MSD hosts its first Women in STEM conference

MSD recently hosted its inaugural Women in STEM conference. The event, the first of its kind for the company, was organised by the MSD Women’s Network to celebrate and recognise the importance of diversity and women in leadership.

The event welcomed more than 100 attendees, including representatives from MSD’s manufacturing sites in Ballydine, Co Tipperary, Brinny, Co. Cork, and Carlow, as well as MSD Human Health, Animal Health and Global Financial Services teams, for a day of networking, workshops, and discussion. Speakers included Peter Cosgrove, Director of CPL; Martin Kelly, Think HR; and Pamela Faye, Business Performance Perspectives, covering topics such as personal branding in the workplace and the importance of diversity.

The Irish branch of the MSD Women’s Network was officially launched in 2015 to create an inclusive workplace within MSD, while also helping to address the vast under-representation of women in science and technology in Ireland.

Mairead McCaul, Business Unit Director, MSD Human Health, said, “As is well documented, of the 117,800 people working in jobs that utilise STEM skills, less than 25% are women. Across EU statistics are stark, with approximately 7% of technical careers being filled by women. This event is testament to MSD’s ongoing commitment to create a culture that supports women’s visible participation and leadership in business and across all aspects of society.

“Ireland has an incredible and diverse talent pool, and we are committed to ensuring that our workplace is not just diverse, but inclusive, so that all our people have equal personal and professional development opportunities, and can grow their careers in an environment that empowers them to succeed. Embracing diversity and inclusion is a powerful catalyst for success, and the diversity of our people is part of what makes MSD a great place to work.”