Tag Archives: spreadlove

Research With Purpose – Elisabetta Vitali

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Research With Purpose - Elisabetta Vitali
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In this episode, Naji welcomes Elisabetta Vitali, Executive Director of the Giovanni Armenise Harvard Foundation, to explore her unique journey from high-level finance to leading a mission-driven organization at the intersection of science and philanthropy. After a successful career in investment banking and infrastructure funds, Elisabetta made a deeply personal and values-driven transition into the nonprofit world, motivated by her own health experiences, her family background in science, and a desire to contribute meaningfully to both scientific progress and her home country of Italy.

Elisabetta shares the powerful story behind the Foundation, born from a personal tragedy that highlighted the urgent need for deeper investment in basic science. Today, the organization supports early-stage, high-risk research and fosters collaboration between Italy and the United States, with a strong focus on developing scientific talent. Through initiatives like career development awards, the Foundation not only funds research but invests in people, helping scientists build labs, grow careers, and create long-term impact across borders. Their work demonstrates how sustained commitment to fundamental science can generate ripple effects in innovation, education, and global collaboration.

Throughout the conversation, Elisabetta reflects on leadership, legacy, and the importance of humanity in science. She emphasizes motivation, respect, and long-term vision as key drivers of impactful leadership, especially in fields where results may take years to materialize. Her perspective highlights a powerful truth: advancing science is not just about discoveries, but about nurturing communities, empowering individuals, and building systems that allow knowledge – and people – to thrive.

“Without investing in basic science, we’re basically trying to build the skyscraper starting from the roof.”

MEET OUR GUEST Elisabetta Vitali, Executive Director of the Giovanni Armenise Harvard Foundation.

Elisabetta Vitali is the Executive Director of the Giovanni Armenise Harvard Foundation, a role she has held since February 2025, after more than a decade of leading the Foundation’s Italian Programs. With over 25 years of international experience across philanthropy, finance, and strategic management, she brings a distinctive combination of analytical depth, leadership, and cross-sector vision to advancing the Foundation’s mission of supporting world-class scientific research and fostering collaboration between Italy and the United States.

Before joining the Foundation in 2014, Elisabetta built a successful career in investment banking and infrastructure finance. She served as Vice President at Lazard & Co., where she advised leading European corporations on mergers, acquisitions, and complex cross-border transactions totaling more than €3.5 billion. She later joined AEDES SpA, supporting the firm’s international expansion and fund management strategy, and became one of the investment partners at F2i SGR, Italy’s largest infrastructure fund, where she oversaw major transactions in energy, transportation, and utilities, contributing to a portfolio exceeding €2 billion.

Drawing on her financial and strategic background, Elisabetta transitioned to the nonprofit sector, where she has since applied the same rigor and long-term vision to advancing scientific excellence and collaboration across the Boston and Italy. At the Armenise Harvard Foundation, she has launched several key initiatives—including the Armenise Harvard Airalzh and INF-ACT Mid-Career Awards—and strengthened partnerships between Italian institutions, Harvard Medical School, and global research organizations.

A graduate of Bocconi University with full honors in Economics and Social Disciplines, Elisabetta is known for her ability to connect people and ideas across sectors and borders, and commitment to translating strategy into lasting impact for science and society.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Elisabetta Vitali

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. I am Naji your host. Joined today by Elisabetta Vitali, executive Director of the Giovanni Armenise Harvard Foundation, a role she has held since February, 2025. After more than a decade of leading the Foundation’s Italian program. The foundation’s mission is to support world class scientific research and foster collaboration between Italy and the United States. Before joining them in 2014, beta built a successful career in investment banking and infrastructure finance. She served as vice president at Lazar and Co, where she…

AI For Humanity – Mona Flores

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
AI For Humanity - Mona Flores
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In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, Naji Gehchan sits down with Mona Flores, a physician, former Global Head of Medical AI at NVIDIA, and a leader at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and impact. Mona shares her unconventional journey from investment banking to cardiac surgery and ultimately to pioneering work in artificial intelligence. She reflects on the power of reinvention, the importance of following purpose over plan, and how her experiences shaped a vision of scaling healthcare impact from one patient to millions through AI-driven innovation.

The conversation explores both the present and future of AI in healthcare – from improving workflows today to enabling entirely new, AI-native approaches to drug discovery, diagnostics, and disease prevention. Mona also highlights her humanitarian work through the “Your Turn” campaign, mobilizing global tech talent to support Lebanon. Grounded in a deep sense of purpose, she challenges healthcare leaders to embrace AI without fear, focus on real-world impact, and use their “one life” to create meaningful change at scale.

“Don’t be afraid of AI, be afraid of not using it to make the world better.”

MEET OUR GUEST Mona Flores, physician and healthcare innovator with a passion for advancing medicine and science through artificial intelligence, former Global Head of Medical AI at NVIDIA.

Mona Flores is a physician and healthcare innovator with a passion for advancing medicine and science through artificial intelligence. As the former Global Head of Medical AI at NVIDIA, she helped build and lead a global ecosystem bringing AI technologies into healthcare. She completed her medical training at OHSU, UC San Diego, Stanford, and Columbia, and also holds an MBA and a Master’s in Biology. With experience spanning cardiothoracic surgery, digital health, and investment banking, Mona brings a multidisciplinary perspective to solving healthcare’s most complex challenges. She continues to work at the forefront of AI, science, and medicine, focused on scalable innovation that improves patient care and drives meaningful impact.

To learn more, go to the Campaign site yourturnlebanon.com and you can also follow here.

More about BIOLINK.org here, and for more episodes with BioLinkers click here.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Mona Flores

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. I’m Naji, your host, joined today by Mona Flores, a physician and healthcare innovator with a passion for advancing medicine and science through artificial intelligence. As the former Global Head of Medical AI at NVIDIA, she helped build and lead a global ecosystem bridging AI technologies into healthcare. She completed her medical training at UCLA, UC San Diego, Stanford, and Columbia, and also holds an MBA and a master’s in biology. With experience spanning cardiothoracic surgery, digital health, and investment banking, Mona brings…

Biotech Leader Ecosystem- Catharine Smith & Jason Cordeiro

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Biotech Leader Ecosystem- Catharine Smith & Jason Cordeiro
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In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, Naji Gehchan welcomes Catharine Smith and Jason Cordeiro for a conversation on leadership, ecosystem building, and the future of biotech. Catharine Smith, an experienced healthcare and nonprofit leader, shares her journey from clinical and health system roles to leading the Tremier Institute, where she focuses on developing the next generation of biotech leaders. Jason Cordeiro, Chief Operating and Innovation Officer at MassBio, reflects on his path from scientific research to ecosystem leadership, emphasizing his passion for connecting innovators and enabling the development of new therapies for patients.

The discussion highlights the strategic partnership between the Tremier Institute and MassBio, including the creation of the Founder Link initiative. Both guests explain how this collaboration emerged from shared goals and parallel strategic planning processes, ultimately aiming to strengthen the early-stage biotech ecosystem in Boston and beyond. By combining MassBio’s extensive industry network with the Tremier Institute’s leadership development expertise, the partnership provides founders and executives with a structured space for connection, learning, and peer support.

The conversation also explores the evolving definition of leadership in healthcare and biotech. Catharine and Jason emphasize that leadership is not only a skill that can be learned but one rooted in empathy, human-centered thinking, and purpose. They stress the importance of community, resilience, and aligning innovation with patient impact. The episode closes with reflections on “spreading love in organizations,” underscoring the belief that kindness, authenticity, and strong relationships are essential to building meaningful, high-impact healthcare organizations.

“In biotech, progress happens when leadership, community, and science come together to improve humanity.”

MEET OUR GUESTS Catharine Smith CEO of the Termeer Institute, & Jason Cordeiro Chief Operating & Innovation Officer, MassBio.

Catharine Smith is a mission-driven executive leader with more than 15 years of experience scaling high-impact organizations at the intersection of healthcare, innovation, and equity. As the inaugural CEO of the Termeer Institute, she has built an international leadership organization from the ground up, launching global partnerships and scaling programs that expand access and opportunity for emerging leaders across the biotechnology ecosystem. Prior to the Termeer Institute, Catharine served as the CEO of the Clinton Health Matters Initiative at the Clinton Foundation where she led a team focused on stigma reduction and overdose prevention related to the opioid epidemic. 

Known for her inclusive leadership and ability to bridge sectors, Catharine is a trusted voice on leadership, health equity, and innovation, regularly teaching and speaking at international forums. Catharine’s leadership is grounded in a deep commitment to advancing women and underrepresented leaders, supporting emerging talent, and building ecosystems where diverse voices shape the future of leadership.  Catharine is a Fulbright Scholar and holds a master’s degree in business administration from the Massachusetts Institute. 

Jason Cordeiro is the Chief Operating & Innovation Officer. He joined MassBio in September of 2018 as the Vice President of Consortium Operations. In his current role, Jason is responsible for helping drive MassBio’s strategic vision and ensuring the organization is always positioned to support the industry. He is responsible for leading the membership organization and focuses on industry partnering and early-stage company support through our Partnering programs and Edge services. In his tenure at MassBio, Jason has overseen the launch of several new programs, including MassBioDrive, Align Summit, and the MassBioHub.

Jason received a B.S. in Biology from Emmanuel College. He had worked at BIDMC researching the effects of NSAIDS on ovarian, prostate, and breast cancers and had spent nine years with Thermo Fisher Scientific in various commercial roles. Jason combines his professional talents and love for the outdoors as he sits on the board of Elevate Youth, a local organization. He currently resides on the South Shore with his wife and two children.

More Episode in partnership with the Termeer Institute can be found here. Give them a listen!

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Catharine Smith & Jason Cordeiro

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. I’m Naji, your host, and I’m delighted to be joined today by Catharine Smith & Jason Cordeiro. Catharine Smith is a mission-driven executive leader with more than 15 years of experience scaling high-impact organizations at the intersection of healthcare, innovation, and equity. As the inaugural CEO of the Termeer Institute, she has built an international leadership organization from the ground up, launching global partnerships and scaling programs that expand access and opportunity for emerging leaders across the biotechnology ecosystem. Prior to the Termeer Institute,…

The Courage Line – Moise Khayrallah

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
The Courage Line - Moise Khayrallah
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In this inspiring episode of SpreadLove in Organizations, Naji Gehchan sits down with serial biotech entrepreneur and investor Moise Khayrallah to explore a remarkable four-decade journey across pharmaceutical drug development, leadership, and purpose-driven innovation. From his roots in Lebanon and academic beginnings in psychology at the American University of Beirut and UNC Chapel Hill, Moise reflects on how research methodology, pattern recognition, and a deep sense of purpose unexpectedly led him into the world of biotech. He shares how the transferable skills of rigorous research and team building became the foundation for founding and scaling multiple successful biotech ventures, including companies behind transformative assets such as Sunosi.

The conversation dives into the realities of building companies in one of the world’s highest-risk industries. Moise offers powerful lessons on entrepreneurship in biotech: move fast, stay nimble, capitalize on existing scientific data, and know-how to take bold but calculated risks. He introduces a memorable leadership concepts – the “line of foolishness” – the delicate balance between courage and recklessness. Through stories from his own ventures, he explains how experience-driven pattern recognition, conviction, and the courage to act under uncertainty are essential to bringing medicines from concept to patients. The discussion also looks ahead to the future of medicine, where Moise sees AI playing a transformative role in breaking down complex umbrella diseases into more precise and treatable subgroups.

Beyond business and science, this episode is deeply human. Moise speaks passionately about leadership as courage, legacy as responsibility, and love as a force for healing organizations and societies. This conversation is a profound reflection on resilience, service, and what it truly means to lead with vision and heart in healthcare.

“Without courage, you can’t get anything done. If you wait until everything is perfect, you don’t get anywhere.”

MEET OUR GUEST Moise Khayrallah, CEO Emergo Therapeutics, Founder and Chairman, Lebanon & Beyond.

Dr. Moise Khayrallah is a serial entrepreneur and investor in pharmaceutical drug development and biotechnology. He acquired his experience over a 40-year period across diverse pharmaceutical environments, including large pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, and biotechnology companies.

His latest startup venture is Emergo Therapeutics Inc., which develops drugs to modulate inflammatory cytokines and improve the functioning of the immune system in infectious disease indications. Emergo is his fifth startup biopharmaceutical company.

He is also Chairman of the Board and co-Founder of QuatroBio, LLC, a startup biopharmaceutical holding company focused on developing drugs for central nervous system disorders. In addition, he currently serves on the Board of Directors of several startup companies in the pharmaceutical and information technology industries.

Prior to these positions, Dr. Khayrallah co-founded and led Aerial BioPharma, LLC, which sold its major drug asset, Sunosi (solriamfetol), to Jazz Pharmaceuticals in early 2014.

In 2010, Dr. Khayrallah was co-founder, President, and CEO of Neuronex Inc., a company focused on developing treatments for patients with certain seizure disorders. Neuronex was acquired by Acorda Therapeutics in 2013.

In 2006, he co-founded and served as President and CEO of Addrenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company that developed and received FDA approvals for compounds targeting the adrenergic system. Addrenex was acquired in late 2009 by Shionogi & Co. of Japan.

In 2002, Dr. Khayrallah founded Alius Pharma, LLC, a consulting company partnering with small biotechnology companies in cancer drug development.

From 1999 to 2002, he served as VP of Clinical Affairs at Cytran, Inc., a Seattle-area biotechnology company, where he led the product development team for the company’s lead oncology compound and participated in financing and joint venture activities.

Prior to that, Dr. Khayrallah served as Director of Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs at Lineberry Research Associates (later Constella Group and SRI International) in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

From 1987 to 1996, he held various leadership roles at Burroughs Wellcome Co. and later Glaxo Wellcome (now GSK), where he led clinical trials and programs resulting in FDA approvals in CNS indications.

He holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from American University of Beirut.

Beyond biotechnology, Dr. Khayrallah is deeply involved in entrepreneurial and non-profit networks in the United States and internationally.

He currently serves as the Honorary Consul for Lebanon in North Carolina, supporting the Lebanese American community and representing its interests in Lebanon and the United States.

He is also the Founder and Board Chair of Lebanon & Beyond (L&B), a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing Lebanon and strengthening ties with its global diaspora through innovative educational programs.

Its flagship programs include:

  • Jouzour: an immersive summer program reconnecting young members of the Lebanese diaspora with Lebanon through cultural education, service, and community-building
  • Jana: a multi-year initiative focused on reimagining equitable education in Lebanon in the age of artificial intelligence and digital transformation

In 2014, he endowed the Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies at North Carolina State University, the first center of its kind outside Lebanon and the first privately endowed center in NC State’s history.

The Center is dedicated to preserving and documenting the history of the worldwide Lebanese diaspora through archives, documentaries, exhibitions, lectures, and the annual Khayrallah Prize.

Dr. Khayrallah has also served on numerous boards and advisory councils, including:

  • Board of Trustees, Lebanese American University
  • International Advisory Council, American University of Beirut
  • Board of Directors, North Carolina Biotechnology Center
  • Chair, Carolina Ballet
  • Chair, Go Global NC
  • Chancellor’s Philanthropic Council, UNC-Chapel Hill
  • Board of Visitors, UNC School of Education

At UNC’s School of Education, he created the Moise A. Khayrallah Innovation Fund, supporting the Master of Arts in Educational Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship program.

Dr. Khayrallah remains committed to advancing education, entrepreneurship, culture, and philanthropy, while building bridges across communities and generations.

This episode is in partnership with BIOLOINK.ORG. More episodes with BIOLINKERS here.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Moise Khayrallah

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. I’m Naji your host, joined today by Moise Khairallah a serial entrepreneur and investor in pharmaceutical drug development and biotech. Moise acquired his experience over a 40-year period in diverse pharmaceutical environments including large pharma, contract research, and biotech. His latest startup venture is Emergo Therapeutics that develops drugs to modulate inflammatory cytokines and improve the functioning of the immune system in infectious disease indications. Emergo is his fifth biotech startup. Moise is also Chairman of the Board and co-Founder of QuatroBio, a…

Strategy Into Impact – Kylie Wagner

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Strategy Into Impact - Kylie Wagner
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In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, Naji Gehchan sits down with Kylie Wagner, a senior commercial leader at Takeda with more than 20 years of experience across rare, specialty, and chronic care markets. Kylie shares the personal journey that brought her into healthcare, from her upbringing in the Midwest and her background as a competitive tennis player to the deeply personal experiences that shaped her commitment to improving patient outcomes. Her story is one of resilience, systems thinking, and purpose-driven leadership.

Together, Naji and Kylie explore what it truly takes to turn strategy into impact in healthcare and biotech. Kylie explains why even the strongest commercial strategies can fail when organizations do not execute effectively across complex cross-functional teams. She offers powerful insights into the importance of operations, decision-making, and building systems that allow teams to move faster so innovation can reach patients without delay.

The episode also dives into Kylie’s leadership philosophy, centered on trust, accountability, and clarity. She shares how leaders can create high-performing teams in times of uncertainty by listening deeply, empowering others, and embracing a digital-first mindset. This conversation is a thoughtful look at modern healthcare leadership and a powerful reminder that every decision made inside an organization ultimately shapes the patient experience.

“Patients cannot and should not wait.”

MEET OUR GUEST Kylie Wagner, BioPharmaCommercial Executive.

Kylie Wagner is a commercial executive with more than 20 years of experience leading growth, portfolio performance, and launches across rare, specialty, and chronic markets.

She currently leads Marketing and Business Unit Customer Engagement at Takeda, where she is responsible for commercial strategy and P&L performance for a complex portfolio. Her work centers on translating scientific innovation into real-world adoption by aligning strategy, access, and customer engagement.

She builds organizations grounded in trust and accountability so teams can perform in uncertainty and turn strategy into consistent results.

In addition to her commercial leadership roles, she previously served as Chief of Staff to the U.S. Business Unit President, supporting enterprise strategy across the organization. She holds an Executive MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Kylie Wagner

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. I’m Naji, your host, joined today by Kylie Wagner, a commercial executive with more than 20 years of experience leading growth, portfolio performance, and launches across rare, specialty, and chronic markets. Kylie currently leads marketing and business unit customer engagement at Takeda, where she is responsible for commercial strategy and P&L performance for a complex portfolio. Her work centers on translating scientific innovation into real-world adoption by aligning strategy, access, and customer engagement. She builds organizations grounded in trust and accountability so teams…

Leading Health Forward – Lina Polimeni

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Leading Health Forward - Lina Polimeni
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In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, Naji Gehchan sits down with Lina Polimeni, Chief Marketing Officer, Consumer at Eli Lilly, to explore what it truly means to lead with purpose in healthcare marketing. Lina shares her unconventional journey into the industry, from aspiring to work in music and film to building a 20+ year career at Lilly, and how her passion for meaningful, impactful work has shaped her leadership philosophy.

Together, they dive into the evolution of healthcare marketing, emphasizing the need to move beyond conversations centered on illness and instead bring health into everyday life. Lina highlights the power of emotional storytelling, authenticity, and cultural relevance in driving real impact, far beyond traditional metrics. She also offers a behind-the-scenes look at how she fosters bold creativity within her teams by creating a culture of trust, accountability, and psychological safety.

The conversation goes deeper into leadership, inspiration, and personal growth. Lina reflects on the importance of experiences outside of work to fuel creativity, the influence of her upbringing on her leadership style, and her belief that true impact lies in shaping both culture and future leaders. Her closing message is a powerful reminder: healthcare leaders should see themselves not just as leaders in healthcare, but as leaders of health, bringing it to the forefront of everyday conversations and ultimately improving lives.

“Don’t think of yourself as a healthcare leader. Think of yourself as a leader in health.”

MEET OUR GUEST Lina Polimeni SVP, Chief Marketing Officer Consumer at Eli Lilly and Company.

Lina Polimeni leads Eli Lilly and Company’s global consumer marketing strategy across its corporate brand and medicine portfolio. Since joining Lilly in 2004, she has held a range of leadership roles across business and marketing, including leading U.S. Direct-to-Consumer advertising, serving as Cialis regional brand leader for Australia, Canada, and Europe, and launching Taltz with consumers while leading marketing for diabetes. She has spearheaded transformative initiatives that have reshaped the company’s approach to media, multicultural marketing, sports partnerships, and celebrity engagement. Polimeni’s campaigns have earned multiple Effie Awards and positioned Lilly at the forefront of purpose-driven, emotionally resonant storytelling that builds trust and drives better patient outcomes. An influential voice in marketing, she has been recognized as one of Campaign US’s Top 50 CMOs, an Ad Age Woman to Watch, and a 2025 Campaign Inspiring Women honoree. She continues to push boundaries with work that fuses creativity, impact, and purpose—bringing category-breaking campaigns to life that redefine what healthcare marketing can achieve.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Lina Polimeni

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. Naji Gehchan: Welcome to Spread Love in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. I’m Naji, your host, joined today by Lina Polimeni, Chief Marketing Officer, Consumer at Eli Lilly. Lina leads Eli Lilly and Company’s global consumer marketing strategy across its corporate brand and medicine portfolio. Since joining Lilly in 2004, she has held a range of leadership roles across business and marketing, including leading US direct-to-consumer advertising, serving as Cialis regional brand leader for Australia, Canada, and…

The Positive Intent Mindset – Amer Kaissi

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
The Positive Intent Mindset - Amer Kaissi
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In this insightful return to Spread Love in Organizations, Naji welcomes back award-winning leadership professor and executive coach Amer Kaissi to discuss his newest book, The Positive Intent Mindset. Building on the foundation of his previous work, Humbitious, Amer shares how his upbringing in war-torn Lebanon, and the example of his mother leading an orphanage during the civil war, shaped his belief that humility and ambition must coexist in effective leadership. In times of crisis and complexity, he argues, leaders must connect with humility while elevating standards with accountability.

The conversation dives deeply into the heart of the Positive Intent Mindset: choosing to assume positive intent as a starting point for leadership. Amer explains that in today’s environment, many teams suffer not from lack of talent, but from assumptions of negative intent that erode trust, engagement, and collaboration. Assuming positive intent is not naïve optimism, it is a courageous leadership choice. It begins with trust, invites open dialogue, and is reinforced by accountability when behaviors are repeated or misaligned. When leaders trust first, they create psychological safety, accelerate collaboration, and foster healthier relationships while also protecting their own wellbeing from the toll of rumination and negativity.

Throughout the episode, Amer offers practical tools leaders can apply immediately, including three reflective questions to challenge bias and judgment. He reminds us that leadership today requires projecting calm, inspiring hope, and being intentional about spreading love, while holding people to high standards. In difficult times, trust and accountability are not opposing forces; they are partners. This episode is a compelling call for leaders in healthcare and beyond to lead with courage, discipline, and a mindset that builds trust before mistrust takes root.

“Trust is the starting point. Project calm, inspire hope, and make accountability the standard.”

MEET OUR GUEST Amer Kaissi, an-award winning Professor of Leadership.

Amer Kaissi is an-award winning Professor of Leadership. He is an executive coach that has worked with hundreds of leaders and teams all over the world. Amer is the author of five books, including “Humbitious: the power of low-ego, high-drive leadership.” His newest book is “The Positive Intent Mindset: Exceptional Leadership Through Trust & Accountability”. He has been featured on the Harvard Business Review podcast and numerous other media outlets. He has spoken on leadership topics at more than 300 organizations and professional conferences. He lives in San Antonio with his wife and has two grown children in college.

More on Amer and where to find his books here.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Amer Kaissi Positive Intent Mindset

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. I’m Naji your host. Joined today for the second time by Amer Kaissi and a award-winning professor of leadership. Imel is an executive coach that has worked with hundreds of leaders and teams all over the world. He is the author of five books, including Ambitious, the Power of Low Ego, high Drive Leadership. His newest book is the Positive Intent Mindset: Exceptional leadership through trust and accountability. He has been featured on the Harvard Business Review podcast and numerous other media outlets,…

Vision, Flow, Discovery – Hafedh Haddad

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Vision, Flow, Discovery - Hafedh Haddad
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In this episode of SpreadLove in Organizations, Naji sits down with Hafedh Haddad, medical director and founder of B2G Life Sciences, to explore a career shaped by curiosity, courage, and meaningful encounters. From medical school in Tunisia to leading pioneering gene therapy clinical trials in France, Hafedh shares how openness to opportunity, rather than rigid planning, guided his journey across academia, biotech, and global clinical development.

Hafedh reflects on the power of encounters in shaping both career and character. He discusses his transition from preclinical research to clinical development, the launch of world-first gene therapy trials in rare diseases, and the founding of his consulting company. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the importance of trusting the journey, embracing change, and allowing purpose to evolve through experience.

At its core, this episode is about discovery, of the world, of science, and of oneself. Hafedh offers thoughtful insights on leadership, long-term vision versus adaptability, and the responsibility of working in rare and genetic diseases. It’s a powerful reminder that meaningful impact in healthcare often begins with curiosity and grows through humility, relationships, and a deep commitment to patients.

“Plan the bigger vision. Let the details unfold, and move with them.”

MEET OUR GUEST Hafedh Haddad Founder & CEO @ B2G Life Sciences.

Hafedh is a medical doctor and holds a master’s degree in clinical research. He has 20 years of experience in clinical research and clinical development, with – among other specialties – a focus on rare and genetic diseases, oncology and biotherapies.

Early in his career, he has collaborated to a few preclinical research programs in neuromuscular disorders within academic laboratories in Paris. He later joined Généthon, a French biotech specialized in the development of advanced therapies, to set up and lead two world premiere gene therapy clinical trials in rare diseases (AAV based in vivo gene therapy in limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2C and lentiviral ex vivo gene therapy in Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome).

He founded B2G Life Sciences, a medical consulting company in 2011, and has since then worked on several clinical research projects and medical affairs missions for several companies including biotechs and big pharma as well as academic institutions in Europe and North Africa.

Hafedh is an entrepreneur in the healthcare sector with both a strategy and operation-focused mindset. He worked on the ideation and development of different projects including staffing and training, biobanks and MedTech projects.

Hafedh graduated from the Faculty of Medicine of Tunis (Tunisia) and University Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC), Paris (France).

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Hafedh Haddad

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. Naji Gehchan:Welcome to Spread Love and Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. I’m Naji, your host, joined today by Hafedh Haddad, a medical director, founder of B2G Life Sciences, a medical consulting company. Hafedh has 20 years of experience in clinical research and clinical development with a focus on rare and genetic diseases, oncology and biotherapies. Early in his career, he has collaborated to a few preclinical research programs in neuromuscular disorders within academic laboratories in Paris. He…

There’s Got to Be a Better Way – Nelson Repenning

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
There's Got to Be a Better Way - Nelson Repenning
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In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, host Naji Gehchan welcomes Nelson Repenning, Faculty Director of the MIT Leadership Center and Distinguished Professor at MIT Sloan, to explore why so many organizations struggle to turn proven management ideas into real, sustained impact. Drawing on decades of research in system dynamics and organizational design, Nelson unpacks the hidden forces that keep teams trapped in constant firefighting despite the best intentions, smart people, and well-documented best practices.

At the heart of the conversation is Nelson’s work on dynamic work design, the foundation of his new book There’s Got to Be a Better Way. He explains the “capability trap” that pulls leaders toward short-term fixes and away from long-term learning, and introduces five practical principles that help organizations escape this cycle: solving the right problem, structuring work for discovery, connecting the human chain, regulating flow, and using visual management. Through real-world examples, from manufacturing to healthcare and drug development, Nelson shows how small, well-designed changes can unlock surprisingly large gains in performance, engagement, and impact.

The discussion also dives into leadership, healthcare complexity, and the thoughtful use of AI, emphasizing that effective change doesn’t come from top-down initiatives or copying “best practices,” but from leaders who are willing to go see the work, listen deeply, and develop people. Nelson closes with a powerful reminder: great leadership is not about issuing targets or demanding solutions, but about creating the conditions where people can surface problems, learn together, and do meaningful work. A compelling episode for anyone seeking to build more humane, resilient, and effective organizations.

“Most organizations don’t have a strategy problem, they have a flow problem. We take on far too much work, and everything grinds to a halt.”

MEET OUR GUEST Nelson Repenning, Faculty Director of the MIT Leadership Center, and the School of Management Distinguished Professor of System Dynamics and Organization Studies at the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Nelson P. Repenning is the Faculty Director of the MIT Leadership Center, and the School of Management Distinguished Professor of System Dynamics and Organization Studies at the MIT Sloan School of Management.

His early work focused on understanding the inability of organizations to leverage well-established tools and practices. He has worked extensively with organizations trying to develop new capabilities in both manufacturing and new product development. Nelson has also studied the failure to use the safety practices that often lead to industrial accidents and has helped investigate several major incidents. This line of research has been recognized with several awards, including best paper recognition from both the California Management Review and the Journal of Product Innovation Management.

Building on his earlier work, Nelson now focuses on developing the theory and practice of Dynamic Work Design—a new approach to designing work that is both effective and engaging— and Dynamic Management Systems, a method for ensuring that day-to-day work is tightly linked to the strategic objectives of the firm. His book (co-authored with Don Kieffer) There Has Got to Be a Better Way describing Dynamic Work Design will be published by Public Affairs in 2025. He is also a partner at ShiftGear Work Design and serves as its chief social scientist.

In 2003, Nelson received the International System Dynamics Society’s Jay Wright Forrester Award, which recognizes the best work in the field in the previous five years. In 2011 he received the Jamieson Prize for Excellence in Teaching. He was recently recognized by Poets and Quants as one of the country’s top instructors in executive education.

Nelson is also an avid bike racer and regularly competes in Masters cycling events. He holds a BA in economics from Colorado College and a PhD in operations management and system dynamics from MIT.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Nelson Repenning

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. I’m Naji Gehchan, your host, joined today by Nelson Repenning, Faculty Director of the MIT Leadership Center and the School of Management Distinguished Professor of System Dynamics and Organization Studies at the MIT Sloan School of Management. Nelson’s early work focused on understanding the inability of organizations to leverage well-established tools and practices. He has worked extensively with organizations trying to develop new capabilities in both manufacturing and new product development. Nelson has also studied the failure to use safety practices that often…

People, Purpose, and Pizza – Giovanni Abbadessa

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
People, Purpose, and Pizza - Giovanni Abbadessa
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In this deeply human and wide-ranging conversation, Giovanni Abbadessa shares the personal journey that shaped his vocation as a physician, scientist, and leader. Growing up in Naples as the son of a prominent hematologist, Giovanni initially resisted medicine, only to discover his calling through lived experiences that blended science with humanity. A transformative humanitarian trip to India, working alongside communities affected by leprosy, profoundly reshaped his understanding of dignity, service, and impact. This experience, combined with early clinical exposure, led him to choose oncology, not just for the science, but for the deep, often spiritual connection with patients and families at life’s most vulnerable moments.

Giovanni traces his evolution from clinician to translational scientist and biotech leader, moving across Italy and the United States, from hospitals to research labs, and ultimately into biotech and pharma. He reflects on pivotal moments, from enrolling patients in landmark oncology trials, to building basic science programs from scratch during his PhD in Philadelphia, to navigating the realities of startup biotech during financial crises. Across academia, small biotech, and large pharma, Giovanni highlights how resilience, curiosity, and an unwavering focus on patients guided his decisions, including when to leave organizations due to poor leadership and when to stay and rebuild through trust, compassion, and shared purpose.

At the heart of the episode is Giovanni’s philosophy of leadership and collaboration. Drawing from decades of nonprofit volunteering, community building, and formal leadership training at Harvard Business School, he emphasizes that “drugs don’t develop drugs. People develop drugs.” He argues that effective collaboration starts with honesty about needs, mutual respect, and trust, and that innovation requires humility, failure, and resilience. With memorable metaphors, from pizza as a catalyst for breaking silos, to leadership as a team sport rather than a solo game, Giovanni offers powerful insights for healthcare leaders on how to spread love in organizations by putting people, connection, and purpose first.

“Drugs do not develop drugs. People develop drugs.”

MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Giovanni Abadessa, Chief Medical Officer at ModeX Therapeutics.

Giovanni Abbadessa is a Medical Oncologist and PhD with 23 years drug development experience across academia, small biotech, and pharma. He is a passionate, hands-on, and entrepreneurial leader specializing in oncology, hematology, and rare disease pre-clinical and clinical (Phase 1-3) development. Giovanni has worked on the development of nearly 30 clinical and as many preclinical experimental drugs across eight classes of agents. He is known for a collaborative leadership style, growing and uniting people and science through transparent, results-driven teams. Giovanni has strong strategic, operations, business development and board management experience in both corporate and nonprofit sectors, and has led investor relations, medical affairs, and commercial assessments, enjoying a vast network of academic and industry collaborators.

Presently, as Chief Medical Officer at ModeX Therapeutics, a small biotechnology firm in Weston, MA, Giovanni guides strategy and execution of a variety of clinical programs in oncology and infectious diseases. Additionally, he shapes preclinical oncology research, is responsible for business development and defines corporate strategy with the rest of the company C-Suite, aligning scientific innovation with business objectives while inspiring cross-functional teams.

From 2017 to 2024, Giovanni held a series of senior leadership roles at Sanofi. As Vice President of Oncology Early Development, he was a member of the company’s executive leadership team, oversaw Phase 3 and commercial strategy, built and led an oncology team of 25 who led cross-functional work performed by ~300 people on ~20 early clinical and as many preclinical assets for solid and hematological malignancies and kidney transplant. His portfolio included small molecules, checkpoint inhibitors, ADCs, cytokines, T and NK cell engagers, intratumoral RNA, and cell therapy. He spearheaded strategy and execution for interactions with global Health Authorities, and represented Sanofi with investors, governments, and academic institutions.

Prior to joining Sanofi, Giovanni spent nearly a decade at ArQule, a small biotech company where he advanced to Vice President of Clinical Development, Preclinical Research and Medical Affairs, responsible for development from basic lab research to Phase 3. He worked on MET, AKT, FGFR, Eg5, BRAF, and BTK small molecule inhibitors for cancer and rare pediatric diseases and supported business development, investor relations, people and company strategy alongside the C-Suite and the Board.

Earlier, as Senior Medical Director, Clinical Development at Ziopharm Oncology, a small biotechnology company engaged in research and clinical development of novel chemo-derivatives, Giovanni spearheaded global Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials in solid and hematologic malignancies of three molecules.

Giovanni spent his post-doctoral fellowship at Temple Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, PA, leading and mentoring a small team of scientists on in vitro/in vivo gene therapy projects in cancer models and contributing to patient treatment strategy as a Visiting Oncologist. Giovanni began his Oncology career in 2001 in Milan, Italy, at the Istituto Clinico Humanitas as an Oncology Fellow and Sub-Investigator, where he led four Phase 1-3 clinical trials with small molecules and biologics.

Giovanni serves as a Scientific Board member at Biond Biologics, HiFiBiO, as Scientific Committee member at the ESMO-TAT oncology conference, and as nonprofit Board Member at the Comitato Italiani all’Estero, the Scuola Piccoli Italiani di Boston, and the Professionisti Italiani a Boston.

