On Women’s Equality Day, and every day, we celebrate the women who have shattered glass ceilings and made strides towards an equitable workplace. At the executive leadership level at the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC), we are fortunate to recognize a trio of women who strive for equality in all aspects of their lives.
Jeanne LeClair, the MLSC’s acting CEO and Vice President of Economic Development and Partnerships, emphasizes the importance of being your authentic self, in and outside of work. “I am so grateful to the MLSC and the Commonwealth more broadly that has welcomed me and supported bringing my whole self to my work. Sustainable leadership to me is about having the freedom and safety to be authentic, in the service of not just getting things done today but keeping yourself fueled by the mission and engaged with the team to be able to handle the challenges of tomorrow,” said Jeanne. In Massachusetts, we believe that we do not have to define ourselves as only, being a leader, colleague, parent, artist, scientist, etc. Instead, we recognize that each person has their unique, and many times, multiple identities, and this is what makes up a diverse community.
Allyson McLaughlin Huntington is the Center’s General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer. Throughout her career, Allyson has been fortunate enough to witness significant progress towards gender equality in the field of law. “We have come a long way with women’s equality, even in just the 30+ years I have been a lawyer. I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me that modeled what it meant to be an ally to and champion of our sisters in the law. I also remember the sting of subversive competition that was an unfortunate result of trying to make our way in a male-dominated profession. Now in a leadership position, I feel honored and obliged to strengthen the next generation and foster equality in the legal profession.”
Diversity, equity, and inclusion is foundational to the MLSC’s mission and its various programs and initiatives. The goal of the MLSC’s Women’s Health Initiative is to turn the tide against the severe lack of organized capital and incentives around a coordinated Women’s Health approach. With continued strategic investment in this area, Massachusetts is poised to become the leader in the Women’s Health space. “At the MLSC, we believe that women’s health isn’t a niche; it’s foundational to the health of our communities. Top female clinicians and scientists are driving the majority of our Women’s Health research, leading to transformational discoveries and innovative tools to improve the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases,” said Carla Reimold Ph.D., Vice President of Industry Strategy and Investments.
Carla manages the MLSC’s Women’s Health Initiative that supports efforts which increase understanding of sex and gender differences in biology or developing solutions for diseases or conditions that affect women solely, disproportionately, or differently. The MLSC has deployed more than $19 million across 60 projects in collaboration with 15 companies, fostering advancements in translational research.
In addition to Carla’s efforts in the women’s health space, she emphasizes the need for representation at any level within a company. “Women’s representation in the workplace is not just about equity—it’s about excellence. When women are at the table, we unlock a deeper understanding of diverse needs, drive more comprehensive solutions, and ultimately improve outcomes for everyone.”
We celebrate the women who came before us, those who fought against many hardships, and paved the way for a more equitable workplace. We thank the women of today and those in Massachusetts who have played pivotal roles in shaping our Commonwealth and the advancement of gender equality.
