The Coaching & Resources for Entrepreneurial Women (CREW) program is paving the way for early-career women in the field of science to venture into entrepreneurship. Established in 2022 and under the leadership of Dr. Carol Feghali-Bostwick, the program seeks to redefine the concept of entrepreneurship while addressing the challenges faced by women in this industry.
Dr. Feghali-Bostwick, an entrepreneur herself, identified the lack of training and support for women entering entrepreneurial paths. She describes her own experience as entering a “black box” with no guidance. The CREW program, designed to bridge this knowledge gap, offers a unique blend of mentoring and professional coaching to empower women both professionally and personally.
The program’s objective is to build the confidence of women, enabling them to succeed as entrepreneurs while remaining true to their values. Dr. Angela Passarelli, an expert in coaching and an associate professor at Duke University, emphasizes the need for women to redefine entrepreneurship on their own terms, breaking free from gender-based stereotypes.
The CREW program welcomes applicants at varying stages of their entrepreneurial journey, aiming to provide the necessary resources for success. It caters to individuals like cancer researcher Dr. Breege Howley, who had just begun developing a project when she applied. For physician-scientist Dr. Yosra Alkabab, the program sparked the idea for an app to monitor therapeutic drug levels in tuberculosis patients. Meanwhile, sleep researcher Dr. Allison Wilkerson sought guidance on growing her existing digital health solutions company.
The program’s structure includes coursework on intellectual property protection, patents, and startups, offering participants the opportunity to develop business plans and pitch their ideas. Mentoring by seasoned entrepreneurs and individualised professional coaching play a pivotal role in building resilience and leadership skills among the participants.
Mentorship sessions, led by entrepreneurs with diverse experiences, enable participants to gain valuable insights and advice tailored to their projects. The program also focuses on tearing down internal barriers that hinder progress, emphasising the importance of overcoming personal obstacles.
In addition to mentorship, participants benefit from professional certified coaching, where the focus is on their personal development and alignment with their values and goals. Group coaching sessions cover topics such as emotional intelligence and work-life balance, contributing to the confidence and growth of the participants.
For many participants, entrepreneurship is seen as a way to amplify their impact. Dr. Howley, for instance, found the program instrumental in making her goal of combating triple-negative breast cancer more attainable. Dr. Alkabab highlighted the program’s role in enhancing her ability to drive meaningful change in her career and global health through entrepreneurial strategies.
In conclusion, the CREW program is not just about entrepreneurship but also about empowering women to make a lasting impact in their respective fields. It offers a platform for women in science to redefine what it means to be an entrepreneur and to pursue their entrepreneurial goals with confidence.
For more information on how to apply to the CREW program, visit the program’s webpage.