Who We Are
When members of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association come together, it’s with a shared purpose: to be a United Force for Change.
The Healthcare Businesswomen's Association has nearly 50 years of experience empowering women. We believe by joining forces in the relentless pursuit of gender equity, we are doing more than uniting our 17,000+ passionate healthcare and life sciences professionals—we are strengthening the business of the healthcare ecosystem.
Our Mission at Work in 2023
We Are...
Smart, innovative, engaging, and progressive and we have a shared purpose to create a powerful movement connecting diverse groups of people across all healthcare and life science disciplines. Together, we are bold and we are driving change.
Our History
- 1977 - The HBA is founded by Diane Anderson, Peg Dougherty, Millicent Gryczka, Sheila Sinkking, and Ruth Smith, MD
- 1979 - The HBA is established as a non-profit expanding signature events to New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
- 1988 - 12 women honored as HBA’s inaugural class of Rising Stars
- 1990 - More than 350 visionaries attend the inaugural Woman of the Year event which has since grown to HBA’s premiere global gathering.
- 1997 - The HBA holds its first Annual Conference, building the foundation for signature events, leadership summits, and more.
- 1999 - Strategic Transformation Achievement Recognition (STAR) award established to recognize an outstanding HBA volunteer who has strategically transformed the HBA.
- 2001 - Honorable Mentor award established; HBA San Francisco Bay Area and HBA Boston chapters launch
- 2004 - Eight new chapters launch, including HBA Metro, HBA Chicago, HBA Indiana, and HBA Mid-Atlantic.
- 2006 - Laurie Cooke becomes HBA’s first CEO building on decades of impact
- 2007 - HBA Europe chapter is established creating a foundation for global expansion; Today, the HBA has more than 55 chapters globally
- 2014 - HBA Luminary award established honoring leaders in the healthcare industry at the annual Women of the Year event
- 2018 - The Gender Parity Collaborative is formed to accelerate real change for women in our workforce
- 2021 - The HBA launches HOPE program for high-potential leaders from underrepresented groups, including LGBTQ+, women of color, women with ability diversity, and more
- 2023 - Mary Stutts named CEO of the HBA
Today, the HBA has more than 75 locations around the globe who are leading our United Force for Change in the relentless pursuit of gender equity.
HBA Is Working for You
HBA’s volunteer leadership and professional staff provide expert guidance, governance, strategic vision, and management to achieve the mission and engage and support members and Corporate Partners.