Govanni earned a PhD in Genetic Oncology from Temple University and the University of Siena, Italy, a Clinical Oncology Fellowship from the Istituto Clinico Humanitas in Milan and the University of Genoa, Italy, and an MD summa cum laude et plausum from Federico II Medical School in Naples, Italy. He speaks native Italian, fluent English and Spanish, proficient French. He published over 60 peer-reviewed articles, 120 conference abstracts (20+ presented orally), and gave ~40 conference talks.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Giovanni Abbadessa

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. I am Naji your host, joined today by Giovanni Abbadessa is a Medical Oncologist and PhD with 23 years drug development experience across academia, small biotech, and pharma. He is a passionate, hands-on, and entrepreneurial leader specializing in oncology, hematology, and rare disease pre-clinical and clinical (Phase 1-3) development. Giovanni has worked on the development of nearly 30 clinical and as many preclinical experimental drugs across eight classes of agents. Currently, as Chief Medical Officer at ModeX Therapeutics, Giovanni guides strategy and execution of…

A Kid From Maine – Basil Upton

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
A Kid From Maine - Basil Upton
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In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, Naji Gehchan welcomes Dr. Basil Upton, executive business director at Eli Lilly, servant leader, and catalyst behind the podcast itself. Basil shares his deeply personal journey from growing up in Maine under the guidance of his grandparents to building a 24-year career in healthcare. With a background in psychology and counseling, Basil reflects on how his desire to help others ultimately led him to pharmaceutical leadership, where purpose, performance, and people intersect.

The conversation dives into Basil’s doctoral research in Educational Leadership and Organizational Innovation, which examined how leadership styles influence employee engagement during periods of both strong and weak performance. His findings challenge conventional thinking: engagement is driven not by shifting leadership styles, but by consistent servant leadership behaviors — active listening, empathy, recognition, and collaboration — especially during challenging times. Unexpectedly, Basil also highlights the powerful role of peer relationships and teamwork, sometimes outweighing even a supervisor’s influence on engagement.

Together, Naji and Basil explore what it truly means to “spread love in organizations.” They challenge leaders to rethink engagement as a core performance metric, not a soft concept, and to recognize the profound impact leadership has on people’s lives beyond work. Basil leaves listeners with a call to action for healthcare leaders everywhere: seek feedback, lead with humility and accountability, embed servant leadership into the DNA of organizations, and intentionally create environments where people — and patients — can truly thrive.

“The impact a leader has on someone’s life beyond work is tremendous.”

MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Basil Upton, Executive Business Director at Eli Lilly.

Basil is a purpose driven transformational and servant leader dedicated to helping others reach their potential. He is entering his 24th year with Eli Lilly and Company where he is an executive business director. His teams have consistently exceeded performance expectations for numerous years. Basil’s work accomplishments include business director of the year, Elite coach, Platinum Performer, and recipient of several Coaching Awards. In the summer of 2024, Basil graduated from Marymount University in Arlington, VA with a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Organizational Innovation. He studied how a supervisor’s leadership style affects the engagement of pharmaceutical sales professionals during periods of varied sales performance for his dissertation.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Basil Upton

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. I am Naji your host, joined today by a dear friend Dr. Basil Upton. Basil is a purpose driven transformational and servant leader dedicated to helping others reach their potential. He is entering his 24th year with Eli Lilly and Company where he is an executive business director. His teams have consistently exceeded performance expectations for numerous years. Basil’s work accomplishments include business director of the year, Elite coach, Platinum Performer, and recipient of several Coaching Awards. In the summer of 2024, Basil graduated…

Leadership That Nourishes – Rania Abou Samra

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Leadership That Nourishes - Rania Abou Samra
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In this special episode, part of our collaboration with the Biosciences Lebanese International Network (BIOLINK), I had the joy of welcoming an extraordinary leader whose career sits at the intersection of science, innovation, and purpose: Rania Abou Samra, Vice President and Head of Innovation & R&D for Nestlé Middle East and North Africa. With more than two decades of experience across global roles in nutrition, health science, and product development, Rania brings a rare blend of deep scientific expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and human-centered leadership. Her mission has remained unwavering since her days studying Nutrition and Dietetics at AUB and later completing a PhD in Obesity and Nutrition at the University of Toronto: advancing nutrition to positively impact lives.

Rania takes us on a moving journey from her childhood in northern Lebanon — where an early fascination with biology sparked her dream of fighting malnutrition — to her unexpected leap from academia into the global food industry. She shares how Nestlé’s scale allows her teams to deliver meaningful change, from fortifying foods in underserved regions to designing science-based innovations rooted in prevention rather than treatment. We dive into the evolving landscape of nutrition, from the rise of GLP-1 therapies to the growing attention on ultra-processed foods, and Rania illuminates how food companies can play a critical role in helping people lose weight safely, protect muscle mass, and maintain overall health in a world where these medications are becoming mainstream.

We also explore Rania’s leadership journey across cultures — from Lebanon to Switzerland, the U.S., and now Dubai. She speaks candidly about navigating emotional expression, resilience shaped by her upbringing, and the balancing act of staying true to her identity while adapting to global environments. Her reflections on cultural agility, authenticity, and the lessons she’s carried with her across continents offer a powerful reminder of what it means to lead with purpose. Rania’s story is one of passion, courage, and an unshakeable belief in the power of science to improve lives — and it’s truly inspiring to hear how she continues to spread impact through innovation in nutrition.

“Innovation without impact is meaningless; the goal is to create solutions that truly improve lives.”

MEET OUR GUEST Rania Abou Samra, Vice President and Head of Innovation & R&D for Nestlé Middle East and North Africa.

Rania Abou Samra has served as the Vice President and Head of Innovation and Research & Development at Nestlé Middle East and North Africa since April 2025. With over 20 years of experience in Nutrition and R&D, she has a strong technical and scientific background that drives innovation forward.

Prior to her current role, Rania assumed the position of Global Head of Product & Technology Development for Nestlé Health Science in January 2022, following her tenure as Vice President of Research and Development at the Vital Proteins business.

Rania’s professional journey includes her previous roles as Global Director of Science and Technology at Nestlé Health Science and Global R&D Lead for Consumer Care. Across various Nestlé research centers, she has lent her expertise to diverse sectors as well as her entrepreneurial spirit, translating scientific and technical insights into breakthrough innovations for both patients and consumers.

She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Nutrition and Dietetics from the American University of Beirut, followed by a PhD in Obesity and Nutrition from the University of Toronto.

Rania aligns her mission with her passion to advance nutrition and positively impact lives through science. Her unwavering commitment to making the benefits of nutrition accessible to all remains a driving force in her personal and professional pursuits.

More Episode with BIOLINKERS can be found here.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Rania Abou Samra

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. This is a special episode, the second of a series in partnership with Biosciences Lebanese International Network – BioLink.   I’m Naji your host, joined today by Rania Abou Samra Vice President and Head of Innovation and Research & Development at Nestlé Middle East and North Africa. With over 20 years of experience in Nutrition and R&D, Rania has a strong technical and scientific background that drives innovation forward. Prior to her current role, she assumed the position of Global Head of Product…

Hope Beyond Rarity – Charlene Son Rigby

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Hope Beyond Rarity - Charlene Son Rigby
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In this inspiring episode of SpreadLove in Organizations, in partnership with the Termeer Institute, host Naji Gehchan welcomes Charlene Son Rigby, CEO of Global Genes, who shares the deeply personal journey that brought her into the rare disease space. After years of searching for a diagnosis, her daughter was found to have STXBP1, a rare neurodevelopmental disorder. That life-altering moment led Charlene to co-found the STXBP1 Foundation, driven by the urgent need to accelerate research and give families like hers a path toward hope. Her story bridges science, advocacy, and parenthood—reshaping her career and purpose.

Charlene discusses how this experience led her from the tech and genomics industry to nonprofit leadership, first with RareX and now with Global Genes. She highlights the organization’s mission: to empower rare disease communities through support, education, and research. Recognizing that much of early progress in rare diseases now begins with patients themselves, Charlene explains the rise of the “next-generation advocate”—families who build data, mobilize researchers, and initiate therapeutic development even in ultra-rare conditions. The merger of RareX and Global Genes was designed to strengthen this ecosystem and give advocates the tools they need to drive discovery.

Looking ahead, Charlene is optimistic about the future of therapeutic development, especially as genetic tools and platform approaches open the door to faster, more scalable progress. Yet challenges remain – particularly the economic and regulatory barriers that hinder early-stage rare disease research. She calls for continued collaboration, smarter infrastructure, and systems designed to make innovation accessible to even the smallest patient communities. Above all, Charlene emphasizes leadership rooted in clarity, conviction, and hope – standing tall in what matters as we work toward cures for all.

“Really focusing on what matters, and standing tall in that, is so important.”

MEET OUR GUESTS Charlene Son Rigby, CEO of Global Genes.

Charlene Son Rigby is Chief Executive Officer of Global Genes. Charlene has spent her career building organizations at the intersection of data, technology, and life sciences. Charlene led the merger between Global Genes and RARE-X, a health technology nonprofit. She was previously Chief Business Officer at Fabric Genomics and held executive roles at enterprise software and genomics companies, including Oracle and Doubletwist. She started her career in neuroscience research at Roche. When Charlene’s daughter was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease, she co-founded the STXBP1 Foundation. She is committed to finding a cure for her daughter’s disorder. Charlene’s unplanned connection between her personal life and profession has helped push forward the search for a cure for her daughter and kids like her, and given her work deeper meaning. Charlene is a Termeer Scholar. She holds a B.A. in Human Biology from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from the Haas School of Business at U.C. Berkeley.

More episodes with Termeer Institute can be found here, or on your favorite Podcast App.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Charlene Son Rigby

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. This episode is in partnership with the Termeer Foundation, a nonprofit organization working to vibrantly connect and empower the world of healthcare innovators until every patient has a cure. I am Naji your host, joined today by Charlene Son Rigby, Chief Executive Officer of Global Genes. Charlene has spent her career building organizations at the intersection of data, technology, and life sciences. Charlene led the merger between Global Genes and RARE-X, a health technology nonprofit. She was previously Chief Business Officer at Fabric…

Choose Your Push – Sekhar Naik

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Choose Your Push - Sekhar Naik
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In this inspiring conversation, Naji welcomes Sekhar Naik, a serial entrepreneur, aviation enthusiast, long-distance runner, and community builder who believes deeply in authentic human connection. Sekhar shares his remarkable journey from growing up in a small town in South India to navigating the bustling streets of Mumbai, exploring opportunities in Dubai, and finally coming to the United States for his MBA. His early experiences — marked by hustle, curiosity, and reinvention — shaped his path toward entrepreneurship and taught him the power of storytelling and adaptability.

Sekhar reflects on how his values around ethical and empathetic growth crystallized later in life, especially after experiencing the culture of innovation and fairness in the U.S. He credits his father’s principled influence, financial insecurities in childhood, and the challenges he witnessed in India’s textile industry as key drivers behind his desire to control his own destiny. These experiences informed his belief in taking thoughtful risks and “picking where to put your hard work,” a philosophy that guided him from turning down a secure corporate job to founding his own company as an immigrant without a safety net.

Today, Sekhar leads MResult, a technology consulting company that grew from a one-person operation into a global firm of over 1,000 employees — with no sales team, scaling entirely through trust, word of mouth, and excellence. He shares how the company evolved from data and analytics into cloud, digital, and AI/ML solutions, always staying agile and grounded in deep client relationships. At the heart of MResult’s success is Sekhar’s unwavering commitment to people-to-people connection—an ethos reflected in the company’s culture, his philanthropic work, and his belief that authentic relationships and purpose-driven innovation are the true engines of enduring impact.

“You have to pick where you put your hard work — success isn’t just effort, it’s choosing the right place to apply it.”

MEET OUR GUESTS Sekhar Naik, Founder and CEO at MResult.

Sekhar Naik is a serial entrepreneur, business leader, aviation enthusiast, long-distance runner, and above all a community builder who believes in the innate power of authentic people-to-people connections. He is the recipient of Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, one of highest civilian honors bestowed by the Government of Karnataka, India.

As the founder of MResult, Sekhar has built a foundation of ethical and empathetic commercial growth by serving as a trusted advisor to a select group of respected global brands. His mantra of success is enabling and empowering people to take decisions and lead with confidence. His belief in the capability of people goes beyond the traditional yardstick of qualifications and expertise to intent and hunger to do more, do better. This is reflected in a culture of customer excellence. Sekhar is also a co-founder and investor in a variety of startups, providing them with both mentoring as well as financial support.

In his commitment to pay it forward he is a major donor of YMCA Naik Family Branch in Mystic, Connecticut. An accomplished commercial pilot with Instrument, and Jet Type Ratings, Sekhar is available to clients wherever they might be. When not flying or mentoring the MResult team, Sekhar is passionate about running and has completed both the New York and Philadelphia marathons. He is a tech enthusiast constantly exploring new frontiers. But beyond this all, he is a storyteller, a lifelong learner, and a believer in investing in relationships that transcend transactional limits.

Sekhar is committed to academic partnerships that explore leading edge innovation and investments in cutting edge technologies around Gen AI and Biotechnology companies. On the personal front, he is very grateful for his family and the privilege of leading a high performing team solving some of the industry’s most complex challenges.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Sekhar Naik

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. I am Naji your host, joined today by Sekhar Naik a serial entrepreneur, business leader, aviation enthusiast, long-distance runner, and above all a community builder who believes in the innate power of authentic people-to-people connections. As the founder of MResult, Sekhar has built a foundation of ethical and empathetic commercial growth by serving as a trusted advisor to a select group of respected global brands. Sekhar is also a co-founder and investor in a variety of startups, providing them with both mentoring as well…

Turning Science Into Impact – Vanessa Almendro Navarro

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Turning Science Into Impact - Vanessa Almendro Navarro
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In this inspiring episode of Spread Love in Organizations, Naji Gehchan welcomes Vanessa Almendro Navarro, Vice President and Head of Science and Technology Innovation at Danaher. Vanessa shares her powerful personal story — from growing up in Spain as the first in her family to attend college, to witnessing cancer’s impact on her loved ones, and ultimately dedicating her career to driving innovation in oncology and biotechnology. Her journey from academic research at Dana-Farber to leading enterprise innovation at Danaher reflects her deep commitment to transforming ideas into tangible impact for patients.

Vanessa discusses how she bridges AI-enabled R&D, commercialization, and innovation to accelerate drug discovery and development. She emphasizes the importance of focusing innovation on solving real problems, being pragmatic rather than chasing the “next shiny thing,” and ensuring that technologies meaningfully advance patient outcomes. She sees the convergence of AI, biotechnology, and robotics as a pivotal moment — an “innovation revolution” — that could redefine how we discover and deliver healthcare solutions.

Reflecting on her leadership journey, Vanessa highlights humility, resilience, and collaboration as essential traits for leaders in healthcare. Her guiding philosophy — “Don’t give up; we’ll figure it out” — captures her approach to overcoming challenges and inspiring others. Vanessa also shares her work with the Brain Tumor Investment Fund, where she supports translating early research into new therapies for patients. She calls on leaders to embrace this era of possibility with focus, courage, and humanity, because, as she reminds us, “Patients are not waiting.”

“Don’t tell me no, tell me how. There’s always an opportunity to move forward.”

MEET OUR GUESTS Vanessa Almendro Navarro, Vice President, Head of Science & Technology Innovation at Danaher Corporation.

Vanessa Almendro Navarro, PhD, MBA, is a life sciences executive who builds at the
intersection of innovation, AI-enabled R&D, and commercialization. As Vice President and
Head of Science & Technology Innovation at Danaher, she leads enterprise innovation and
operating-model modernization across a global portfolio. She designed and scaled the Danaher Beacon distributed R&D program with leading academic partners, launched the Danaher Nexus intrapreneurship pipeline, established the Danaher Antibody Capability Center, and created the Danaher Summits to connect operating companies with top domain expertise.

Previously, Vanessa co-founded and led the Brain Tumor Investment Fund; served as Head of
Strategy & External Innovation at Eisai and Head of Strategy & Operations at Repertoire
Immune Medicines; and held scientific and commercial roles at Vertex. Earlier in her career, she was a research fellow at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard Medical School. She holds a PhD in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (University of Barcelona) and an Executive MBA (MIT).

Her expertise spans venture origination, IP strategy, translational development, partnerships and BD, and capability building in diagnostics and therapeutics. She serves on the boards of the Brain Tumor Investment Fund and MIT Sandbox and is a member of the ARM CEO Advisory Council.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Vanessa Almendro Navarro

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. I am Naji your host, joined today by Vanessa Almendro Navarro, a life sciences executive who builds at the intersection of innovation, AI-enabled R&D, and commercialization. As Vice President and Head of Science & Technology Innovation at Danaher, she leads enterprise innovation and operating-model modernization across a global portfolio. She designed and scaled the Danaher Beacon distributed R&D program with leading academic partners, launched the Danaher Nexus intrapreneurship pipeline, established the Danaher Antibody Capability Center, and created the Danaher Summits to connect operating companies…

Food. Health. Dignity. – Rose Saia

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Food. Health. Dignity. - Rose Saia
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In this special episode of Spread Love in Organizations, Naji sits down with Rose Saia, Executive Director of the Centre Street Food Pantry, to explore the deep connection between food, health, and dignity. Rose shares her powerful personal story — from growing up food insecure in South Boston to leading a community-driven food relief organization that now serves six Greater Boston communities.

Drawing from her lived experience and leadership through the pandemic, Rose reflects on transforming Centre Street’s model to ensure equitable, dignified access to nutritious food for families in need. She discusses how food insecurity — often hidden even in affluent areas — is not only a social issue but also a public health crisis that intersects with housing, income, and healthcare access.

Rose and Naji explore what leadership looks like in times of crisis, how communities can mobilize around empathy and purpose, and why solving hunger requires partnerships across health systems, local organizations, and individuals. Despite the challenges, Rose’s message is one of resilience and hope: our shared humanity drives us to help one another—and through food, we can touch lives and health in the most fundamental way.

“When everything said we couldn’t, our community proved we can.”

MEET OUR GUESTS Rose Saia, Executive Director at Centre Street Food Pantry.

Rose Saia Executive Director of Centre Street Food Pantry. Rose joined Centre Street in 2019 as a part-time Pantry Manager. When the pandemic began, she pivoted the operation to a new program and distribution model to address the exponential increase in food insecurity. She became Executive Director in 2021. Prior to joining Centre Street, she was Pantry Director for Open Table, a Metrowest regional grocery and meals agency. Her experience in nonprofit organizations includes being a member of the board of directors and marketing chair for The Capital Network and WEST (Women Entrepreneurs in Science and Technology), and as a CEO coach for women leading high-growth businesses at The Commonwealth Institute. Her professional career is anchored in high technology, where she was a leader of technical, product marketing, and business development teams for startups and global providers. She was the CEO and co-founder of a network security consulting and product company that was acquired by Juniper Networks. Rose is also a published writer and professional true-life storyteller who has appeared on local stages and on the national television series, “Stories from the Stage.”

Visit and help Centre Street Food Pantry.

Donate here.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Rose Saïa

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. I am Naji your host, for a special episode today touching health through food. I am excited to be joined by Rose Saia Executive Director of Centre Street Food Pantry. Rose joined Centre Street in 2019 as a part-time Pantry Manager. When the pandemic began, she pivoted the operation to a new program and distribution model to address the exponential increase in food insecurity. She became Executive Director in 2021. Prior to joining Centre Street, she was Pantry Director for Open Table, a Metrowest…

The Thriving Biopharma – Alain Eudaric & Jean-Noël Pellegrin

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
The Thriving Biopharma - Alain Eudaric & Jean-Noël Pellegrin
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In this episode of SpreadLove in Organizations, Naji is joined by Jean-Noël Pellegrin and Alain Eudaric, two veteran leaders in biotech and pharma, to discuss their new book, The Thriving Biopharma Business. With decades of experience shaping strategy, finance, and innovation across global markets, they share how purpose, clarity, and collaboration fuel success in one of the world’s most complex industries. Both guests describe their journeys — from engineering, finance, and corporate leadership at major companies like Sanofi — to helping biotech and pharma leaders align science, strategy, and market needs. Their mission through their book is clear: to help biotech innovators turn groundbreaking ideas into real-world impact.

Jean-Noël and Alain dive into the lessons behind The Thriving Biopharma Business, highlighting key principles that drive sustainable growth in life sciences. They explore how companies like Moderna and Vertex Pharmaceuticals turned uncertainty into opportunity through bold strategy, storytelling, and disciplined leadership. The discussion brings to life their concept of integrative leadership — a model that connects perspectives across R&D, regulatory, finance, and commercial teams to accelerate decision-making and value creation. Through vivid examples of M&A integration and strategic partnerships, they illustrate how restraint, empathy, and emotional intelligence often determine whether innovation thrives or stalls in complex corporate settings.

The conversation closes on the human side of biotech leadership — purpose, resilience, and love. The authors reflect on how storytelling and empathy are as crucial as data in convincing investors, partners, and patients to believe in a vision. They emphasize that thriving in biotech requires relentless curiosity, business acumen, and the courage to lead with compassion. As Jean-Noël and Alain put it, spreading love in organizations means creating environments where collaboration, integrity, and shared purpose drive breakthroughs that truly change lives.

“Great outcomes demand more than science — they require decisive leadership.” – Alain Eudaric

“Integrative leadership turns transactions into true partnerships built on trust.” – Jean-Noël Pellegrin

MEET OUR GUESTS Alain Eudaric, President Idea Pathways.

MEET OUR GUESTS Jean-Noël Pellegrin, Sr Director Valuation and Finance Support to Business Development, M&A at Sanofi.

Alain Eudaric brings over 30 years of global expertise in biopharma, life sciences, and consulting, specializing in strategy, M&A, alliances, and innovation-led growth. He has held leadership roles at Kearney, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Parexel International, driving transformative programs and business success. As President of Idea Pathways, Alain focuses on driving operational excellence and fostering innovative growth strategies for the biopharma industry. He is an alum from Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins University, MIT, Purdue University, and Ecole Centrale de Lille with advanced degrees in Biotech, Business, Science, and Engineering.

Jean-Noël Pellegrin has over 15 years of expertise in M&A and business development, with a proven track record of contributing to several hundred transactions. He began his career at EY before most recently joining Sanofi, where he has spent the last 20 years in France and the United States. His 30 years of combined experience across global public company finance, audit, accounting, and strategic transactions make him a trusted expert in valuing life sciences assets and structuring complex deals. He is an alum of Babson College and Sciences Po, with advanced degrees in Business and Finance.

Find their book here!

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Alain Eudaric & Jean Noël Pellegrin

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. 00:04Welcome to Spread Love and Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. I’m Nagy, your host, and I have the pleasure today to be sitting with two leaders who’ve spent decades navigating one of the world’s most complex industries, my industry, biotech and pharma. Jean-Noël Pellegrain and Alain Eudaric aren’t just strategists or deal makers, they’re connectors of purpose, people, and innovation. 00:32It is really great to have you both with me today. You’ve earned the reputation of a…

Microbiome Driven Innovation – Benjamin Hadida

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Microbiome Driven Innovation - Benjamin Hadida
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In this special episode of SpreadLove in Organizations, in partnership with the Boston Biotechnology Summit, Naji Gehchan welcomes Benjamin Hadida, co-founder and CEO of Exeliom Biosciences, a French clinical-stage biotech company pioneering microbiome-based immunomodulation therapies. Benjamin shares his inspiring journey from studying finance and molecular biology to creating his “dream job” — building a biotech company developing novel drugs from scratch. Motivated by the strong scientific potential in France and the desire to bridge academia with industry, he co-founded Exeliom to transform promising academic discoveries into real-world treatments. Under his leadership, Exeliom has raised $29 million to advance EXL01, a first-in-class therapy targeting the innate immune system, now in Phase 2 trials for oncology, inflammatory bowel disease, and infectious diseases.

Benjamin reflects on the early challenges of founding a biotech without a predefined roadmap, emphasizing the value of curiosity, humility, and adaptability. With no regulatory precedent or traditional C-suite structure, his team built a unique organization focused entirely on what their lead program needed to reach the clinic — not on personal titles or egos. This disciplined focus, coupled with clear alignment among co-founders and scientific advisors, allowed Exeliom to move an academic concept into advanced clinical trials. He highlights one key leadership lesson for biotech founders: always ask, “What does the program need?” — a mindset that drives both strategic clarity and organizational culture, ensuring every decision serves the science and the patients it aims to help.

Benjamin also dives into the science behind Exeliom’s groundbreaking approach. Rather than targeting a molecule, their innovation emerged from clinical observations linking patient responses to immunotherapy with gut microbiome composition. Exeliom’s therapy leverages a specific bacterial strain, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, to modulate macrophages via the innate immune receptor NOD2 — effectively enhancing immune responses depending on disease context. Looking ahead, Benjamin sees EXL01 as an add-on immunomodulator that could boost responses to checkpoint inhibitors or anti-TNF treatments. His biggest challenge now is educating pharma partners about the real potential of microbiome-based therapies, often misunderstood after past industry missteps.

“Put yourself behind others, not in front of them… You cannot be successful without love.”

MEET OUR GUESTS Benjamin Hadida, Co-Founder & CEO of Exeliom Biosciences.

Benjamin Hadida is co-founder of Exeliom Biosciences, a clinical-stage biotech company founded in 2016 in France, winner of the Biotech Summit Pitch this year. With experience spanning investment banking, venture capital, regulatory affairs, biotech operations, and applied research, Benjamin brings a multidisciplinary perspective to biotech innovation. He holds master’s degrees in Management from ESSEC Business School, and Molecular and Cellular Biology from Sorbonne. Under his leadership, Exeliom has raised $29 million to develop EXL01, a groundbreaking microbiome-based immunomodulator targeting the innate immune system. This first-in-class therapy is now in Phase 2 trials for Immuno-oncology, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and Infectious Diseases.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Benjamin Hadida

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. I am Naji, your host for this special episode in partnership with Boston Biotechnology Summit, a bridge to collaboration and innovative synergies between healthcare stakeholders. I am joined today Benjamin Hadida co-founder of Exeliom Biosciences, a clinical-stage biotech company founded in 2016 in France, winner of the Biotech Summit Pitch this year. With experience spanning investment banking, venture capital, regulatory affairs, biotech operations, and applied research, Benjamin brings a multidisciplinary perspective to biotech innovation. He holds master’s degrees in Management from ESSEC Business School,…

Innovation Meets Compassion – Fernando Vieira

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Innovation Meets Compassion - Fernando Vieira
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In this inspiring episode of SpreadLove in Organizations, in partnership with the Termeer Institute, host Naji Gehchan welcomes Dr. Fernando Vieira, CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI). A physician-scientist and engineer, Fernando shares his deeply personal journey from aspiring inventor to leading one of the world’s foremost non-profit biotechs dedicated to ALS. His passion stems from the loss of his close friend to the disease, which shaped his life’s mission – to translate scientific discovery into real treatments for people living with ALS.

Fernando offers an inside look into the unique non-profit biotech model at ALS TDI -an organization that combines scientific rigor with mission-driven purpose. With integrated research programs spanning cell biology, pharmacology, and clinical data, ALS TDI develops and validates therapeutic targets, often spinning off intellectual property to for-profit partners to advance drug development. Fernando highlights the advantages of staying focused on a single disease area, building institutional knowledge, maintaining long-term commitment, and ensuring every effort serves the ALS community. He also explores the promise and challenge of rare disease research, emphasizing the complexity and need for multiple targeted therapies to address ALS’s many subtypes.

Looking ahead, Fernando expresses optimism about emerging technologies, AI applications, and omics data transforming ALS research. From digital biomarkers and machine learning to novel therapeutic modalities, he believes the field is entering a new era of precision and hope. Reflecting on leadership, he defines it as servant leadership: serving the mission and his team with empathy and humility. As a recent Termeer Fellow, he praises the Foundation for fostering mentorship and connection among healthcare innovators.

“Think about the people that you’re trying to serve, and meet them where they are. Understand their needs, and let that guide everything you do.”

MEET OUR GUESTS Fernando Vieira, CEO and CSO at ALS Therapy Development Institute, Termeer Institute Fellow.

Fernando Vieira has over 20 years of dedication to advancing ALS research and treatment development at the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI), a non-profit biotech company. Dr. Vieira has progressed through various leadership roles at ALS TDI, culminating in his current positions as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer. He leads a team of over 25 researchers, overseeing target discovery, drug discovery, biomarker development, and translational ALS research.

Having lost his closest friend to ALS, Fernando is deeply committed to translating scientific discoveries into clinical applications that benefit people with ALS. Fernando’s work integrates preclinical pharmacology, multi-omics, and digital outcome measures, driving the preclinical validation of multiple drugs, including tegoprubart, now in clinical development for ALS, along with kidney transplant. He has worked to establish ALS TDI as a hub for innovative ALS research infrastructure, fostering collaborations to enhance disease monitoring and therapeutic outcomes.

Fernando is a recognized leader in ALS research, affirmed by his roles on the Research Committee of ALS ONE and the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations Research Directors Forum. He holds multiple patents for novel therapeutic approaches for ALS and has contributed to publications in multiple high impact journals such as Nature Communications, Nature Genetics, and Science Translational Medicine. Fernando earned a degree in biological engineering from the University of Florida and his MD from Harvard Medical School. Outside of his professional life, Dr. Vieira is a dedicated father to a high school-aged son in Newton. He actively participates in his son’s activities with a local Scouting America troop. In his free time, he enjoys running, hiking, and playing basketball.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Fernando Vieira

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. This episode is in partnership with the Termeer Foundation, a nonprofit organization working to vibrantly connect and empower the world of healthcare innovators until every patient has a cure. I am Naji your host, joined today by Fernando Vieira, a healthcare executive with over 20 years of dedication to advancing ALS research and treatment development at the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI), an non-profit biotech company. Fernando has progressed through various leadership roles at ALS TDI, culminating in his current positions as…

AI, Leadership, Love – Dimitrios Skaltsas

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
AI, Leadership, Love - Dimitrios Skaltsas
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In this special episode of SpreadLove in Organizations, produced in partnership with the MIT Club of Boston BioSummit, Naji Gehchan welcomes Dimitrios Skaltsas, CEO and co-founder of Intelligencia AI. Founded in 2017, Intelligencia is a pioneer in applying artificial intelligence, data science, and biomedical expertise to transform decision-making in pharmaceutical R&D. Dimitrios shares his remarkable journey from studying law in Greece to leading one of the most innovative companies in healthcare AI. Inspired by his roots and driven by a deep sense of purpose, he reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his career — from consulting at McKinsey to discovering a passion for innovation in life sciences — and how love, family, and giving back have guided his mission.

Dimitrios dives into the origins of Intelligencia AI and the crucial problem it set out to solve: improving R&D productivity and redefining how risk is assessed in drug development. By building machine learning models to predict the probability of clinical success, Intelligencia provides pharmaceutical companies with a robust decision-support tool, helping them prioritize programs, optimize portfolios, and ultimately bring new therapies to patients more effectively. Dimitrios emphasizes that AI should complement, not replace, human judgment, serving as a powerful tool to support intuition with data-driven insights. As the company continues to grow, it is expanding into new therapeutic areas, geographies, and functionalities, with a focus on making drug development smarter, faster, and more predictive.

The conversation also explores the human side of leadership and innovation. Dimitrios shares how his love of painting — from abstract canvases to portraits of people he knows – mirrors his leadership philosophy: balancing big-picture creativity with deep human connection. He defines leadership as a responsibility to serve others and sees clinical trials as both a blessing and a challenge; essential for patient safety but ripe for innovation. On AI, he is optimistic yet cautious, recognizing its transformative potential alongside its risks if not guided by ethics and discipline. This episode offers a rich exploration of purpose-driven leadership, the intersection of art and science, and the future of AI in reshaping how life-changing medicines are discovered and developed.

“AI is a huge opportunity for life sciences, but without ethics, it can mislead us.”

MEET OUR GUESTS Ditrios Skaltsas Co-Founder & CEO, Intelligencia AI.

As the CEO and co-founder of Intelligencia AI™, Dimitrios Skaltsas drives the AI-driven technology organization’s business and investment growth strategy while overseeing critical functional areas of the multidisciplinary global team. Founded in 2017, Intelligencia AI leads the way in leveraging proprietary data, biomedical expertise and artificial intelligence (AI) with its patented technology to address significant challenges in the pharmaceutical industry. These challenges include lengthy drug development timelines, excessive costs, and unsustainable return on investment (ROI). Its suite of AI-powered solutions delivers actionable insights crucial in mitigating risks and enhancing decision-making associated with drug development by providing an accurate, unbiased assessment of a drug’s probability of success. 

In 2024, the company received a U.S. patent for its accurate and transparent probability of drug success assessments. It also earned its inaugural spots on the Inc. Regional (Northeast) and Inc. 5000 for the first time. The Healthcare Technology Report recognized it as one of the Top 100 Healthcare Technology Companies. In 2021, the company completed its Series A funding and was named one of Forbes’s Top AI Companies to Watch. During this time, Dimitrios played a pivotal role in establishing a strategic partnership with ZS, a global professional services company. Before tapping into his entrepreneurial spirit and co-founding Intelligencia AI, Dimitrios spent over a decade in various leadership roles within the healthcare and life sciences sectors.

He holds an MBA from INSEAD and a law degree from University College London (UCL) and the University of Athens. In his leisure time, you can find him painting or enjoying the Greek countryside.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Dimitrios Skaltsas

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. This episode is in partnership with MIT Club of Boston BioSummit. I am Naji your host, joined today by Dimitrios Skaltsas, CEO and co-founder of Intelligencia AI. Founded in 2017, Intelligencia AI leads the way in leveraging proprietary data, biomedical expertise and artificial intelligence with its patented technology to address significant challenges in the pharmaceutical industry. Intelligencia AI has been recognized in Inc. 5000 and as one of the Top 100 Healthcare Technology Companies. In 2021, the company completed its Series A funding and was named…

Race to Innovation – John P Bamforth

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Race to Innovation - John P Bamforth
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In this episode of SpreadLove in Organizations, I am joined once again by my longtime friend and colleague, John Bamforth, to celebrate the launch of his new book Race to Innovation. John’s remarkable journey has taken him from his roots in Wigan, England, to building global brands at Eli Lilly, and most recently, leading the Eshelman Institute for Innovation at UNC-Chapel Hill. He was my very first guest when I started this podcast four years ago, and it’s a joy to welcome him back as we reflect on his career, his growth, and the bold ideas he is now championing.

John shares the story behind Race to Innovation, which highlights the often-overlooked history of innovation and entrepreneurship in marginalized communities, particularly African American communities. The book blends untold stories of past trailblazers with interviews of today’s innovators, all grounded in the belief that unlocking potential in underrepresented groups creates value for all of us. This is not a zero-sum game; rather, encouraging diversity of thought and entrepreneurship helps societies thrive together.

Our conversation goes beyond the book, touching on the meaning of innovation, the intentionality required to build diverse, trusting teams, and the essential role of purpose in uniting people around bold goals. John’s insights remind us of the power of assuming potential in every individual and of leading with genuine care for one another. His vision is a hopeful call to see difference not as division but as a force for solving the world’s most pressing challenges – together.

“Innovation starts with assuming potential in every individual – and unlocking it benefits us all.”

MEET OUR GUESTS John P Bamforth, independent Director for Humacyte and a member of the commercialization committee.

