TOPX Network

TOPX-AstraZeneca Event

Fostering Allyship in the Workplace

18 November 2026 | AstraZeneca, Amsterdam | 14:30 - 17:30

The Power of Allyship: From Building Trust to Transforming Your Career

What if one of the most powerful ways to grow your career, build trust, and make a meaningful difference is not about your title, but about how you show up for others?

In this thought-provoking power talk, neuroscience-based leadership strategist and behaviour change expert Sangbreeta Moitra explores what it means to seek an ally, and why being an ally for others is just as important as having one yourself.

Often mistaken for a soft, feel-good gesture, allyship is in fact one of the most strategic ways to strengthen relationships, increase your impact, and create an inclusive and supportive experience for the people around you.

This session speaks directly to colleagues at every level, offering a practical and personal perspective on allyship that everyone can relate to and practice.

Ready to make impact by fostering allyship in the workplace? Sign up today!

Participation is free of charge for TOPX members, but please note that only 25 spots are available for TOPX members. Register now to secure your spot!

Not a member yet? Subscribe for a TOPX Membership here and expand your professional network in Life Sciences & Health via the TOPX Network meetings.

Preliminary Program

14:30 - 15:00	Registration with coffee & tea
15:00 - 15:15	Welcome & introduction
15:15 - 15:45	Power talk by Sangbreeta Moitra
15:45 - 16:45	Workshop in groups
16:45 - 17:15	Recap & plenary discussion
17:15 - 17:30	Wrap & Conclusions
17:30 - 18:30	Drinks with bites

Speakers

Sangbreeta Moitra

TEDx Awarded Speaker, Behaviour Change Consultant, Leadership & Business Storytelling Expert

TEDX awarded Sangbreeta Moitra is a globally renowned keynote speaker, behaviour change expert, executive leadership coach and architect on transforming how we lead, communicate, and deal with change.

With an academic background in neuroscience and several years in corporate global management, Sangbreeta is known as an inspiring and powerful storyteller, delving into the WHY to drive meaningful behaviour change in teams and leaders.

Sanne Weijzen

Head of Cell Therapy Business and Portfolio Strategy, AstraZeneca

Sanne has more than 20 years of combined academic and biotech industry experience. She joined AstraZeneca following the acquisition of Neogene Therapeutics, a company developing novel TCR-T Cell Therapies, where she, was VP of Corporate Strategy. Prior to that, she worked as the COO of Scenic Biotech and as an independent consultant for early stage biotech companies. She started her industry career at Aglaia Biomedical Ventures, investing in early stage biotech companies in oncology, where she ultimately became partner. Currently, Sanne is part of the Cell Therapy Discovery leadership team at AstraZeneca and responsible for the Cell Therapy Discovery portfolio strategy as well as ensuring a smooth and efficient global Cell Therapy discovery operations. She earned her Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Leiden and did her PhD research at Cardinal Bernadin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago in Tumor Immunology in the lab of Prof. Martin Kast. She completed her post-doctoral fellowship in molecular cancer cell signaling at the University of Utrecht.

Gavin Bendle

Vice President TCR Cell Therapy Research, AstraZeneca

Gavin is an Immunologist who has over 24 years of combined academic and biopharma industry experience in the field of adoptive T cell therapy of cancer. He is currently Vice President of TCR Cell Therapy Research at AstraZeneca. Gavin joined AstraZeneca via the acquisition of Neogene Therapeutics, where he was Senior Vice President of Research & Development and served on the Executive Committee. Prior to joining Neogene Therapeutics, Gavin was a Senior Director of Cell Therapy at Kite Pharma, where he held roles of increasing responsibility including serving as Kite EU Research Site Head and the Kite Maryland Interim Research Site Head. Before moving to Industry in 2015, Gavin was a Principal Investigator and Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Bennett Senior Fellow at the University of Birmingham in the UK, where his group focused on the engineering of T cell immunity to cancer. Prior to that, he was a Leukemia and Lymphoma Research Postdoctoral Fellow in the laboratory of Professor Ton N.M. Schumacher at the Netherlands Cancer Institute. He received his Ph.D. in Tumor Immunology from Imperial College London in the laboratory of Professor Hans Stauss. Gavin also earned his M.Sc. in Immunology from Imperial College London, and a B.Sc. in Zoology from the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom.

Hosted by AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused pharmaceutical company. We are dedicated to accelerating the delivery of life-changing medicines that create enduring value for patients, society, the planet and our shareholders.

Address: AstraZeneca Cell Therapy, Amsterdam Medical Business Park, Tafelbergweg 35, 1105 BC Amsterdam

Parking: We encourage travel by public transport whenever possible in support of our sustainability commitments. If travelling by car is necessary, please use the P6 parking facility at Amsterdam UMC (Parkeerplaats P6 Amsterdam UMC) Click here for the Google Maps link.