Agnė Vaitkevičienė: Leading Change in Biotechnology and STEM

Agnė Vaitkevičienė, Vice President of LithuaniaBIO and COO at Cureline Baltic, is a trailblazer in biotechnology with over 15 years of experience. Specializing in Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) and regulatory frameworks in Europe, she has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between academic research and real-world medical solutions.

Despite women in biotechnology often being highly educated, Agnė acknowledges the challenges they face in securing leadership roles. She’s experienced firsthand how women’s decisions are sometimes questioned or overlooked, despite their qualifications and achievements. This reflects broader gender-related barriers in high-tech fields.

Agnė is passionate about promoting STEM careers from an early age, advocating for the dismantling of gender stereotypes. She stresses the importance of showing young girls that science is not only accessible but exciting, and she believes that role models play a crucial role in inspiring future generations.

For Agnė, creating inclusive environments where women can thrive in leadership positions is key. She believes that diverse teams, mentorship opportunities, and institutional support to combat unconscious bias are essential practices for promoting inclusion in STEM. She also highlights the importance of a healthy work-life balance for retaining women in the workforce.

Looking to the future, Agnė is optimistic about the potential for global collaboration in advancing STEM fields, with a particular focus on empowering women at every level. Her vision for the future of STEM is one where gender equality is firmly established, and innovation flourishes through diverse contributions.