Leader in Focus

In Pharmafocus’ inaugural Leader in Focus, Şeyda Atadan Memiş at Takeda UK and Ireland reflects on her career and explains the importance of providing more support to get women into STEM

Şeyda Atadan Memiş, General manager Takeda UK and Ireland

Surrounded by the nurturing wisdom of my grandmother (a French translator during the Ottoman era) and the pioneering spirit of my mother (an electrical engineer in 1970s Turkey), I found my role models in these remarkable women.

Growing up surrounded by such strong, successful women who thrived in male-dominated industries inspired me to pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering. I was always driven to do something meaningful for humankind and was fascinated by science as a student. That’s what led me to want to work in the healthcare industry. After my Chemical Engineering degree and an internship in manufacturing, I still felt an urge to be closer to the patient and at the forefront of business decision-making, so I decided to pursue an MBA and enter the pharmaceutical industry, a decision I have not regretted since!

Despite women making up 46% of the total workforce, they only represent 26% of participants in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.1 As I reflect on my career journey to date, I am privileged to have had strong women in my life guiding my path into STEM but recognise that not everyone is as fortunate. This begs the question: how can we create supportive environments that not only encourage but also empower women in STEM careers?

Having mentors and a strong network of advocates, and addressing barriers that women commonly face have been equally important components of my journey and are two areas that should not be overlooked. At Takeda UK and Ireland, we have a strong culture of mentorship, which includes traditional and reverse mentoring. I’m a strong advocate for reverse mentoring (learning from younger generations). Inspiration can be found from everyone around you, regardless of where you are in your career.

Still, challenges like impostor syndrome often impact brilliant women across STEM communities, discouraging them from entering the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. Women need role models who reflect their aspirations, enabling them to see themselves as the scientists and healthcare leaders of tomorrow. As a female leader at Takeda UK and Ireland, I’m acutely aware of how self-doubt can hinder progress.

We must ensure there is a space for women not only to grow in their careers but to transform the healthcare landscape for women everywhere, from every background. In my opinion, one of the best things we can do to eradicate imposter syndrome is to create an inclusive culture that supports women, not just around International Women’s Day in March, but every single day. I’m proud to work for a company that champions allyship and fosters an inclusive culture through communities like Takeda Resource Groups (TRGs).

In my current role of general manager for Takeda UK and Ireland, I focus on leading with purpose; nurturing new female leaders and supporting a more inclusive pharmaceutical industry.

Empowering women in life sciences is not only an ambition but a responsibility. When we work to eliminate barriers through allyship and foster a culture of learning from each other through mentorship, we create an inclusive future for all.

Let’s continue to harness our collective experiences and insights to inspire and empower women, ensuring they leave a lasting mark on STEM for future generations.

References
1. Visit: stemwomen.com/women-in-stem-statisticsprogress-and-challenges

Since August 2022, Şeyda has been the general manager at Takeda in the UK and Ireland, having previously been general manager for Takeda in Turkey for almost four years. Prior to working for Takeda, Şeyda worked at Shire Pharmaceuticals in Turkey for nearly three years and Eczacıbaşı-Baxalta for 13 years. Originally, Şeyda trained as a chemical engineer with an MBA and she has 20 years of pharma experience.

Şeyda is proud of her lineage, coming from a long line of strong successful women who worked in male-dominated industries and being a mother to her own two girls. One aspect of her career she is particularly proud of is setting up and working within the Healthcare Working Group of the Professional Women’s Network in Turkey. It is for emerging pharma leaders, to give them a 360-degree perspective on the industry as well as their careers. She is passionate about increasing diversity in the life sciences industry workforce to better patient outcomes, and tackle imposter syndrome amongst women and those from diverse backgrounds.