Empowering change: Celebrating women driving innovation in regulated industries

Sam Lloyd Date published: Mar 06, 25

March 8 marks International Women's Day, offering us the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the significant contributions and achievements of women globally across diverse sectors, including regulated and high-compliance industries.

This year’s theme is "Accelerate Action" and so we are shining the spotlight on seven female figures from regulated industries who have broken down barriers and driven action in their chosen fields – pioneering initiatives, fostering growth and nurturing innovation in leadership. Their influence in the science, engineering, healthcare, automotive, energy and aerospace sectors are inspiring the next generation of industry change-makers.

Dame Sarah Gilbert

In the domain of scientific discovery, few names have resonated as strongly in recent times as that of British vaccinologist Dame Sarah Gilbert and her achievements. Gilbert’s crucial role in co-developing the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine during a global health crisis propelled her into the spotlight, marking a significant milestone in the fight against the pandemic.

The first administration of the vaccine took place in the UK in January 2021. To commemorate the one-year anniversary of the event, the UK Government announced that over 2.5 billion doses of Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine have been released to more than 170 countries worldwide.

Gilbert's expertise and leadership led to her appointment as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her contributions to science and public health. In recognition of her influence, Gilbert received a unique honor with a Barbie doll fashioned in her likeness by Mattel in 2021. This doll was part of a special ‘Role Models’ series that celebrates women working in STEM fields.

Currently, Gilbert holds the position of Said Professor of Vaccinology in the Nuffield Department of Medicine at the University of Oxford. In January 2025, she was appointed Deputy Head of Department of the Nuffield Department of Medicine for a five-year term.

Dr N. Kalaiselvi

Dr Kalaiselvi is paving the way for future generations in science, especially in the energy sector. As the first woman to hold the position of Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in its 80-year history, Dr Kalaiselvi's leadership steers a network of 37 national laboratories and over 3,500 scientists.

Dr Kalaiselvi began her journey as an entry-level scientist at CSIR in the late 1990s, a research and development organization in India, that was established to “promote scientific, industrial, and economic growth”. Throughout her 26-year career, her focus has been on electrochemistry, notably lithium-ion batteries, where her research interests continue.

Alongside her role at CSIR, Dr Kalaiselvi also serves as the Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), a division of the Indian Ministry of Science and Technology.

Linda Jackson

In the dynamic landscape of the automotive industry, British businesswoman Linda Jackson became the first English woman, and only third woman globally, to lead a major car manufacturer, when she was appointed CEO of Citroën in 2014.

With a career spanning over four decades, exclusively in the automotive sector, Jackson's journey began at Jaguar. Her professional path led her through key roles in sales and finance at Land Rover and Rover Group before she joined Citroën in 2009 as Finance Director. Transitioning to Managing Director for Citroën UK and Ireland, she eventually assumed the CEO title. Jackson served as CEO of Peugeot from 2021 until announcing her retirement in early 2025.

In recognition of her journey in helping to shape the future of mobility, Jackson was named the "Most Influential British Woman" in the motor industry by Autocar and received the Sue Brownson Award for Outstanding Leadership in Automotive, further highlighting her contributions to the field. Last year, she received the President’s Trophy from the Guild of Motoring Writers, an honor that recognizes her outstanding contributions to the global automotive industry. Perhaps most notably, Jackson was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), the organization’s highest accolade, in acknowledgment of her lifetime achievements.

Elizabeth Blackburn

In 2009, molecular biologist and scientist Elizabeth Blackburn achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming Australia’s first female Nobel laureate. Her pioneering work in telomere research led to the prestigious Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, which she shared with Carol W. Greider and Jack W. Szostak. They were recognized "for the discovery of how chromosomes are safeguarded by telomeres and the enzyme telomerase."

In addition to her academic career, Blackburn has held positions such as President of the American Association for Cancer Research. From 2015 to 2017, she also served as President at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, further solidifying her leadership in the scientific community.

Beyond her Nobel Prize recognition, Blackburn has achieved numerous accolades, including the Albert Lasker Medical Research Award in Basic Medical Research and appointment as Companion of the Order of Australia. TIME magazine noted her global influence by naming her one of the “100 Most Influential People” in 2007, highlighting her significance beyond the laboratory.

Dr Fe del Mundo

Dr Fe del Mundo was a trailblazer in pediatric medicine, transforming healthcare in the Philippines with her groundbreaking contributions. In 1936, she became the first woman admitted to Harvard Medical School, beginning a remarkable career defined by service and innovation.

She founded the Children’s Medical Center in 1957, the first pediatric hospital in the Philippines, providing specialized care to thousands of children and setting a new standard for pediatric practice. Dr Del Mundo also devoted her life to pioneering research tackling critical issues like infectious diseases and focused on improving care for underserved rural communities. Her advocacy and commitment earned her numerous accolades, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 1977 and the title of National Scientist of the Philippines – becoming the first woman to receive this honor in 1980.

She also made history as the first female president of the Philippine Pediatric Society. Dr Del Mundo devoted her life to improving children’s health, continuing her work until her passing in 2011 at age 99.

Dr Mazlan Othman

Professor Emerita Dato' Seri Dr Mazlan Othman is distinguished by numerous industry firsts and widely renowned for inspiring a new generation of space scientists.

Othman holds the title of Malaysia's first astrophysicist, commencing her academic journey at the University of Otago in New Zealand, where she became the country's first woman to achieve a Ph.D. in Astrophysics.

An acclaimed scientist, Othman has played a pivotal public role in establishing the astrophysics curriculum at the national university in her homeland while significantly contributing to Malaysia's space exploration initiatives. In 1990, she was appointed by the Prime Minister’s Department to spearhead the establishment of Malaysia's national planetarium in Kuala Lumpur, and she subsequently served as the founding Director General of the Space Science Studies Division.

Throughout her career, Othman has been a prominent figure in international space policy and development. She has twice held the position of Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and was the inaugural Director General of Malaysia's National Space Agency. During her tenure, Malaysia's first astronaut, Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, journeyed to the International Space Station.

Edith Clarke

Edith Clarke was a trailblazer in engineering, breaking barriers and paving the way for women in STEM. In 1919, she became the first woman to earn a degree in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She later made history as the first woman in the United States to be professionally employed as an electrical engineer.

Throughout her career, Clarke authored several influential papers, with her groundbreaking research on power transmission and electrical engineering playing a vital role in shaping the nation’s infrastructure. One of her most notable achievements was the invention of the Clarke Calculator, a device that streamlined complex electrical line calculations, making them faster and more efficient for engineers.

Another major milestone came in 1947 when she became the first female professor of electrical engineering in the country at the University of Texas. She was also the first woman to be named a Fellow of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers. In recognition of her lasting impact, Clarke was posthumously inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2015.

A lasting impact

The impactful contributions of these individuals across various sectors, whether in scientific research, automotive leadership, healthcare services or space exploration, underscores the essential role women play in driving innovation and excellence within regulated industries.

By leading transformative initiatives and breaking barriers, they pave the way for aspiring leaders and professionals in these fields, highlighting how talent and resilience can help drive global growth and progress to create a lasting influence.