Two Bayer U.S. Pharmaceutical leaders received top awards from the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) during its recent 28th Woman of the Year event in New York City. The event showcases HBA's longstanding mission of furthering the advancement and impact of women in the business of healthcare.
Cindy Powell-Steffen, senior director of brand activation and inside sales in Bayer's U.S. Radiology division, and Libby Howe, a regional business manager for New England in Bayer Women's HealthCare, garnered top honors for their accomplishments and contributions to healthcare. Powell-Steffen was honored as a Luminary, while Howe was recognized as a Rising Star.
"We are beyond proud of Cindy and Libby's accomplishments," said Carsten Brunn, Bayer's Head of Pharmaceuticals, Americas Region. "They are the epitome of women who, whether at the earlier stages of their career or further along in their career path, consistently excel in their work. They also bring a team spirit and are highly-respected among their colleagues."
HBA Luminaries are professionals with more than 20 years of professional industry experience who serve as role models in their company; actively mentor and sponsor others; and are shining examples of transformational leadership that the organization wants to formally recognize.
Powell-Steffen, who has been at Bayer for 10 years, works at the company's radiology facility in Indianola, Pa. She is responsible for brand plan activation and marketing communications including agency management, media planning, digital/web, convention management, and eCommerce. In addition, Powell-Steffen has oversight of two inside sales teams focused on radiology device, contrast, and service warranty sales. A group of senior leaders and peers within the Bayer Radiology Division nominated her for the award, citing her leadership, professionalism and commitment to the nearly 30 employees she manages as well as other upcoming leaders within the division.
"This was an incredible recognition that I'm proud to accept not just for myself, but my team as well," said Powell-Steffen, an alumnus of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She resides in Saxonburg, Pa.
HBA Rising Stars are professionals in the early stages of their career. They represent various sectors of the healthcare industry and are designated by HBA's Corporate Partner organizations. The award demonstrates corporate recognition of the outstanding performance, and commitment to excellence of the Rising Stars, who contribute on a daily basis to their companies' successes. The Rising Stars are inspiring leaders, role models to others and are individually recognized for their vision, dedication, and action.
Howe joined Bayer seven years ago and is responsible for growing and developing the women's healthcare portfolio of products throughout New England. She manages 10 Bayer sales representatives and was nominated by her manager and one of her colleagues.
"This recognition took me by complete surprise," said Howe, a Cedarville University alumnus who resides in her native Syracuse, N.Y. "I am honored to be recognized among such remarkable women."
Both Powell-Steffen and Howe are members of the Bayer Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI), which supports business performance by increasing demand for gender diversity and supporting the advancement of women. Powell-Steffen serves on the WLI national steering committee and oversees all Pittsburgh regional chapters for the group.
About the HBA
The Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) is a global nonprofit organization with chapters in the US and Europe, committed to: achieving gender parity in leadership positions; facilitating career and business connections and providing effective practices that enable organizations to realize the full potential of their female talent. The HBA accomplishes its mission through strong business networks, education, research, advocacy, and recognition for individuals and companies. For more information, visit www.HBAnet.org.
About Bayer
Bayer: Science For A Better Life
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2016, the Group employed around 115,200 people and had sales of EUR 46.8 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.6 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.7 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which was floated on the stock market as an independent company named Covestro on October 6, 2015. For more information, go to www.bayer.us.