Dr John Bamforth PhD is an independent director for Humacyte Inc (NASDAQ: HUMA) and a member of the commercialization committee. In addition, he has served on the Boards of the Structural Genomics Consortium (https://www.thesgc.org) and READDI (https://readdi.org). On the READDI Board, John recruited 4 independent Board members including Sen Richard Burr and Lydia Ogden PhD (JNJ) and he chairs the compensation committee. He is an advisor to several privately owned biotech and healthcare companies and is an active investor. John is co-founder of the B and M Impact Foundation (BMimpact.org) which is focused on creating wealth and health in disadvantaged communities.

John had a 30-year career at Eli Lilly and Company culminating in the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) role from 2016 to his retirement in 2018. He was also CMO of Lilly’s $10B US operation from 2012-2016. Over his career at Lilly John was known for building highly engaged teams and launching multiple brands across the globe. Probably, his best-known success was the building of Cialis globally, the $2B a year blockbuster brand. On his retirement from Lilly, John was hired to lead Eshelman Innovation at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, an institute that was founded by a $100M gift, the largest gift in UNC’s history. The institute leverages industry practices and the University’s $1.5B research enterprise to develop novel therapeutics alongside digital health technologies. He stepped down from the role in 2025 after 6 years to focus on his board work and philanthropic endeavors.

John has a pharmacy degree and PhD from his education in the United Kingdom. Pharmavoice named John one of Pharma’s top 100 ‘Inspirational Leaders’ in 2007 and his alma mater, Aston University, awarded him an Honorary Doctorate for service to the Pharma Industry in 2012. John lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina with his wife Sue, and has two adult children, Thomas and Rebecca.

More about the Book on this link!

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: John P Bamforth

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. I am Naji your host, joined today by John Bamforth for the launch of his book: Race to Innovation. John grew up in Wigan, England and studied at the University of Bath and Aston University, earning a phd in neuropharmacology. He joined Eli Lilly in 1989, building global brands and leading diverse teams after moving to the U.S. in 2001. Most recently he completed 6 years with Eshelman Innovation at UNC-Chapel Hill, helping turn breakthrough ideas into real-world patient solutions. I had the pleasure…

BioLink Leadership Journey – Francois Nader & Khalil Barrage

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
BioLink Leadership Journey - Francois Nader & Khalil Barrage
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In this special episode of SpreadLove in Organizations, I had the honor of hosting Dr. François Nader and Khalil Barrage, the visionary co-founders of BioLink. This New York–based nonprofit is on a mission to connect biosciences professionals of Lebanese origin around the world, while building a sustainable life sciences ecosystem in Lebanon. François shared his inspiring journey from physician in Lebanon to global biotech leader, including turning around NPS Pharma before its $5B acquisition by Shire. Khalil reflected on his path from Lebanon to becoming one of the most active biotech investors through The Invus Group, with landmark investments in companies such as Moderna.

Both leaders opened up about the origins of BioLink, which were born out of tragedy but fueled by hope. In the aftermath of the Beirut port explosion, they witnessed the strength and generosity of the Lebanese diaspora in the life sciences community. This moment of crisis revealed an incredible network of Lebanese talent across the industry and sparked the idea to create a global platform. BioLink was established not only to bring these leaders together, but also to lay the foundation for a life sciences economy in Lebanon that can create opportunities for the next generation.

Throughout our conversation, François and Khalil emphasized values of vision, resilience, and credibility in leadership. They reminded us that true leadership shines in times of crisis, and that success in biotech requires grit, integrity, and long-term commitment. Above all, they shared a dream: to harness the collective power of Lebanese professionals worldwide to contribute back to Lebanon and build something enduring. This episode is a testament to purpose-driven leadership, collaboration, and the belief that together, we can inspire change.

“Leaders show the most leadership during a crisis.” –François Nader
“In biotech, there are no shortcuts — integrity and the right team matter.” – Khalil Barrage

MEET OUR GUESTS Francois Nader chairman of GEn1E Lifesciences, and board director of Moderna and Ring Therapeutics.

MEET OUR GUESTS Khalil Barrage Managing Director at The Invus Group.

This is a special episode, the first of a series in partnership with Biosciences Lebanese International Network – BioLink. This New York-based non-profit is on a mission to build a global community of professionals in biosciences of Lebanese origin, like me, and it turns out, there’s quite a few of us. Most interestingly, it has set a bold vision, which is to catalyze a life sciences ecosystem in Lebanon by working with local talent and academic centers, with the support of the Lebanese diaspora community. This is an ambitious goal, but BioLink.org’s founders Dr. Francois Nader and Khalil Barrage are some of the most accomplished people in the industry, and if anyone can pull it off, they can. I’m thrilled to have them with me today!

Francois is a pharma veteran who sits on the board of several biopharma companies. He is chairman of GEn1E Lifesciences, and a board director of Moderna and Ring Therapeutics, as well as a senior advisor to Blackstone Life Sciences. Francois became well known within the industry, when he took the helm of NPS Pharma in 2006. The company was then on the verge of insolvency. Francois turned it around and sold it less than a decade later for more than $5 billion to Shire. 

Khalil is a managing director at The Invus Group, a New York-based global investment firm. He established the Public Equity Group which invests in emerging innovative biotech companies, and co-manages private biotech investments, making Invus one of the most active investors in biotech, according to PitchBook. Khalil also sits on the board of several biotech companies, including ElevateBio, Sensorion, Onxeo, Protagenic Therapeutics, and Orthobond.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Francois Nader & Khalil Barrage

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. This is a special episode, the first of a series in partnership with Biosciences Lebanese International Network – BioLink. This New York-based non-profit is on a mission to build a global community of professionals in biosciences of Lebanese origin, like me, and it turns out, there’s quite a few of us. Most interestingly, it has set a bold vision, which is to catalyze a life sciences ecosystem…

The Human Variable – Catharine Smith

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
The Human Variable - Catharine Smith
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In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, Naji Gehchan had the pleasure of hosting Catharine Smith, the inaugural Executive Director of the Termeer Institute. The Institute honors the legacy of former Genzyme CEO Henri Termeer by supporting biotech leaders who are driven by patient impact. Catherine shared her powerful journey, from growing up with limited access to healthcare, to leading initiatives at the Clinton Foundation and Harvard, and now shaping a movement that empowers early-stage biotech CEOs to tackle some of healthcare’s biggest challenges. Her personal story, rooted in seeing healthcare as a human right, set the stage for our inspiring conversation.

Throughout our discussion, Catherine highlighted the importance of leadership as a catalyst for systemic change. Drawing from her experience in hospital medicine, primary care, and crisis response, she emphasized that effective leadership goes beyond technical expertise —it’s about training, mentoring, and empowering people to drive meaningful improvements in patient care. At the Tamir Foundation, this philosophy translates into supporting biotech founders not only with resources and technical skills, but also with values-aligned networks, mentorship, and leadership development tailored to their journeys.

Catherine also shared her perspective on the future of biotech as a powerful lever for change in healthcare. From the promise of rare disease therapies to the growing energy in women’s health, she stressed how science and innovation must be matched with responsibility, equity, and human-centered leadership. For her, the “human variable” is the most crucial factor in whether breakthroughs succeed in transforming lives. As we closed, Catherine reminded healthcare leaders to hold onto their “why,” seek partnerships, and focus on solving big problems together. It was a conversation full of hope, responsibility, and a call to action for leaders across healthcare and biotech.

“Biotech can be a lever to change healthcare.”

MEET OUR GUEST Catharine Smith, Executive Director of the Termeer Institute.

Catharine Smith serves as inaugural Executive Director of the Termeer Institute (Former Termeer Foundation), which carries on the bold legacy of former Genzyme CEO Henri Termeer, who was committed to mentoring emerging leaders and whose dedication to patients resulted in groundbreaking treatments for rare diseases. The Termeer Foundation understands that bringing new treatments to patients is grueling work with a low probability of success and believes we can improve these odds by positively impacting the human variables in healthcare. By supporting biotech leaders, the Foundation seeks to increase the probability of creating cures and solving healthcare’s greatest challenges.

Prior to the Termeer Foundation, Catharine served as the CEO of the Clinton Health Matters Initiative at the Clinton Foundation where she led a team focused on stigma reduction and overdose prevention related to the opioid epidemic. Before that role, Catharine was the Executive Director of the Harvard Center for Primary Care where she led business development, strategy, and operations for a think-tank focused on improving value-based, patient-centered care.

Catharine holds a master’s degree in business administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a graduate degree in social science research from the University of Chicago.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Catharine Smith

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. I’m Naji your host, excited to be joined today by Catharine Smith, who serves as inaugural Executive Director of the term Foundation, which carries on the bold legacy of former Genzyme, CEO, uh, Henry Term. The foundation understands that bringing new treatments to patients is grueling work with a low probability of success, and believes we can improve these odds by positively impacting the human variables in healthcare. By supporting biotech leaders, they seek to increase the probability of creating cures and solving…

Patients as Advocates – Selin Kurnaz

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Patients as Advocates - Selin Kurnaz
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In this episode, Naji Gehchan welcomes Selin Kurnaz, CEO and co-founder of Massive Bio, a health tech company using AI and data-driven solutions to expand access to cancer clinical trials. Selin shares her personal journey from a structured career in engineering and private equity to founding Massive Bio after her family’s experience with cancer. What started as a side project quickly became her full-time mission, as she realized the immense challenges and dedication required to drive change in healthcare. Since 2015, she has led Massive Bio to impact over 160,000 patients worldwide, with a focus on underserved communities and equitable access to clinical trials.

Selin highlights the importance of applying engineering principles to clinical operations, particularly in solving the long-standing challenge of patient recruitment in oncology trials. By combining systematic problem-solving with regulatory knowledge, Massive Bio addresses inefficiencies across the patient enrollment journey—identification, pre-screening, and last-mile enrollment. She explains how AI enables scalability, reducing the time it takes to match patients with clinical trials from months to minutes. This approach not only empowers patients to advocate for themselves but also helps physicians and pharma companies accelerate drug development, creating both individual and population-level impact.

Discussing leadership and growth, Selin emphasizes resilience, teamwork, and the importance of early adopters in driving healthcare innovation. She speaks candidly about the challenges women face in senior roles within health tech and the need for true meritocracy. At Massive Bio, she fosters a flat, mission-driven culture where every team member feels empowered and connected to the purpose of improving patients’ lives. Her closing advice to healthcare leaders is to remain resilient, embrace humility, and stay grounded—focusing on what truly matters: health, team, and impact.

“I’m not seeking fairness in life, but success in the unfairness of life.”

MEET OUR GUEST Selin Kurnaz, CEO and co-founder of Massive Bio, a health tech company improving access to cancer clinical trials through AI and data-driven solutions.

Selin Kurnaz is the CEO and co-founder of Massive Bio, a health tech company improving access to cancer clinical trials through AI and data-driven solutions. She holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and brings over a decade of experience in life sciences strategy and operations. Inspired by her family’s cancer journey, Selin launched Massive Bio in 2015 to make cutting-edge treatments more accessible, particularly in underserved communities. Under her leadership, the company has onboarded over 160,000 patients and built a global network of sites, partners, and advocates. Selin is also a recognized voice for women in tech and digital health innovation.

About Massive Bio:
Massive Bio is a healthcare technology company using AI to match cancer and rare disease patients with clinical trials and optimize drug use for better outcomes. Founded to address the barriers patients face in accessing advanced treatments, the platform simplifies and personalizes the clinical trial journey. With over 160,000 patients onboarded and partnerships with top pharma companies across 17 countries, Massive Bio is transforming oncology care. Its solutions reduce inefficiencies, accelerate drug development, and improve treatment access globally. The company is now expanding beyond trial matching into broader oncology services to become a leading data-driven cancer care platform.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Selin Kurnaz

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. Naji Gehchan: I’m Naji your host. Joined today by Selin Kurnaz CEO and co-founder of Massive Bio, a health tech company, improving access to cancer clinical trials through AI and data driven solutions. Seline holds a PhD in mechanical engineering. And brings over a decade of experience in life sciences, strategy and operations. Inspired by Higher Families Cancer Journey, Celine launched massive bio in 2015 to make cutting edge treatments more accessible, particularly in underserved communities. Under her leadership, the company has onboarded…

Building Her Body API – Christy Fernandez-Cull

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Building Her Body API - Christy Fernandez-Cull
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In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, Naji Gehchan welcomes Christy Fernandez-Cull, CEO of DaVinci Wearables and a trailblazer in tech and health innovation. Christy shares her inspiring journey from childhood curiosity — designing a cereal dispenser to let her hardworking parents sleep in — to leading groundbreaking work at companies like Apple, Waymo, and Google. With a PhD from Duke and an MBA from MIT, Christy blends deep technical expertise with visionary leadership, always guided by a moral compass instilled by her family and a relentless curiosity about the world.

Christy introduces her current venture, DaVinci Wearables, with the bold ambition of becoming the “body API for better health.” She describes a future where garments not only clothe us but also provide real-time biometric insights, especially focused on women’s health, a historically underserved field. With partnerships across universities and health systems, DaVinci is building a wearable ecosystem that tracks hydration, hormones, nutrition, and physical activity, empowering users through a smart companion app that educates and nudges healthier habits. Their unique platform blends data, personalized coaching, and community, aiming to democratize body intelligence for every stage of a woman’s life.

Throughout the conversation, Christy speaks candidly about the challenges and joys of entrepreneurship, especially as a female founder in health tech. She emphasizes the importance of empathy — both toward others and oneself — and encourages founders to stay anchored in purpose by connecting directly with the people they serve. Christy’s reflections on leadership, equity in women’s health, and the role of love and service in organizations offer powerful inspiration for healthcare leaders seeking to drive meaningful change.

“If you need to feel inspired, go directly to your customer… They’ll remind you why you started.”

MEET OUR GUEST Christy Fernandez-Cull, CEO of DaVinci Wearables and former leader of sensing teams at Waymo (Google Self-Driving) and Lyft’s Self-Driving Division.

Dr. Christy Fernandez-Cull is CEO of DaVinci Wearables and former leader of sensing teams at Waymo (Google Self-Driving) and Lyft’s Self-Driving Division. She played a key role at Apple, contributing to autonomous systems and releasing the first LiDAR module in the 2020 iPad. Dr. Fernandez-Cull has experience in Defense technologies at MIT Lincoln Laboratory and consumer products at Apple. She advises VCs and startups in mobility, autonomous vehicles, and digital health, and serves on several boards. She holds a Ph.D. from Duke University and an MBA from MIT and lectures at Columbia University and MIT.

Longer Dr. Christy Fernandez-Cull is the CEO of DaVinci Wearables. Previously, she led the sensing and perception system’s teams at Waymo – formerly Google Self-Driving. She was also the Head of Sensors at Lyft Level 5 Self-Driving Division, leading sensor architecture for Lyft vehicle platforms — designing machine eyes to help transform transportation of the future. Prior to Lyft, she was a senior technologist at Apple spanning autonomous systems and the Camera and Depth Hardware team that released the first-of-kind Light Detection and Ranging module in the 2020 iPad. She has spanned both the development of Defense technologies at MIT Lincoln Laboratory and at-scale consumer-product technologies at Apple. She is a senior science advisor to multiple VCs and startups in the areas of sensors and systems for mobility applications, autonomous vehicles and digital health and wearables. She’s a Board member of Omnitron and a Venture Partner and Deep Tech Advisor at L’attitude Ventures and serves on a non-profit board. She received her MS and Ph.D. in Engineering from Duke University and MBA from MIT and enjoys mentoring in STEM/STEAM fields and serves as a adjunct/lecturer at Columbia University, guest lecture and AI practitioner at MIT-LL and MIT Media Lab.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Christy Fernandez-Cull

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. Naji Gehchan: I’m Naji your host, joined today by Christy Fernandez-Culle, CEO of DaVinci Wearables and former leader of sensing teams at Waymo Google. Self-driving and lifts, self-driving division. Christy played a key role at Apple contributing to autonomous systems and releasing the first LID module in the 2020 iPad. She has spanned both the development of defense technologies at MIT Lincoln Lab and at scale consumer product technologies at Apple. Christy advises VCs and startups in mobility, autonomous vehicles and digital health,…

Know What You Want – Michael Pietrack

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Know What You Want - Michael Pietrack
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In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, I had the pleasure of hosting Michael Pietrack, a seasoned recruiter in the pharmaceutical industry with nearly two decades of experience. Michael shared his fascinating journey, starting as a college baseball coach and transitioning into pharmaceutical recruiting by chance. Over the years, he has placed more than a thousand professionals, making a significant impact on the industry by connecting top talent with critical roles in medical affairs and beyond. Michael’s commitment to improving healthcare by enabling the success of industry leaders was evident as he discussed how recruiting for this field has become a purposeful mission for him.

Michael offered invaluable advice for both hiring managers and job seekers. For hiring managers, he emphasized the importance of clarity in defining roles, avoiding the pitfall of hiring clones, and trusting one’s gut instinct when making decisions. For candidates, he highlighted the need to have a clear career strategy, prioritize the “people” factor when considering opportunities, and be willing to take risks for growth. Michael also shared insights from his podcast, The PharmaVerse, where he explores leadership across the pharmaceutical universe. One key takeaway from his interviews is the central role of genuine care in effective leadership—a value deeply aligned with our podcast’s focus on spreading love in organizations.

“Leadership is leading from the front while ensuring no one is left behind.”

MEET OUR GUEST Michael Pietrack Practice Lead for Pharma and Biotech recruiting team at Kaye/ Bassman International Corp.

Michael Pietrack has been recruiting in the Pharmaceutical Industry for nearly 20 years. He and his team have successfully placed more 1,000 Pharmaceutical professionals during that time, leaving a positive impact on the industry. Michael started his recruiting career with The Alpine Group, where he led the Medical Affairs Search Practice. In 2015, Michael co-founded TMAC Direct, an executive search firm exclusively devoted to Medical Affairs. Under Michael’s leadership, TMAC Direct was named one of the Top US Executive Search Firms by Forbes. In 2023, Michael joined Kaye/Bassman to lead the expansion of the already established and high-performing Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Search Practice. Aside from recruiting, Michael is also a speaker, recruiting trainer, and an accomplished author and was recognized as one of Pharma’s 100 Most Inspiring People by PharmaVoice. Michael is also a fellow podcast host on The Pharamaverse Podcast, where he engages in insightful conversations with industry leaders. 

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Michael Pietrack

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to Spread Love in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast, where we explore leadership with purpose. I’m Naji, your host, joined today by Michael Pietrack. Michael has been recruiting in the pharmaceutical industry for nearly 20 years. He and his team has successfully placed more than a thousand pharmaceutical professionals during that time, leaving a positive impact on the industry. Michael started his recruiting career with the Alpine Group, where he led the medical affairs search practice. In 2015, he co founded TMAC Direct, an executive search firm exclusively devoted to medical affairs. Under Michael’s leadership, the company…

Passion Drives Impact – Jason Bhardwaj

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Passion Drives Impact - Jason Bhardwaj
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In this episode of SpreadLove in Organizations, Naji hosted Jason Bhardwaj, a seasoned life science executive and CEO of Nova Anchora. Jason shared his journey from growing up in a science-oriented household to leading biotech startups. He described how his passion for healthcare and business developed through his studies in biomedical engineering at Duke and a decade-long career in consulting. His transition from consulting to entrepreneurship reflects his drive to build impactful solutions in heatlthcare.

Jason highlighted key lessons from his experience building and leading biotech teams. He emphasized the importance of finding personal gratification in the startup ecosystem, where milestones – like moving a project from concept to clinic – feel profoundly rewarding. He discussed the critical role of people decisions in virtual biotech models, stressing the importance of rigorous hiring processes and selecting the right partners to ensure a cohesive and capable core team. Jason’s philosophy centers on creating an environment where each team member’s unique skills contribute to breakthrough innovations.

Beyond biotech, Jason shared his commitment to community and education. With two young children, he recently announced his candidacy for the Newton, Massachusetts public school committee. Inspired by a family legacy in teaching, he aims to contribute to educational development and support local families. This passion underscores his belief that learning is a lifelong journey, whether in science, business, or public service.

“Find the way you want to make a difference”

MEET OUR GUEST Jason Bhardwaj CEO of Nova Anchora.

Jason Bhardwaj is an experienced life sciences executive with a broad background leading in startups and ~20 years working in healthcare. Currently, Jason is the CEO of Nova Anchora, developing a recombinant protein-based treatment for DEB (dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa). Prior to this, Jason served for 6 years as CEO of another dermatology-focused biotech (Follica, a drug-device combination product for alopecia). Jason has led or advised across a wide range of technologies (drugs, devices, combinations), as well as indications (e.g., Dermatology, Psychiatry, Cardiology, Ophthalmology).
Prior to life science startups, Jason studied biomedical engineering (Duke), received a masters degree in business (Harvard), and developed a decade of foundational experience in consulting (Bain) working with some of the largest healthcare innovators on a full functional suite of critical challenges (e.g., growth strategy, pricing, M&A diligence, organizational and operating model alignment).
Jason and his family live in Newton, MA, where he is involved in the community as a soccer coach, marathon runner, and most recently via a bid for the school committee.

Find more and support Jason’s mission: www.jason4newton.com

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Jason Bhardwaj

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. Naji Gehchan: Welcome to Spread Love in Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast, where we explore leadership with purpose. I’m Naji, your host, joined today by Jason Bhardwaj, an experienced life science executive with a broad background leading in startups and 20 years working in healthcare. Currently, Jason is the CEO of Nova and Cora, developing a recombinant protein-based treatment for DEB, Dystrophic…

Amplify Your Edge – Angela Justice

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Amplify Your Edge - Angela Justice
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In this episode, Naji engages in a deep conversation with Angela Justice, an award-winning Chief People Officer, executive coach, and neuroscientist. Angela shares her journey from consultant to Chief People Officer and founder of Justice Group Advisors, providing unique insights from her extensive experience in healthcare, biotech, and nonprofits. Angela’s curiosity about human behavior, which began with her passion for dance, has driven her to explore the concept of potential in individuals and teams. She discusses how her lifelong fascination with understanding people’s motives and capacities fueled her career in executive coaching, where she helps leaders identify and maximize their strengths while fostering strategic alignment in organizations.

Angela emphasizes the power of purpose-driven leadership and the importance of aligning individual motivations with organizational goals to cultivate high-performing teams. She shares that one of the most vital aspects of leadership is focusing on a larger purpose, especially in healthcare, where the mission centers on improving patient lives. In her view, humility is essential for leaders, allowing them to embrace diverse ideas and remain open to learning from their teams. Angela believes that fostering an environment of collaboration and unity around shared goals can significantly enhance both individual and team performance, driving sustainable success in organizations.

Angela also speaks about her journey in embracing her unique strengths, or “edge,” which she describes as critical to thriving in one’s career. She encourages leaders and professionals to discover what makes them unique and leverage that distinctiveness as a strategic advantage.

“Move up in your life, not just in your career. Think bigger about the legacy you want to leave, and you’ll bring more impact to the world.”

MEET OUR GUEST Angela Justice Chief People Officer, executive coach, and trusted advisor.

Angela Justice is an award-winning Chief People Officer, executive coach, and trusted advisor to top executives. A neuroscientist by training, Angela began her career as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company before holding senior leadership positions in Medical Affairs, Patient Advocacy, and Human Resources. Most recently, she was the Chief People Officer and Head of Medical Affairs at TCRTherapeutics. Angela’s diverse background and hands-on experience in the C-suites and boardrooms of healthcare, biotech, and nonprofit sectors provide her with a unique and informed perspective. Her deep understanding of human and organizational behavior enables her to drive sustainable change, helping leaders establish strategic alignment, address blind spots, and leverage strengths for exceptional results. As the Founder and Managing Director of Justice Group Advisors, Angela is dedicated to helping leaders earn and embrace their seat at the table.

You can download here the workbook to find your edge! Thank you Angela for this gift!

Learn more about Angela’s work here.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Angela Justice

Naji GEHCHANNaji, welcome to spread love and organizations. The healthcare leadership podcast, where we explore leadership with purpose. I’m Naji, your host, joined today by Angela justice, an award winning Chief People Officer, executive coach and trusted advisor to top executives, a neuroscientist by training. Angela began her career as a management consultant at McKinsey, before holding senior leadership positions in medical affairs, patient advocacy and human resources. Most recently, she was the chief people officer and head of medical affairs at TCR therapeutics. Angela has diverse background and hands on experience in the C suites and boardrooms of healthcare,…

Patient-Driven Leadership – Karim Benhadji

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Patient-Driven Leadership - Karim Benhadji
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In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Karim Benhadji, Chief Medical Officer at Inspirna. With nearly 20 years of experience in oncology drug development, Karim shared his journey from medical school in Algeria to his leadership roles in the biotech industry. He recounted how his passion for science and technology initially led him to medicine and eventually to oncology, a field that has seen transformative advancements over the past two decades. Karim’s experience spans various stages of drug development, including his pivotal role in the approval of key oncology drugs while serving at companies like Eli Lilly and Taiho Oncology.

Karim emphasized the value of taking risks and embracing opportunities, which propelled his transition from academia to the pharmaceutical industry. He recounted how a recruiter’s unexpected call introduced him to clinical research at Eli Lilly, where he gained significant expertise in oncology drug development. Over the years, he led teams in both big pharma and smaller biotech environments, learning the importance of diversity, culture, and team collaboration. He shared his leadership philosophy of authenticity, humility, and empowering others, which has been integral to his success in building high-performing teams to develop life-saving therapies for cancer patients.

As the conversation progressed, Karim highlighted the rapid advancements in oncology, especially the promise of precision medicine and cell-based therapies. He expressed optimism for the future, acknowledging the challenges but also celebrating the scientific progress that has given patients more treatment options. He also touched on the potential of artificial intelligence to revolutionize drug discovery and clinical trial processes, reinforcing his belief that while 90% of drug development efforts may not lead to immediate breakthroughs, they contribute invaluable knowledge to the field and ultimately drive innovation for patients.

“It’s all for the patients—they can’t wait, and every day lost in bureaucracy or indecision impacts their lives.”

MEET OUR GUEST Karim Benhadji Chief Medical Officer at Inspirna.

Karim Benhadji is currently Chief Medical Officer at Inspirna. He has nearly 20 years of experience in biopharmaceutical oncology drug development, and most recently served as Chief Medical Officer of GV20 Therapeutics. He previously served as Senior Vice President, Head of Clinical Development and Operations at Taiho Oncology where he oversaw the development of early and late phase portfolio assets, including the FDA approval of LYTGOBI® (futibatinib) in cholangiocarcinoma and the Phase 3 SUNLIGHT that led to the FDA approval of LONSURF® (trifluridine/tipiracil) in combination with bevacizumab in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Prior to joining Taiho Oncology, Karim spent 13 years with Eli Lilly and Company in oncology development roles of increasing responsibility, including overseeing several immuno-oncology programs. Dr. Benhadji received his M.D. from the University of Oran, and completed his Oncology fellowship in the universities of Oran and Paris. He also received a Master of Science in Pharmacology and Therapeutics in Oncology from the University of Paris.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Karim Benhadji

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. Naji Gehchan: I’m Naji, your host, joined today by Karim Benadji, Chief Medical Officer at Inspirno. Karim has nearly 20 years of experience in biopharmaceutical oncology drug development and most recently served as chief medical officer at GV20 Therapeutics. He previously served as senior vice president head of clinical development and operations for At IO oncology, where he oversaw the development of…

Unconventional Thinking – Suman Lal

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Unconventional Thinking - Suman Lal
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In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Suman Lal, whose journey from medical school in India to becoming a leader in innovation is as remarkable as it is unconventional. Initially embarking on a path toward medicine, Suman realized that his true passion lay beyond traditional medical practice. An encounter during medical school inspired him to explore other fields. This decision led him into research and ultimately to Singapore, where he found himself immersed in the country’s burgeoning life sciences and healthcare innovation sector. While Suman experimented with various career paths — including academia and research — he discovered that his curiosity drove him to explore new industries rather than settle into any one role.

Following his research phase, Suman transitioned into sales within the life sciences industry, a humbling experience that taught him valuable lessons in resilience and adaptability. He spent five years distributing products for early-stage companies, a role that honed his business acumen and led him to appreciate the practicalities of industry work. Afterward, he pursued an MBA at MIT Sloan, where he was drawn to Boston’s vibrant innovation ecosystem. Suman’s post-MIT journey took him through several pivots, including starting a cosmetics startup, which introduced him to the world of drug discovery and eventually brought him back to Boston. His passion for innovation led him to the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), where he worked on building global innovation ecosystems.

Suman’s current focus is on developing the Technology Innovation Studio (TINS), a “mini ecosystem” that combines physical space, curated networks, consulting, and innovation labs to accelerate breakthroughs in healthcare, life sciences, and beyond. With partnerships spanning MIT and CIC’s global network, Suman envisions TINS as a model for fostering collaboration between scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors to solve complex problems. His ambition is to replicate this model in innovation cities worldwide, creating a sustainable platform for innovation and learning that empowers individuals and communities alike.

“Every challenge is an opportunity to create something better.”

MEET OUR GUEST Suman Lal is Managing Director of Technology Innovation Studio (TINS).

Suman Lal is Managing Director of Technology Innovation Studio (TINS) – a physical space in Kendall Square that brings together business leaders, scientists, serial entrepreneurs, investors, industry experts, corporate innovation teams and policy experts to explore and apply tools, methods and models in innovation. Suman is also a Senior Advisor to the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) that operates innovation campuses and labs across cities in US, Europe and Asia, and in his previous role worked closely with the leadership team to advise diverse stakeholders in cities and regions around the world on building innovation infrastructure and ecosystems.

Suman is also a Senior Advisor to the Venture Cafe Global Institute (VCGI) that operates the Venture Cafe gatherings in 15 cities, often described as the heartbeat of several innovation districts. Suman has deep experience in the area of technology commercialization, by making independent inventions, licensing intellectual property from major research institutions to form NewCos, and operating venture studios where he took interim CEO roles at the portfolio companies. Prior to this, Suman did technical sales and distribution for 15 early-stage companies over a 5 year period, gaining valuable insights into how early-stage companies transitioned into profitable and scalable businesses.

Suman has an MD in clinical medicine and an MSc in human genetics and did his PhD in precision medicine & clinical pharmacology. Suman received his MBA from MIT as a Sloan Fellow, focusing on innovation and global leadership.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Suman Lal

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I’m Naji, your host, joined today by Suman Lal, managing director of technology innovation studio, TINTS, a physical space in Kendall square that brings together business leaders, scientists, serial entrepreneurs, investors, Industry experts, corporate innovation teams, and policy experts to explore and apply tools and models in innovations. Suman is also a senior advisor at the Cambridge Innovation Center, CIC, that operates…

Nothing Lasts Forever – Diana Haydar

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Nothing Lasts Forever - Diana Haydar
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In this episode, my guest Diana Haydar shared her remarkable journey, growing up in Lebanon in a modest family amidst the complexities of war and the resilience it demanded. From her childhood, surrounded by her close-knit sisters, to the school memories we shared, it was clear how both the warmth of family and the trials of war shaped her. School debates and the realities of wartime Lebanon not only matured us beyond our years but also laid the foundation for her leadership journey. Despite the hardships, she drew strength from her experiences, which continue to fuel her resilience today.

As a physiotherapist, she worked with children with special needs in Lebanon, confronting firsthand the struggles of families navigating a healthcare system that offered little support. Her compassion and drive led her to transition into a leadership role within the insurance industry, advocating for patient care and tackling the inequities in healthcare access. She recounted her experience managing teams, demonstrating how she embodied courage and commitment to serving those in need.

Relocating to Dubai in 2021, she faced new challenges, but her determination and adaptability shone through. Reflecting on the stark contrasts between healthcare systems in Lebanon and the UAE, she emphasized her commitment to improving access and ensuring equitable healthcare. Her leadership is defined by resilience, purpose, and the ability to inspire her teams to push forward even in the face of adversity, underscoring a deep-rooted passion for making healthcare more accessible and fair for all.

“Nothing can stop us from doing our job; we will never cease serving the people we are meant to serve.”

MEET OUR GUEST Diana Haydar, Director of Direct Sales at Nasco Insurance Group.

Diana Haidar is the Director of Direct Sales at Nasco Insurance Group. Diana has been a key part of the Nasco Insurance group for 20 years, starting in Third Party Administration and then moving into the Direct Broker business, She now covers Middle East’s direct portfolio, including Medical, General, and Life insurance. She started her career as a certified physiotherapist, then worked at a mountain Hospital with children with special needs . She holds also a master’s degree in Hospital and Health Management from ESCP & ESA . With 20 years of hands-on experience in the medical field as a professional as well as in insurance industry, Diana has been involved in various aspects of the business, from operations and sales to planning and growth. For over two decades, Diana has been empowering teams, encouraging fresh perspectives, and finding new ways for Nasco Middle East to grow in the world of direct sales. She’s a leader dedicated to making a lasting impact on the insurance industry.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Diana Haydar

Naji Gehchan: Welcome to Spread Love and Organizations, the healthcare leadership podcast where we explore leadership with purpose. I’m Najee, your host, joined today by Diana Haidar, Director of Direct Sales at NASCO Insurance Group. Diana has been a key part of the NASCO Insurance Group for 20 years, starting in third party administration and then moving into the direct broker business. She now covers Middle East direct portfolio, including medical, general, and life insurance. Diana started her career as a certified psychotherapist. Then worked at a mountain hospital with children with special needs. She holds also a master’s degree…

Small Steps, Big Impact – Jessica Leygues

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Small Steps, Big Impact - Jessica Leygues
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In this special episode in partnership with ESCP Business School, I’m joined by Jessica Leygues, an ESCP Business School MSc Biopharmaceutical Management alum, current General Secretary of the Women’s Cancer Institute, for a thought-provoking conversation about her inspiring journey and her work redefining healthcare systems. Jessica, an engineer by training from AgroParisTech, shared her early career in biotech consulting and her transition to leadership roles, including as CEO of Medicen Paris Region during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She discussed how her experiences in the public and private sectors gave her insight into where real impact can be made in healthcare.

Jessica emphasized that values-driven leadership and small teams have allowed her to focus on deep, meaningful change, particularly in her current project, building the Women’s Cancer Institute from scratch. We explored her belief in co-constructing solutions alongside patients and teams, and how this approach is central to her leadership style. She noted the importance of fighting for what you believe in, balancing small victories, and ensuring inclusivity in decision-making.

We also touched on the broader challenges in women’s health, where systemic gaps, such as the underrepresentation of women in clinical trials, are leading to disparities in outcomes. Jessica’s goal with the Women’s Cancer Institute is to address these gaps with a holistic approach that includes personalized care, patient feedback, and a commitment to changing the cultural narratives around women’s health.

It was an inspiring conversation about leadership, innovation, and the future of healthcare, all driven by the belief that listening to people and co-creating solutions is the key to meaningful progress.

“Fight for what you believe in“

MEET OUR GUEST Jessica Leygues, General Secretary of Women’s Cancer Institute.

