the workforce. “She never made me feel like having a child was a professional limitation. Women need to support other women—this is critical.” She notes that during her early career, another mentor, her PhD advisor, Dr. Harry W Jarrett, PhD, gave her invaluable advice: “He told my husband and me that since we were both in the same profession, one of us might have to follow the other. He also specifically advised me that if I ever chose to take a break for family,
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