How to Submit Personnel Changes to STAT+’s Weekly Ladder Feature

Introduction

Staying current with executive moves, promotions, and new hires is vital in the fast-paced world of biotech and pharma. STAT+’s weekly feature, Up and down the ladder, provides a central place to share and discover these changes. Whether you’ve just onboarded a rising star, promoted a key player, or finally filled a hard-to-recruit role, this guide walks you through the simple process of getting your news published. By following these steps, you’ll ensure your announcement reaches the right audience—industry peers, potential partners, and talent scouts—while supporting a transparent, community-driven news ecosystem.

What You Need

• Person’s full name and current job title.
• New organization and location (if relevant).
• Previous role and company (including tenure milestones, if known).
• Brief context (e.g., a sentence about their expertise, notable achievements, or why this move matters).
• Your contact details (email or phone) for verification purposes (optional but helpful).
• Permission from the person or your organization to share the news publicly.
• A clear subject line for your email or submission form entry (e.g., “New CSO Hire at Ailux – Maria Belvisi”).

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Identify the Change

Monitor your organization’s internal announcements, press releases, or LinkedIn updates for any leadership or key role transitions. Changes can include promotions, lateral moves, retirements, or new hires. Ensure the information is publicly shareable and not under embargo. For example, when Ailux appointed Maria Belvisi as chief scientific officer, this was a new hire that merited an industry-wide mention.

Step 2: Gather Essential Details

Collect the facts listed in the “What You Need” section. Focus on accuracy and relevance. For Maria Belvisi’s case, key details would include: her previous role at AstraZeneca (senior vice president, R&D, respiratory & immunology, biopharmaceuticals R&D), the date of her new appointment, and any notable contributions she made at AstraZeneca. If possible, add a quote from the new hire or their new manager to provide context.

Step 3: Write a Concise Announcement

Craft a short, professional blurb. Keep it to one or two paragraphs. Start with the person’s name, new title, and company. Then mention their previous role and highlight why the move is significant. Avoid overly promotional language—let the facts speak. Example format: “[Name] joins [Company] as [Title]. Previously, they served as [Previous Role] at [Previous Company], where they led [key project or division]. This appointment strengthens [Company]’s focus on [area].” For Maria Belvisi, you might write: “Ailux has appointed Maria Belvisi as chief scientific officer. She was previously senior vice president of R&D, respiratory & immunology, at AstraZeneca. Her deep expertise in respiratory drug development will help accelerate Ailux’s pipeline.”

Step 4: Submit via the Designated Channel

Send your announcement to STAT+ through the preferred method (e.g., email to the editors or a submission form on the STAT website). Use a clear subject line like “Personnel Change Submission – [Name] – [Company].” In the body, include the announcement text and the necessary details. If the feature requires you to log in or be a STAT+ subscriber, ensure you have access. (Note: The full feature is behind the STAT+ paywall, but submissions are open to all.)

Step 5: Wait for Review and Publication

The STAT team reviews submissions weekly. If your news is selected, it will appear in the “Up and down the ladder” column, usually under a weekly spotlight. Each week one change is highlighted with a short profile. For instance, the week Ailux hired Maria Belvisi, she became the featured person. You may not receive a confirmation, so check the column regularly.

Step 6: Share the Published Mention

Once your submission goes live, share it through your company’s social media, newsletter, or internal channels. Tag the featured person and STAT. This amplifies the reach and shows that your organization is active in the talent ecosystem. If you’re the person featured, add it to your professional bio or LinkedIn.

Tips for Success

• Be timely: Submit soon after the change occurs; static news loses relevance quickly.
• Add context: Explain why the move matters—e.g., “This hire fills a critical gap in our oncology division” rather than just “We hired someone new.”
• Respect privacy: Obtain explicit permission before submitting, especially if the person hasn’t formally announced the move publicly.
• Follow the format: Review past columns to see the preferred style and length. Consistency increases acceptance.
• Use internal anchor links: If you’re creating your own version of this guide on a website, link to the “Tips” section (Tips for Success) for easy navigation.
• Network strategically: Sharing news of a rising star can attract recruiters and partners. Use the exposure to build your company’s brand.
• Don’t forget the “play” balance: Remember that leaders need downtime. The original column noted “all work and no play can make for a dull chief scientific officer.” When submitting, you can optionally include a lighthearted note about the person’s hobbies or work-life philosophy—it humanizes the announcement.

By following these steps, you’ll turn a simple personnel change into a valuable piece of industry news. Whether it’s a high-profile CSO like Maria Belvisi or a promising new director, every move shapes the biotech landscape. Share it with STAT+, and they’ll find a home for it.