Jessica Leygues is the General Secretary of Women’s Cancer Institute in France. Jessica is an engineer by training from AgroParisTech, and started her career at Alcimed consulting firm where she spent eight years developing new healthcare markets (Biotech/MedTech) for entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs and large corporations as well as for the public and semi-public innovation sector, including the French Ministry of Research, research institutes, competitiveness clusters and knowledge transfer centers. Strongly committed to optimization initiatives for healthcare systems, Jessica then joined Celgene, where she was responsible for a partnership hub aimed at developing the healthcare value model. In April 2020, the midst of COVID pandemic, Jessica became the CEO of Medicen Paris Region, Europe’s leading health cluster, where she redefined the strategic positioning of the group in order to launch concrete reindustrialization initiatives to accelerate growth in the French healthcare industry and boost national sovereignty to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Jessica Leygues

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this special episode in partnership with ESCP Business School and its specialized Masters in Pharma and Biotech Management. I am joined today by Jessica Leygues, General Secretary of Women’s Cancer Institute. Jessica is an engineer by training from AgroParisTech, and started her career at Alcimed consulting firm where she spent eight years developing new healthcare markets…

Likeable Badass – Alison Fragale

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Likeable Badass - Alison Fragale
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In this episode, we dive with Alison Fragale, a research psychologist, award-winning professor, international keynote speaker, and author, into the profound insights of understanding human behavior, especially for those of us in leadership positions. We explore how essential it is to recognize that at the core of any organization, it’s the psychology of the people involved that really drives success. Alison highlights how often leaders, especially those with technical backgrounds, might overlook the importance of these human factors until they face significant challenges in getting people to move in the right direction. It’s not just about the data or scientific narratives; it’s about connecting with people on a level that influences their behavior.

We also discuss the critical role of status and power in our lives and organizations. Status is about respect—how much we are valued by others—while power is about controlling resources that others care about. These two are closely linked, but they are distinct. Alison emphasizes that many people assume if they are powerful, they will automatically be respected. However, the reality is often the opposite; respect is the foundation that can lead to power. This understanding is particularly important when addressing issues like gender and minority status in the workplace, where ascribed characteristics can unfairly influence status.

Tune-in to learn more in this incredible conversation with Alison, and don’t hesitate to get her recently published book!

“Be yourself in the most strategic way possible“

MEET OUR GUEST Alison Fragale, a research psychologist, award-winning professor, international keynote speaker, and author.

Alison Fragale, a research psychologist, award-winning professor, international keynote speaker, and author, on a mission to help others — especially women — work and live better by understanding and applying the science of people. Alison excels in translating her deep academic expertise is in status, power, negotiation, and influence into actionable advice. Alison is currently Professor at Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina and her research appeared in several news outlets such as Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, to name a few…

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Alison Fragale

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, joined today by Alison Fragale, a research psychologist, award-winning professor, international keynote speaker, and author, on a mission to help others — especially women — work and live better by understanding and applying the science of people. Alison excels in translating her deep academic expertise is in status, power, negotiation, and influence into actionable advice. Alison is…

Stay True to Yourself – Clarissa Gorin

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Stay True to Yourself - Clarissa Gorin
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In this special episode in partnership with ESCP Business School, I’m joined by Clarissa Gorin, a pharmacist and ESCP Business School MSc Biopharmaceutical Management alum, who transitioned from the blockchain industry to head Medical Affairs at Ad Scientiam, a MedTech company specializing in digital biomarkers. Clarissa shares her journey from a traditional pharmacy career path to embracing tech innovation in healthcare, particularly in the fight against counterfeit medicines in developing countries. Her work at Ad Scientiam, which originated from the Paris Brain Institute, focuses on creating digital biomarkers using smartphone sensors and AI to monitor and predict the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Clarissa’s unique perspective highlights the importance of adaptability and the practical application of technology to meet real-world needs in the healthcare sector.

Throughout the episode, we dive into Clarissa’s experiences in navigating cultural challenges in tech adoption, particularly in developing regions, and how this has shaped her approach to leading innovative projects. She emphasizes the value of understanding the specific needs of both patients and healthcare providers when developing new technologies, and the critical role that digital biomarkers and AI can play in the future of medical diagnostics and treatment. Clarissa also reflects on the importance of accessibility and humility in tech development, ensuring that solutions are not only high-tech but also practical and adaptable to diverse healthcare settings around the world.

“Effective leadership hinges on adaptability and the ability to respond swiftly to change.“

MEET OUR GUEST Clarissa Gorin, Head of Medical Innovation, Medical Affairs at Ad scientam.

Clarissa holds a dual degree in Pharmacy and a Master of Science (MSc) specialized in pharmaceutical and biotechnology management from ESCP Business School. She quickly developed a keen interest in emerging technologies, data management, and their applications in the healthcare sector. Following her initial professional experience focusing on the blockchain industry and the fight against counterfeit medicines in developing countries, Clarissa joined Ad Scientiam in 2020 as Head of Medical Affairs.

Ad Scientiam, a MedTech company originating from the Paris Brain Institute, specializes in developing digital biomarkers that enable the monitoring and prediction of the progression of certain neurodegenerative pathologies and rare diseases. These innovative markers are derived from proprietary algorithms for measuring precise analysis movements, vocal activity, or image processing derived from smartphone sensors and AI technologies. Within Ad Scientiam, her role involves working collaboratively with the Scientific Board to ensure the development and validation of these biomarkers, leveraging her medical knowledge and expertise. 

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Clarissa Gorin

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this special episode in partnership with ESCP Business School and its specialized Masters in Pharma and Biotech Management. I am joined today by Clarissa Gorin a pharmacist and ESCP alum. Following her initial professional experience focusing on the blockchain industry and the fight against counterfeit medicines in developing countries, Clarissa joined Ad Scientiam in 2020 as…

Embody the Mission – Carl Dahlberg

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Embody the Mission - Carl Dahlberg
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In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Carl Dahlberg, who shared his fascinating journey from a computer science nerd to an emergency physician and medical innovator. Carl discussed how his passion for problem-solving has driven his diverse career, spanning IT, financial trading, and emergency medicine. He reflected on his transition into healthcare and how his tech background influenced his approach to medicine, emphasizing creativity and innovation.

Carl highlighted a recurring theme in his career: a desire to solve important problems for real people, which ultimately led him to focus on healthcare innovation. He expressed concerns about the U.S. healthcare system’s inefficiencies and the need for a fundamental redesign to improve outcomes and reduce costs.

When discussing his work mentoring entrepreneurs, Carl emphasized the importance of listening to customers and stakeholders to truly understand the problems that need solving. He also shared his insights on leadership, noting that modern leaders should align incentives and communicate the mission clearly to their teams, rather than merely issuing directives.

In a reflective segment, Carl shared his views on concepts like innovation, entrepreneurship, health equity, and spreading joy in organizations. He underscored the importance of joy in work, distinguishing it from mere fun, and emphasized that true satisfaction comes from tackling meaningful challenges.

Carl concluded with advice for healthcare leaders: ensure that clinicians, who are the embodiment of the mission, have a voice in decision-making processes to avoid potentially disastrous oversights.

“True satisfaction comes from solving important problems for real people, not just making a profit.“

MEET OUR GUEST Carl Dahlberg, President at Dahlberg Healthcare Solutions.

Carl Dahlberg, a physician innovator whose passion is solving important problems for real people.  Holding degrees from The University of Michigan Medical School and MIT Sloan School of Management Carl has a multifaceted background spanning technology, medicine, art and business.  He’s co-founder of the MIT Sloan Physicians Group and a mentor with the MIT Sandbox and UM6P Explorer innovation programs.  Carl blends medical proficiency with entrepreneurial spirit and relentless creativity to drive positive change in healthcare and beyond.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Carl Dahlberg

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, joined today by Carl Dahlberg, a physician innovator whose passion is solving important problems for real people.  Holding degrees from The University of Michigan Medical School and MIT Sloan School of Management Carl has a multifaceted background spanning technology, medicine, art and business.  He’s co-founder of the MIT Sloan Physicians Group and a mentor with the MIT…

Take the Leap – Emilia McLaughlin

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Take the Leap - Emilia McLaughlin
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In this episode, Naji welcomes Emilia McLaughlin, a biotech founder and CEO, to discuss her journey into the field. Emilia shares that her initial interest in medicine led her to study biochemistry, but she eventually found her passion in parasitology. She describes her shift from academic research to entrepreneurship as motivated by a desire to directly impact patient care, which she found lacking in academic work.

Emilia highlights her experience with the incubator program Entrepreneur First, which catalyzed her transition into biotech entrepreneurship. She emphasizes the importance of building strong teams, hiring the right people, and maintaining a focus on patient needs in the biotech industry. She discusses the challenges of being a female founder in a predominantly male industry and the importance of supporting other women in making the leap from academia to entrepreneurship. Throughout the conversation, Emilia emphasizes the value of bravery and risk-taking in entrepreneurship, particularly for women, and underscores the importance of keeping patients at the forefront of healthcare innovation.

“Nobody has all the answers. You’ve just got to throw yourself in and do the best you can.“

MEET OUR GUEST Emilia McLaughlin, Founder and CEO at Kyron Bio.

Emilia McLaughlin is founder and CEO of kyron.bio, a startup based in Paris dedicated to pioneering tomorrow’s therapeutics. Originally from London, Emilia moved to Paris in 2017 to pursue a PhD in parasite molecular biology at the Institut Pasteur. Upon completing her PhD, she founded kyron.bio with the aim of enhancing the efficacy of protein therapeutics through innovative glycan modifications. Since its inception, Emilia has successfully recruited a world-class scientific team, established a state-of-the-art laboratory, secured core technology IP, and garnered over €1.2M in competitive grants from the French government and the EU. Additionally, she has raised €1.1M in equity funding. Currently, the company is testing its first therapeutic in human serum and has developed a robust pipeline of innovative products.

In 2024, Emilia was recognized as a Woman in Leadership by the European Innovation Commission. She is passionate about empowering women to take on leadership roles and supports academics who aspire to transition into entrepreneurship. 

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Emilia McLaughlin

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, joined today by Emilia McLaughlin, founder and CEO of kyron.bio, a startup based in Paris dedicated to pioneering tomorrow’s therapeutics. Originally from London, Emilia moved to Paris in 2017 to pursue a PhD in parasite molecular biology at the Institut Pasteur. Upon completing her PhD, she founded kyron.bio with the aim of enhancing the efficacy of protein therapeutics…

Quantum Healthcare – Anthony Dowidowicz 

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Quantum Healthcare - Anthony Dowidowicz 
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In this episode, Naji talked with Anthony Dowidowicz, a physician leader with a background in engineering and emergency medicine, about the exciting potential of quantum computing in healthcare. Anthony explains how his fascination with quantum mechanics led him from engineering to medical school and eventually to become a physician leader.

They delve into the power of quantum computing, its unique characteristics, and its potential applications in healthcare. Anthony highlights that while quantum computing won’t replace classical computers, it excels in solving complex problems, making it invaluable in healthcare where vast amounts of data need to be processed.

Throughout the discussion, Anthony stresses the importance of virtuous leadership in healthcare, urging leaders to prioritize patients’ well-being over short-term profits and to advocate for the ethical and equitable use of technology in healthcare.

“Quantum computing can make healthcare more equitable and personalized“

MEET OUR GUEST Anthony Dowidowicz a physician executive.

Dr. Anthony Dowidowicz is a physician executive who has served as a senior physician  leader of health systems  and health plans.  He is an emergency physician by background and is a graduate of the MIT Sloan school of management where he founded and coordinates the MIT Physician Leadership Group.  

As an engineer and lifelong technology enthusiast, Dr. Dowidowicz’s professional interests include physician leadership, health system design, and emerging computing technologies.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Anthony Dowidowicz

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, joined today by Anthony Dowidowicz a physician executive who has served as a senior physician  leader of health systems  and health plans.  Anthony is an emergency physician by background and is a graduate of the MIT Sloan school of management where he founded and coordinates the MIT Physician Leadership Group.   As an engineer and lifelong technology enthusiast,…

Hands-on Positive Impact – Jonathan Levy

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Hands-on Positive Impact - Jonathan Levy
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This episode is in partnership with Boston Biotechnology Summit, a bridge to collaboration and innovative synergies between healthcare stakeholders. In this episode, I hosted Jonathan Levy CEO of Pepkon, the biotech focused on developing first-in-class therapeutic peptides for oncology, who won the first prize in BBS 2024. Jonathan, who has a background in pharmacy and management, shared his journey from various roles in the French healthcare sector to leading Pepcon. He emphasized the importance of humility, listening, and learning in leadership, as well as recruiting a skilled team that shares the company’s values. Under his leadership, Pepcon has raised significant funding and aims to start its first human clinical trials next year. Viewing his work as a mission to improve patient outcomes, Jonathan stressed the importance of scientific innovation and collaboration in advancing healthcare.

“It’s more than a job, it’s a mission“

MEET OUR GUEST Jonathan Levy, Chief Executive Officer of Pepkon.

Jonathan Levy is CEO of Pepkon. He is a Pharmacist from University of Paris with a masters in management from ESSEC Business school. He has worked in various environment of the healthcare sector in France from pharmacy to hospital, and also in big pharma and startups. His last role before joining Pepkon was within Truffle Capital a French VC; where he participated in several investments in biotech and also company creations, M&A and licensing deals. Two years ago Jonathan joined PepKon, a startup developing first-in-class therapeutic peptides in oncology, first as a COO, and now leading the company as its CEO.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Jonathan Levy

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this special episode in partnership with Boston Biotechnology Summit, a bridge to collaboration and innovative synergies between healthcare stakeholders. I am joined today by Jonathan Levy CEO of Pepkon. Jonathan is a Pharmacist from University of Paris with a masters in management from ESSEC Business school. He has worked in various environment of the healthcare sector in…

Patient Centricity – Anthony Yanni

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Patient Centricity - Anthony Yanni
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In this episode, Naji hosts Anthony Yanni, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Patient Centricity at Astellas Pharma. Anthony, a pioneer in the field, has long advocated for patient centricity in healthcare, even before it became a recognized term. Anthony shares his belief that patient centricity requires both operational and cultural commitment. Operationally, this involves actively using patient feedback to guide drug development and healthcare solutions. Culturally, it means fostering an organizational mindset where every employee, regardless of role, prioritizes patient well-being. He emphasizes that this approach not only improves healthcare outcomes but also enhances employee satisfaction and retention.

Reflecting on his personal and professional philosophy, Anthony underscores the importance of purpose and love in healthcare. He believes that these values drive efficiency, satisfaction, and positive outcomes. As he prepares to release his book, “A Bandana and a Bluebird,” Anthony calls on healthcare leaders to seize this moment to revolutionize patient care, urging a collective effort to create a more patient-centric system.

“Now is the time to develop medicines with patients, for patients.“

MEET OUR GUEST Anthony Yanni Senior Vice President and Global Head of Patient Centricity at Astellas Pharma.

Anthony Yanni is Senior Vice President and Global Head of Patient Centricity at Astellas Pharma. Anthony practiced Patient Centricity as a doctor and drug developer before the term even existed – by listening to patients and applying what he learned to offer better care. Now a veteran of senior leadership roles in hospitals and industry, Anthony is among the world’s leading advocates of Patient Centricity as a proven model for healthcare delivery and medicines development. In articles, interviews, talks, and now a book, he reveals Patient Centricity as an overdue disruption that will improve and speed up the treatments many people are waiting for.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Anthony Yanni

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I’m Naji, your host, joined today by Anthony Yanni Senior Vice President and Global Head of Patient Centricity at Astellas Pharma. Anthony practiced Patient Centricity as a doctor and drug developer before the term even existed – by listening to patients and applying what he learned to offer better care. Now a veteran of senior leadership roles in hospitals and industry, Anthony…

AI for Care Delivery – Collin Stultz

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
AI for Care Delivery - Collin Stultz
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This episode is in collaboration with MIT Sloan Healthcare and BioInnovations Conference, an event that brings the healthcare ecosystem together. On today’s episode, Naji hosted Dr. Collin Stultz, a distinguished professor at MIT and Harvard, and a practicing cardiologist. Collin shared his inspiring journey from his roots in Jamaica to his groundbreaking work in AI for healthcare. Collin emphasizes the potential of AI to enhance patient care by analyzing vast amounts of data, which can uncover crucial insights that healthcare providers might miss. He also highlights the development of digital twins for personalized medicine, allowing simulations of drug effects on patients. Additionally, they delve into the importance of addressing biases in medical data to ensure equitable healthcare for all. Collin’s insights offer a glimpse into the future of medicine, where technology and data play pivotal roles in improving patient outcomes.

“Failure Makes You Better“

MEET OUR GUEST Collin Stultz Professor in Medical Engineering and Science, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Co-Director of the Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology, member of the Research Laboratory of Electronics, and associate member of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.

Collin Stultz is Professor in Medical Engineering and Science, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Co-Director of the Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology, member of the Research Laboratory of Electronics, and associate member of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. Collin is also a practicing cardiologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).

Collin’s scientific contributions have spanned multiple fields including computational chemistry, biophysics, and machine learning for cardiovascular risk stratification. He is a member of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology and he is a past recipient of a National Science Foundation CAREER Award and a Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award in the Biomedical Sciences.

Currently, research in his group is focused on the development of machine learning tools that can guide clinical decision making.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Collin Stultz

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I’m Naji, your host, for this special episode in collaboration with MIT Sloan Healthcare and Bioinnovations Conference, an event that brings the healthcare ecosystem together. I have the pleasure to be joined by Colin Stultz, who will be Professor in Medical Engineering and Science, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Co Director of the Harvard MIT Program in Health Sciences and…

From Patient to Physician – Samy Sidhom

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
From Patient to Physician - Samy Sidhom
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Samy Sidhom shared his journey from being a patient in Egypt to fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming a physician. His personal experience with a medical condition inspired him to pursue medicine and cultivate empathy for others. Throughout his career, he has focused on leadership and adapting to challenges, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reflecting on his leadership journey, Samy emphasized the importance of finding balance, not only in professional roles but also in personal life. He believes that being a leader means being someone others can depend on, both at work and at home. Samy’s leadership philosophy revolves around servant leadership, where service comes before authority. He encourages aspiring healthcare professionals to identify their core values and develop leadership skills in various aspects of their lives.

“Lead with your heart, transparently and honestly“

MEET OUR GUEST Samy Sidhom Associate Chair of Specialties and Chief of Pulmonary Medicine at Atrius Health.

Samy is a physician leader and innovator, currently serving as the Associate Chair of Specialties and Chief of Pulmonary Medicine at Atrius Health, part of Optum, which is one of the largest primary care and specialty practices in Massachusetts.

Samy also holds academic appointments as a Lecturer in Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine. With a deep focus on innovative management of chronic conditions, population health, value-based care, telehealth, and healthcare ventures, Samy has been at the forefront of advancing medical practice and healthcare delivery.  He mentors aspiring entrepreneurs through participation in the MIT Sandbox Innovation Fund and has mentored at the MIT Hacking Medicine events.

Prior to his tenure at Atrius, he played a pivotal role in developing pulmonary outpatient practices and services, and served as Chief of Pulmonary Medicine at Holy Family Hospitals in Massachusetts where he also cofounded the Center for Advanced Thoracic and Pulmonary Care. He has also contributed to public health policy and is a former member of the Board of Respiratory Care for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Samy Sidhom

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, joined today by Samy Sidhom. Samy is a physician leader and innovator, currently serving as the Associate Chair of Specialties and Chief of Pulmonary Medicine at Atrius Health, part of Optum, which is one of the largest primary care and specialty practices in Massachusetts. Samy also holds academic appointments as a Lecturer in Medicine at Harvard Medical…

From an Idea to a Medicine – Mark Namchuk

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
From an Idea to a Medicine - Mark Namchuk
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This episode is in partnership with Boston Biotechnology Summit, a bridge to collaboration and innovative synergies between healthcare stakeholders. In this episode, Mark Namchuk, a seasoned drug discovery expert, shares his journey in the pharmaceutical industry and discusses his thoughts on leadership, innovation, health equity, and the future of medicine. Mark emphasizes the importance of servant leadership in fostering creativity within drug discovery teams. He highlights the need for collaboration between academia and industry to streamline the drug discovery process, with a focus on early translational work. Mark also discusses the role of AI in drug discovery and the challenges and opportunities it presents. Finally, he stresses the importance of spreading love within organizations and the need for healthcare leaders to focus on their mission and principles to attract and retain talented individuals.

“Biology will teach you great humility“

MEET OUR GUEST Mark Namchuk Executive Director Therapeutics Translation at Harvard Medical School.

Mark Namchuk is the Puja and Samir Kaul Professor of the Practice of Biomedical Innovation and Translation at Harvard Medical School.  He Joined HMS is 2020 as the inaugural Executive Director of the school’s Therapeutics initiative and was appointed as the first Professor of the Practice at HMS in the Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology in 2021.  The therapeutics initiative was established to accelerate the progression of discoveries at HMS from breakthrough biological insight towards a medicine and includes a scientific core to support drug discovery efforts and an on-campus biotech incubator (the Blavatnik Harvard LifeLab Longwood).  The initiative also aims to train the inventors of tomorrow’s medicines and includes the therapeutics graduate program for PhD students and a masters in therapeutic sciences that will be launched in 2025.  He is also currently the lead academic PI for a $30 M collaboration between HMS and Abbvie focused on disease understanding and new therapies for COVID-19. 

Namchuk joined HMS after a 24-year research and development career in biotech.  In 2015, he joined Alkermes as senior vice president of research and nonclinical and pharmaceutical development. Previously, he held a number of research positions over a 17 year career at Vertex including senior vice president of Research.  Namchuk has directed drug discovery efforts in numerous therapeutic areas, including infectious disease, oncology, neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, inflammatory and autoimmune disease and orphan diseases, including cystic fibrosis. To date these programs have led to six approved drugs and an additional molecule in active Phase 3 clinical development.  Namchuk serves on the scientific advisory board of several biotechs and as well as academic drug discovery programs at the University of Southern California and the University of California, Davis. 

Namchuk obtained a B.Sc. with honors in chemistry from the University of Alberta, a PhD in bio-organic chemistry the University of British Columbia and was an HFSP post-doctoral fellow at UCSF. 

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Mark Namchuk

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this special episode in partnership with Boston Biotechnology Summit, a bridge to collaboration and innovative synergies between healthcare stakeholders. I have the pleasure to be joined today by Mark Namchuk. Mark joined Harvard Medical School in January 2020 as the Executive Director of Therapeutics Translation. In this role, he works with HMS scientists to identify and…

A Patient Scientist – Matthias Lambert

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
A Patient Scientist - Matthias Lambert
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This episode is in partnership with Boston Biotechnology Summit, a bridge to collaboration and innovative synergies between healthcare stakeholders. In this conversation, we speak with Matthias Lambert, a scientist and patient advocate, who shares his remarkable journey from being a patient to becoming a scientist. Matthias was born with a rare neuromuscular disease. Despite being the only one in his family with this condition, he didn’t know the genetic cause for 25 years. However, during his PhD, he discovered the gene responsible for his disease, TPM3.

Matthias now works at a lab in Boston, focusing on neuromuscular diseases. He emphasizes the importance of patient scientists in drug discovery, highlighting that their work directly impacts their lives and the lives of others with similar conditions. Matthias discusses the challenges of working on rare diseases, including funding and the scarcity of research talent in the field.

He explains the significance of innovation in gene therapy, particularly in finding effective delivery methods to target specific tissues. Matthias stresses the need for a more inclusive approach to research, with patients playing a crucial role in decision-making processes.

Lastly, Matthias urges healthcare leaders to listen to patients, emphasizing that patients often know more about their own diseases than anyone else. He encourages patients to speak up and pursue their ideas, serving as an inspiration and beacon of hope for others facing similar challenges.

“Our metric is to save lives“

MEET OUR GUEST Matthias Lambert Senior Scientist in the division of Genetics and Genomics at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Matthias Lambert is a Senior Scientist in the division of Genetics and Genomics at Boston Children’s Hospital, and Instructor in the department of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. Matthias identifies as a patient-scientist, navigating life with a rare congenital myopathy. His research focuses on studying the mechanisms that contribute to the pathogenesis of rare muscle diseases including his own genetic condition. He is actively engaged in pioneering efforts to advance cutting-edge therapies for these conditions. His work is supported by prestigious grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), and the AFM-Telethon. In 2024, Matthias plans to establish his own independent research group.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Matthias Lambert

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this special episode in partnership with Boston Biotechnology Summit, a bridge to collaboration and innovative synergies between healthcare stakeholders. Matthias Lambert a Senior Scientist in the division of Genetics and Genomics at Boston Children’s Hospital, and Instructor in the department of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. Matthias identifies as a patient-scientist, navigating life with a rare congenital…

Lead with Your Values – Britt Wahlin

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Lead with Your Values - Britt Wahlin
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This episode is in collaboration with MIT Sloan Healthcare and BioInnovations Conference, an event that brings the healthcare ecosystem together. On today’s episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Britt Wahlin, a passionate advocate for gender equity and reproductive justice. Britt shared her insights on the progress we’ve made in these areas, highlighting the development of more inclusive frameworks for discussing these crucial issues. She emphasized the importance of reproductive justice, a framework created by Black women that goes beyond just abortion rights to encompass broader issues like the right to have children, not to have children, and to raise children in safe communities. While acknowledging the progress made, Britt also discussed the setbacks we’re facing in reproductive health and rights due to policies and politicians threatening bodily autonomy.

We delved into Britt’s work with Free the Pill, a coalition-driven campaign advocating for over-the-counter access to birth control. She explained how, after two decades of advocacy, the FDA approved the first over-the-counter birth control pill last year. However, Britt emphasized that the work is far from over, as they now focus on ensuring the product is accessible and affordable to all who need it.

Britt also shared her leadership philosophy, emphasizing the importance of leading with values, collaboration, and principled partnerships. She discussed her approach to effective leadership, which prioritizes collaboration and empowerment. Finally, she offered valuable advice to healthcare leaders, encouraging them to prioritize innovation, listen to communities, and work towards expanding access to care. Britt’s insights offer valuable lessons for anyone passionate about social impact and healthcare equity.

“Leading with values, collaboration, and principled partnerships is key to making impactful and sustainable change”

MEET OUR GUEST Britt Wahlin Vice President for Development and Public Affairs at Ibis Reproductive Health.

Britt Wahlin is the Vice President for Development and Public Affairs at Ibis Reproductive Health, a global nonprofit research organization working to advance sexual and reproductive autonomy, choices, and health. She leads fund development, communications, and policy and advocacy initiatives and serves on the senior management team.

Britt is proud to be part of the leadership of Free the Pill, a coalition-driven campaign operated by Ibis that aims to move birth control pills over the counter in the United States and ensure they are affordable, covered by insurance, and available to people of all ages without a prescription. Before Ibis, Britt created public engagement campaigns for social justice-themed films and worked in women’s and girls’ philanthropy.

Britt obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Modern Thought and Literature and Master of Arts in Humanities from Stanford University. She lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, with her husband and two daughters.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Britt Wahlin

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this special episode in collaboration with MIT Sloan Healthcare and BioInnovations Conference, an event that brings the Healthcare Ecosystem Together. I have the pleasure to be joined by Britt Wahlin is the Vice President for Development and Public Affairs at Ibis Reproductive Health, a global nonprofit research organization working to advance sexual and reproductive autonomy, choices,…

Never Stop Learning – Michael McKeown

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Never Stop Learning - Michael McKeown
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This episode is in collaboration with MIT Sloan Healthcare and BioInnovations Conference, an event that brings the healthcare ecosystem together. In this episode, I sat with Michael McKeown Head of Research at Bullseye Biosciences. We discussed his journey from academia to entrepreneurship and his leadership experience in biotech. Michael highlights the importance of mentorship, learning from others, and the need for humility in leadership. He emphasizes the significance of reducing mistakes in scientific endeavors and adapting to new technologies and methodologies. We also discuss the future of clinical trials, focusing on the importance of biomarkers, decentralization, and innovation. Michael advocates for leveraging biomarkers to match the right patients with the right drugs, as well as embracing decentralized trials to increase diversity and accessibility.

“Science is hard. We’ve got to reduce our incidents of mistakes that we could have prevented.”

MEET OUR GUEST Michael McKeown Head of Research at Bullseye Biosciences.

Michael McKeown is CSO/head of research for a stealth start-up at the Pagliuca Harvard Life Labs. Michael started out in California getting his BS in Chemistry at UCSD and working in the Nobel Prize winning Tsien lab on fluorescent proteins. He then moved to Boston, earning a PhD in Chemical Biology from Harvard while working on novel cancer therapeutics at the DFCI. During this time, Michael contributed to several start-ups spun out the the lab, ultimately joining Syros Pharmaceuticals.

As part of this work, he developed novel patient biomarker and pharmacodynamic markers to enable selection of the right patients and kinetic monitoring of response. With 10 years of industry drug discovery and development experience in the Boston area, Michael has contributed and led multiple successful programs.

Most recently, he led pharmacology at Kronos Bio supporting combinations, biomarkers, and PD assays for the clinical programs as well as leading biology for their most advanced pre-clinical program generating an asset currently in IND enabling studies.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Michael McKeown

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this special episode in collaboration with MIT Sloan Healthcare and BioInnovations Conference, an event that brings the Healthcare Ecosystem Together. I have the pleasure to be joined by Michael McKeown acting CSO/head of research for a stealth start-up at the Pagliuca Harvard Life Labs. Michael started out in California getting his BS in Chemistry at UCSD and…

Involved Leadership – JR Clark

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Involved Leadership - JR Clark
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This episode is in collaboration with MIT Sloan Healthcare and BioInnovations Conference, an event that brings the healthcare ecosystem together. In this episode, I sat with JR Clark, whose story is a testament to adaptability and recognizing opportunities for growth and change, from consulting to addressing the crucial issue of access and healthcare affordability. We discussed the imperative of addressing financial toxicity and ensuring equitable access to care. JR underscores the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including health insurers, employers, and technology innovators, in advancing solutions to mitigate barriers to healthcare. He emphasizes the pivotal role of leadership in achieving those goals by promoting compassion, empathy, and inclusivity within healthcare organizations, ultimately striving for better patient outcomes and societal well-being.

“People shouldn’t have to make different decisions based upon whether or not they can pay for care“

MEET OUR GUEST JR Clark Senior Vice President at Paytient.

J.R. Clark is the Senior Vice President of Health Plan Product and Strategy at Paytient Technologies, where he partners with thoughtful employers, insurers, and health systems to help people better access and afford healthcare. J.R. is a former Director and Actuary of Anthem (Elevance), where he was known for his public exchange marketplace strategies and creation of alternative products in the Individual and Small Employer segments.

Prior to that, he was an actuarial consultant with Watson Wyatt Worldwide (now known as Willis Towers Watson). He began his career as a nuclear engineer with Florida Power and Light in Juno Beach, Florida, where he developed optimization strategies for spent nuclear fuel. J.R. obtained a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Mechanical Engineering and completed graduate coursework in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is an Associate of the Society of Actuaries and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries. J.R. resides in St. Louis, Missouri with his wife, son, daughter, and cat.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: JR Clark

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this special episode in collaboration with MIT Sloan Healthcare and BioInnovations Conference, an event that brings the Healthcare Ecosystem Together. I have the pleasure to be joined by J.R. Clark, Senior Vice President of Health Plan Product and Strategy at Paytient Technologies, where he partners with thoughtful employers, insurers, and health systems to help people better…

Empathy Driving Sustainability – Joubin Hatamzadeh

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Empathy Driving Sustainability - Joubin Hatamzadeh
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In this podcast interview, Joubin Hatamzadeh shares his journey from studying biomedical engineering in Iran to becoming a leader in sustainability. He emphasizes his diverse work experiences, from medical devices to quality control in manufacturing, which shaped his entrepreneurial mindset and problem-solving skills. Joubin stresses the importance of adaptability, drawn from his upbringing during the Iranian Revolution and wartime uncertainties.

Discussing his role at Greentown Labs, a climate tech incubator, Joubin highlights the need for genuine leadership and intentionality in driving impactful change. He emphasizes empathy and human connection, as crucial for organizational success. Joubin’s optimism stems from the growth of climate tech startups and evolving corporate attitudes toward environmental responsibility. He underscores the importance of innovation and collaboration for a more sustainable future, advocating for spreading love and empathy within organizations to drive meaningful progress.

“As long as you work with humans, have empathy“

MEET OUR GUEST Joubin Hatamzadeh Chief Operating Officer at Greentown Labs.

Joubin Hatamzadeh Chief Operating Officer at Greentown Labs, a community on a mission to solve the climate crisis through entrepreneurship and collaboration. Prior to joining Greetown Labs, Joubin served as the Head of Operations and Administrative Services at French Tech Hub, where he led a team that helped international technology companies expand and succeed in the US market. He has also worked at MDL Corporation and NeuroRx Research.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Joubin Hatamzadeh

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, joined today by Joubin Hatamzadeh Chief Operating Officer at Greentown Labs, a community on a mission to solve the climate crisis through entrepreneurship and collaboration. Prior to joining Greetown Labs, Joubin served as the Head of Operations and Administrative Services at French Tech Hub, where he led a team that helped international technology companies expand and succeed…

Be Hands On – Moktar Diallo

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Be Hands On - Moktar Diallo
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In this episode, Moktar Diallo, a seasoned leader in healthcare, shared his remarkable journey from a rebel student to a passionate advocate for data optimization in healthcare. Moktar’s trajectory into the pharmaceutical realm was serendipitous, stemming from an early knack for computing and various interim jobs. Throughout his career spanning various companies like BMS and Sanofi, Moktar was struck by the inefficiencies in managing data, driving him to harness his talent for data management to generate savings and improve practices.

Moktar’s journey elucidates the critical role of data in revolutionizing healthcare. His insights underscore the pressing need for organizations to transcend data silos and embrace a unified data ecosystem. He advocates for transparency and shared knowledge, emphasizing that transparent data sharing facilitates better decision-making and fosters healthier, more equitable outcomes. Moktar’s leadership philosophy revolves around embracing change, valuing transparency, and leveraging data to drive impactful decisions.

“Data transparently shared becomes a tool of performance, empowering individuals and fostering healthier, more equitable outcomes“

MEET OUR GUEST Moktar Diallo Chief Executive Officer at Mangabey.

Moktar Diallo founded Mangabey in 2022 and brings over two decades of expertise in creating cutting-edge business intelligence systems. Dedicated to transforming global pharma data interactions, Moktar is a leading authority on international change management and transformative data architecture for multinational commercial operations.

Having spent the past 20 years shaping the business intelligence landscape, Moktar has consistently been at the forefront of innovation. At Mangabey, he leads a team of data and analytics experts, driving commercial data operations focusing on lean, open, and unified data ecosystems. Moktar’s impact extends beyond technology and operations; he is passionate about helping top-level business leaders navigate enterprise-wide change.

Prior to Mangabey, Moktar’s transformative leadership at Sanofi revolutionized the company’s Business Intelligence capabilities, contributing to substantial sales growth across a global footprint. His strategic initiatives included successful acquisitions and operational optimizations that led to significant cost savings. During his impactful tenure at Bristol Myers Squibb, Moktar centralized and automated performance management, created a fully integrated information system, and led a team of high-performing analysts, earning recognition for his contributions.

