Women’s leadership at the heart of the evolution of health and research

In Quebec, although women are in the majority in the healthcare sector, their proportion drops drastically as one moves into management positions, such as senior and middle management. In 2023, only around 36% of management jobs were held by women, even though their proportion in the healthcare sector was close to 80% (Institut de la statistique du Québec, 2024). Indeed, these trends are not confined solely to occupying jobs in the healthcare sector, and gender bias has also been observed within medical research. According to the Canadian Institute of Health Research (2024), “the health of women and people of diverse gender identities has been neglected in research for decades, resulting in health disparities, gaps in access to care and an inordinate number of misdiagnoses, or even a lack of diagnoses”.

Fortunately, we are now witnessing a major shift towards more inclusive medicine, which finally takes into account the specific needs of women. And one of the driving forces behind this change is women like Josée Saint-Pierre. As head of the Pediatric Research Foundation, she is not just a leader, but a strong voice in the field. Surrounded by an all-female team, she works every day to mobilize funding for research projects covering key areas such as mental health, neurodevelopment, cardiology and many others. Her aim: to make a real difference to the lives of children and teenagers, and to give them a healthier future.

As part of International Women’s Rights Day, I had the privilege of speaking with our President and CEO, Josée Saint-Pierre, to discuss the place of women in pediatric research. In this interview, she shares her vision of advances in research and explains why, now more than ever, it’s essential to go beyond rhetoric and take concrete action for inclusive scientific advances.

Women and research

The Foundation supports a multitude of research projects on a variety of issues, but lately I’ve been witness to many discussions concerning women’s health, particularly that of young girls. Josée points to issues that are rarely addressed in the healthcare field: “Unfortunately, there are often young girls who suffer from depression, even to the point of suicide, due to the hormonal changes that occur with the onset of menstruation. This is the case for many young women and girls suffering from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Hormonal variations are so drastic that they can generate moments of great suffering, without them always being aware of it“.

In this respect, Ms. Saint-Pierre stresses the need to openly discuss these realities in order to deal with them more effectively. For Josée, “we need to open the way for young girls to discuss all kinds of issues. Whether it’s about mental or physical health, I think we have to listen to them and be open to hearing them on these subjects. When I was younger, maybe we didn’t discuss these issues as much. But in reality, the more we talk about it, the more we find solutions“. She emphasizes that, while these discussions require courage, many young girls and women are bold enough to stand up for full and fair access to care, and that it’s vital to listen to their needs.

Young people’s health: a major issue

I’m learning that pediatric research obviously has its challenges and limitations. I asked Ms. Saint-Pierre what changes she would like to see to better address young girls’ health issues, and her answer was clear: “What would we like more of? We’d like to see results more quickly. Of course, that’s the hardest part of research – you have to take the time to do it right. That said, Josée insists on the excellence of our researchers, maintaining that “we’re lucky to have a really strong ethic in Quebec with researchers who are really invested, which means that it takes a certain amount of time, but we get excellent results in the end”.

Mother of three young women, Josée shares that one of her daughters is in this field by chance: “She works hard and I tell myself that it’s not always easy. Above all, we need to give her the courage to persevere and to be well supported in her career“. Josée concludes that investment in research is what propels tomorrow’s advances and discoveries, and that it is essential to continue encouraging our researchers.

I’m particularly proud to contribute to an organization that places these concerns at the heart of its priorities. From initiatives to raise awareness of girls’ mental health to research projects on menstrual disorders, the Foundation is actively working to advance knowledge and improve the quality of life of all children.

From generation to generation

When I asked her if any women had inspired her along the way, Josée’s response was immediate and enthusiastic. She spoke of prominent female figures from her childhood and adolescence, in particular her teachers, who pushed her to explore her full potential. She also stressed the importance of the women who accompanied her in her school sports activities, models of well-being and perseverance. They not only taught her how to take care of her physical health, but also how to maintain a balance between her academic and personal life. This support, whether educational or sports-related, has been a fundamental pillar in the construction of her identity and career.

Josée wasn’t the only one to be inspired by women on her journey. When I arrived at the Foundation for my first week on the job, I had many questions and feelings running through my head. I wondered who I was going to meet, whether my new colleagues and I would get on well together, and whether our collaboration would be as fruitful as hoped. What I discovered touched me deeply: a working environment where solidarity reigned in a way I’d never known before. A small team, made up entirely of women. There are now eight of us, in management and executive positions, all at different stages of life and professional careers.

It’s hard to sum up the richness of such a working environment in just a few words. In the world of philanthropy, where women are numerous, one might think that equality is a given. But it’s not enough to be in the majority: our voices have to count for something. At the Foundation, I’m discovering a leadership model where collaboration, boldness and commitment shape every decision. Our discussions are frank, our choices are ambitious, and our actions are guided by a clear vision: to advance research by taking into account the specific realities and needs of all children and adolescents. Beyond the symbolism of March 8, we choose to act every day for a fairer, more inclusive future.

Reflecting on my conversation with Josée Saint-Pierre, I realize that the strength of women lies in their ability to support each other, to break new ground, and to advance vital causes such as pediatric research.

Josée’s journey and actions are a model of resilience and leadership. In her and through the Foundation, I’ve discovered a sincere commitment and a willingness to turn challenges into opportunities, not out of principle, but because it’s a fundamental necessity. And it’s in this kind of environment that we understand how essential it is to celebrate, listen to and amplify women’s voices, not just today, but every day.

– Chloé Berland, Events and Communications Agent