- 21 - a sick child or running late if the bus is missed are former anxiety triggers for me. The fear is that I might be judged as someone who can’t handle the demand of the workplace. Growing up as an employee with that mindset has helped shape my view on leading people with reality and empathy. As primary caregivers and homemakers, women have a different perspective on the role of families in the workplace. I have a strong bias to support my teams and individual contributors, and I think about both the work and the families behind my people at all times. I understand how critical people are to the business, and I constantly work towards building an environment that rewards performance yet provides balance. What advice would you give to other women aspiring to leadership positions in the biotech industry? What resources have been most helpful to you in your career? 5 things come to mind when it comes to advice: 1. Hold your male (and female) colleagues accountable. Accomplished women make those around them successful, but if they are not doing the work and YOU are, hold them accountable. 2. Don’t be afraid to talk about your accomplishments and “toot your own horn”. Remember Ginger Rogers did all the dance steps Fred Astaire did - and she did them backwards and in heels. 3. When you know what you want, ask for it – whether that is job, promotion, opportunity, or raise – always ask for it. 4. Find a good mentor and reach out to those women coming up behind you and offer yourself to BE a mentor. 5. NETWORK! NETWORK! NETWORK! What do you see as the biggest challenges facing women in leadership positions today? What can be done to address them? For women in leadership roles today, we have all experienced our share of gender bias and persevered through it. I reflect on the far too many recent examples where I have been the target of these biases. The challenge we face is to not allow those stereotypes to continue for future female leaders. We have developed through an era of just grin and bear-it mentality, and we need to shift that thinking and confront the implicit bias head-on. Finally, continue to both evolve with the times and also drive the changes we’d like to see in leadership whether that be business, government, or societal norms. I recognize as a woman in a leadership position, it is part of my responsibility to advocate and support opportunities for women. Barriers due to gender stereotypes need to be eliminated which will lead to a stronger societal fabric as well as enhanced workplace cultures. Women leaders need to embrace their place as change agents and push society to break the glass ceiling. One of my favorite songs right now about female leadership and empowerment is by Ava Max, called Kings and Queens. Ava sings, “If all of the kings had their queens on the throne We would pop champagne and raise a toast To all of the queens who are fighting alone Baby, you’re not dancin’ on your own” Women leaders need to raise up the women around them. We are here for you; We are rooting for you; and We will win together. Finally, what are your goals for the future of Biofrontera, and how do you plan to leverage your experience to achieve them? Throughout my career, I have been a change agent. Starting my career in consulting there is assessment, analysis, and recommendation, yet you are removed from the decision and execution. It becomes easy and natural to assess a situation and suggest a change, as it is not directly affecting you. This has always been a strength for me to leverage, and I see there is always an opportunity to change or evolve. Improvement doesn’t mean something was wrong before; it just means there is an opportunity in front of you to make something better. Having that mindset in a fastpaced growth environment is critical. I may be proud of the ship we built to get us from A to B, but I also know it might not be what we need to get to point C. As I think about the future of Biofrontera and the goals that lie ahead, I want Biofrontera Inc. to become a leading U.S. specialty dermatology company. Today we are known for our innovative product and therapy. Tomorrow, my goal is to provide multiple therapeutic options that enable dermatology healthcare professionals to help improve the lives of their patients. USA
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