2024

Cindy Eckert

CEO, Sprout Pharmaceuticals and The Pink Ceiling

“I have an unconventional idea for how women fix the pay gap: worry less about the percentage raise in salary and more about taking a piece of the value you create.”

In your opinion, what qualities make a “Power Woman”?

Courage is the defining characteristic of a Power Woman. Let’s face it, far too often women are underestimated. This bears out in the data from the lack of funding for female-founded businesses to the paucity of promotions of women into the corporate C-suite. It takes courage and resolve to push through those barriers to success. A willingness to challenge the status quo. Imagine for a minute the reaction I received when I set out to get the first FDA-approved treatment (Addyi) for women’s sexual satisfaction after men already had 26 treatment options. My entire career has been a journey from underestimation to unapologetic. Now the real power move is helping other women get there faster than I did.

The polarized society in the US today seems to threaten our democratic values if not our democracy itself. What actions can we take to bring the various factions together?

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, even if it is not your own. I think the most unifying thing we can do is to respect that premise. When we do, we respect each other – even if we don’t agree. I’ve had many times online when people have gone after my point of view. Aggressively. My answer is always the same. I will respect your opinion if you will respect mine. Our differences and discourse are what fuel our greatness. Sameness should never be the goal.

With all the different issues one could focus on (e.g. gun violence, child poverty etc.), is the pursuit of gender equality the most pressing in today’s world?

In my line of work, yes. There’s no question there’s unconscious bias when it comes to women’s health. While we continue to build on decades of progress to unravel structural and societal inequities, there’s still a big mountain to climb. American women face medical gaslighting, a lack of representation in clinical trials, decades of gender bias in drug development, and a historic lack of investment and innovation in women’s sexual health. But through Addyi, our “little pink pill,” and The Pink Ceiling we are taking critical steps to promote an equitable health care landscape where women’s needs are equally prioritized and the stigma around female sexuality is erased.

What do you think is the number one action we as a society can take toward empowering women and gender equality? (e.g. affirmative action)?

Invest in women! Women deserve equitable access to treatments and products that are supported by data and backed by science. Unfortunately, that won’t happen until innovation for women’s health is valued equally to those for men. Currently, too many women’s health companies that set out to do the right thing are dying on the vine because of a lack of investments. We have the experts, the tools, and the need. We need to prioritize investments in women—and their ideas—to shift the paradigm and drive meaningful progress in women’s health.

Can you tell us a short story in which you encountered a block due to your gender?

Getting Addyi FDA approved was a case study in gender bias. Consider this. There were 26 FDA-approved medications for men to live more satisfying sex lives before I ever crossed the finish line with one for women. This is despite the fact that more women than men suffer with issues in the bedroom (43 vs 31 percent). When Viagra was approved, it was deemed to meet such an important medical need that it received rare fast track status and was approved within six months. By contrast, Addyi took six years and a very public debate on whether or not women needed a treatment option when we had three-times as many patients’ worth of clinical data!

Do you think that asking previous salary requirements in job interviews contributes to the pay gap between women and men? Should we push for a nationwide ban?

I have an unconventional idea for how women fix the pay gap: worry less about the percentage raise in salary and more about taking a piece of the value you create. Ask for skin in the game, such as equity in the business or performance-based bonuses. We flip the script on the typical salary discussion when we redirect the focus to shared incentives. “If I produce x, you’ll give me y because that’s only a portion of the upside.” Now we’re sharing risk and reward. I think any manager has a hard time disputing the merit of that arrangement. Do I think women should be paid fairly? Yes. But do I believe truly transformational wealth comes from ownership? Absolutely. I’ve never chased salary. I’ve always chased ownership.

There are many studies that support the assertion that a female presence in the boardroom increases the bottom line and leads to healthier work environments. What can we do to continue to support and enhance the growth to and presence of women in high profile positions?

Every data point you can pull will tell you the same story. Women accomplish more with less. So, what exactly might we accomplish if we gave them equal?! My life’s work is about having women in the room at the decision table. Every woman who fought her way there must reach her hand back to pull others into the room. It’s the multiplier effect. Further, we must not just share the stats, but also the stories of how women have produced outsized outcomes when in these positions. Every Silicon Valley VC I met laughed me out of the room when I asked them to fund what they dubbed the “female Viagra.” Then I sold the company for $1 billion cash up front. I like to think I gave them a billion reasons to believe they shouldn’t miss that next female founder’s opportunity.

Was there a defining moment or experience in your life that led you to where you are today? What was it?

I moved schools every year from the fourth grade to my senior year of high school. While tough as a kid, I look back on it with gratitude. My exposure to diverse cultures was a gift, as was my freedom from ever being defined by a school clique in those formative years. It was tough to be the new kid year after year but that challenge built resilience and an independent way of thinking. I tell my parents all the time that they were unknowingly training me to become a disruptive entrepreneur.

Have you seen changes in the political landscape for women over the past few years? If so, what are they?

Although we still have a lot of work to do, women are slowly taking on “taboos” by bringing issues like sexual pleasure, menopause, and mental health out of the shadows. We are challenging societal norms by recognizing the importance of these factors for women’s rights, health, and well-being.

Is “education, education and education” one of the top three responsibilities of a civilized society? If so, why is it prohibitively expensive?

Education is foundational to our ability to succeed, stand out, and become leaders. When you have acquired knowledge, I do believe it’s your imperative to thoughtfully share that with others who seek it. To pay it forward. That’s perhaps the most interesting twist on education today. I think we’re abandoning the notion that education only comes in the form of expensive formal degrees. Some of the smartest people I’ve met didn’t allow prohibitive expenses to get in their way of learning. They navigated their way to become self-taught through free resources online, in communities, and through mentorship with leaders they admire.

If you could have someone else’s job for a day, who and what would it be? Why?

Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers—the powerhouse duo behind Shondaland that have brought the world more award-winning TV sensations than any other. Because for one day I would be able to write the world the way I’d like to see it.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

It’s not about making the right choice; it’s about making the choice right.

What is your favorite book (fiction or nonfiction)?

Hank Harrison for President. My dad wrote it. ☺

What do you most value in your friends?

Loyalty. Is there a greater gift imaginable than someone who is unwavering in their support of you without agenda? I feel very lucky to have friends like that in my life.

Which trait do you find most uncomfortable in yourself? In others?

Shyness. I hate to talk about myself. I love to talk about my work. I often find it hard to bridge between those. Literally my palms are sweating writing these answers.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Patience. To disrupt you must be perpetually impatient.