The four panelists at the “Female Makers Event” - all experienced managers – shared their challenges and achievements and emphasized that no path is straightforward. On the contrary: detours provide the opportunity to gather new experiences and grow from them. Here, all four agreed. 

Lauren Masterson-Rodriguez, Chief Growth Officer in Business Strategy and Engagement at Ascent Health Services in Schaffhausen and the mother of two young daughters, spoke about how important it is to make yourself visible within your company and to stand up for your own position and values. “Make yourself visible in the company and speak up,” was her suggestion for the 80-plus guests in attendance. This was supported by Prisca Collins, Country Manager for Switzerland at Garmin in Neuhausen am Rheinfall. “Leave no room for self-doubt,” Collins said. “If something doesn’t work, get up and keep going.” 

Resilience and confidence in one’s own strength are also essential. Malgorzata Stelmach, Head of Tax at the Schaffhausen-based Cloud Software Group, emphasized the importance of role models. “Role models show us what success can mean, and that there are many ways to get there,” she said. Simone Rey-Riek, Senior Vice President Clinical Program Manager at Neurimmune, emphasized the central role of networks. “Networks are crucial – both for successfully overcoming challenges by exchanging ideas with people who have already overcome similar challenges and for your own career development. Whether within a company or when moving to a new employer, a strong network can open doors.” 

The four speakers were in agreement: Women who go their own way and are successful in their own right need more visibility. They also touched on the motivation behind the “Female Makers Initiative,” organized jointly by Ascent Health Services, the Healthcare Business Association HBA, and the Economic Promotion Canton of Schaffhausen: To encourage more women to shape their own success, to give them an opportunity to netowrk, and to encourage them on their career paths. 

To the Female Makers Initiative