Moktar Diallo is not just a CEO; he is a seasoned expert, guiding businesses toward success through innovation, strategic vision, and a passion for transformative change.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Moktar Diallo

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, joined today by Moktar Diallo founder and CEO of Mangabey. Dedicated to transforming global pharma data interactions, Moktar brings over two decades of expertise in creating cutting-edge business intelligence systems, leading change management and transformative data architecture for multinational commercial operations. At Mangabey, Moktar leads a team of data and analytics experts, driving commercial data operations focusing on lean,…

Nimble Leadership – Kate Isaacs

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Nimble Leadership - Kate Isaacs
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In this heartfelt and insightful conversation, Kate Isaacs, a passionate advocate for connecting individuals with their deeper purpose and fostering positive change, shared her journey and wisdom with me. Kate, drawing from her background in social psychology and leadership development, emphasized the importance of aligning personal and organizational purpose with values to create meaningful impact. She highlighted the power of storytelling in driving change, citing examples of how compelling narratives can inspire action and mobilize communities.

Throughout this conversation, we talked about the significance of embracing polarities and cultivating a culture of empathy and understanding, especially in navigating complex societal issues. Kate encouraged us as leaders to foster environments where diverse perspectives are valued and collaboration is prioritized, emphasizing the transformative potential of collective dialogue and shared purpose.

In closing, Kate left us with a poignant reflection: “Where do I feel alive?” Encouraging us to seek out spaces and endeavors that ignite our sense of purpose and joy, she underscored the profound connection between personal fulfillment and meaningful impact. With her profound insights and compassionate approach, Kate illuminated a path forward for leaders seeking to navigate complexity, drive change, and spread love within their organizations and beyond.

“Go where you feel most alive“

MEET OUR GUEST Kate Isaacs Teacher, scholar, speaker, strategy advisor. Storyteller, gardener, ecologist, mom. Teaching @MIT Sloan. Creating systems for people & places to thrive.

Kate Isaacs is a scholar, teacher, and strategy advisor who designs organizations and stakeholder partnerships for people and places to thrive. She draws on design thinking, system dynamics, and developmental psychology to help leaders create conditions for collective intelligence, agile performance, and transformative change.

Kate is a Senior Lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management. A recent interview with Isaacs and her colleagues about their work on Nimble Leadership was selected for publication in HBR at 100: The Most Influential and Innovative Articles from Harvard Business Review’s First Century.

Kate is cofounder of a new MIT Sloan Executive Education program in 2024, Businesses for Inclusive Local Thriving Lab (BILT-Lab) for business-led teams to accelerate their impact on local talent development, workforce participation, and community prosperity. She also teaches short courses on topics of Leading with Purpose, Optimizing Team Performance, and Adaptive Distributed Innovation, all with a focus on inclusive innovation and human thriving.

Kate consults with organizations in all sectors on strategy and culture change, and she specializes in designing peer-based learning experiences and facilitating multi-stakeholder collaborations. She is a certified Shadow Work coach and is trained in Internal Family Systems therapy. She emphasizes the positive potential in people and organizations—noticing and expanding what is already working—and releasing obstacles that block our natural orientation towards joy, creativity, growth, and health.

She is a dynamic and engaging speaker who delivers inspiring keynote addresses to large corporate audiences. She is a frequent author on topics of leadership, innovation, systems change, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and corporate sustainability for publications including the Harvard Business Review, the Sloan Management Review, strategy+business, Chief Executive, The Hill, and The Conversation.

Kate holds a PhD in organization studies from the MIT Sloan School of Management, an MS degree in technology and policy from the MIT Engineering Systems Division, an MS degree in conscious evolution from the Graduate Institute, and a BS in biology from the Oakland University Honors College.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Kate Isaacs

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, having the pleasure to be joined today by Kate Isaacs scholar, teacher, and strategy advisor who designs organizations and stakeholder partnerships for people and places to thrive. Kate draws on design thinking, system dynamics, and developmental psychology to help leaders create conditions for collective intelligence, agile performance, and transformative change. Kate is a Senior Lecturer at the…

Determined Yet Flexible – Vinit Nijhawan

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Determined Yet Flexible - Vinit Nijhawan
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In this podcast episode, Naji Gehchan interviews Vinit Nijhawan, a seasoned entrepreneur and investor, exploring his journey and insights into building successful startups and leading high-performing teams. Vinit shares his simple yet impactful journey from founding and scaling startups in tech to transitioning into a role where he mentors and invests in other entrepreneurs. He emphasizes the importance of a strong team, good technology, and timing in the success of startups. Vinit also highlights the qualities he looks for in a founding team, including coachability and a balance of determination and flexibility. The conversation delves into the nuances of building teams, navigating cultural differences, and fostering trust within organizations. Vinit stresses the significance of trust, generosity, and genuine care in leadership, advocating for an entrepreneurial mindset that constantly questions the status quo and seeks innovative solutions.

“Leadership is about genuine care and generosity; it’s the ultimate empathy in action“

MEET OUR GUEST Vinit Nijhawan Investor, Entrepreneur, and Academic.

Vinit Nijhawan is a strategic visionary who has conceived and built several technology organizations that have been acquired by companies such as Boeing, Motorola and Qualcomm. He is an admired leader and mentor who has built or inherited and then effectively managed several high-performance teams. He has worked in many industries: computing, aerospace, logistics, supply chain, manufacturing, telecommunications, medical devices, biopharma, synthetic biology, advanced materials, etc. Vinit is an empathetic and collaborative team member and stays connected with all his past supervisors, mentors and many of his former employees and students.

In 2008, Vinit intentionally pivoted his career from technology entrepreneur and CEO, to helping other entrepreneurs with a special focus on academia. He began teaching Entrepreneurship at Boston University and subsequently led the Office of Technology Development from 2010-2016 (he published a peer reviewed paper on that experience: Maximize Collisions, Minimize Friction). In this role, Vinit participated in several BU committees and organizations, such as the BUildLab, Faculty Innovation Network, Conflict of Interest Committee, Coulter Translational Program, Fraunhofer Grants, CTSI and on the board of the National Academy of Inventors. Additionally, he has represented BU on several boards and business plan/grant review panels.

Subsequently, Vinit took the OTD experience and launched a national academic IP monetization program with 40 institutions engaged, including UC Berkeley and UCLA. He launched Waterloo Alumni Angels at his alma mater. Most recently, Vinit is the Managing Director of MassVentures.

Steeped in respect for diversity and with a deep passion for exploration and adventure, Vinit is strong in his commitment to family, friends and colleagues.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Vinit Nijhawan

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this episode joined today by Vinit Nijhawan a strategic visionary who has conceived and built several technology organizations that have been acquired by companies such as Boeing, Motorola and Qualcomm. Vinit is an admired leader and mentor who has built or inherited and then effectively managed several high-performance teams. He has worked in many industries: computing,…

Conscious Leader – Richard Dale

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Conscious Leader - Richard Dale
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In this insightful podcast episode, Naji engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Richard Dale, a seasoned leader with a background in startups, corporate groups, and executive coaching, particularly in healthcare. Richard reflects on his journey as a leader, describing a shift towards conscious leadership over the past 10 years. He emphasizes the importance of understanding leadership as the invisible medium that shapes organizational culture. Richard underscores the significance of psychological safety in fostering high-performing teams. He shares practical strategies, such as implementing root cause analysis, to create an environment where failures are examined without blame, contributing to a culture of continuous improvement. The discussion delves into the challenges and opportunities in healthcare innovation, with a focus on AI. Richard expresses enthusiasm for AI’s potential to provide personalized information at the point of care, enhance diagnostics, and revolutionize drug development. Throughout the episode, Richard’s wisdom shines, offering valuable insights for healthcare leaders navigating the complexities of their roles and striving for positive organizational impact.

“Leadership is what shapes culture, it is that invisible medium, which generates the currents, which very often, nobody really sees.“

MEET OUR GUEST Richard Dale Executive Coach, Leadership and Impact Advisor, Board Member, Values-forward Leader, Innovator, Facilitator, Former President @ OptumLabs.

Richard Dale is a seasoned, values-driven executive leader known for his strategic
acumen and operational excellence. Richard has consistently delivered proven
results by translating vision into market realities in startup, large company, and
non-profit contexts. His leadership strengths lie in building robust teams and
fostering powerful relationships with diverse stakeholders, achieving meaningful and sustainable business outcomes.

Richard currently specializes in Executive and Leadership Coaching, Health Sector Advisory, Impact Consulting, and Team/Culture Facilitation. Richard has been an active coach for senior executives and high-potential leaders since 2000, emphasizing the invisible environment of leadership that significantly influences organizational success. Drawing on his diverse career experiences, he believes in creating awareness of rarely seen aspects of leadership and inspiring leaders to be the change for growth and success.

Until recently, Richard held executive roles within Optum (part of UnitedHealth Group) for over ten years, where he played a pivotal leadership role in founding and operating OptumLabs, and subsequently as a Senior Vice President for Health System Alliances in Optum, leading efforts for multi-billion-dollar cross-enterprise partnerships and innovation collaborations.

As COO and then President of OptumLabs, he spearheaded a big data research and innovation collaborative of 40+ complex partnerships, including Mayo Clinic, Harvard, Yale, Johns Hopkins, UMN, University of California, AARP, US Department of Health and Human Services (office of the CTO), Imperial College London, London School of Economics, and the National Health Service in the UK. Under Richard’s leadership, OptumLabs delivered groundbreaking initiatives starting with hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific publications providing insights that led to improvements in various facets of the healthcare system, and data science innovations including real-time data exploration tools and deep-learning models.

With an earlier background at Sigma Partners VC and before that as co-founder of Phase Forward (acquired by Oracle), Richard has a wealth of experience in venture capital, entrepreneurship, and high-tech startups.

Beyond his professional work, Richard serves as a board member for Seeds of Peace, an interfaith and cross-border youth movement fostering peace-building initiatives globally. He previously served as the founding board chair for Adamah, the leading US Jewish environmental non-profit. Richard bakes sourdough challah and rides a recumbent bike. Richard has had at least one brush with fame: ask him how he came to have lunch with Bill Gates.

Join Richard as he shares not just his wealth of experience but the transformative moments that shaped his approach to leadership in healthcare. Discover how innovation, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to positive change can redefine the future of healthcare leadership. Get ready for an inspiring journey that transcends the ordinary, led by a speaker who has consistently turned vision into market realities.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Richard Dale

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, honored to be joined today by Richard Dale a seasoned, values-driven executive known for his strategic acumen and operational excellence. He has consistently delivered proven results by translating vision into market realities in startup, large company, and non-profit contexts. Richard currently specializes in Executive and Leadership Coaching, Health Sector Advisory, Impact Consulting, and Team/Culture Facilitation. Until recently,…

Believe – Nejma Chami

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Believe - Nejma Chami
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In this special podcast episode in partnership with Jill Donahue, I talk to Nejma Chami, the Global Head of Medical Affairs at Grünenthal. Nejma shares her inspiring journey from working in a medical practice to her leadership roles in medical affairs. As a purpose-driven leader, she emphasizes her mission to alleviate the suffering of individuals and improve lives. Nejma’s leadership philosophy highlights her commitment to staying true to her North Star — placing the patient at the center of all actions. Throughout our chat, Nejma’s responses underscore her humility, focus on serving others, and the belief in the positive impact that we, healthcare leaders, can achieve.

“Leadership is about serving the people we work with, not managing them“

MEET OUR GUEST Nejma Chami Global Head of Medical Affairs at Grünenthal.

Nejma Chami is Global Head of Medical Affairs at Grünenthal. Nejma spent years working in a medical practice before joining the pharmaceutical industry. She has since served in several leadership roles in medical affairs at Abbott, Novo Nordisk and now at Grunenthal. Nejma is a purpose-driven leader with a mission to lighten the load of people who are suffering to make lives better.

This episode is in partnership with Jill Donahue. Jill published her third book recently A Dose of Inspiration: 100 Purpose Stories From Pharma Leaders and we partnered together to bring to light those incredible stories. You can find here or wherever you podcast more episodes with some of those executives.

Download the ebook now for a free dose of inspiration here: excellerate.ca/freebook/

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Nejma Chami

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, for a special episode in partnership with Jill Donahue for her new book “A Dose of Inspiration: 100 purpose stories from Pharma Leaders”. I am joined today by Nejma Chami Global Head of Medical Affairs at Grünenthal. Nejma spent years working in a medical practice before joining the pharmaceutical industry. She has since served in several leadership…

Stronger Together – Angela Giannantonio

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Stronger Together - Angela Giannantonio
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In this episode in partnership with “A Dose of Inspiration Book from Jill Donahue”, I interviewed Angela Giannantonio, Senior Vice President Human Resources at Travere Therapeutics. Inspired by her mother’s compassion, Angela found her purpose in HR, driven by a desire to help others. She emphasized the evolving role of HR, particularly during crises, highlighting the shift from a reactive to a pivotal, proactive function in supporting employees. Leadership transparency and the creation of a speak-up culture were key themes in Angela’s approach. She viewed love as a powerful force, contributing to a positive and welcoming work environment. Her advice to healthcare leaders emphasized authenticity, recognizing quiet voices, and creating spaces for diverse perspectives, all essential elements for fostering a thriving organizational culture.

“Create a speak-up culture where people feel safe to share what they’re feeling and how they’re feeling“

MEET OUR GUEST Angela Giannantonio Senior Vice President Human Resources at Travere Therapeutics.

Angela Giannantonio is a senior vice president and member of the executive team at Travere Therapeutics. Ms. Giannantonio has more than 15 years of experience in human resources management, with a strong track record of delivering a best-in-class employee experience and keeping patients at the center, while also driving successful growth and innovation across complex and global organizations. Known for her relentless focus on employee experience and engagement, Ms. Giannantonio most recently was the head of human resources for Alexion Rare Disease where she led the company through its integration with AstraZeneca. She previously served as head of human resources for global commercial operations and corporate functions, leading the organization through hyper-growth and a complex pandemic while ensuring high employee engagement and performance worldwide.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Giannantonio served in roles of increasing responsibility across the business, including director of human resources. Ms. Giannantonio holds an MBA from Clark University.

This episode is in partnership with Jill Donahue. Jill published her third book recently A Dose of Inspiration: 100 Purpose Stories From Pharma Leaders and we partnered together to bring to light those incredible stories. You can find here or wherever you podcast more episodes with some of those executives.

Download the ebook now for a free dose of inspiration here: excellerate.ca/freebook/

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Angela Giannantonio

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, for a special episode in partnership with Jill Donahue for her new book “A Dose of Inspiration: 100 purpose stories from Pharma Leaders”. I am joined today by Angela Giannantonio, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, and member of the executive team at Travere Therapeutics. She has more than 15 years of experience in human resources management, with…

A Legacy of Impact – Rob Perez

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
A Legacy of Impact - Rob Perez
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In this episode, I sat with Rob Perez, Operating Partner at General Atlantic, Founder and Chairman of Life Science Cares, and Co-Founder of BLOC: Biopharma Leaders of Color, and discussed his views of our industry, his key leadership learning, and the latest news from JP Morgan. Rob reflected on the pivotal role of culture in the success of companies and provided us with valuable insights on building authentic cultures that align with competitive strategies. We also talked about Life Science Cares, an organization and a collective effort of life science companies to eliminate the impacts of poverty. LSC leverages the extraordinary talent and passion of our biopharma industry to affect change and has had a tremendous impact on the communities it serves. We also delved into Rob’s optimism about the biotech industry’s rapid pace of innovation, increased capital availability, and potential groundbreaking advancements in the coming decade.

“Let’s harness the passion, enthusiasm, and compassion of our industry for a collective impact that transforms lives in our communities“

MEET OUR GUEST Rob Perez Operating Partner, General Atlantic, Founder and Chairman, Life Science Cares, Co-Founder, BLOC: Biopharma Leaders of Color.

Rob Perez is a biopharmaceutical operating executive with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. He is currently serving as an Operating Partner at General Atlantic, a global growth equity firm, providing strategic support and advice to the firm’s life sciences investment team and portfolio companies. Rob is also a member of the Board of Directors at Vir Bio, PathAI, Immunocore, Panther Rx and Third Harmonic Bio.   

Rob is the Founder and Chairman of Life Science Cares, an organization that provides human and financial capital from the life sciences industry to the best non-profits working to alleviate the impact of poverty in the US. Life Science Cares now operates in Boston, San Diego, Philadelphia and the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Additionally, Rob is the co-founder of Biopharma Leaders of Color (BLOC), a community of leaders united to advance the success and access of under-represented people of color throughout the life sciences industry.    

Rob also serves on the Board of Trustees of The Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

In 2022, Rob was selected by STAT News as one of 46 inaugural members of its’ STATUS List, which was described as “the most definitive and consequential accounting of leaders in health, medicine and science”. 

Previously, Rob was the Chief Executive Officer of Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a public pharmaceutical development company, when the company was acquired by Merck in January 2015. He joined Cubist in August 2003 as Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, and led the launch of Cubicin® (daptomycin for injection). He also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and President prior to becoming CEO. 

Before joining Cubist, he served as Vice President of Biogen, Inc.’s US CNS business unit, where he was responsible for commercial leadership of an $800 million business. He joined Biogen in 1995, and was one of the architects of the commercial model that launched the company’s first commercial product, AVONEX®. 

Rob earned a B.S. in business from California State University, Los Angeles and an MBA from the Anderson Graduate School of Management at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Consider donating and helping Life Science Cares noble purpose: https://lifesciencecares.org/donate/

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Rob Perez

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, honored to be joined today by Rob Perez. Rob is an Operating Partner at General Atlantic, providing strategic support and advice to the firm’s investment team and portfolio companies in the Life Sciences sector. Before joining General Atlantic in 2019, he was Managing Director of Vineyard Sound Advisors, LLC, an advisory practice focused on growth companies in…

Give People an “A” – Julie Kim

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Give People an "A" - Julie Kim
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In this episode in partnership with “A Dose of Inspiration Book from Jill Donahue”, I interviewed Julie Kim, President U.S. Business Unit at Takeda, and discussed her inspiring career journey. Julie emphasizes her commitment to inclusive leadership, sharing personal experiences and insights. She highlights the importance of giving everyone a voice, building trust and fostering a growth mindset. Tune in to hear the worst advice she was ever given as she started her career. The conversation concludes with a call for collaboration among healthcare leaders to build sustainable and thriving healthcare ecosystems globally.

“Take the option that will stretch you more.“

MEET OUR GUEST Julie Kim President, U.S. Business Unit at Takeda.

Julie Kim is President of the U.S. Business Unit, U.S. Country Head and member of Takeda’s Executive Team. The U.S. Business Unit portfolio encompasses gastroenterology, neuroscience, plasma-derived therapies and rare diseases.

She joined Takeda in 2019 through the acquisition of Shire, where she held several diverse roles with increasing responsibility. As part of Takeda, she became the President of the Plasma-Derived Therapies Business Unit, the position she occupied until April of 2022, when she became President of the U.S. Business Unit and U.S. Country Head.

Julie has 30 years of experience in health care, with leadership positions at global, regional, country and functional levels. In the biopharmaceutical industry, her experiences have spanned a variety of therapeutic areas, international market access, country and regional general management, marketing and emerging market development.

Julie is known for strong, collaborative and inclusive leadership that enables Takeda to meet the needs of the people the company serves while driving innovations that will improve patients’ lives. Her global outlook, a result of having worked in many countries in Europe, Asia and Latin America, as well as having lived in the U.K., Switzerland and the U.S., have helped her create teams that are diverse in multiple dimensions to enable inclusive decision-making that keeps the patient at the center.  

Julie serves on the boards of directors for PhRMA, an organization which represents the country’s leading innovative biopharmaceutical research companies, and Croda International, a company which leverages smart science to create high-performance ingredients and technologies that improve lives. She was named one of Boston’s 50 Most Influential Asian American Pacific Islanders in 2023, to The 2022 PharmaVoice 100 list and to Fierce Pharma’s list of 2020’s Fiercest Women in Life Sciences.

She earned an MBA from the J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Dartmouth College. She resides with her family in the Boston area.

This episode is in partnership with Jill Donahue. Jill published her third book recently A Dose of Inspiration: 100 Purpose Stories From Pharma Leaders and we partnered together to bring to light those incredible stories. You can find here or wherever you podcast more episodes with some of those executives.

Download the ebook now for a free dose of inspiration here: excellerate.ca/freebook/

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Julie Kim

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, for a special episode in partnership with Jill Donahue for her new book “A Dose of Inspiration: 100 purpose stories from Pharma Leaders”. I am joined today by Julie Kim President of the U.S. Business Unit, U.S. Country Head and member of Takeda’s Executive Team. Julie joined Takeda in 2019 through the acquisition of Shire, where she…

Nothing About Us Without Us – Kevin Williams

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Nothing About Us Without Us - Kevin Williams
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In this episode in partnership with “A Dose of Inspiration Book from Jill Donahue”, I interviewed Kevin Williams, Chief Medical Affairs Officer at Pfizer. Kevin shared his powerful and inspiring journey. He grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where his father, the third African-American physician in the city, inspired him to pursue a career in medicine. After working in private practice, specializing in HIV and AIDS care during the height of the epidemic, he transitioned to the pharmaceutical industry, joining Pfizer in 2004. Throughout his career, he emphasized patient-centricity, health equity, and the importance of bringing the patient’s voice into the development of medicines. As an executive, he encourages a purpose-driven approach, role modeling authenticity, and creating environments where teams feel nurtured. Kevin also emphasizes the need for leaders to step outside their comfort zones, believe in themselves, and continue growing.

“Put people in a position to succeed and then let them do their job.“

MEET OUR GUEST Kevin Williams Chief Medical Affairs Officer, Global Medical Excellence & Innovation, at Pfizer.

Kevin joined Pfizer in January 2004 as a Director, Regional Medical & Research Specialists working in the HIV disease area. After moving into a Team Leader position in July 2005, he has served in various leadership roles during his career in the company. Kevin is also Co-Chair, Board of Directors for SAGE, the country’s leading national non-profit organization focused on advocacy and services for LGBT+ elders.

Kevin received his medical degree from the UCLA School of Medicine, a Masters in Public Health and a Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School.

This episode is in partnership with Jill Donahue. Jill published her third book recently A Dose of Inspiration: 100 Purpose Stories From Pharma Leaders and we partnered together to bring to light those incredible stories. You can find here or wherever you podcast more episodes with some of those executives.

Download the ebook now for a free dose of inspiration here: excellerate.ca/freebook/

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Kevin Williams

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, for a special episode in partnership with Jill Donahue for her new book “A Dose of Inspiration: 100 purpose stories from Pharma Leaders”. I am joined today by Kevin Williams, Chief Medical Affairs Officer, Global Medical Excellence & Innovation, at Pfizer. Kevin joined Pfizer in January 2004 as a Director, Regional Medical & Research Specialists working in…

A Dose of Inspiration – Jill Donahue

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
A Dose of Inspiration - Jill Donahue
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For the launch of her new book A Dose of Inspiration: 100 Purpose Stories From Pharma Leaders, I sat with Jill Donahue and discussed the story behind her inspiration to write it, what she has learned from interviewing hundreds of biotech and pharma professionals, and her call to action for all of us in the industry. Tune in to hear Jill discuss purpose, leadership, values and how they translate into impact for both the business and most importantly the patients we serve.

“What makes your heart sing?“

MEET OUR GUEST Jill Donahue Author, Speaker, Guest Faculty at Queen’s University and Founder of Excellerate.

Jill Donahue is a global thought leader in pharma. Jill has won multiple awards for her work, author of 2 soon 3 books, delivering talks at global conferences, publishing in industry journals and serving pharma teams. Jill also co-founded The Aurora Project; a global volunteer group of thought leaders trying to illuminate commercial pharma’s path to patient centricity.

Jill published her third book recently A Dose of Inspiration: 100 Purpose Stories From Pharma Leaders and we partnered together to bring to light those incredible stories. Episodes with some of those executives will air on our show soon – Stay tuned!

Download the ebook now for a free dose of inspiration here: excellerate.ca/freebook/

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Jill Donahue A Dose of Inspiration

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, joined today by I’m Naji your host and I’m thrilled to be with Jill Donahue a global thought leader in pharma. Jill has won multiple awards for her work, author of 2 soon 3 books, delivering talks at global conferences, publishing in industry journals and serving pharma teams. Jill also co-founded The Aurora Project; a global volunteer…

Community Leader – Jeff French

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Community Leader - Jeff French
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In this conversation with Naji, Jeff French shares insights on leadership, generative AI, innovation, and fostering a sense of community in healthcare. For leadership, he emphasizes the importance of a community of leaders working toward common objectives. Regarding innovation, he advocates for purpose-driven innovation over opportunistic approaches, highlighting the need for meaningful impact. Lastly, on spreading love within organizations, he underscores the significance of a shared purpose, collaboration, and focusing on group ambitions to achieve positive outcomes. In a final word of wisdom for healthcare leaders, Jeff urges a transformative approach to technology and digital integration, emphasizing holistic change and differentiation in the healthcare space for greater opportunities and impact.

“Purpose-led innovations achieve great things“

MEET OUR GUEST Jeff French, a resilient, collaborative, and influential global leader who leverages deep expertise in digital and information technology.

Jeff is considered a resilient, collaborative, and influential global leader and change agent who leverages deep expertise on digital and information technology, customer experience management, and brings broad business accountability experience in international sales, marketing, manufacturing, and finance in both the pharmaceutical and aerospace industries. He has held multiple regional and global leadership roles, digitally transforming organizations, re-engineering and standardizing business processes, establishing and embedding next-generation systems and capabilities, all in pursuit of building better customer experiences and driving real value generation.

He is recognized as a thought leader, sitting on several Customer Advisory Boards for consultancies and service organizations supporting the Pharma industry, specifically on the challenges of digital and CX transformation, helping to define and drive industry standards and benchmarks.

Jeff is currently a Senior Director at DT Consulting, a specialist strategy consulting organization supporting the pharmaceutical industry leadership in modernizing their organizations across commercial, medical, and R&D functions. Most recently, Jeff was the Chief Digital Officer at ViiV Healthcare and focused on building next-generation channels and services that leverage bold innovation and digital technology to deliver exceptional and unifying customer experiences, as well as valiant digital health innovations in the HIV therapy area.

Prior to ViiV, Jeff worked for Biogen for 2 years and led the establishment of a global digital Centre of Excellence, focused on the commercial business transformation across global markets. His pharmaceutical experience, however, began at Eli Lilly in 1999, starting as a Senior Financial Analyst working on the Global Business Improvement Program, which then led to him joining the European IT organization in 2004. Here he held several roles in supporting manufacturing and commercial, eventually becoming accountable for all commercial digital and technology for the region.

Prior to his pharmaceutical experience, Jeff had a short stint in consulting after working for Rolls-Royce Aerospace in various capacities including finance, process improvement and engine warranty sales.

Jeff maintains a Bachelor’s degree in International Finance as well as an MBA, all from Ball State University, in Muncie, Indiana U.S.A.

Jeff is an American living in the UK, married to a Spanish wife, has a son who was born in Germany (Lucas), three lovely daughters and another son who were all born in the UK (Daniela, Noa, Bela and Tyson).

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Jeff French

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, joined today by Jeff French a resilient, collaborative, and influential global leader who leverages deep expertise on digital and information technology, customer experience management, and brings broad business accountability experience in international sales, marketing, manufacturing, and finance in both the pharmaceutical and aerospace industries. Jeff has held multiple regional and global leadership roles, digitally transforming organizations, re-engineering…

Elevate Voices – Saloni Behl

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Elevate Voices - Saloni Behl
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Saloni Behl, a healthcare leader with over 16 years of experience, is who I sat with for this episode. We discussed her journey from her upbringing in Mumbai, India, to her current role in leading R&D at Otsuka Pharmaceuticals. Saloni emphasized her leadership philosophy of observing, understanding, and empowering teams. Her childhood experiences shaped her leadership style, leading her to prioritize inclusivity, diversity, and empathy. Saloni expressed excitement about advancements in neuropsychiatry, particularly in digital therapies and psychedelic-based treatments. She emphasized the need for healthcare leaders to address global health inequities and work collaboratively to solve pressing healthcare challenges.

“From acute observer of life to active participant“

MEET OUR GUEST Saloni Behl Global Product Lead Neuroscience at Otsuka Pharmaceutical Companies.

Saloni Behl is an accomplished leader with over 16 years of experience in building high-impact strategies to grow companies and make them more efficient and effective in bringing transformative medications to patients.

Over the last 10 years, Saloni has been in Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and has played a critical role in helping the company grow its portfolio within Neuroscience and Nephrology. She has undertaken leadership roles in New Product Planning, Business Development Strategy, and most recently R&D. Saloni believes in leading teams by observing, understanding, and empowering. Her childhood experiences have taught her to see things others might miss, to bounce back from challenges, and to truly value the people she works with. She is passionate about making a real difference in brain health.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Saloni Behl

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, joined today by Saloni Behl an accomplished leader with over 16 years of experience in building high-impact strategies to grow companies and make them more efficient and effective in bringing transformative medications to patients. Over the last 10 years, Saloni has been in Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and has played a critical role in helping the company grow its…

Kiss Your Dragons – Shawn Nason

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Kiss Your Dragons - Shawn Nason
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In this interview, we welcomed Shawn Nason, former CEO of OFFOR Health, a company dedicated to transforming healthcare models for better access to care. Shawn emphasizes the importance of reimagining the human experience in healthcare, drawing on his diverse experiences in leadership roles. He shares his belief that success in healthcare lies in treating people with humanity. He recounts his involvement in disruptive healthcare models, such as the launch of Walmart Health clinics with a focus on affordability. The conversation delves into addressing challenges in healthcare, particularly the need to shift from a system built for paying claims to one centered around humane experiences. Shawn advocates for leadership transparency, building radical relationships, and a genuine love for people to foster positive change in the healthcare industry.

“Let’s strive for a healthcare system that goes beyond being human-centered; let’s make it truly humane.“

MEET OUR GUEST Shawn Nason former CEO of OFFOR Health, CIO, and founder of Disruptor League.

Shawn Nason, CEO of OFFOR Health, a company that reimagines outdated healthcare models to accelerate access to care for those who are under-served and under-resourced. With over 15 years of experience in creating and transforming experience ecosystems, Shawn is passionate about reimagining how people interact with health and wellness services and products. As a former Disney Imagineer, Chief Innovation Officer, and founder of the Disruptor League, Shawn has a proven track record of leading and executing innovative projects that generate significant revenue, customer loyalty, and social impact. Shawn is also an author, speaker, podcast host, and neurodiversity advocate.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Shawn Nason

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, joined today by Shawn Nason, CEO of OFFOR Health, a company that reimagines outdated healthcare models to accelerate access to care for those who are under-served and under-resourced. With over 15 years of experience in creating and transforming experience ecosystems, Shawn is passionate about reimagining how people interact with health and wellness services and products. As a…

Genuine Curiosity – Rehan Ahmed

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Genuine Curiosity - Rehan Ahmed
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In this episode with Rehan Ahmed, we discussed healthcare leadership and the importance of curiosity and problem-solving. Rehan shared his journey from a small town in Illinois to becoming a passionate ophthalmologist and entrepreneur. He emphasized the significance of genuine curiosity in leadership and how it helps bridge gaps and solve complex problems in healthcare. Rehan also highlighted the need for healthcare leaders to maintain a connection to patient care, even as they expand their impact. He stressed the importance of curiosity about the world, the people you work with, and the problems you aim to solve as a foundation for effective leadership. Hear more about Rehan’s story and leadership beliefs in this inspiring conversation.

“Healthcare is the most pressing problem facing the world. It’s time to get to work.“

MEET OUR GUEST Rehan Ahmed an ophthalmologist passionate about improving eye care.

Rehan Ahmed is an ophthalmologist passionate about improving eye care. Rehan has extensive experience in the patient eye care journey, from direct medical and surgical patient care, to retail optometric settings, medical OD/MD practice environments, drug development, and novel diagnostic and treatment modalities. His expertise is bridging strategic gaps between patient care, providers, payors, and regulatory agencies.

Rehan is a practicing ophthalmologist, Medical Director in Global Clinical Development and Operations at Santen Pharmaceutical, founder of Texas Eye and Vision Associates, and Chief Medical Officer at Blink, a startup in remote ocular healthcare; he also advises multiple med-tech startups. Rehan received his MD degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Rehan completed his internship at the University of Texas, residency in ophthalmology at Baylor College of Medicine, and MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Rehan Ahmed

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, joined today by Rehan Ahmed, an ophthalmologist passionate about improving eye care. Rehan has extensive experience in the patient eye care journey, from direct medical and surgical patient care, to retail optometric settings, medical OD/MD practice environments, drug development, and novel diagnostic and treatment modalities. His expertise is bridging strategic gaps between patient care, providers, payors, and…

Advancing Humane Science – Fabrice Barlesi

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Advancing Humane Science - Fabrice Barlesi
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In this episode, Fabrice Barlesi, CEO of Gustave Roussy, who is a lung cancer specialist, shares his personal journey into the field of medicine and oncology, highlighting a pivotal moment with a patient that shaped his dedication to this field. The conversation delves into leadership in the context of healthcare. Fabrice emphasizes the need for leaders to take responsibility and give credit, stressing the critical role of attracting talented individuals to an organization. The discussion also touches on precision medicine and its transformative impact on cancer care. Fabrice shares his insights on the future of oncology, focusing on early detection, precision medicine, and immunotherapy as key drivers in improving patient outcomes. Throughout the conversation, Fabrice’s passion for advancing oncology and improving patient care shines through, making it clear why he has been recognized as one of the world’s most influential researchers in his field. We’re sure you’ll enjoy the full conversation!

“Oncology is the perfect mix of Science and Human“

MEET OUR GUEST Fabrice Barlesi CEO of Gustave Roussy, a leading cancer center in Europe, ranked third world’s best oncology hospital and first outside the United States.

Fabrice Barlesi is Chief Executive Officer of Gustave Roussy. Fabrice is a lung cancer specialist and a major contributor to research in the field of novel oncological therapies. He was appointed Chief Medical Officer and then CEO of Gustave Roussy in 2020.

Fabrice is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Aix-Marseille and joined Paris Saclay University in 2022. He has been head of the Multidisciplinary Oncology and Innovative Therapies Department of the Nord Hospital in Marseille and the Marseille Centre for Early Trials in Oncology (CLIP2) which were established by him. Fabrice is also co-founder of the Marseille Immunopôle French Immunology network.

Fabrice is the author and co-author of some 400 articles in international journals and specialist publications. In 2018, the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) awarded him the prestigious Heine H. Hansen Prize. He appears in the 2019 World List of most influential researchers.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Fabrice Barlesi

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, joined today by Fabrice Barlesi CEO of Gustave Roussy, a Leading Cancer Centre in Europe, ranked third world’s best oncology hospital and first outside the United States. Fabrice is a lung cancer specialist and a major contributor to research in the field of novel oncological therapies. He was appointed CMO then CEO of Gustave Roussy since 2020.…

Struck by Lightening – Alicia Tozier

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Struck by Lightening - Alicia Tozier
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In this podcast episode, Alicia Tozier, Senior Vice President of Global Market Access and Marketing for Outlook Therapeutics, discusses her journey in healthcare leadership and her deep commitment to patient care. She emphasizes the importance of passion for patients and the need to put the patient at the forefront of decision-making. Alicia also shares her personal story of being a caregiver and how it has shaped her purpose as a leader. She stresses the value of diverse voices within teams and the importance of compassion and self-compassion in leadership. Lastly, she encourages leaders to share their stories and continue learning and growing together in the healthcare field. Hear Alicia’s story, leadership beliefs, and words of wisdom in this incredible episode.

