Healthcare Trailblazers Driving Innovation and Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders Honored by the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association

FAIRFIELD, N.J., 13 January 2026 – The Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA), a global leadership accelerator and business growth partner for the healthcare and life science industries, announced the recipients of its 2026 Global Ascension Leadership Awards, the association’s prestigious recognition program honoring leaders whose vision, innovation, and commitment are shaping the future of healthcare. These awards celebrate outstanding achievements in leadership, mentorship, and transformative service, recognizing recipients through the Woman of the Year, Honorable Mentor, and Strategic Transformation Achievement Recognition (STAR) awards.  

The 2026 honorees are: 

• Dr. Aradhana Sarin, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, AstraZeneca – Woman of the Year
• Rick E Winningham, Chief Executive Officer, Theravance Biopharma – Honorable Mentor
• Dr. Loddie Foose, Founder, DocDocFoose Consulting, Know Your Worth, The Imagine Fund – STAR 

“The HBA is proud to honor these exceptional leaders whose work is advancing innovation, representation, and purpose across the global healthcare ecosystem,” said Mary Stutts, CEO of the HBA. “At a time when healthcare organizations are being asked to lead through complexity and change, these honorees show what effective leadership looks like in practice by connecting people, performance, and purpose in ways that create meaningful and lasting impact for patients, organizations, and the healthcare workforce of the future.” 

The honorees will be celebrated during the HBA’s Global Ascension Leadership Awards Experience on 23-24 April 2026, in San Diego, California. Designed for leaders navigating an increasingly complex healthcare landscape, this two-day leadership experience convenes influential voices across biotech, biopharma, medtech, digital health, research, healthcare, and the broader life sciences ecosystem for future-focused learning, intentional connection, and leadership insight. The HBA creates space for reflection, dialogue, and shared learning while celebrating leaders whose impact exemplifies what it takes for people and performance to thrive. The experience will also spotlight the recipient of the 2026 HBA Global Impact Award, a prestigious new organizational honor recognizing companies that are defining the future of healthcare through bold leadership, transformative innovation, and measurable global impact.  

2026 HBA Woman of the Year: Dr. Aradhana Sarin 

Dr. Aradhana Sarin, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of AstraZeneca, is recognized as the 2026 HBA Woman of the Year for her transformative leadership at the intersection of science, finance, and global healthcare innovation. With more than 25 years of experience spanning clinical practice, global finance, and biopharmaceutical leadership, Dr. Sarin brings a unique perspective to advancing patient access, scientific innovation, and sustainable growth.

At AstraZeneca, Aradhana has guided strategic expansion, strengthened investment in research and development, and fostered global innovation while ensuring long-term value creation. Her prior leadership roles include CFO of Alexion Pharmaceuticals as well as senior positions at Citi, UBS, and J.P. Morgan, where she advised more than 100 healthcare transactions spanning mergers, acquisitions, and financing. 

Beyond her business achievements, Dr. Sarin champions representative leadership and talent development at all levels, supporting initiatives that empower future leaders and expand access to healthcare worldwide. Her career, which spans clinical work in India and Africa as well as leadership roles on Wall Street and in global biopharma, exemplifies the HBA’s focus on creating leaders for life while driving meaningful improvements in patient outcomes around the world. 

“Being named HBA Woman of the Year is an extraordinary honor, and a recognition that reflects the collective work of colleagues, mentors, and teams who have supported, challenged, and inspired me,” said Dr. Sarin. “Together, we can continue to shape an environment where leaders thrive and transform the healthcare ecosystem to benefit all patient populations.”  

2026 HBA Honorable Mentor: Rick Winningham

Rick Winningham, Chief Executive Officer of Theravance Biopharma, is recognized as the 2026 HBA Honorable Mentor for his decades-long dedication to nurturing the next generation of healthcare leaders and building a robust talent pipeline. For more than 40 years, Rick has consistently identified emerging talent, created impactful opportunities, and guided both women and men into leadership roles that accelerate their growth and help shape the future of the healthcare industry. 

Throughout his tenure at Theravance, as well as his prior leadership roles at Innoviva and Bristol Myers Squibb, Rick has cultivated cultures grounded in representative leadership, mentorship, and thoughtful succession planning. Many of the individuals he has guided now serve as executives and board members across the biopharmaceutical industry, helping to drive innovation and advance patient care worldwide. 

A long-time HBA supporter, Rick has actively encouraged participation in programs, served as an advisor to members, and championed the development of emerging talent across the industry. His mentorship is marked by integrity, humility, and a steadfast belief in helping leaders achieve their full potential. 

“Being recognized as an HBA Honorable Mentor is deeply meaningful, and I’m privileged to support the advancement and development of the talented women and men shaping the future of science and medicine,” said Mr. Winningham. “As a mentor, I strive to champion growth, connection, and opportunity. It’s rewarding to work in alignment with the HBAto inspire each new generation of healthcare professionals as they continue the important work of improving and transforming patient lives and care.” 

2026 HBA STAR Recipient: Dr. Loddie Foose 

Dr. Loddie Foose, entrepreneur and philanthropist, is recognized as the 2026 HBA STAR for her extraordinary volunteer leadership at the HBA and the lasting impact she has had on expanding the association’s global reach. Drawing on her experience as a multinational healthcare executive and her tenure at Boston Consulting Group, CSL, Baxter, and Kaiser Permanente, Dr. Foose has devoted her life to empowering organizations and individuals to lead with purpose and impact. 

Active in the HBA community for more than a decade, Dr. Foose founded and later served as Global Chair for Women in Healthcare (WIH) Give Back, which grew into one of the association’s largest global member networks. As Global Lead for Geographic Expansion, Loddie spearheaded the launch of new HBA branches worldwide, partnering closely with HBA staff and Member Leaders to build scalable resources and networks that expanded leadership development opportunities across Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and beyond. Through these efforts, Dr. Foose has strengthened the HBA’s international presence, creating a platform where professionals everywhere can connect, grow, and lead with meaningful impact. 

"The HBA STAR Award is a powerful reminder to me that lasting global impact is never the work of one person, but of many people coming together in service of a shared mission,” said Dr. Foose. “I am deeply grateful to the HBA for this honor and see it as an opportunity to further champion representative leadership and access in ways that strengthen our collective future."   

Event Details and Contact 

For media inquiries, interviews, or information about attending the HBA’s 2026 Global Ascension Leadership Experience, please contact the HBA Marketing and Communications Department at marketing@hbanet.org or visit the Global Ascension Leadership Awards website. 

About the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) 

The Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) is a global leadership accelerator, talent pipeline, and business growth partner for the healthcare industry. With a presence in over 80 locations, supporting more than 150 Corporate Partners, and impacting nearly six million employees worldwide, HBA empowers healthcare leaders at every career stage through programs, global forums, and recognition initiatives that celebrate outstanding individuals and organizations. Learn more about the HBA and join our United Force for Change at www.hbanet.org.