Exploring the Impact of Women Leaders in Life Science: A Discussion with Marsha Steed and SoCal PDA Panel
- Steed MicroBio
- Mar 7
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 20
On March 6, 2025, the PDA Southern California Chapter hosted its annual Women Leaders in Life Science Panel & Industry Summit at the beautiful Strawberry Farms Golf Club in Irvine, CA. This esteemed event brought together some of the most accomplished women in the life sciences industry, offering an evening of insightful discussions, mentorship opportunities, and networking.
Steed MicroBio founder, Marsha Steed, had the honor of moderating this incredible panel, guiding conversations that highlighted the achievements and challenges of women leaders in life sciences. With over 30 years of expertise in microbiology and a longstanding commitment to industry education, Marsha was the perfect choice to lead this discussion.
A Celebration of Women in Science and Leadership
The event was designed to foster meaningful dialogue and recognize the impact of women in the life sciences sector. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from industry pioneers about their professional journeys, the importance of mentorship, strategies for overcoming obstacles, work-life balance, and various leadership styles that have contributed to their success.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Zhina Sadeghi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Urology at UCI School of Medicine, set the stage with an inspiring talk about breaking barriers and advancing in male-dominated fields. The panel featured distinguished leaders, including:
Dee (Delores) Morrison – Vice President of Quality, Edwards Lifesciences
Amber Crandall – Head of Quality Services & Improvement, Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Jeeda Al Taki – Senior MSAT Engineer, Avid Bioservices
Rebecca P. Lu – Industry SME
Marsha Steed’s role as the panel moderator was pivotal in ensuring a dynamic and engaging discussion. She leveraged her vast experience to ask thought-provoking questions, encouraging panelists to share real-world insights and actionable advice for aspiring professionals in the life sciences industry.
The event included dinner and drinks, providing attendees the chance to connect with peers, mentors, and industry leaders. The discussions resonated deeply with the audience, emphasizing the value of collaboration, resilience, and continuous learning.
As a long-standing Parenteral Drug Association (PDA) member, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Microbiology Expert Committee chair, and CEO & Founder of Steed MicroBio Consulting, Marsha Steed remains committed to empowering professionals in microbiology and life sciences. Her dedication to education, mentoring, and consulting continues to shape the future of the industry.
Stay Tuned for More from Steed MicroBio!
This event was just one of many exciting engagements on the horizon for Steed MicroBio. Keep an eye out for upcoming trainings, industry panels, and workshops led by Marsha and the Steed MicroBio team.
Follow us for the latest updates and insights into the evolving world of microbiology and life sciences. For more information on upcoming events and consulting services, visit Steed MicroBio or connect with us on LinkedIn!
Marsha Steed is an internationally known microbiology expert with over 30 years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies. Marsha is a United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Microbiology Expert Committee (MEC) member and chair of the USP MEC Sterility Assurance and Microbial Control subcommittee. Marsha has been an active member of the Parenteral Drug Association (PDA) for over 25 years and currently serves on the Advanced Therapeutics Medicinal Products (ATMP) Advisory Board and is a former member of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and the Educational Advisory Board (EAB).
Marsha has lead PDA Technical Report (TR) teams, contributed to TR content and served as chair and member of multiple PDA industry conferences and events. Marsha has a passion for microbiology and loves consulting, mentoring, and educating industry on anything and everything Microbiology.
Comentários