“Be yourself to be at your best“

MEET OUR GUEST Alicia Tozier Senior Vice President of Global Market Access and Marketing for Outlook Therapeutics.

Alicia Tozier has served as a Global Healthcare Senior Executive, leading teams across the full product life cycle and 18+ launches spanning 8+ therapeutic areas in 70+ global markets, via multiple innovative modalities including: medical devices, digital therapeutics, and pharmaceuticals.

Alicia is a purpose-driven leader, guided by integrity, values, and a deep focus on the patient informed by her own experience as a caregiver. She serves as the Senior Vice President of Global Market Access and Marketing for Outlook Therapeutics, a company specializing in Ophthalmic products.

Alicia holds a bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara, an MBA from Colorado State University, and is an alumnus of the Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Program.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Alicia Tozier

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, joined today by Alicia Tozier Senior Vice President of Global Market Access and Marketing for Outlook Therapeutics, a company specializing in Ophthalmic products. Alicia has served as a Global Healthcare Senior Executive, leading teams across the full product life cycle and 18+ launches spanning 8+ therapeutic areas in 70+ global markets, via multiple innovative modalities including: medical…

You Matter – Thierry Hulot

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
You Matter - Thierry Hulot
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This episode is special and the fourth in a series of four. In partnership with ESCP Business School, I’ll be giving the mic to students, the leaders of tomorrow, to discuss with seasoned healthcare executives about their journeys and leadership beliefs. We welcome in this episode, Thierry Hulot, General Manager at Merck France, and President of LEEM. Thierry shared in this conversation his story and leadership beliefs. His 3 key leadership learning are insightful and straightforward for us leaders to implement: 1. Is the decision good for my company and the people we serve? 2. Get your hands dirty. 3. Take care of your people. Hear more words of wisdom from Thierry in this chat.

“Take time every day to think what will make this day successful.“

MEET OUR GUEST Thierry Hulot, General Manager of Merck France and President of LEEM.

Thierry Hulot is a pharmacist by training with an MBA from Ashridge Business School in the UK. He started working at Merck in 1995 in R&D in Lyon. After different strategic and leadership positions, Thierry has taken on the role of General Manager of the Biopharma Division of Merck in France.

Since July 2022, Thierry has been elected to the presidency of LEEM, the professional organization of pharmaceutical companies operating in France, whose mission is to promote the industrial attractiveness of our country and to conduct a viable health policy based on patient needs. An organization that campaigns for better accessibility to technological and therapeutic innovations and that shares my commitment alongside patients.

Humble & Bold – Anette Steenberg

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Humble & Bold - Anette Steenberg
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This episode is special and the third in a series of four. In partnership with ESCP Business School, I’ll be giving the mic to students, the leaders of tomorrow, to discuss with seasoned healthcare executives about their journeys and leadership beliefs. We welcome in this episode, Anette Steenberg, CEO of Medicon Valley Alliance, who discusses her background in international collaboration and her experience in the life sciences industry. Anette emphasizes the importance of leadership qualities such as being a strategic thinker, assembling diverse teams, and being a genuine leader. Anette also highlights the significance of talent attraction and retention and the role of innovation in shaping the future. Lastly, she reflects on Denmark’s identity as a small but ambitious country that values collaboration.

“Grow the pie. Collaboration makes everyone stronger.“

MEET OUR GUEST Anette Steenberg, Chief Executive Officer at Medicon Valley Alliance.

Anette Steenberg is the CEO of the Medicon Valley Alliance, a cross-border life science organization with 330+ public and private members in Denmark and Sweden. Anette is a leader in health innovation in Europe with over 20 years of experience in strategy, business development, and leadership.

Anette excels in creating, leading, and promoting public-private partnerships, navigating and cooperating between the public, academic, and private sectors, while maneuvering in political and business environments locally, nationally, and internationally. She has extensive knowledge and network in the life science, medtech, and healthtech sectors, as well as in the green transition and sustainability fields

Anette graduated in International Trade and Negotiations and worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. After several years in that institution, she joined the Danish pharmaceutical company, Leo Pharma where she had several leadership roles. Anette is now the CEO of the Medicon Valley Alliance, and professional chair and board member in various organizations, where she contributes to their growth, innovation, and impact.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Anette Steenberg

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. This episode is very special. In partnership with ESCP Business School, I’ll be giving the mic to students, our leaders of tomorrow, to discuss with incredible healthcare executives about their journeys and leadership beliefs. ESCP Students: Hello, we are Guillaume and Johanna, students in a specialized master’s program in biopharma at ESDP Business School, and we are thrilled today to be speaking…

The Systemic Leader – Jean-François Brochard

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
The Systemic Leader - Jean-François Brochard
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This episode is special and the second in a series of four. In partnership with ESCP Business School, I’ll be giving the mic to students, the leaders of tomorrow, to discuss with seasoned healthcare executives about their journeys and leadership beliefs. We welcome in this episode, Jean-François Brochard, General Manager at Roche France. Through this conversation, hear Jean-François’ advice on careers in healthcare, why you shouldn’t overthink opportunities and keep an open mind, and what true leadership means to him. It is all about being supportive and demanding, about thinking systems. For Jean-François, “Leadership makes miracles possible, it solves complex problems, it is less about myself and more about ourselves.”

“Innovation without wisdom brings chaos“

MEET OUR GUEST Jean-François Brochard, General Manager Roche France.

Jean-François Brochard is the General manager of Roche France and director and chairman of  LEEM  (the French organization of pharmaceutical companies). With over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Jean-Francois held various leadership positions in both developed and emerging markets in Europe, North America, and Asia.

Before joining Roche France in 2018, he was the President of GSK France. He is also a director and chairman of the Growth, Regulation, and Conventional Policy Commission at LEEM.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Jean-François Brochard

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. This episode is very special. In partnership with ESCP Business School, I’ll be giving the mic to students, our leaders of tomorrow, to discuss with incredible healthcare executives about their journeys and leadership beliefs. ESCP Students: Hi everyone, we are Rita and Mohamed, two students at ESCP Business School in Paris, and we are delighted to be here today and welcome Jean…

Go the Extra Mile – Karine Duquesne

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Go the Extra Mile - Karine Duquesne
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In this conversation, Karine Duquesne, general manager of LEO Pharma France, shared insights into her approach to leadership. She emphasized the importance of authenticity, vulnerability, and kindness in leadership. She also discussed the challenges and opportunities presented by hybrid work arrangements and highlighted the significance of belonging and purpose in the workplace. Karine’s focus on innovation in healthcare was driven by a desire to offer hope and treatments that can make a difference in patients’ lives. Overall, her leadership philosophy centers on being true to oneself and creating a supportive and challenging environment for personal and professional growth.

“Be yourself to be at your best“

MEET OUR GUEST Karine Duquesne Vice President, and General Manager at LEO Pharma.

Karine Duquesne is Vice-President, and General Manager of LEO Pharma France. Karine previously held the position of General Manager at Actelion Pharmaceuticals France, and Johnson & Johnson’s rare disease subsidiary prior to its merger with Janssen in 2020.

She holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and has more than twenty years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry within various positions, from Medical Affairs to Head of Marketing and Sales.

Karine is French and has enriched her career with international experiences in the USA within Janssen’s Global and Strategic teams in Immunology and Neuroscience.

Karine is passionate about people development, innovation, diversity and inclusion.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Karine Duquesne

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, joined today by Karine Duquesne, Vice-President, General Manager of LEO Pharma France. Karine previously held the position of General Manager at Actelion Pharmaceuticals France, and Johnson & Johnson’s rare disease subsidiary prior to its merger with Janssen in 2020. She holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and has more than twenty years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry…

Do What You Enjoy – Marc de Garidel

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Do What You Enjoy - Marc de Garidel
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This episode is special and the first in a series of four. In partnership with ESCP Business School, I’ll be giving the mic to students, the leaders of tomorrow, to discuss with seasoned healthcare executives about their journeys and leadership beliefs. We welcomed in this first episode, Marc De Garidel Chief Executive Officer at Abivax. Marc shared his personal story and leadership beliefs with the students and several of his insightful learnings. In his closing advice, he encouraged aspiring leaders to pursue their passions, learn from mistakes, and not be overly concerned about others’ opinions.

“You can’t have impact if you don’t take risks at some point“

MEET OUR GUEST Marc De Garidel Chief Executive Officer at Abivax.

Marc De Garidel, is CEO of Abivax after being the CEO of CinCor Pharma, a biopharmaceutical company that develops therapies for patients with cardiovascular diseases and recently acquired by AstraZeneca.

Marc is a graduate of École Spéciale des Travaux Publics (a leading French civil engineering school), and holds a Master’s degree from Thunderbird School of Global Management and an Executive MBA from Harvard Business School. 

Marc began his career with Eli Lilly, then in 2000, he was appointed General Manager of Amgen’s French affiliate and progressively oversaw an increasing number of countries before heading the Southern region of Amgen International,  the group’s most important region in terms of sales.  In 2010, Marc left Amgen to become the CEO of Ipsen where he helped transform the company by focusing on research and development and expanding Ipsen’s international presence. Under his leadership, Ipsen’s market value increased significantly. Prior to joining CinCor, Marc served as CEO of Corvidia Therapeutics, a private Boston-based biotechnology company that was acquired by Novo Nordisk in August 2020.

In addition to that, Marc has had extensive non-profit responsibility as VP of EPFIA (Europe Pharma Association) for three years as well as chairing the French pharma association G5 for six years. Marc is also a recipient of the French Legion of Honor. 

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Marc De Garidel

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. This episode is very special. In partnership with ESCP Business School, I’ll be giving the mic to students, our leaders of tomorrow, to discuss with incredible healthcare executives about their journeys and leadership beliefs. ESCP Students: Hello, we are Sarah Boutros and Bouchra Taha, Specialized Master’s students at ESCP Business School in Paris, and we are thrilled to be joined by an…

Propel Forward – Gaurav Mehta

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Propel Forward - Gaurav Mehta
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In this conversation, Naji Gehchan sat with Gaurav Mehta CEO at Alveolus Bio, and discussed several deep topics from leadership to happiness and being content, and also the current biotech world and its challenges. Gaurav emphasized that leadership involves self-awareness and humility, aiming for productive outcomes that benefit investors, teams, products, and patients. He linked innovation to combining ideas with execution, highlighting the importance of bringing one’s best self forward to inspire teams and sell ideas passionately. Regarding entrepreneurship, Gaurav stressed shedding self-limiting storylines, allowing inner genius to flourish, and being open to pivoting when necessary. The conversation also touched on vulnerability, humility, and genuine connections as essential for spreading love within organizations. Gaurav encouraged us all as healthcare leaders to set ambitious goals to tackle significant healthcare challenges effectively.

“Get rid of the storylines you have in your head“

MEET OUR GUEST Gaurav Mehta, CEO at Alveolus Bio.

Gaurav Mehta is the Chief Executive Officer at Alveolus Bio, a biotech Harnessing the power of the microbiome for the prevention and treatment of lung disease. Gaurav has raised multi-million dollars in the form of dilutive and non-dilutive money. He also has progressed long term global strategic partnership deals that authenticate his team, their capabilities, and science with the intent of obtaining investments for his company. He has also created a revenue-generating-business to create value, sustain the company in market volatility and mitigate dilution. While in this capacity, he also advises multiple life science businesses.

Gaurav has co-founded multiple companies. His 20 years of building and scaling depth include having led global operations, business transformations, top and bottom-line improvements, M&A execution, and a turn-around.

This experience has been across large to small firms around the globe in BioTech, MedTech, digital health, and tech.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Gaurav Mehta

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, joined today by Gaurav Mehta, CEO at Alveolus Bio, a biotech Harnessing the power of the microbiome for the prevention and treatment of lung disease. Gaurav has raised multi-million dollars in the form of dilutive and non-dilutive money. He also has progressed long term global strategic partnership deals that authenticate his team, their capabilities, and science with…

Dare to Jump – Marja Pronk

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Dare to Jump - Marja Pronk
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In the conversation, you’ll hear from a changemaker, Marja Pronk, CEO & Founder of Global Young Leaders, Global experts foundation, and MH Pronk Healthcare Consultancy. Naji and Marja discussed various topics including leadership, health equity, and living life by design. Marja emphasizes the importance of leadership at all levels, including personal leadership. She believes that living life by one’s own design leads to happiness and optimal performance. Marja also highlights the necessity of love, transparency, and room for creativity in organizations. In her final words of wisdom, she encourages healthcare leaders to recognize the holistic nature of healthcare, encompassing both technological advancements and human aspects. Hear more about Marja’s personal journey, insightful learning, and the incredible impact she is having on young leaders across the globe.

“Take the fear out and bring the love in organizations“

MEET OUR GUEST Maria Pronk CEO & Founder of Global Young Leaders, Global experts foundation and MH Pronk Healthcare Consultancy.

Marja Pronk is CEO & Founder of Global Young Leaders, Global experts foundation and MH MH Pronk Healthcare Consultancy.

Marja is driven by the patient, healthcare perspective ‘to have access to the right treatment’. Her training as a medical doctor at the Erasmus University of Rotterdam and her years of experience at the pharmaceutical company, GlaxoSmithKline, inspired Marja to create the first specialized market access consultancy firm in the Netherlands. She since then helped contributed to more than 650 cases in 35 disease areas across Europe bringing innovation access to patients.

She is also founder of Global Young leader where they equip young people with personalized life skills so that they can create life by their own design.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Marja Pronk

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, joined today by Marja Pronk, CEO & Founder GLOBAL YOUNG LEADERS, Global experts foundation and MH PRONK HEALTH CARE CONSULTANCY. Marja is driven by the patient, health-care perspective ‘to have access to the right treatment’. Her training as a medical doctor at the Erasmus University of Rotterdam and her years of experience at the pharmaceutical company, GlaxoSmithKline,…

We Are All Connected – Dheera Ananthakrishnan

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
We Are All Connected - Dheera Ananthakrishnan
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In healthcare, we are all trying to make people healthier. It seems obvious that genuine care, empathy, and love should be prevailing, unfortunately though, it is still quite the opposite. In this genuine, truthful, straightforward conversation, you’ll hear Dheera Ananthakrishnan’s perspective on leadership, health equity, DEIB, and spreading love in organizations. Dheera reflects on the challenges of leadership in the medical field, emphasizes the importance of equity and the need for a more compassionate healthcare system. She discusses imposter thoughts and the pressure to excel in her role. Finally, we discussed the significance of spreading love through small acts of kindness and building relationships… It is that simple, yet not seen in healthcare; each of us can make it better.

“Listen to people that are not like you“

MEET OUR GUEST Dheera Ananthakrishnan Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist.

Dheera Ananthakrishnan is an academic orthopaedic spine surgeon, currently practicing at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta.

Dheera is also a philanthropist and entrepreneur, having worked with Medecin Sans Frontiere / Doctors Without Borders in Nigeria and the World Health Organization in Switzerland before moving back to the US.

In addition, Dheera is co-founder of Orthopaedic Link, a non-profit that matches unused orthopaedic implants with surgeons and hospitals in developing countries. She has also most recently cofounded Women’s musculoskeletal initiative.

She also recently graduated from the Executive MBA Program at MIT Sloan, Class of 2023.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Dheera Ananthakrishnan

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, joined today by Dheera Ananthakrishnan an academic orthopedic spine surgeon, currently practicing at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta. Dheera is also a philanthropist and entrepreneur, having worked with Medecin Sans Frontiere / Doctors Without Borders in Nigeria and the World Health Organization in Switzerland before moving back to the US., In, addition Dheera is co-founder of Orthopaedic Link,…

All About Patients – Jean Garrec

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
All About Patients - Jean Garrec
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This episode is in partnership with Boston Biotechnology Summit, a bridge to collaboration and innovative synergies between healthcare stakeholders. I sat with Jean Garrec, Founder and CEO of Biophta to talk about entrepreneurship in the biotech world. Listen to Jean’s story, his leadership beliefs, and his journey in founding and building his biotech startup. Jean reminded all of us about our noble purpose; it all starts and ends with and for the patients we serve.

“As a leader, my job is to know where my limits are“

MEET OUR GUEST Jean Garrec Founder and CEO of Biophta.

Jean Garrec is founder and CEO of Biophta, Bioadhesive Ophthalmics, a biotech startup company willing to transform Ophthalmology by relieving patients from the burden caused by their eye diseases.

Jean is the son of 2 ophthalmologists strongly rooted in Brittany, a pharmacist by training, ESCP MSM Healthcare Management alumni, and an Exec MBA at ESSEC. Before founding Biophta Jean held several leadership positions in pharma and medical devices for more than 20 years mostly in SMEs and family-owned companies and startups.

He is also a sailor who participated in and won several regattas, in France, the USA, Carribeans… Jean is passionate about sight&eye, entrepreneurship, and innovation, and wants to have an impact on ophthalmology & changing patient’s lives.

Listen to more episodes from Boston Biotech Summit here.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Jean Garrec

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this special episode in partnership with Boston Biotechnology Summit, a bridge to collaboration and innovative synergies between healthcare stakeholders. I am joined today by Jean Garrec founder and CEO of Biophta – Bioadhesive Ophthalmics is a biotech startup company willing to transform Ophthalmology by relieving patients from the burden caused by their eye diseases. Jean is…

Be Generous – Vanessa Elharrar

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Be Generous - Vanessa Elharrar
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This episode is in partnership with Boston Biotechnology Summit, a bridge to collaboration and innovative synergies between healthcare stakeholders. I had the pleasure to sit with Vanessa Elharrar, VP of Vaccines at PPD to discuss “partnering with international sponsors to launch clinical trials in the US and globally”, the topic of her masterclass at the summit. You’ll hear Vanessa’s story and insights from her extensive experience in clinical research within NIH and leading a CRO. Listen to her take on diversity, AI, and COVID vaccine research, as well as several other leadership lessons.

“Spread love, knowledge, and goodwill“

MEET OUR GUEST Vanessa Elharrar Vice President, Vaccines Business Strategy Lead, at PPD.

Vanessa Elharrar, MD, MPH is Vice President Vaccines Business Strategy Lead, Clinical Research, at PPD, part of Thermo Fisher Scientific. Vanessa has more than 17 years in infectious disease clinical research and NIH leadership. Vanessa joined PPD in 2016 with more than eleven years of experience at the National Institutes of Health where she served as a medical officer, deputy branch Chief and Director of HIV therapeutics research at the Office of AIDS Research. 

Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Science in Physiology from McGill University, a medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine, and completed her residency in Preventive Medicine along with a Master’s in Public Health at Johns Hopkins University.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Vanessa Elharrar

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this special episode in partnership with Boston Biotechnology Summit, a bridge to collaboration and innovative synergies between healthcare stakeholders. I am joined today by Vanessa Elharrar, Vice President, Vaccines Business Strategy Lead, Clinical Research, at PPD, part of Thermo Fisher Scientific. Vanessa joined PPD in 2016 with more than eleven years of experience at the National…

Do What You Want – Yvette Cleland

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Do What You Want - Yvette Cleland
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This episode is in partnership with Boston Biotechnology Summit, a bridge to collaboration and innovative synergies between healthcare stakeholders. I had the pleasure to sit with Yvette Cleland, CEO of Cpl Life Sciences to learn about her personal story before digging into her expertise in recruitment. Yvette shared what she considers as key capabilities for talents in biotech and healthcare, and we discussed “Talent Management in the Era of Artificial Intelligence”, the topic of her workshop at the summit. Bringing humanity into the recruitment process is one of her focus areas. Hear Yvette’s story and words of wisdom for us leaders in healthcare.

“What sits in the heart of our business is kindness“

MEET OUR GUEST Yvette Cleland CEO at Cpl Life Sciences.

Yvette Cleland is the Chief Executive Officer of Cpl Life Sciences, a global talent firm. In 2019 and 2021 Yvette was nominated by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) as one of the top 50 most powerful women in staffing globally.

After eight years working in the pharmaceutical sector, she moved to professional staffing and combines knowledge of both life sciences & staffing in her work at CPL. In 2012 she joined Clinical Professionals to scale the business for acquisition, drive growth and expand the brand portfolio and global footprint expanding into the US in 2017. Under her leadership, the business was successfully acquired, launched the award-winning Graduate Academies and CEO/CMO Biotech summits, and was involved in the UK apprenticeship trailblazers.

In 2019 she wrote a Parliamentary Review on life science skill shortages, speaks regularly for industry around the “wake-up call” and her passion is addressing the growing skills gaps in life sciences.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Yvette Cleland

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this special episode in partnership with Boston Biotechnology Summit, a bridge to collaboration and innovative synergies between healthcare stakeholders. I am joined today by Yvette Cleland CEO of Cpl Life Sciences, a global talent firm. In 2019 and 2021 Yvette was nominated by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) as one of the top 50 most powerful women…

Access & Connectivity – Nate Beyor

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Access & Connectivity - Nate Beyor
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This episode is in partnership with MIT Sloan Healthcare and BioInnovations Conference, an event that brings the healthcare ecosystem together. We sat with Nate Beyor, Managing Director & Partner at Boston Consulting Group, and discussed Digital Innovation, specifically data. For Nate, the key to all those digital innovations is the transformation of how we work with technology rather than adding tech. The biggest moves will be around automation and how we can “make steps go away” in processes to improve efficiency and experiences. With our current moves with data in healthcare, more interoperability, access, and connectivity will allow for further automation and improvements. Those algorithms will certainly be the less risky option for decision-making while ensuring we are empowering humans to make the final call.

“Build first. You’ll learn more by trying to do it than you will by spending a year debating what to do.“

MEET OUR GUEST Nate Beyor Managing Director & Partner at Boston Consulting Group.

Nate Beyor is Managing Director & Partner at Boston Consulting Group where he leads Health Tech based out of Southern California.  Nate is passionate about the interface between technology and biology, with a healthy appreciation for operational rigor. He has spent his career exploring different avenues at this intersection, from microfluidics to biologics manufacturing, to stem cell therapy development, and now in digital health.

At BCG, Nate has hands-on experience launching digital solutions remote monitoring, clintech, supply chain, and precision medicine.  Nate believes in the power of technology to change how we treat, how we heal, and how we live.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Nate Beyor

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this special episode in partnership with MIT Sloan Healthcare and BioInnovations Conference, an event that brings the Healthcare Ecosystem Together. I am joined today by Nate Beyor, Managing Director & Partner at Boston Consulting Group. Nate leads Health Tech for BCG, based out of Southern California.  He is passionate about the interface between technology and biology,…

Simplify & Consolidate – Allyson Jacobsen

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Simplify & Consolidate - Allyson Jacobsen
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Be kind and honest to maximize your team’s growth and potential, which ultimately means your organization’s potential. Those are Allyson Jacobsen’s beliefs around leadership, ensuring we build a culture of love, and care so that people support one another, feel safe to try things, and be at their best to deliver on our purpose in healthcare. Hear Allyson’s story, and experiences across marketing and other functions always putting the patient at the center of what she does. We’re on a mission in healthcare to solve patients’ problems and we should never forget that noble cause.

“Never forget your purpose and passion”

MEET OUR GUEST Allyson Jacobsen Vice President of Marketing at TeraRecon.

Allyson Jacobsen is a Global Marketing Executive who has led award-winning teams across the U.S., Europe, and Asia that were the recipients of 5 Gold Quill IABC Awards for Applied Intelligence, Beyond Imaging, The Future of -Ray, and Make Time Mammo, in addition to a Ragan Video, Visual, & Virtual Award.

With over 20 years of expertise, her background in entrepreneurship and technology expands across industries, including Healthcare, bio-pharmaceutical, Financial Services, and Public Sector. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Christopher Newport University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Texas A&M University.

She has led large-scale marketing efforts and strategies on behalf of tech & medtech global corporations at several premiere industry events, including AWS re:Invent, GE’s Global Data Science Symposium, SXSW, and the Azure Cloud Summit. She is a dedicated educator and thought leader on AI across Healthcare, Pharma, and Marketing topics.

Allyson is also a passionate mentor and presenter on topics around Women in Technology, AI, and Digital Marketing Transformation. She was in the Top 10 Most Listened To Podcasts of 2020 with Outcomes Rocket on How Data Can Improve Patient Outcomes. Allyson is dedicated and driven to change the dynamics for the future by using visibility, diagnostic tools, and technology to help save lives across the World.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Allyson Jacobsen

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this podcast joined today by Allyson Jacobsen a Global Marketing Executive who has led award-winning teams across the U.S., Europe, and Asia that were the recipients of 5 Gold Quill Awards. With over 20 years of expertise, her background in entrepreneurship and technology expands across industries, including Healthcare, BioPharmaceutical, Financial Services, and Public Sector. She is…

Healthcare Catalysts – Gaurav Deshpande

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Healthcare Catalysts - Gaurav Deshpande
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Together, different healthcare stakeholders, should join hands, and work to fix healthcare distribution inequities across the world. Those are Gaurav Deshpande’s words of plea for all of us healthcare leaders. After years in clinic, academic and global health, Gaurav is now leading one of the largest non-profits in the world in cleft disease: Operation Smile, helping kids get the surgery and cleft care needed wherever they call home throughout their childhood and adolescence. Access to safe and quality care is a universal human right. Hear Gaurav’s story, his experiences across different geographies, and his leadership beliefs leading teams and helping thousands of children across the globe have a better future.

“We should fix together healthcare distribution inequities for a better world.”

MEET OUR GUEST Gaurav Deshpande Head of Medical Oversight and Safety at Operation Smile.

Gaurav Deshpande is an Experienced healthcare professional with 12 years of clinical, academic, and global health experience. He is currently the Head of Medical Oversight and safety at one of the largest cleft NGOs in the world, Operation Smile.

Gaurav is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at PennState Hershey School of Medicine with several publications in the craniofacial and cleft field.

Gaurav is passionate about global surgery and constantly seeks to bridge the gap between patients and healthcare corporations by helping develop and disseminate high-quality products and therapeutics.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Gaurav Deshpande

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, joined today by Gaurav Deshpande, an Experienced healthcare professional with 12 years of clinical, academic, and global health experience. Gaurav is currently the Head of Medical Oversight and safety at one of the largest cleft NGOs in the world, Operation Smile. He is Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at PennState Hershey school of Medicine with several publications…

Innovation For Access – Jami Taylor

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Innovation For Access - Jami Taylor
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This episode is in partnership with MIT Sloan Healthcare and BioInnovations Conference, an event that brings the healthcare ecosystem together. We sat with Jami Taylor, Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Protagonist Therapeutics and a global Justice Fellow at Yale University to talk about Accessibility in a Global Health Setting. It starts with courageous and tenacious leadership, leaders who believe we can do something about it, think of innovation for access, advocate, and think of affordability as they build new life-saving treatments for patients. Hear Jami’s story, and her incredible experiences bringing accessibility to patients and striving for global justice. For Jami, Spreading Love in Organizations opens the floodgates to progress for a healthy equitable world.

“Spreading love opens the floodgates to progress“

MEET OUR GUEST Jami Taylor Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Protagonist Therapeutics.

Jami Taylor is Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Protagonist Therapeutics, and a Global Justice Fellow at Yale University, working to design new models to improve access to medicines in the world’s poorest and most challenging settings.

Earlier in her career, Jami held global leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson across key divisions and was a founding member of Johnson & Johnson Global Public Health. Jami has served as a member of the National Academy of Medicine Forum on Microbial Threats; the Private Sector Delegation to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria; the Chairman’s Circle at the Center for Global Development; the Global Health Advisory Council at Harvard Medical School; and on many other committees and forums addressing priority issues in medicine and society.

In 2014, Jami was named a Cross-Sector Leadership Fellow at the Presidio Institute, a program created by the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation to advance the work of leaders addressing society’s most complex challenges.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Jami Taylor

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this special episode in partnership with MIT Sloan Healthcare and BioInnovations Conference, an event that brings the Healthcare Ecosystem Together. Jami Taylor is joining me today for this episode. Jami is Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Protagonist Therapeutics, and a Global Justice Fellow at Yale University, working to design new models to improve access to…

Do The Right Thing – Assaad Sayah

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Do The Right Thing - Assaad Sayah
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This episode is in partnership with MIT Sloan Healthcare and BioInnovations Conference, an event that brings the healthcare ecosystem together. We sat with Dr. Assaad Sayah CEO of Cambridge Health Alliance and discussed his personal story, his leadership beliefs, and the “Value-Based Care”, topic of his panel at the conference. Value = Quality / Cost, this is the way to think about value-based care; it has to be of great quality with the best patient experience at a contained cost. Health equity in this context is key. We need first of all to be in the underserved communities and be thoughtful, and purposeful about addressing their needs to narrow equities gaps. For Assaad, leadership is about providing the space for people to do the work, it is about trust, clarity, transparency, and accountability. The ultimate success of a “care delivery system” is for it to disappear because we worked on education, prevention, and screening for the community to remain healthy.

“Provide the space for people to do the work“

MEET OUR GUEST Assaad Sayah Chief Executive Officer Cambridge Health Alliance.

Dr. Assaad Sayah, President and CEO of Cambridge Health Alliance. Assaad was named CHA’s President and CEO in January 2020 after serving as the interim CEO since June 2019 and Chief Medical Officer since 2013.

Before that, Assaad served as the chief of emergency medicine and Senior Vice President of Primary Care. In the Emergency Department, he led tremendous advancements at all three CHA hospitals, resulting in enhanced efficiency, quality, volume, and patient satisfaction. He spearheaded primary care growth by more than 50 percent, expanding CHA’s access in underserved communities and integrating primary care and behavioral health services and systems to address social determinants of health. Assaad also plays a key role in CHA’s commitment to the communities it serves, including his tenure as the co-chair of the Cambridge City Manager’s Opioid Working Group established in 2018 to develop recommendations for strengthening the city’s response to the opioid epidemic.

Additionally, Assaad is Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School. His research and publications focus on operational efficiency, improving the clinical environment, and patient experience of care.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Assaad Sayah

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this special episode in partnership with MIT Sloan Healthcare and BioInnovations Conference, an event that brings the Healthcare Ecosystem Together. I am joined today Assaad Sayah, President and CEO of Cambridge Health Alliance. Assaad was named CHA’s President and CEO in January 2020 after serving as the interim CEO since June 2019 and chief medical officer…

The Eternal Optimist – Andrew Plump

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
The Eternal Optimist - Andrew Plump
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This episode is in partnership with MIT Sloan Healthcare and BioInnovations Conference, an event that brings the healthcare ecosystem together. We sat with Andy Plump, President of R&D and Board Member at Takeda, and discussed his personal story, his leadership beliefs, and the “Challenges in Scaling Biotech Innovation” the topic of his panel at the conference. Hear his thoughts on the current and next decades of innovation, “will it be the decades of Life Science or Computer Science?” Most importantly, Andy leaves us with a message of hope. Every dark period in history anchored on the triad of war, pandemic, and social injustice has ended with greatness through science… We are on the edge of this, again, now.

“This decade will be remembered for Life Science or Computer Science… The potential is limitless.“

MEET OUR GUEST Andrew Plump President of Research & Development and Board Member at Takeda.

Dr. Andrew Plum is the President of Research & Development and a Board Member at Takeda. His career spans nearly 30 years in the pharmaceutical industry and academia.

Andy has been recognized for his contributions to the healthcare industry, education, and the arts. He serves on several non-profit boards including the Board of Trustees for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research Foundation, the Biomedical Science Careers Program, and as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the PhRMA Foundation.

Prior to Takeda, Andrew served as head of Research & Translational Medicine, deputy to the president of R&D at Sanofi, based in Paris, France. Prior to Sanofi, he served as worldwide cardiovascular research head at Merck.

Andy received his M.D. from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), his Ph.D. in cardiovascular genetics, and his B.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in medical genetics at UCSF.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Andrew Plump

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this special episode in partnership with MIT Sloan Healthcare and BioInnovations Conference, an event that brings the Healthcare Ecosystem Together. I am joined today Andrew Plump President of Research & Development and Board Member at Takeda. His career spans nearly 30 years in the pharmaceutical industry and academia. Andrew has been recognized for his contributions to…

#100 – You said, Spread Love?

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
#100 - You said, Spread Love?
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In this special episode, we celebrate a significant milestone for SpreadLove In Organizations podcast. It has been an incredible journey, filled with profound insights, heartfelt stories, and impactful chats.

Over the past two years, we have had the honor of hosting 100 exceptional leaders, each with their unique experiences and perspectives. Through their stories, we have shared-in their triumphs, challenges, and the invaluable lessons they have learned along the way. Our guests have touched our hearts, made us smile, reflect, and most importantly, prompted us to rethink our preconceptions about culture in high-performing organizations.

To celebrate the “100 episode”, we have compiled a special segment featuring the reactions of some of our influential guests to a question that has become synonymous with our podcast: What is your first reaction to ‘spread love in organizations? These diverse and thought-provoking responses represent the culmination of our shared journey, highlighting the power of love in fostering healthier, more caring work environments to deliver on a shared purpose and deliver results to all stakeholders.

On behalf of SpreadLove In Organizations team, we express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support, genuine feedback, and, above all, the love that has flooded every aspect of this incredible endeavor. Our devoted community has played an integral role in shaping this podcast into what it is today.

Hope you will embark on this special episode, united by the common purpose of cultivating empathy, genuine care, and love within organizations for people to feel safe to thrive, be at their best, and imagine a better world. Thank you for joining us on this extraordinary journey…

In this episode, you’ll hear from John Bamforth, Jeremy Morgan, Gabi Mittas, Lien Le, Amy Edmondson, Jill Donahue, Daena Giardella, Enrique Conterno, Rodrigo Verdi, Otto Scharmer, Christi Shaw, Amer Kaissi, The Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi, Richard Kivel, Myriam Hakim, Bridget Akinc, Maheen Junaid, Lisa Matar, Amre Nouh, Basima Tewfik, Pravin Chaturvedi, Dina Sherif, Dave Noesges, Michael Ullmann, Naji Gehchan.

Work to Make a Difference – Michael Ullmann

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Work to Make a Difference - Michael Ullmann
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Being in healthcare is a privilege and a humbling responsibility; we impact lives. This is what Michael Ullman has done throughout his years at Johnson & Johnson from where he retired recently as Executive VP, General Counsel & Executive Committee Member. Leadership for Mike is grounded in humility, kindness, and optimism, it is above all a responsibility to other people. Hear Mike’s experience leading JNJ to deliver on covid vaccine that saved humanity during the pandemic, and his thoughts on ESG, Health Equity, social responsibility, and how to build high-performing teams to ensure we deliver on our purpose. As leaders, our job is not to be superstars but rather shine through others, through our people’s greatness. Kindness is underused in the world, create a culture that demands it, treat people with respect, trust them, empower them, and help them succeed.

“Kindness is underused. Create a culture that demands it.”

