8 March 2026
Author: Upasana Sonigra
Across science and industry, progress grows from curiosity, resilience and the willingness to keep learning. Behind many scientific careers sit mentors, colleagues and the people who quietly shape the paths we choose. Women continue to play an important role in science and scientific leadership, contributing expertise across research, regulation and industry.
Globally, women represent around 33% of researchers, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. While participation continues to grow across many scientific disciplines, representation in women in science leadership roles is still evolving.
To mark International Women’s Day, we asked several women across Consult Lhasa to reflect on the people who influenced their careers, the challenges they have navigated and the advice they would offer to others building a path in science and leadership.
This year’s theme, Give to Gain, highlights the role mentorship, encouragement and shared opportunity play in shaping careers. The stories below show how those influences continue to shape scientific leadership across Consult Lhasa.
You can learn more about the global initiative and this year’s theme on the official International Women’s Day website.
Women in science: leadership, curiosity and opportunity
Dr Crina Heghes, CEO of Consult Lhasa, reflects on the influences that shaped her journey into science and leadership.
She often returns to the example set by her mother. Growing up in Romania, her mother valued education deeply but did not have the opportunity to attend university. She continued learning throughout her life, reading widely and teaching herself new languages later in adulthood.
That determination influenced how Crina approached her own education and career. She went on to study natural sciences and later completed a PhD in computational chemistry at Heidelberg University, working in a technical field where women were still underrepresented at the time.
Even if my mother didn’t have the opportunities she deserved, she made sure that I knew I had them.
Today, those experiences shape how she leads Consult Lhasa, where science and regulatory expertise meet to solve global chemical safety challenges. For Crina, strong leadership means creating opportunities for others to grow and contribute.
Confidence and collaboration in scientific leadership
Dr Ariane Rivellis, Global Director of Operations at Consult Lhasa, began her career in Brazil and progressed into senior roles within the pharmaceutical sector.
Confidence and communication have been central to that journey.
Earlier in her career, she led a team of 60 men. The experience required persistence and clarity, but it also demonstrated how strong communication and mutual respect build effective teams.
Those lessons continue to shape how she leads today, especially when working with clients internationally to deliver successful scientific outcomes.
Be strong. Be yourself. Understand the power you have and use it in your favour.
For Ariane, leadership focuses on understanding people, supporting colleagues and enabling teams to solve complex problems together.
Leadership through people and culture
Carol Neves leads Back Office and People at Spektra, part of the Consult Lhasa Group in Brazil.
Her perspective on leadership developed early through the example of her mother, who chose to support her family rather than pursue university. That decision required resilience and responsibility, values that continue to influence Carol’s approach to leadership.
Leadership is not only about results. It is about creating environments where people can grow, contribute and feel that they belong.
In her role working across people and culture, she sees how leadership affects organisational growth and innovation.
She believes organisations perform best when leaders build cultures that support collaboration, trust and professional development.
Strength and resilience in leadership
Caroline Oliveira, Researcher and Project Manager at Spektra, part of the Consult Lhasa Group, has spent nearly a decade leading teams and projects. Her inspiration comes from her grandmother, who raised fifteen children and demonstrated resilience and responsibility throughout her life.
Those experiences shaped Caroline’s approach to leadership and responsibility.
Do not wait for the perfect moment. Trust your abilities and do not give up on your dreams.
Becoming a mother has also influenced how she leads, strengthening her focus on empathy, prioritisation and emotional intelligence when guiding teams through complex project lifecycles.
Her advice to other women pursuing leadership roles is direct.
Looking ahead
Scientific progress depends on curiosity, collaboration and the willingness to support others along the way.
The experiences shared by these women across Consult Lhasa reflect different journeys into leadership, but they share common themes. Mentorship, resilience and the confidence to continue learning remain central to scientific careers.
As we look toward the future, we reflect on the perspective shared by Crina:
I hope in the future there is less need to have awareness days like this, because, you know, equity is the norm.
Until that day comes, we remain committed to learning while advancing our work in improving scientific risk assessments globally, positively impacting human health. These qualities will continue to shape the next generation of scientists and leaders working across the global chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
