Celebrating Leadership, Legacy, and Impact: Lessons from the 7th Annual HERstory Gala

On May 8, nearly 200 bioscience professionals gathered in North Bethesda for Women In Bio – Capital Region’s 7th Annual HERstory Gala. The evening sparkled with celebration, storytelling, and a powerful reminder: leadership isn’t about climbing alone, it’s about bringing others with you.

A clear and compelling theme emerged throughout the night: mentorship is not optional — it’s a leadership imperative. In an industry marked by constant change and innovation, real leadership demands we prepare the next generation to thrive. 

A Shared Truth: Collective Success

The event was grounded in a shared truth: individual success is amplified through collective effort. Honorees and speakers alike emphasized that leadership is not just about where you go, but who you bring with you. Mentorship is how we build lasting legacies, nurture future innovators, and create a more resilient ecosystem.

What Does That Look Like in Action?
This theme was exemplified by two award winners actively doing the groundwork:

• Amrita Madabushi, Catalyst for Change Scholarship Winner (EmpowerBio), who has supported over 500 professionals transitioning careers through skills training and coaching. Her work reflects the power of equipping others with the tools to grow.
  

• Sneha Saggurthi, Rising Star Award Winner, a Training Manager and adjunct instructor at FCC dedicated to mentoring the next generation of biotech talent.

Their contributions offer a clear picture of mentorship in practice.

Keynote Highlights: Kathie Callahan Brady

In her inspiring keynote, Kathie Callahan Brady, President & CEO of the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, shared lessons from her entrepreneurial journey — lessons that resonated deeply with the room.

Here are some of the standout takeaways:

• “Own your story—even the messy parts—because that’s where your real power and purpose lie.”

Brady’s words seek to remind us that vulnerability and authenticity are hallmarks of real leadership. When you’re true to yourself, the path forward feels not only possible, but empowering.

• “Use your voice, especially when it shakes.”

A grounding mantra and reminder that speaking up, especially at difficult moments, creates space for change.

• “Lift others as you climb. Don’t go it alone—you’ll go faster, further, and be happier with support.”

  

It’s not just about what you achieve, but how and who you build relationships with along the way. Success isn’t made in solitude, community helps to make the journey worthwhile.

• “Reinvent yourself often. There’s no single right path, only the next right step.”

In a rapidly evolving industry, adaptability is everything. Success is a journey, not a straight line.

A Call to Action

As Tammi Thomas, Chief Development & Marketing Officer at TEDCO, powerfully stated, mentorship doesn’t end once you reach the top rung of success. Instead, younger generations need “to identify mentors and sponsors for themselves—and then become them for others.”

Her message was a call to both self-empowerment and accountability: seek out those who will challenge and champion you and in turn, be that champion for someone else. Thomas reminded attendees that leadership is not a solo pursuit, it’s strongly rooted in a cycle of support and succession. In a sector built on discovery and fueled by collaboration, mentorship should not be simply treated as an afterthought—it is the infrastructure of innovation.