In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, join us for a dynamic conversation with Latina executives and thought leaders who are shaping the future of life sciences and technology. From R&D and venture development to inclusive innovation and global expansion, these leaders are driving change where it matters most — at the intersection of science, equity, and real-world impact.

Program

5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.  Welcome and networking
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.  Panel Discussion
7:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  Q&A
7:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  Networking and Salsa dance workshop
8:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.  Event closing

Speaker Bios

Alina M. Fernández, MD, MPH, MBA, Senior Vice President, Pharmacovigilance and Safety Officer at Xenon Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Alina is a physician and global executive leader with experience across public health, academia, and drug research & development. She brings expertise in early disease prevention, health policies, patient safety, pharmacovigilance, governance, regulations, and risk mitigation strategies. Alina began her career as Director of Maternal and Child Health at the Chicago Department of Public Health, where she established successful public—private partnerships to impact population-based health outcomes. She received a “Public Health Service Award” for her leadership in Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention. She transitioned to academia for a decade as Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine & Epidemiology at the University of Illinois, College of Medicine at Peoria, where she headed the MD/MPH Honors dual degree program, teaching and conducting community health research funded by extramural state, CDC/HUD federal grants, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and the American Heart Association. Alina joined the pharmaceutical industry over twenty-two years ago, leading Pharmacovigilance (PV) teams at the US affiliate of two Japanese (Takeda and  Sunovion/Sumitomo Pharma) and one Danish (Lundbeck) drug development organization. For the past year Alina works as Senior Vice President, PV and Safety Officer at a Canadian CNS Pharmaceutical company (Xenon) where she ensures patient safety first. Alina inspires those in her sphere of influence to improve public health and safety. As a past science Olympiad epidemiology coach, she encouraged students to seek the path of STEM education, especially young girl,s and is a mentor for early to mid-career women through Menttium. She served the Hispanic community as a member of the Board of Directors at Casa Central, the largest Hispanic social service agency in the Midwest (Vice Chair), the Hispanic Health Alliance (Vice Chair), and as former President of the Board of Health for a Tri-County Health Department (Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford). She completed the 2023 Women In Bio (WIB 3.8) board leadership readiness program and is a Senior Advisor to Northwestern’s Institute for AI in Medicine. She hopes to join a pharmaceutical advisory board of directors that oversees research in the life sciences to protect patient safety and represent shareholders and the diverse communities it serves.

Gaby Martinez-Ramirez, PhD, Lab Operations Manager at the UChicago Science Incubator, Moderator

Gaby is a Lab Operations Manager at the recently opened UChicago Science Incubator, powered by Portal Innovations. Her expertise spans lab operations, scientific instrumentation, and technical lab processes, with specialized skills in instrument verification and operational management. She began her professional journey in the sciences with a strong foundation in biochemistry, gradually building a unique blend of technical and leadership capabilities. In her current role at Portal Innovations, she is embracing a fresh chapter in her career, driven by motivation, curiosity, and a deep commitment to advancing laboratory excellence. A proud Latina in STEM, Gaby is passionate about mentoring and supporting the next generation of scientists. She actively engages with organizations such as Latinas in STEM and SACNAS through their professional chapters, where she advocates for greater Latino representation in the sciences and corporate industries. She serves both as a mentor and mentee, encouraging young girls interested in STEM to pursue their passions and equipping them with the tools to succeed. Gaby holds a recently attained PhD from Loyola University Chicago.

Yadira Hernandez Santana, Senior Director of Bulk Value Stream Lead at CSL Behring Kankakee

Yadira is a seasoned pharmaceutical manufacturing leader with over 24 years of experience spanning both human and animal health sectors. Her career reflects a broad and deep expertise across engineering, validation, operations, MS&T, and quality functions. Yadira began her professional journey at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in Carolina, Puerto Rico, and later transitioned to the United States, where she continued to expand her technical and leadership capabilities. She held progressive roles at Eli Lilly, culminating in her position as Operations Manager for Contract Manufacturing across the U.S. and Canada. Embracing new challenges, she joined a start-up pharmaceutical company as Director of Engineering before moving to CSL’s Process Engineering team in Holly Springs, NC. She currently serves as Senior Director, Bulk Value Stream Lead at CSL Behring’s Kankakee site. A native of Humacao, Puerto Rico, Yadira holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez campus. She is a passionate advocate for Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion (DEBI), consistently leading and supporting initiatives that foster inclusive environments throughout her career. Yadira also contributes to the broader life sciences community through her role as a Board Member of the ISPE Great Lakes Chapter. She is a frequent speaker at industry and community panels hosted by organizations such as SWE, SHPE, and others, where she shares her insights on leadership, innovation, and equity in STEM.
 

Paola Wisner, Founder and Managing Director at Veritas Medtech Advisors

Paola is a visionary executive with a proven track record in medical device innovation, product development, and global team leadership. Expert in delivering transformative technologies that improve patient outcomes and drive market leadership across diagnostics, combination, implantable, and disposable medical devices. Demonstrated success securing FDA PMA approvals, managing $65M+ R&D budgets, and leading high-performing global teams of 200+. Skilled in strategic planning, facility expansion, and organizational restructuring, with deep expertise in process improvements, M&A due diligence, and clinical evidence generation. Recognized for consistently advancing operational excellence, expanding market share, and positioning organizations at the forefront of MedTech innovation. With over 20 years of professional experience in her field, Mrs. Wisner is the Founder and Managing Director of Veritas MedTech Advisors, LLC, where she provides strategic advisory services to MedTech companies across product development, regulatory strategy, clinical planning, and commercialization. Prior to founding her consulting business, Paola served as the Vice President of Global R&D for the Breast & Skeletal Health Division at Hologic, a women’s health company. Prior to that, she served as Vice President of Global R&D at Hollister Incorporated, where she also held roles in R&D, Marketing, and PMO. She also worked at Medtronic’s Biologics Business and at Columbia University’s Biomechanics Laboratory. Mrs. Wisner is passionate about education and serves on the Board of Managers for Columbia Engineering Alumni Association (CEAA). She is a mentor at Women In Bio 3.8 and at mHUB. She served on the Board of AdvaMed Medical Imaging Technology Association (MITA), working with industry leaders to shape policy and improve patient access to innovative technologies. Mrs. Wisner holds a Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Columbia University in New York City.

Pricing Information

• Members: Free
• Non-Members*: $15

*Not a Member? Click here to learn about the benefits of a WIB Membership — access to our video library, mentorship groups, and more. 

Please read WIB's Code of Conduct and Refund Policy.

Note: A confirmation email will be sent after registration has been completed. 

Parking Information

Parking is available nearby at the Sterling Garage (111 W Kinzie St.) or the Greenway Self-Park Garage (60 W Kinzie St.). Check SpotHero for more options. Valet parking is also available at the building.