iSpeak Blog

Women’s Initiative – Pharma Ladies in Russia

Aleona Koltsova
Women’s Initiative – Pharma Ladies in Russia

Our story started in October 2018 when I met a colleague at a conference and we had no time even to share our news: we were always in a hurry, only able to discuss business. The pharmaceutical industry is unique in its stability: many people who come here stay for a long time, and eventually colleagues become close friends. This is what happened to me: close professional engagement enabled me to develop relationships with amazing people, especially women. I created a post on my Facebook page: “Ladies, let us unite and create something cool together!” Within the first few minutes, about 80 comments appeared: the Pharma Ladies agreed that the idea was great.

Russia Affiliate WIP Story-1


I organized our first meeting one month later -- an art party held in a nice bar in the center of Moscow. We painted wine glasses with a professional painter, we shared introductions as well as our feelings about this initiative. An amazing, warm evening and extremely positive feedback following the event motivated me to continue.

Russia Affiliate WIP Story-2


I created a closed Facebook group – only for women from the pharmaceutical industry or companies that are close to it (HR, legal, media, etc.) – it was a communications platform that announced events and had an information exchange on topics of interest that included women’s leadership, self-development, education, and more.

Pharma Ladies was initially created as a community for pharmaceutical-related women to collaborate beyond their professional life. It is a place to connect around personal interests (e.g. art therapy, business etiquette, psychology, public speaking, effective communications, life-work balance etc.), exchange energies, and continuously empower each other. We have held approximately 15 events – offline and online – with 15-20 participants attending each.

Russia Affiliate WIP Story-3


In 2020 I realized that we needed to reach a new level and become more solid and supportive of women, not only in personal development but in their professional lives as well. We organized a workshop with an expert in the development of women communities, looked at numerous of these communities with an international reach, and – ta dah – I found ISPE's Women in Pharma® as a wonderful example. Actually, when I started Pharma Ladies, I could not imagine that 1-1/2 years later, I would be telling my story in The Bridge. Life is wonderful when you choose the right direction!

In March 2020 we organized our first program – an HR practice supported by the international recruitment agency ANTAL. Unfortunately, it was our last offline event before Covid-19 required that we stay at home. During the pandemic, we organized several Zoom meetings: wine parties with no agenda and business etiquette workshops. In June, when our life started to become more normal, I felt the energy to continue our story and, with the support of women community professionals, I met with Oxana Pryanichnikova and Vladimir Orlov, ISPE Eurasia leaders, who inspired me with the idea of a global community and I understood that this is that new level our community needed. Pharma Ladies is now changing its name to ISPE Women in Pharma® and becoming part of the Eurasia Affiliate. Our new chapter starts now, and I feel the tremendous support of Women in Pharma® leaders.

While ISPE Women in Pharma® is fully inclusive and seeks total diversity, in Russia, this presents a great opportunity for women to support women and empower each other in many ways – we believe that empowered woman will change the world for the better, and a network is a powerful benefit in one’s private and professional life that can open many unexpected and wonderful opportunities. Let it be!

Russia Affiliate WIP Story-4
Russia Affiliate WIP Story-5
WIP