MEET OUR GUEST Michael Ullmann, (Retired) Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Executive Committee Member, Johnson & Johnson

Michael Ullmann retired from Johnson & Johnson earlier this year after over 33 years with the Company.  For the last 11 years, he served as a member of the J&J Executive Committee and the Executive Vice President, General Counsel leading a global organization of over 2,000 employees in 60 countries encompassing Legal, Government Relations & Policy, ESG Strategy, Intellectual Property, Corporate Governance, Data Privacy, Compliance and Security. 

As General Counsel of the world’s largest Life Sciences company, he successfully guided JNJ through high-profile and high-risk situations, while helping to grow the business to annual sales of $94 billion, increase shareholder value and maintain its reputation as one of the most admired companies in the world. 

Mike joined Johnson & Johnson in 1989 as a mergers & acquisitions attorney and held various management positions, including General Counsel of the Worldwide Medical Devices Group, before becoming the company’s General Counsel in 2012. Michael is a member of the Board of Directors of Americares and serves on the Columbia Law School Board of Visitors. 

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Michael Ullmann

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, joined today by Mike Ullmann. Mike retired from Johnson & Johnson earlier this year after over 33 years with the Company.  For the last 11 years, he served as a member of the J&J Executive Committee and the Executive Vice President, General Counsel leading a global organization of over 2,000 employees in 60 countries encompassing Legal, Government Relations & Policy, ESG Strategy, Intellectual Property, Corporate Governance, Data Privacy, Compliance and…

My American Dream – Dorota McKay

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
My American Dream - Dorota McKay
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From communist Poland to building and living her American Dream, Dorota McKay’s story is an inspiring story of resilience, grit, hard work, humility and never being afraid of taking risks but rather always asking for opportunities. Her words of wisdom for all of us healthcare leaders are crucial: If you’re in doubt, always choose integrity and follow your moral compass. Your reputation is more important than any short-term gain. Listen to her story, learning, and powerful experiences around cultural transformations, in this inspiring episode.

“If you’re in doubt, always choose integrity.”

MEET OUR GUEST Dorota McKay Vice President, Controller, and Chief Accounting Officer for Vapotherm.

Dorota McKay is a creative problem solver with a passion for finance and personal development. She is currently a VP Controller and Chief Accounting Officer for Vapotherm, Inc., a publicly traded medtech company that develops innovative, comfortable, non-invasive technologies for respiratory support of patients with chronic or acute breathing disorders.

Dorota holds active CPA, CMA and CFE designations. Prior to joining Vapotherm she was a Controller for Decibel Therapeutics and a Finance Director at Oxford Immunotec. She is also corporate trainer and coach certified in Canfield Methodology and a Certified Culture Transformation Tools Practitioner with the Barrett Values Centre.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Dorota McKay

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, joined today by Dorota McKay a creative problem solver with a passion for finance and personal development. Dorota is currently a Vice President Controller and Chief Accounting Officer for Vapotherm, Inc., a publicly traded medtech company that develops innovative, comfortable, non-invasive technologies for respiratory support of patients with chronic or acute breathing disorders. Dorota holds active CPA,…

Ask the Big Questions – Melanie Ivarsson

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Ask the Big Questions - Melanie Ivarsson
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In this episode, we chatted with Melanie Ivarsson, Chief Development Officer at Moderna, who led teams in times the world was anxiously waiting for them to deliver us a hope with Covid Vaccine… and they did. How did they achieve this? How do you lead in such unprecedented times? How do you ensure this sense of purpose continues to live today? Hear all about those stories and about Melanie’s biggest leadership learning throughout this once-in-a-lifetime experience: Enable others to be the best they can be, and don’t get in their way.

“Hang on to your true self.”

MEET OUR GUEST Melanie Ivarsson Chief Development Officer at Moderna.

Melanie Ivarsson is Senior Vice President, Chief Development Officer at Moderna, where she leads the Clinical Development Operations department. In this role Dr Ivarsson and her team deliver all clinical programs within the Moderna portfolio.

Melanie has more than 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Prior to joining Moderna, she was Head of Global Clinical Operations, at Takeda (following the acquisition of Shire) and spent 9 years at Pfizer in Clinical Development. She also held roles within the early clinical development group at Eli Lilly.

After receiving her PhD from the University of Bristol, she completed postdoctoral research at Lund University and New York University. Dr Ivarsson also holds an Executive MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Melanie Ivarsson

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host today, having the pleasure to be joined by Melanie Ivarsson Chief Development Officer at Moderna. In this role Melanie leads the Clinical Development Operations department and delivers with her team all clinical programs within the Moderna portfolio. Prior to joining Moderna, she was Head of Global Clinical Operations at Takeda and spent 9 years at Pfizer in…

The Power of Human Voice – Sema Sgaier

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
The Power of Human Voice - Sema Sgaier
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Bringing the human voice to inform decisions in healthcare, nothing can be more impactful. Going beyond the facts and the sad reality of inequities, health misinformation, and tragic health outcomes to really deeply understand the “WHY” question. Sema Sgaier, CEO and Co-Founder of Surgo Health, has made this her purpose and focus of her work in the non-profit and for-profit organizations she led. In this episode, we discussed data, conspiracy theories, the power of stories, and the importance of understanding what people really need on the ground and the “why” behind their behaviors. You’ll also hear Sema’s story, her leadership beliefs, and about the “professional love language”.

“Be bold, step up, go after big ideas.”

MEET OUR GUEST Sema Sgaier CEO and Co-Founder of Surgo Health.

Sema Sgaier is CEO and Co-Founder of Surgo Health, a healthcare technology company developing a revolutionary socio-behavioral analytics platform and generating novel, real-world data designed to inform and improve health equity and outcomes by enabling a greater understanding of the complex factors that influence how individuals engage in their healthcare.

Sema is a serial entrepreneur with close to 20 years of experience in healthcare. She co-founded and led Surgo Foundation and Surgo Ventures, where she led the development of analytic products that solve health problems with greater precision. She was Initiative Lead at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where she brought innovations in data, consumer insights, and product introduction into large-scale health programs globally.

She has over 60 publications and is a frequent OpEd contributor to The New York Times and prestigious media outlets. She is an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Washington.

She completed her fellowship in Genomics at Harvard University, Ph.D. in Neuroscience from New York University, and M.A. in Neuroscience from Brown University. Sema is a member of the Board of Directors of the United States of Care. She was selected as a rising talent by the Women’s Forum for Economy and Society.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Sema Sgaier

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, joined today by Sema Sgaier CEO and Co-Founder of Surgo Health, a healthcare technology company developing a revolutionary socio-behavioral analytics platform and generating novel, real-world data designed to inform and improve health equity and outcomes by enabling a greater understanding of the complex factors that influence how individuals engage in their healthcare. Sema is a serial entrepreneur…

Creative Problem Solver – Amy Kimball

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Creative Problem Solver - Amy Kimball
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Leadership is the ability to make decisions that benefit the whole system, it is those who go beyond personal benefit, beyond their own team’s benefit, and do the right thing for the community. In this chat with Amy Kimball, we discussed leadership in healthcare non-profits, and also in entrepreneurship. We talked about the key components of building a thriving culture of excellence, high performance, and people-centered service. Hear Amy’s inspiring journey, and her authentic thoughts about being “lonely at the top”, something we all experience as leaders at some point in our lives.

“It is about what you want for yourself.”

MEET OUR GUEST Amy Kimball Executive & Leadership Coach and former biomedical research CEO.

Amy Kimball is an Executive & Leadership Coach and former biomedical research CEO. Prior to launching her coaching business in 2022, she had been coaching professionals on the side for 15 years, while she held leadership roles in academic biomedical research.

During her tenure as CEO of a midsized biomedical research institute, she led a turnaround to rebuild a culture of excellence, high performance, and people-centered service. Prior to that, she held research administrative leadership roles at large, Boston-based academic medical centers.

She holds an Executive MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management and has completed Georgetown University’s Leadership Coaching program. She coaches CEOs and other leadership positions that feel “lonely at the top;” mentors and advises start-ups; and serves in peer coaching roles within the helping professions community.

Learn more about Amy’s work: www.amykimballcoaching.com

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Amy Kimball

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this episode, joined today by Amy Kimball an Executive & Leadership Coach and former biomedical research CEO. Prior to launching her coaching business in 2022, Amy had been coaching professionals on the side for 15 years, while she held leadership roles in academic biomedical research. During her tenure as CEO of a midsized biomedical research institute,…

Hope, Optimism, Patience – Ashoka Madduri

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Hope, Optimism, Patience - Ashoka Madduri
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Small affection, care, and love can do miracles in life… This is what Ashoka Madduri co-founder and CEO of Target Therapeutics experienced personally, and what he is taking with him paying forward to the teams and communities he serves. From a small village in India to now leading biotech, Ashoka shares his inspiring story of grit, resilience, hope, optimism, and patience. Trust, empowerment, and care are for him the critical ingredients to building successful teams that can develop and bring breakthrough innovation to patients.

“Care and love can do miracles.”

MEET OUR GUEST Ashoka Madduri Co-founder and CEO of TargetSite Therapeutics.

Ashoka grew up in a small village in south India. After completing his undergrad and masters he obtained DAAD matching scholarship and moved to Germany. He completed his PhD in Organic Chemistry from University of Groningen, Netherlands, where he worked on anti-cancer complex natural products. He performed his post-doctoral research to understand pathways involved in multi-drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis at Harvard Medical School. Over the years he has worked in multiple biotech companies and developed expertise in business development & corporate strategy.

He received his Executive MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management. Currently, he is a Blavatnik Entrepreneurial Fellow at Yale Ventures providing strategy & enabling multiple early-stage life science startups.

Ashoka is a Co-founder & CEO of TargetSite Therapeutics, a Yale spin-out, and Partner at Vestra Associates where he advises biotech companies on strategy and partnerships.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Ashoka Madduri

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this podcast joined today by Ashoka Madduri. Ashoka grew up in a small village in south India. After completing his undergrad and masters he obtained DAAD matching scholarship and moved to Germany. He completed his PhD in Organic Chemistry from University of Groningen, Netherlands, where he worked on anti-cancer complex natural products. He performed his post-doctoral…

The Love of Making Things – Paul Hartung

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
The Love of Making Things - Paul Hartung
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From an engineer who “loves to make things” to a longtime life science and technology leader who only makes things that matter to people and make their life better, learn in this episode with Paul Hartung how to build successful biotechs, launch startups in life sciences and most importantly assemble teams that will address relevant unmet needs. Paul leaves us with a simple yet powerful reminder: as healthcare leaders, we are doing important work we should never stop until we solve and cure the diseases we are addressing.

“Develop a passion in your team for them to come every day and solve relevant unmet needs.”

MEET OUR GUEST Paul Hartung, a longtime life sciences and technology executive.

Paul Hartung is a longtime life sciences and technology executive with a proven track record in launching successful startup businesses and leading Fortune 500 organizations. Paul currently serves on several Board of Directors including Leuko and Verisense, he mentors at MIT VMS, MassBio MassCONNECT, and The Capital Network, and serves as a judge for MassChallenge.

He served as President & CEO through successful Phase II of Cognoptix, which has developed an innovative eye scan for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. Paul also founded Sonivance, and has held senior management roles at 3Com, Summit (LASIK), Trumpf, Laser Fare and GE.  

Paul graduated with honors from MIT with an MS Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is an active speaker, author, and inventor on a number of patents.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Paul Hartung

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this podcast joined today by Paul Hartung, a longtime life sciences and technology executive with a proven track record in launching successful startup businesses and leading Fortune 500 organizations. Paul currently serves on several Board of Directors including Leuko and Verisense, he mentors at MIT VMS, MassBio MassCONNECT, and The Capital Network, and serves as a…

Human First – Jason Dupuis

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Human First - Jason Dupuis
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Sharing our core values is essential; living by them is crucial. For Jason Dupuis, this is a key part of daily leadership. His values are Passion, Dedication, and Integrity. Passion is “love what you do”; Dedication is “Be there”; integrity is “Do the right thing”, a simple framework that Jason lives by and transmits daily to his people in healthcare. His words of wisdom are powerful for us in healthcare: always put “human first” and show-up!

“Showing up is a choice that every great leader makes.”

MEET OUR GUEST Jason Dupuis a passionate Human Experience Strategist, Thought Leader, influencer, and speaker.

Jason Dupuis is a thought leader, speaker, and organizational behavior enthusiast who believes in the power of Human Experience as a key driver of organizational performance and strategy. Over the last 20 years, Jason has served as the Chief Experience Officer for PM Pediatrics Care as well as the Administrative Director for Admitting and Emergency Services at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Most recently, he joined Fidelum Health as a Consultant and Principal Healthcare Advisor to bring the Human Brand concepts of Warmth and Competence into the Human Experience in Healthcare. As a Core Value advocate and fanatic, Jason has devoted his career to successfully demonstrating that being “human first” and leading with personal and organizational core values can create efficient and profitable operations while simultaneously delivering an exceptional experience for patients, families, and care teams. In addition to his professional roles, Jason is an Adjunct Professor in the Hellenic College School of Leadership & Management as well as recently joining Boston College as an Adjunct Professor in their Masters in Healthcare Administration program.

Jason holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Management & Policy from the University of New Hampshire and a Masters of Health Administration from Simmons College in Boston, MA.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Jason Dupuis

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this podcast joined today by Jason M. Dupuis, a thought leader, speaker and organizational behavior enthusiast who believes in the power of Human Experience as a key driver of organizational performance and strategy. Over the last 20 years, Jason has served as the Chief Experience Officer for PM Pediatrics Care as well as the Administrative Director…

Boldly Inclusive Leader – Minette Norman

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Boldly Inclusive Leader - Minette Norman
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From helping others learn how to use Adobe by literally writing manuals to leading globally thousands of engineers in a major tech company, Minette Norman’s recipe for success to deliver transformation is collaboration and inclusion. Empathy and building inclusive psychologically safe environments have been Minette’s guiding principles as she led teams and now through her entrepreneurial journey and books. “Inviting” is her reaction to leadership. Minette leaves us with a charge to be bravely self-aware as leaders since our people look at us and we have the power and responsibility to make the positive changes needed around us.

“You have so much more power to change the workplace than you think.”

MEET OUR GUEST Minette Norman, a leader, entrepreneur, author, and thinker.

Minette Norman brings decades of leadership experience in the software industry to her consulting business, Minette Norman Consulting LLC, which is focused on developing transformational leaders who create inclusive working environments with a foundation of psychological safety. Minette has extensive experience leading globally distributed teams and believes that when groups leverage diversity in all its forms, breakthroughs happen. Her most recent position before starting her own consultancy was as Vice President of Engineering Practice at Autodesk, where she transformed how Autodesk developed software. Responsible for influencing more than 3,500 engineers around the globe, she focused on state-of-the-art engineering practices while nurturing a collaborative and inclusive culture.

Minette is a keynote speaker on topics of inclusive leadership, psychological safety in the workplace, and embracing empathy. Named in 2017 as one of the “Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business” by the San Francisco Business Times and as “Business Role Model of the Year” in the 2018 Women in IT/Silicon Valley Awards, Minette is a recognized leader with a unique perspective.

Minette has co-authored a book about psychological safety for leaders, The Psychological Safety Playbook: Lead More Powerfully by Being More Human, which will be published in February 2023. Her second book, The Boldly Inclusive Leader, will be published in August 2023.

Minette holds degrees in Drama and French from Tufts University and studied at the Sorbonne Nouvelle in Paris.

More from Minette below:
Her website: https://www.minettenorman.com/
The Psychological Safety Playbook website: https://thepsychologicalsafetyplaybook.com/

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Minette Norman

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. Naji Gehchan: I am Naji, your host for this episode, joined today by Minette Norman. Minette brings decades of leadership experience in the software industry to her consulting business focused on developing transformational leaders who create inclusive working environments with a foundation of psychological safety. Minette has extensive experience leading globally distributed teams and believes that when groups leverage diversity in all…

Innovation-Driven Diplomat – Phil Budden

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Innovation-Driven Diplomat - Phil Budden
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A diplomat who became passionate about innovation-driven entrepreneurship and ecosystems shares what it takes for communities, cities, and countries to become innovation hubs. Phil Budden’s work is centered on studying and creating those ecosystems grounded around 5 key stakeholders interconnected: Entrepreneurs, Government, Universities, Big Businesses, and Risk Capital. For him though, beyond all, it is about people and connecting those great minds together to create impact. His words of wisdom are powerful for all of us leaders: “be thoughtful about your leadership and its impact.”

“Leadership takes innovative tech to impact.”

MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Phil Budden, Senior Lecturer at MIT Sloan focusing on ‘innovation-driven entrepreneurship’ (IDE) and innovation ecosystems.

Phil Budden Senior Lecturer at MIT Sloan focusing on ‘innovation-driven entrepreneurship’ (IDE) and innovation ecosystems. Phil’s approach combines academic, historical, and real-world perspectives on how different stakeholders can all contribute to building successful innovation ecosystems.

Prior to MIT, Phil had undertaken projects on innovation and entrepreneurship for the British Prime Minister’s office and served as the British Consul General to New England where he had been responsible for transatlantic business issues, including trade and investment, corporate/government affairs, as well as science and innovation.

Phil has held several diplomatic posts with the British government:  British Cabinet Office; British Embassy, Washington DC; 1st Secretary and Adviser to the PM.

Phil holds a BA and MA in History from Lincoln College, the University of Oxford; an MA in History and Government from Cornell University; and a PhD in History and International Political Economy from the University of Oxford.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Phil Budden

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this episode joined today by Phil Budden Senior Lecturer at MIT Sloan focusing on ‘innovation-driven entrepreneurship’ (IDE) and innovation ecosystems. Phil’s approach combines academic, historical and real-world perspectives on how different stakeholders can all contribute to building successful innovation ecosystems. Prior to MIT, Phil had undertaken projects on innovation and entrepreneurship for the British Prime Minister’s…

Empowered Leader – Navin Goyal

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Empowered Leader - Navin Goyal
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The key to innovation is being fearless, ensuring we are not afraid to try and fall. Leadership is serving, empowering, and humility. Imagine the world if we feel empowered we can change it for the greater good. This is how Navin Goyal feels – “empowered” – and wants to ensure he is transmitting this to leaders, entrepreneurs, and people around him. Through his journey as a physician, entrepreneur, and now a VC, he is focused on leveraging capital to grow impactful companies across the globe.

“The pressure we put on ourselves to not fall is silly. Just get up and keep going.”

MEET OUR GUEST Navin Goyal, a physician and entrepreneur who serves as CEO of LOUD Capital, an early-stage venture capital and alternative investment firm leveraging capital, entrepreneurship, and education to grow impactful companies across the globe.

Navin Goyal, M.D. is a physician and entrepreneur who serves as CEO of LOUD Capital, an early-stage venture capital and alternative investment firm leveraging capital, entrepreneurship, and education to grow impactful companies across the globe. Bringing his physician training to do good for people, Navin strives to make venture capital more purpose-driven, inclusive, and accessible.  Before co-founding LOUD Capital, Navin practiced anesthesiology in a large hospital-based setting and was the Medical Director of a community hospital for several years.

The beginning of his entrepreneurial journey was co-founding OFFOR Health (formerly SmileMD), a venture-backed mobile healthcare company that expands access to care across the United States with a dedicated focus on lower-income and rural communities. Navin is a frequent speaker at medical schools, hospitals, and businesses worldwide, sharing his perspective on how physicians can bring their ethical code to influence and impact the world more fully.

His story, his experience, and what he sees as an opportunity for physicians to have a broader impact on themselves and society is the focus of his book, Physician Underdog. Navin received his M.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and trained in anesthesiology at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Navin Goyal

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this podcast joined today by Navin Goyal, a physician and entrepreneur who serves as CEO of LOUD Capital, an early-stage venture capital and alternative investment firm leveraging capital, entrepreneurship, and education to grow impactful companies across the globe. Bringing his physician training to do good for people, Navin strives to make venture capital more purpose-driven, inclusive, and accessible.  Before…

Breaking V(egas)nture Capitalism – Semyon Dukach

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Breaking V(egas)nture Capitalism - Semyon Dukach
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It is so rare to sit with a math genius leader who has won over the casinos and is now transforming venture capitalism through impact investment. Semyon Dukach, known for leading one of the MIT blackjack teams in the early 90s, featured in the movie Breaking Vegas, serial entrepreneur, and investor, shares with us his story and leadership beliefs. Semyon is focused on impact investing as a VC and more specifically backing exceptional immigrants. With his strong belief that “opportunity should be the same for everybody”, he is extensively working to improve equity and global impact through his leadership and investment philosophy.

“Love makes the world go round.”

MEET OUR GUEST Semyon Dukach Managing Partner, One Way Ventures, the venture capital fund backing exceptional immigrant tech founders who are building great companies like Brex, Momentus Space, and Chipper Cash.

Semyon Dukach, Managing Partner at One Way Ventures, the venture capital fund backing exceptional immigrant tech founders building great companies like Brex, Momentus Space, and Chipper Cash. Semyon is a refugee from the Soviet Union and was formerly the Managing Director of Techstars.

Prior to Techstars, he was a prolific angel investor and a friend of the startup community. Semyon has made over 100 angel investments, including early investments in Quanergy, SMTP.com, and Wanderu. Xconomy lists Semyon as a top angel investor in New England.

His philosophy has been to focus on helping his founders at all costs. Prior to becoming a full-time angel, Semyon co-founded several technology companies including Vert and Fast Engines. Fast Engines was sold to Adero in 2000. Beyond startups, Semyon is known for leading one of the MIT blackjack teams in the early 90s to beat the casinos.

Semyon earned his B.S. from Columbia University and M.S. from MIT, both in Computer Science.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Semyon Dukach

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this podcast joined today by Semyon Dukach, Managing Partner at One Way Ventures, the venture capital fund backing exceptional immigrant tech founders who are building great companies like Brex, Momentus Space, and Chipper Cash. Semyon is a refugee from the Soviet Union and formerly the Managing Director of Techstars (Boston). Prior to Techstars, he was a…

Leaders Eat Last – Dave Noesges

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Leaders Eat Last - Dave Noesges
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When we hear military leadership, we wrongly think of several concepts of management but not the true profound ones anchored in leading from the front while eating last. In this inspiring chat with Dave Noesges, a US veteran and pharmaceutical executive, we discussed leadership to its most profound meaning. For Dave, it is about 3 core pieces: Leading by example which translates into living the standards you want your people to have; Humility & Confidence; and Getting close to your people by caring deeply for them. We also talked about DEIB, high-performing teams, and several other learnings from Dave’s extensive experience leading highly successful diverse teams. His final words of wisdom are so profound as for him now, after an inspiring successful career, people are the ONLY thing that mattered to him.

“Enjoy the journey, it is way more worth than the destination.”

MEET OUR GUEST Dave Noesges a veteran and biopharma executive.

Dave Noesges is a retired pharmaceutical executive with Eli Lilly and Company, where he spent 31 years in sales, marketing, and general management roles in the US and abroad.  He spent much of his career leading sales forces in the Neuroscience and Diabetes therapeutic areas.  His last position was to lead the Lilly Diabetes sales force of nearly 2,000 people as Lilly re-established market leadership in diabetes over a 10-year period, and launched several best-in-class medicines.

Dave is a 1984 graduate of the United States Military Academy and served 5 years as a combat engineer in the US Army, most of that time in West Germany.  After the Army, he attended the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania where he graduated in 1991, joining Lilly immediately after that.

He has been married for 35 years and has two grown children, one an elementary school history teacher and the other a Physician Assistant working in urgent care.

He devotes his time now to caring for his 90-year-old father, spending as much time as possible with his wife and daughters, and engaging in many charitable endeavors through his church.  He and his wife also travel extensively working on a long bucket list of international destinations.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Dave Noesges

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this podcast joined today by Dave Noesges a retired pharmaceutical executive with Eli Lilly, where he spent 31 years in sales, marketing and general management roles in the US and abroad.  He spent much of his career leading sales organizations in both the Neuroscience and Diabetes therapeutic areas. His last role was to lead the Lilly…

Law of Two Feet – Dina Sherif

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Law of Two Feet - Dina Sherif
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“How can I increase impact and prosperity for all” has been the guiding principle for Dina Sherif an impact-driven entrepreneur, Senior Lecturer, and Executive Director of MIT Legatum. Through this lens, we discussed impact, sustainability, social change, and the key ingredient to successfully building startups that will make the world a better place. A lot has to do with intentionality about the purpose and strong belief in human equality that “everyone is allowed”… One of the most powerful reactions to “Spread Love in Organizations” we heard here from Dina: “In a world filled with hate and unkindness, organizations need more love and real true kindness. When this culture is there, you’re lifting up the bar asking people to show up as the best versions of themselves.”

“Today more than ever, we need love and real true kindness on how we show up for each other in the workplace.”

MEET OUR GUEST Dina Sherif Entrepreneur, Senior Lecturer at MIT Sloan, and Executive Director of the MIT Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship.

Dina Sherif is currently a Senior Lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management where she also acts as Executive Director of the MIT Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship. Dina is also a Founding Partner of Cairo based Ahead of the Curve, which is the Arab region’s leading firms on issues related to sustainable business growth and impact-driven entrepreneurship. Most recently, Dina joined Disruptech, Egypt’s first Fintech-focused venture capital fund as a Partner, pursuing her passion in building a fund that will support technology being used as a critical tool in creating financial inclusion for a largely unbanked population, most specifically women.

Formerly, Dina was a Senior Advisor to Ashoka, providing support to their Global Venture/Fellowship Support arm and helping them reimagine new ways to identify the world’s leading social innovators. She also held the endowed Willard Brown Chair for International Business at the American University in Cairo (AUC), where she was also the Founding Director of their Center for Entrepreneurship. During the time she held the Brown Chair, Dina also taught classes on social entrepreneurship and business ethics.  Prior to the above, Dina helped establish the John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement at AUC.

Dina has been the lead author of several publications including the book From Charity to Social Change: Trends in Arab Philanthropy and key reports such as the 2015 UNDP Business Solutions Report and the first of its kind 7 country study on trends in responsible business practice in the Arab region, in addition to other key policy pieces and blogs on the importance of entrepreneurship and impact investing to building more sustainable and inclusive societies.

In acknowledgment of her dedication to creating a new way of doing business, Dina was given the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Egypt by the American Chamber of Commerce in 2016; was recognized by the Embassy of India as a “Woman of Substance” in 2016; was chosen as one of 10 United Nations Global Compact Sustainable Development Goal Pioneers in 2016; and was named as one of the top 50 most influential women by the Amwal Al Ghad Magazine. During her time at the Harvard Kennedy School, Dina was also a recipient of the prestigious Lucius Littauer Fellows Award in recognition of academic excellence and service. Dina is also an Eisenhower Fellow and was also a fellow at the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School as well as a Research Fellow at the New America Foundation.

Dina is currently a member of the Special Presidential Advisory Council for Economic Development reporting to the President of Egypt; a Global Advisory Board Member in the Eisenhower Fellowships; a member of the Board of Qalaa Holding, a member of the Board of Smart Medical Services, and a member of the Board of EducateMe.

Dina holds a Masters of Public Administration and Management from the Harvard Kennedy School, an MA in Economic Development Studies from the American University in Cairo, and a BA in Political Science and International Relations from the American University in Cairo. She is also a graduate of the non-credit leadership program delivered by THNK School for Creative Leadership in Amsterdam.

Areas of Expertise: Entrepreneurship | Development of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems | Sustainable Economic Development | Impact Investing | Strategic Philanthropy | Responsible Business Practices | Gender Equality and Economic Inclusion of Women | Qualitative Research

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Dina Sherif

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I’m Naji your host for this podcast, joined today with Dina Sherif, senior lecturer at MIT Sloan, and executive Director of the MIT Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship. Dina is also a founding partner of Cairo based, Ahead of the Curve, which is the Arab region’s leading firms on issues related to sustainable business growth and impact-driven entrepreneurship. Most recently, Dina…

Trust Yourself – Cathy Nolan

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Trust Yourself - Cathy Nolan
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In this episode, I sat with Cathy Nolan, an experienced international healthcare business executive and leader who shared with me her secret recipe for building high-performing diverse teams: it starts with the clarity of vision, giving people a voice, and having fun! And if you’re not having enough fun, be courageous to make a change. For Cathy, trust is built when we help each other. Hear more stories, life-learning experiences, and powerful words of wisdom. She leaves us with great advice: trust your instinct, you are good enough.

“If you’re not having fun, make a change.”

MEET OUR GUEST Cathy Nolan an experienced international business executive, and founding member at Chief.

Cathy has spent over 23 years in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, with nearly 20 years at Eli Lilly and Company, and 3 years at Aimmune Therapeutics. She is an experienced international business leader, creating value by delivering highly successful launch and growth strategies in Big Pharma, niche, and non-conventional biotech. She has extensive experience across US, UK, and Europe including multiple launches in Neuroscience, Oncology, and Immunology. She has a decisive, forthright and authentic leadership style with a proven ability to build and develop talented, diverse, and thriving commercial teams at a global, regional and local level.

Cathy is from a large Irish family and grew up on a farm in the west of Ireland. She is married to Jon from England, and lives in Twickenham, South West London, with Jon, their two boys, Lorcan (10) and Cormac (8), and their Labradoodle dog Ozzie. Cathy likes to spend time with her family and friends, stay fit and active, read, and watch movies. 

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Cathy Nolan

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this episode joined today by Cathy Nolan, an experienced international business executive. Cathy has spent over 23 years in the pharma and biotech industry, including Eli Lilly, and more recently Aimmune Therapeutics. As a leader, Cathy consistently created value by building and developing diverse talents globally and delivering highly successful launches and growth strategies in Big…

Scale Yourself Up – Cheerag Upadhyaya

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Scale Yourself Up - Cheerag Upadhyaya
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“Drive and determination to take care of patients” is what describes this week’s inspiring guest Dr. Cheerag Upadhyaya. As a neurosurgeon and leader, Cheerag shares his lessons from the operating room leading teams in a high-stress environment to the administrative roles leading strategy and transformation in this episode. The essential ingredients for him to lead high-performing cross-functional teams are grounded in setting high expectations, articulating them well, ensuring a safe place for people’s feedback, and being humble that it is teamwork. Several powerful insights, stories, and words of wisdom in this great chat we’re sure you will enjoy!

“Do not ignore mistakes. Own them. Acknowledge them. And think how could I and we have done better.”

MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Cheerag Upadhyaya Clinical Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, Chief Transformation & Business Strategy Officer.

Cheerag D Upadhyaya, MD, MBA, MSc is Clinical Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, Chief Transformation & Business Strategy Officer. He completed neurosurgical residency at the University of Michigan, complex and minimally invasive spine fellowship at the University of California San Francisco, and research fellowships at the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes / National Institutes of Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program resulting in a Masters in Science from the University of Michigan.

He recently completed his Masters of Business Administration from the MIT Sloan School of Management. He is a member of the Executive Committee for the AANS/CNS Spine and Peripheral Nerve Section as well as a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American Medical Association, American College of Surgeons, and Scoliosis Research Society.

He has been awarded the Scoliosis Research Society Edgar Dawson Traveling Fellowship and AANS/CNS Spine and Peripheral Nerve Outcomes Committee Award. Dr. Upadhyaya was elected to the Editorial Board of the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine in 2021.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Cheerag Upadhyaya

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this episode joined today by Cheerag Upadhyaya, Clinical Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, and Chief Transformation & Business Strategy Officer. Cheerag completed neurosurgical residency at the University of Michigan, complex and minimally invasive spine fellowship at the University of California San Francisco, and research fellowships at the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes / National Institutes of Health and…

The Helping Profession – Shahin Gharakhanian

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
The Helping Profession - Shahin Gharakhanian
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Careers are a mix of decisions, serendipity, and chance. At least for Dr. Shahin Gharakhanian, this is his belief about his career reflecting his humility. Innovation is about “daring”. Through this chat, you’ll hear from a physician, a pharmaceutical expert, and a leader who lived through one of the most challenging outbreaks of HIV since its very beginnings and led teams who developed life-saving drugs. His deep belief is anchored in “doing well by doing good”, this is a constant motivation that we should all have in biotech. For Shahin, as biopharma leaders, we should have 3 facets: being an inspirational leader, a strong administrator, and a great manager. Hear more about the mix of those three capabilities, incredible other stories, and powerful words of wisdom in this episode!

“Have the guts to come out of your comfort zone.”

MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Shahin Gharakhanian physician and Pharmaceutical Executive.

Dr. Shahin Gharakhanian is a physician and Pharmaceutical Executive with expertise in Pharmaceutical Medicine, Leadership/Management, and operational experience both in the US & in Europe.

Shahin is specialized in HIV Medicine and Infectious Diseases and has practiced clinical medicine for over 20 years in AP-HP Hospitals in Paris France. Shahin joined the pharmaceutical industry in 1991, progressing to Vice-President of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, with roles in 3 main areas: Clinical Development, Medical Affairs, and Strategic Leadership including membership in the corporate Operating Council. Overall, within the industry, he has held positions ranging from General Manager of a Contract Research Organization to Program Executive leading product development, and regulatory approval/launch in multiple therapeutic areas across the world. Shahin has also founded, built, and organized full functional departments/units for biotechnology companies and hospitals and two LLCs as an entrepreneur.

He is a member of several international societies. His passion is Patient-focused programs for drug & vaccine development, approval, and launch.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Shahin Gharakhanian

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this podcast, having the pleasure to be joined by Dr. Shahin Gharakhanian, a physician and Pharmaceutical Executive with expertise in Pharmaceutical Medicine, Leadership/Management, and operational experience both in the US & in Europe. Shahin is specialized in HIV Medicine and Infectious Diseases has practiced clinical medicine for over 20 years in AP-HP Hospitals in Paris France.…

Love, Passion, Accountability – Stephanie Chen

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Love, Passion, Accountability - Stephanie Chen
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“Don’t defer your life.” This is a great word of wisdom to reflect on. We live one life but still manage to live it in a “deferred” way. “Someday we’ll get there, someday we’ll do what we really want…” With this advice, we force ourselves to think if we are living our life as we want, whether we are doing what we love, and working where we want to bring impact. It is easier said than done but worth a moment of reflection. In this episode with Stephanie Chen, we also talked about leadership, how she sees healthcare as a fundamental human right, and what she has done to get closer to serving that purpose with love, passion, and accountability.

“Love people enough to tell them the truth.”

MEET OUR GUEST Stephanie Chen Chief Legal Officer and Culture Officer at ChenMed.

Stephanie Chen serves as ChenMed’s Chief Legal Officer and Culture Officer.  She has been with ChenMed since 2006, and served as General Counsel prior to being named Chief Legal Officer in 2016.  A graduate of New York Law School, which she attended on a Harlan Scholarship, Stephanie was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2008. She graduated cum laude from Boston College with a degree in economics.

Stephanie and her husband, Dr. Chris Chen, the CEO of ChenMed, have four children together and live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Stephanie Chen

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this podcast, having the pleasure to be joined by Stephanie Chen, ChenMed’s Chief Legal Officer and Culture Officer. Stephanie has been with ChenMed since 2006, and served as General Counsel prior to being named Chief Legal Officer in 2016.  A graduate of New York Law School, which she attended on a Harlan Scholarship, Stephanie was admitted…

Honest, Authentic, Truthful Leadership – Pravin Chaturvedi

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Honest, Authentic, Truthful Leadership - Pravin Chaturvedi
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In this episode, you’ll hear from a serial biotech entrepreneur and incredible leader Pravin Chaturvedi. Many insightful words I kept with me from this episode as a leader in healthcare: Strive to Impact, not Impress. Life is short when you’re happy, long when you’re suffering. Never tolerate oppression of any form. Residual intellect. Powerpoint is useless :). Hear more about those leadership beliefs Pravin shared with us and also his experience in building biotech companies and teams. He left us with a powerful charge as healthcare leaders: “Never forget our huge responsibility: Patients rely on us to make their life better.” If this is not why you wake up every morning and strive for, you’re in the wrong industry.

“Hope is not a strategy to solve problems.”

MEET OUR GUEST Pravin Chaturvedi Co-Founder & CEO at Oceanyx Pharmaceuticals.

Pravin Chaturvedi is a veteran drug developer, serial biotech entrepreneur, and seasoned CEO. CSO and/or Board member of many life science ventures. Over his 30+ years in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, he has participated in and led the drug development teams for multiple drugs across the therapeutic areas of central nervous system (CNS), HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), cancer, and gastrointestinal disorders. He has participated in the successful drug approval and commercialization of seven drugs.

Pravin serves as the Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) for Napo Pharmaceuticals and Jaguar Health. He is also the co-founder and CEO of IndUS Pharmaceuticals and Oceanyx Pharmaceuticals. He is also the Executive Chairman of Cellanyx and Chair of the Board for Enlivity. He currently serves on the boards of several organizations including IndUS, Oceanyx, Cellanyx, Enlivity, and Sindu Research Laboratories. He has previously served as the President, CEO, and Board of Director for Pivot Pharmaceuticals and Scion Pharmaceuticals and has also served on the boards of Pivot, Scion, Bach Pharma, PRADAN USA, FuelEd Schools, Sindu Pharmaceuticals, TiE Boston, and ResoluteBio. Over his career, he has also been a part of multiple national and international strategic partnerships with large pharmaceutical companies as well as governments and has served on several advisory boards.

Prior to his current leadership responsibilities as (President/CEO/CSO roles in various companies), he served as the Head of Lead Evaluation at Vertex Pharmaceuticals. He held scientific positions at Alkermes and Parke-Davis/Warner-Lambert (now Pfizer). He also contributes significant time to teaching and serves as an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown Medical School. He holds a doctoral degree from West Virginia University and an undergraduate degree in pharmacy from the University of Bombay.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Pravin Chaturvedi

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this podcast, having the pleasure to be joined by Dr Pravin Chaturvedi a veteran drug developer, serial biotech entrepreneur, and seasoned CEO/CSO, Board member of many life science ventures. Over his 30+ years in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry, he has participated and led the drug development teams for multiple drugs across the several therapeutic areas.…

Impostor Thoughts – Basima Tewfik

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Impostor Thoughts - Basima Tewfik
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“I am not as good as they think I am”; “I’ll be uncovered at some point”, “They certainly made a mistake having me here”, etc, etc. You might think you’re the only one having those thoughts but you’re not. 70% of people and leaders have them. Hear in this episode what this means to you, your people, and your teams, and how to manage this for success. Professor Basima Tewfik shares with us here years of research on impostor thoughts and also request-declining at work. A great chat many of us need!

“Work is about relationships.”

MEET OUR GUEST Basima Tewfik Career Development Professor and Assistant Professor of Work and Organization Studies at MIT Sloan.

Basima Tewfik is the Class of 1943 Career Development Professor and an Assistant Professor of Work and Organization Studies at the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Her main stream of research examines the psychology of the social self at work. In particular, she seeks to define new conversations around two underexplored phenomena in the organizational literature that implicate the social self: Workplace impostor thoughts (popularly known as impostor syndrome), defined as the belief that others overestimate one’s competence at work, and request-declining at work, defined as the active decision not to help others at work. In a secondary stream of work, she examines effective employee and workgroup functioning in the modern workplace, an increasingly important topic given the rising complexity of work. 

Her dissertation, entitled “Impostor thoughts as a double-edged sword: Theoretical conceptualization, construct measurement, and relationships with work-related outcomes” was named the winner of the 2018 INFORMS Dissertation Proposal Competition. Her work has additionally received recognition from the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, the International Association for Conflict Management, and the Academy of Management. She was named by Poets & Quants as a “40 Under 40” Best Business School Professor in 2021 and by Thinkers50 as one of 30 thinkers to watch in 2022.

Prior to her graduate studies, Basima worked as a management consultant at Booz & Company, engaging with national as well as global clients across a wide range of industries including financial services, healthcare, education, and aerospace and defense.

She received her PhD in management (Organizational Behavior) from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and her AB, summa cum laude, in psychology with a secondary degree in economics from Harvard University.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Basima Tewfik

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this podcast, having the pleasure to be joined by Basima Tewfik Career Development Professor and Assistant Professor of Work and Organization Studies at the MIT Sloan. Basima main stream of research examines the psychology of the social self at work. In particular, she seeks to define new conversations around two underexplored phenomena in the organizational literature that…

Frame It Right to Solve It – Amre Nouh

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Frame It Right to Solve It - Amre Nouh
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My mantra has always been “Love and Discipline”, and here I am talking to an incredible physician, leader, and healthcare executive who believes in Love and thinks of success as being disciplined with a process in order to create the right habits. For Dr. Amre Nouh, leadership is about creating a common vision for the team and executing it, it is nurtured by influence and maturation of frameworks. One of the biggest mistakes in leadership for Amre (that, unfortunately, happens way more frequently than we realize) is to search for “who” is right instead of “what” is right… So many great bits of wisdom, practical examples, and great advice in this chat with Amre.

“Mental maturity is a shift of frameworks nurtured by experience. Leadership is a maturation of frameworks nurtured by influence.”

MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Amre Nouh Physician leader, healthcare executive, clinical researcher, and innovator.

Dr. Amre Nouh is a physician leader, healthcare executive, clinical researcher, and innovator with a proven track record of developing and executing strategy, leading multidisciplinary teams, and implementing system practices to improve patient outcomes. Dr.Nouh joins Cleveland Clinic Florida as the Regional Chairman of Neurology, leading neurology care for the clinic’s neuroscience institute in the state of Florida and beyond.

Amre is a board-certified neurologist and vascular neurologist. Over the past decade, Nouh has led stroke care in CT in various roles at Hartford HealthCare, most recently as System Director of Stroke and Cerebrovascular disease. During his tenure, he also served as core faculty at the University of Connecticut, Associate professor of neurology, vascular neurology fellowship director, and currently is Chair of the Northeast Cerebrovascular consortium, an AHA-sponsored consortium for stroke care encompassing 8 states. Dr.Nouh has authored and co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications, abstracts, and book chapters. Dr.Nouh is a fellow of the American heart and Stroke Association and has led statewide legislative efforts to improve regional stroke care focused on patient advocacy and recognition of stroke center designation for optimal patient care. He has also led the scientific statement committee on in-hospital stroke for the AHA and published best practice recommendations on behalf of the AHA as a subject matter expert.

Amre earned his executive MBA from MIT Sloan school of management and has served as a key opinion leader and consultant in neuroscience and stroke for various innovative projects within the neurologic care space. His special interests include in-hospital stroke, stroke in the young, AI and machine learning for predictive modeling in neuroscience, and cultivating growth opportunities that marry technology with clinical care to improve patient outcomes and sustainable impact.

He is a father, husband, son, and brother. In his spare time, he is a fisherman, musician, and avid reader.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Amre Nouh

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, having the pleasure to be joined by Dr.Amre Nouh is a physician leader, healthcare executive, clinical researcher and innovator with a proven track record of developing and executing strategy, leading multidisciplinary teams and implementing system practices to improve patient outcomes. Amre joins Cleveland Clinic Florida as the Regional Chairman of Neurology, leading neurology care for the clinic’s…

Move With Passion – Jennifer Kherani

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Move With Passion - Jennifer Kherani
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Leadership starts with passion: passion for your purpose, passion for your people, passion to do things well. Adding to this, two philosophies Dr. Jennifer Kherani believes in: “Be a YES person (then figure it out)”, and “no job is too small for a big enough person”. These are some bits of the incredible chat we had about leading teams from the Emergency Room to biotech and entrepreneurship. Hear Jen’s stories and lessons learned moving through her different experiences while always keeping her passion to help patients at the center.

“Tackle problems with humility.”

MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Jennifer Kherani an Emergency Physician and former Head of Clinical Safety at Loxo Oncology.

Dr. Jennifer Kherani received her BA in Neuroscience in 2000 from Colgate University, completed her pre-medical post-baccalaureate studies at Columbia University in 2004, and her M.D. from Duke University in 2008.  She subsequently completed her residency training in emergency medicine in the combined Cornell/Columbia program at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, where she served as Chief Resident in her final year.

Until August 2022, she served as Head of Clinical Safety at Loxo Oncology, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company.  Jen is also a founder of Summus Global, a subscription-based healthcare advisory company aimed at restoring the human connection between patients and healthcare providers. 

Jen is currently serving on the Rye Country Day School (RCDS) Board of Directors (July 2021-current) and is a member of the Medical Committee, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, the Education Committee, and the Marketing and Communications Committee. She also serves on the DukeNY Board of Directors (2018-present), serving as Co-Chair of the Nominating Committee as well a member of the DEI Committee, the Women’s Impact Network (WIN) Leadership Counsel (2021-present), and as a mentor on the Reimagining Medicine (ReMed; 2019-present) course.

She lives in Rye, NY with her husband, Dr. Aftab Kherani, and their two sons Zayd (grade 5) and Rizq (grade 3).

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Jennifer Kherani

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this podcast, having the pleasure to be joined by Dr Jennifer Kherani. Jen received her M.D. from Duke and subsequently completed her residency training in emergency medicine in the combined Cornell/Columbia program at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, where she served as Chief Resident in her final year. Until August 2022, she served as Head of Clinical Safety…

Value, Purpose, Belonging – Dominic Abrams

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Value, Purpose, Belonging - Dominic Abrams
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From leading teams on the front lines to now building organizations with a focus on culture, leadership, clinical innovation, and value maximization, we discussed in this episode with Dr. Dominic Abrams his story and leadership learnings. Dominic defines leadership with 3 words: value, purpose, and belonging. As leaders, we have to create an environment where everyone can be at their best, be part of a community, and feels this deep sense of belonging to constantly deliver on our common purpose for the patients we serve.

“Being kind makes a difference on people’s day, and life.”

MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Dominic Abrams Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School. Cardiovascular genetics and cardiac electrophysiology.

Dr. Dominic Abrams is Associate Professor, at Harvard Medical School, Cardiovascular genetics and cardiac electrophysiology expert. Dominic specializes in cardiovascular genetics and cardiac electrophysiology at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School and is active in both clinical medicine and scientific research.

With his team, Dominic provides personalized, multidisciplinary care to individuals and families, and drives novel research strategies in varying aspects of cardiovascular genetic disease.

He has developed clinical programs in both the UK and US, focusing on organizational culture, leadership, clinical innovation, and maximizing value to multiple stakeholders. Dominic has developed excellent collaborative relationships with individuals and organizations within the healthcare ecosystem.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Dominic Abrams

Naji: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, having the pleasure to be joined by Dr Dominic Abrams Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School, Cardiovascular genetics and cardiac electrophysiology expert. Dominic specializes in cardiovascular genetics and cardiac electrophysiology at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and he is active in both clinical medicine and scientific research. With his team, Dominic provides personalized, multidisciplinary care to individuals…

Authentic Imperfect Leadership – Lisa Matar

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Authentic Imperfect Leadership - Lisa Matar
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Many talks about authenticity in leadership, being true to self, and vulnerability, Lisa Matar exemplifies this leadership style and added to those words “imperfect” leadership. From a childhood spent in bomb shelters to being the first woman serving on the Board of Directors of Innovative Medicine Canada, Lisa summarizes her success through hard work to bring some normalcy to life, and resilience. “Succeeding is easy when it is the only option you have, adversity shapes your identity thanks to resilience”. Hear incredible stories, learnings, and how Lisa challenged a system that was not made for her to succeed while challenging her own limits to excel in all she does toward her purpose in healthcare.

“Leaders with grit run a successful business, Leaders paying it forward leave a better legacy.”

MEET OUR GUEST Lisa Matar Global Life Science senior executive.

Lisa Matar is a Global Life Science senior executive with more than 25 years of experience leading organizations and driving significant growth, profitability, and launching excellence across the globe.

Lisa served as President and General Manager of Eli Lilly Canada from 2013 to February of 2020 and was a member of the North American executive committee at Eli Lilly. Lisa served on the Board of Directors of Innovative Medicine Canada from 2013 until early 2020 and chaired the Ethics and Compliance committee from 2018 to 2020.

Lisa currently serves on the boards of Directors of Delphi Diagnostics Inc and Starpax Biopharma Inc. and chairs the compensation and governance Committee of Delphi Diagnostics Inc. a breast cancer diagnostic company with an exclusive license to commercialize SETTM (Sensitivity to Endocrine Therapy) test to guide personalized Breast Cancer Treatment. Starpax Biopharma Inc. is a biopharma/MedTech company that has developed a revolutionary platform for 3D precision delivery of cancer drugs in solid tumors using Magnetodrones TM.

Lisa earned a Doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Saint Joseph in Lebanon.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Lisa Matar

Naji: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I’m Naji, your host for this podcast, having the pleasure to be joined today by Lisa Matar, a global life science senior executive with more than 25 years of experience leading organizations and driving significant impact across the globe. Lisa served as President and General Manager of Eli Lilly Canada for several years and was member of the North American Executive Committee. She…

Common Sense Not Commonly Practiced – Hope Zoeller

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Common Sense Not Commonly Practiced - Hope Zoeller
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We might not have similar stories though we certainly share a common passion and leadership belief: Leading from a place of love. In this new era and for our teams with newly articulated needs, we need to adapt and build the necessary leadership skills to deliver on our company’s purpose and results. For Hope Zoeller, those skills are summarized by listening, being objective, having a versatile attitude, and constantly demonstrating empathy. Hope also shares great tips to lead in our hybrid world and ways to ensure our people feel valued, respected, and engaged for them to thrive.

“Lead with LOVE: Listening Ear, Objective Mind, Versatile Attitude, Empathetic Heart.”

MEET OUR GUEST Hope Zoeller Founder and President of HOPE LLC.

Dr. Hope Zoeller is the Founder and President of HOPE (Helping Other People Excel), LLC, a firm that specializes in facilitating leader success at every level of an organization.

For over 15 years of her professional career, Hope worked at UPS in various roles including Customer Service, Training and Development, and Employee Relations. For the past 17 years, she has been consulting organizations on leadership development.

Hope is also a Professor at Spalding University instructing in the Master of Business Communication program. She has a Doctorate in Leadership Education from Spalding University, a Master of Education in Training and Development from the University of Louisville, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Psychology from Bellarmine University.

Hope co-authored with Dr. Joe DeSensi HOPE for Leaders Unabridged Volume 1 and HOPE Leaders in the 2020s…New Issues to Face, New Problems to Solve, New Hope for the Future Volume 2.

Immigrant Mindset – Maheen Junaid

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Immigrant Mindset - Maheen Junaid
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A single question Maheen Junaid thinks of daily as she leads her teams in her executive role: “What can we do for patients?” Having this as the true north for a healthcare company and living it is crucial as it ultimately simplifies decision-making. In this episode, Maheen shares her immigrant story, her leadership beliefs, and her learnings building a company from 4 to 1400 employees. Empathy and DEIB are her core leadership elements. And her words of wisdom are so powerful: Become comfortable being uncomfortable.

“Home is an environment of inclusivity, acceptance, love, and opportunity for growth”

MEET OUR GUEST Maheen Junaid, General Counsel, Chief Human Resources Officer, and Chief Compliance Officer for KabaFusion.

Maheen Junaid is General Counsel, Chief Human Resources Officer, and Chief Compliance Officer for KabaFusion, a home infusion pharmacy provider. Maheen holds a JD/LLB from the University of British Columbia and an MBA from MIT. In her executive role at KabaFusion, she is committed to fostering a positive work environment that celebrates diversity and inclusion. She also loves working for an organization that promotes a culture of prioritizing quality and compassionate patient care while being innovative and entrepreneurial.

Maheen has also worked in the non-profit sector, providing training and legal assistance for minority communities within the greater Boston area. She is passionate about empowering and enabling marginalized people through advocacy, and support.

Maheen was born in Pakistan and was raised in England and Canada. She currently resides in Massachusetts with her family.

Take Risks to Impact the World – Marcello Damiani

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Take Risks to Impact the World - Marcello Damiani
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“What really matters is impact”. Marcello Damiani started with this statement, and we all know now the impact he and his teams at Moderna had on humanity over the past years. He has led teams through those times, delivered on an incredible challenge that became a hope, then a reality: Covid vaccines. Hear him share those stories, his learning, the role of leadership, digital, innovation… From the focus on purpose to the culture and mindset to deliver on it, Marcello gives us great words of wisdom as we continue to navigate times of uncertainty and change. Let’s “not be shy to take risks to impact the world”!

“A leader alone doesn’t serve any purpose”

MEET OUR GUEST Marcello Damiani, Chief Digital and Operational Excellence Officer at Moderna.

Marcello Damiani is the Chief Digital and Operational Excellence Officer at Moderna, where he builds the technology, processes, and digitization landscape required to advance a new class of medicines based on mRNA science. Marcello has a wealth of experience from both Tech and Life Science companies, with a true passion for making digital a reality. He has 20years experience working in the IT field, with the last 10years being spent in leadership roles for multinational companies in Europe and the USA. Prior to joining Moderna, he worked at diagnostics firm bioMérieux and before that at Motorola.

Marcello has a Master of Science degree in Information and Communication Systems Architecture from the University of Toulouse in France, and an Executive MBA through TRIUM.

The Art of Possible – Andrew Bunton

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
The Art of Possible - Andrew Bunton
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We have read a lot about leading in crisis. Andrew Bunton has definitely done so, leading his teams during the Covid pandemic and reinventing patient experience in one of the largest retail pharmacies in the US. Hear his thoughts and takeaways also on leading transformations including omnichannel and how focusing on purpose, empowering diverse talents, and helping them grow will lead to exploring the art of possible!

“It’s not just the output, it is about your people’s journey”

MEET OUR GUEST Andrew Bunton Vice President of Pharmacy Omnichannel Customer Experience at CVS Health

Andrew Bunton is the Vice President of Omnichannel Customer Experience at CVS Health, where he leads the efforts to create a differentiated frictionless pharmacy experience leveraging CVS’ digital and physical assets. Andrew has worked at CVS Health for 10 years, including leading the retail pharmacy’s development and management of clinical services to improve patient adherence, Enterprise Workforce Management where he led all aspects of resource planning, labor budgeting, and scheduling for CVS Health’s retail business, Omnicare, MinuteClinic, and Coram, and Retail Health Services Strategy and New Product Development, where he led all aspects of strategic planning as well as the discovery, design, incubation, and scaling of new business lines.

Prior to CVS, Andrew was a Case Team Leader and Consultant at Bain & Company in Boston and a Vice President in the Corporate & Investment Banking Group at Bank of America. Andrew holds a BA from Bates College and earned an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Andrew Bunton

Naji: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I’m Naji your host for this podcast, joined today by Andrew Bunton Vice President of Omnichannel customer experience and at CVS Health, Andrew leads the efforts to create a differentiated, frictionless pharmacy experience leveraging cvs, digital and physical assets. He has worked at CVS Health for 10 years, including leading the retail pharmacies, development, and management of clinical services, retail health…

Lead for Impact – Bridget Akinc

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Lead for Impact - Bridget Akinc
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We all strive to have an impact on this world, to make life better for people, one at a time… Bridget Akinc exemplifies what leading with impact means through her daily work with nonprofit organizations. In this episode, Bridget shares her story, and sobering lessons we can all learn from as leaders leading in moments of crisis serving communities who experienced a much greater degree of loss; loss of lives, jobs, housing, freedom, financials… For her, we can’t understand “belonging” if we don’t understand being “othered”. Belonging is the crucial next step of DEIB and a key component to focus on as leaders.

“Take a moment to think and facilitate discussions that bring back humanity in all of us”

MEET OUR GUEST Bridget Scott Akinc Chief Executive Officer at Building Impact.

Passionate about innovation and finding new ways to work toward solving complex social challenges, Bridget leads Building Impact, a nonprofit organization that engages leading companies and brands in local communities through volunteering and capacity-building.

Prior to this role, Bridget led dynamic teams focused on accelerating growth and innovation enabled by technology across multiple sectors including finance, retail, automotive, high-technology, and education. She led strategic consulting and marketing teams for high-growth Silicon Valley-based software companies like BEA Systems and Oracle, as well as leading non-profit organizations like The New Teacher Project.

Bridget also serves on the faculty of MIT Sloan, teaching the “Leading With Impact” course I had the privilege to be part of. Bridget is a marathon runner, youth soccer coach, and an avid visitor to national parks with her family.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Bridget Akinc

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this podcast, having the honor to be joined today by Bridget Scott Akinc CEO at Building Impact. Passionate about innovation and finding new ways to work toward solving complex social challenges, Bridget leads Building Impact, a nonprofit organization that engages leading companies and brands in local communities through volunteering and capacity-building. Prior to this role, Bridget…

Data Clinician Entrepreneur – Dries Hens

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Data Clinician Entrepreneur - Dries Hens
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This episode is special and the last in a series of three. In partnership with ESCP Business School, I’ll be giving the mic to students, the leaders of tomorrow, to discuss with seasoned healthcare executives about their journeys and leadership beliefs. We welcomed in this third episode, Dries Hens, physician, entrepreneur, and co-founder of LynxCare. For Dries, Purpose should be your way of living and it encompasses being “Healthy, Active, and Happy”. It is that simple yet complex to achieve. Dries believes in tech as a means to achieve great outcomes for patients., and that the real capital and value of his company is his people.

“Technology is a mean to achieve a goal but should never be a goal itself”

MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Dries Hens Cofounder of LynxCare

Dries Hens is a medical doctor and a successful entrepreneur. Dries knew he did not want to go towards clinical practice but still wanted to remain in the field. He wanted to do more in healthcare, by making the most of all the unexploited data. In parallel to his studies, he began to set up his company: LynxCare Clinical informatics. Dries is currently Co-Founder, Chief Business & Medical officer. Lynxcare transforms medical data into insights for hospitals, physicians, and patients.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Dries Hens

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. This episode is very special! In partnership with ESCP Business School, I’ll be giving the mic to students, our leaders of tomorrow, to discuss with incredible healthcare executives about their journeys and leadership beliefs. Hello, I am a specialized master’s student at ESCP Business School in Paris and I am honored to host Dries Hens in collaboration with Spread Love in Organizations,…

Networks Superpower – Glenna Crooks

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Networks Superpower - Glenna Crooks
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Have you ever thought about your networks? The different people who support you in different ways for you to be who you are and achieve your purpose? Glenna Crooks, innovator, author and healthcare expert has defined eight networks in our lives and showed that managing successfully those helps us succeed in improving our health, personal relationships, family life, income, and careers. Glenna also shares her view on leadership in healthcare. When asked to react on the word Healthcare she said: “We need more of both… Health and Care.”

“Understand the complexity of your people and customers to better serve them”

MEET OUR GUEST Glenna Crooks, Innovator, Entrepreneur, and Author. Healthcare, Policy, and Public Health Expert.

Glenna Crooks, Ph.D., is a strategist, innovator, and trusted counsel to government and business leaders. In her latest venture, a story told in The NetworkSage: Realize Your Network Superpower, she describes a new way to help people lessen the overwhelm of modern life, address work-life balance, performance, productivity, and family caregiving by better understanding and managing the eight networks that support working adults.

 She was the Founder and CEO of Strategic Health Policy International, Inc. solving solved tough health care problems and is known as a “one-woman think tank” with a talent for “organizing chaos” and solving complex problems. She was an appointee of President Ronald Reagan, responsible for a $70 billion portfolio of health programs. As global vice-president of Merck’s Vaccine Business, she expanded US operations to create a global business, tripling vaccine sales to more than $1 billion in under three years.  

A graduate of Indiana University, she is a Fellow of the University of Pennsylvania Center for Neuroscience and Society and a Fellow of the Drexel University Center for Population Health and Community Involvement.

Glenna has been a member of corporate and non-profit Boards, including American Biogenetic Sciences, Inc., the David A. Winston Health Policy Fellowship, founding Vice-Chair of the Partnership for Prevention, Chairman of the National Commission on Rare Diseases, and a member of the National Council of the Institute for Child Health and Human Development, the Board of Scientific Counselors of the Pediatric Dengue Vaccine Initiative and the Institute of Medicine Committee to advise the Department of Defense on bioterrorism/biowarfare countermeasures.

Her many accomplishments earned her recognition as a Disruptive Woman in Health Care and a 2017 Disruptive Woman to Watch. She received the Congressional Exemplary Service Award for Orphan Products Development and is the first civilian to receive the highest award in public health, the Surgeon General’s Medallion from C. Everett Koop.

She lives in Philadelphia, is a mu shin Zen artist, donating her works to support children’s special needs, and is the author of six books.  

Learn and Perform – Olivier Nataf

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Learn and Perform - Olivier Nataf
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This episode is special and the second in a series of three. In partnership with ESCP Business School, I’ll be giving the mic to students, the leaders of tomorrow, to discuss with seasoned healthcare executives about their journeys and leadership beliefs. We welcomed in this second episode, Olivier Nataf, President of AstraZeneca France who shared his story, experience, and words of wisdom. Olivier characterizes leadership by 3 elements: well-rounded leader, learn & perform, and being set up for success. Nevertheless, the key leadership trait for him is vision. Vision has to be aspirational, then break down the problem, turn each and every stone, define a goal even if it sounds impossible at first, fail fast then go back on your horse and move forward. Not much is fundamentally impossible.

“What’s right for the patient is right for the business”

MEET OUR GUEST Olivier Nataf, President of AstraZeneca France.

“Well rounded leader” is surely the best way to define our guest of the day, an inspiring leader: Olivier Nataf. Olivier values curiosity, agility, precision, result-orientation, bold collective ambitions. He believes in the simple power of purpose, clarity in what we are trying to achieve and why, as key drivers of teams’ motivation and success. He encourages people to develop through « learning and performing » (vs. box checking and title chasing).

Olivier first pursued scientific training in cellular and molecular biology and then a master’s degree specializing in pharmacology and oncology. He completed his scientific training at the ESCP Business School: Specialised Master in Biopharmaceutical Management. 

He started his career at AstraZeneca as a trainee in 2001 and then successfully moved up the ranks both in France and in the USA. He has held many different positions: he began as a product manager and then changed his position on average every 2 years. He is now General Manager, Country President of France.

Lead From the Heart – Jean Jacques Bienaime

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Lead From the Heart - Jean Jacques Bienaime
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This episode is special and the first in a series of three. In partnership with ESCP Business School, I’ll be giving the mic to students, the leaders of tomorrow, to discuss with seasoned healthcare executives about their journeys and leadership beliefs. We welcomed in this first episode, Jean Jacques Bienaimé, CEO of BioMarin who shared his story, experience, and words of wisdom. “Love is an infinite resource that will have a tremendous impact on people”, this summarizes beautifully JJ’s leadership beliefs that helped him build high-performing teams delivering successful innovations to patients across the world.

“Employees are the oxygen of any company; its most important component.”

MEET OUR GUEST Jean Jacques Bienaime (JJ), CEO and member of the BOD of BioMarin.

Jean-Jacques Bienaime joined BioMarin in 2005 as Chief Executive Officer and member of the board of directors, bringing with him over 25 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Under his leadership, the market capitalization of BioMarin went from around $450 million in 2005 to approximately $14 billion in 2021. Before being the CEO of BioMarin, Jean-Jacques held several senior management positions in the biotech industry including CEO and chairman of Sangstat Medical Corporation and Genencor.

Mr. Bienaimé currently serves on the boards of Incyte Corporation, a biotechnology company, PhRMA, and The Biotech Industry Organization. He received an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a degree in economics from the École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris (ESCP Business School).

Authentic Impact – Geoffrey Roche

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Authentic Impact - Geoffrey Roche
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Love driven leadership won’t have to deal with retention! People will thrive through the sense of belonging created. Leadership is truly about creating this environment and culture. Authentic impact is another responsibility for leaders. It should be deliberate and measured. It can’t be focused only on profits, it should seek to move communities forward. When asked about equity, Geoffrey Roche talked about creating a structure and system that meets people’s needs where they are. Several other words of wisdom to discover in this episode!

“If you really want to move the needle, do it with authenticity.”

MEET OUR GUEST Geoffrey Roche Senior Vice President, National Health Care Practice & Workforce Partnerships at Core Education PBC.

Geoffrey M. Roche, MPA, is an accomplished leader with steadfast commitment and passion for healthcare innovation, future-focused strategy, transformation, cultural change, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and workforce impact. His professional career has included over nine years in hospital administration where he served as a strategic advisor to the President and CEO and department director of various departments, including Business Development and Planning, Government Affairs, Community Health, and Public Relations, for Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono. Geoffrey also has served in senior leadership roles at two academic institutions where he led strategic partnerships, organizational strategy, and business development for both Lebanon Valley College and Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. Roche also has served as Senior Vice President, Business & Workforce Development at Dignity Health Global Education, where he led national conversations and initiatives to develop innovative diversity, equity, and inclusion solutions for the healthcare workforce.

He has extensive experience creating high-impact partnerships. He is also an Adjunct Instructor of Health Administration in the MBA/MHA Program at Moravian University, serves on the United Way of Lebanon County and United Way of Pennsylvania Board of Directors, IU 13 Board of Directors, Leadership Council for Moravian College, Patient Safety Committee for WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital, and as an elected School Director of Annville-Cleona School District. Roche earned his Master of Science degree in Management and Leadership: Public Administration at East Stroudsburg University and his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Moravian University. Given his robust focus on continued education and leadership development, he has also earned a Mini-MBA in Healthcare from the University of Arizona, Eller College of Management, Certificate in Innovation in Healthcare Management from Arizona State University, Thunderbird School of Global Management, Certificate in Healthcare Leadership from Duke Corporate Education, and a Certificate in Heroic Leadership from Santa Clara University.

From Grief to Resilience – Rachel Stevens

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From Grief to Resilience - Rachel Stevens
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Today we welcome Rachel Stevens. Rachel is an entrepreneur, cofounder of Vienvie, a fashion marketplace for women over 45, and also a VLOGGER with Unfinished Product, a VLOG that shows her entrepreneurship journey while it is happening…

We will take Rachel back in time, to this night she had this bad feeling that something is about to happen to her. This night of bad sleep followed by a Monday morning phone call…

Distributed Leadership – Deborah Ancona

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SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Distributed Leadership - Deborah Ancona
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Nimble Organizations, Agile, X-Teams, Leadership… You will learn about all those in this incredible chat with Prof. Deborah Ancona! Vision, mission, and objectives are key but constitute only half of the story for a high-performing team. What differentiates high-performing teams is their ability to reach out and understand the larger organization, the wider ecosystem, new trends, new technologies… This is X-Teams. A nimble organization is usually referred to as an organization able to adapt fast, it is also a culture that embraces freedom and people’s ability to be full fledge members of this community. The underlying success factor is respect with a learning mindset: tough on ideas, respect for people. Enjoy learning about years of research and those concepts and tools to make our organizations and teams high-performing to deliver on our companies’ purposes.

“Open up your mind to receive and update your view of the world.”

MEET OUR GUEST Deborah Ancona Professor of Management and founder of the MIT Leadership Center.

Deborah Ancona is the Seley Distinguished Professor of Management, a Professor of Organization Studies, and the Founder of the MIT Leadership Center at the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Deborah’s research and work led to the creation of multiple powerful models, tools, practices and concepts, including X-Teams as a vehicle for driving innovation within large organizations, and also the concept of distributed leadership that enable organizations to foster creative leadership at every level.

She has also served as a consultant on leadership and innovation to several companies including healthcare. 

Deborah is the author of the book, X-Teams: How to Build Teams That Lead, Innovate, and Succeed along with several other publications and articles in prestigious reviews. One of my favorites is “Family Ghosts in the Executive Suite”.

Below are some incredible tools and concept resources shared by Prof. Ancona in this episode:

Readings (Don’t hesitate to reach out for more information)
– The 4-CAPS+ model:  In Praise of the Incomplete Leader, HBR.
– Sensemaking:  Framing and Acting in the Unknown, chapter. 
– Challenge-Driven Leadership 
– The X-Factor:  Six Steps to Building High-Performing X-teams, Organizational Dynamics. 
x-teams: How to Build Teams that Lead, Innovate and Succeed, Harvard Business School Press. 

Nimble Organizations:   
https://hbr.org/2019/07/nimble-leadership
https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/five-rules-for-leading-in-a-digital-world
https://hbr.org/ideacast/2019/07/the-3-types-of-leaders-of-innovative-companies
https://hbr.org/2019/07/how-to-give-your-team-the-right-amount-of-autonomy

Tools:
Tools to help move organizations from bureaucracies to more nimble forms.  These can be found at xLEAD.co.  

Tools include: 
x360—a 360-degree leadership development tool based on the 4-CAPS+ model
xCHANGE—is a simulation aimed at helping individuals and teams to learn how to use xTEAMS for effective change and innovation.  
xCARDS—this is an exercise that can be used to assess how well your organization practices nimble leadership. There is also a card exercise to help individuals, teams, and organizations understand their leadership signatures, team identities, or organizational cultures. 

Courses (available in-person and live online)
https://exec.mit.edu/s/

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Deborah Ancona

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this episode joined by a distinguished Professor of Management and founder of the MIT Leadership Center Deborah Ancona. Deborah’s research and work led to the creation of multiple powerful models, tools, practices and concepts, including X-Teams as a vehicle for driving innovation within large organizations, and also the concept of distributed leadership that enable organizations to…

Pain and Passion – Phil Johnson

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Pain and Passion - Phil Johnson
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Lowering your walls spreads love. People follow inspirational leaders because of love; they feel safe, they feel lifted up and not held down. Hear from Phil Johnson about his work and belief on emotional intelligence. There are two sources of motivation that will cause us to do the emotional labor and leave our comfort zone: One is pain, and the other is passion. For him, emotional intelligence is this experiential process. We must take the leap of faith to begin the journey so that we see its value in our life.

“Leadership is not a title or position; it is a choice that each of us needs to make.”

MEET OUR GUEST Phil Johnson Founder & CEO of Master of Business Leadership program.

For the past 21 years, Phil Johnson has been an executive coach, teacher, and mentor dedicated to helping executives and organizations achieve remarkable results. His program touched leaders across the globe and in different industries. Phil was a corporate executive in the semiconductor industry for 20 years before founding MBL.

Stop, Listen, and Learn – Myriam Hakim

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Stop, Listen, and Learn - Myriam Hakim
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Success is not how high you climb but how you make a positive difference in the world and even more specifically how you make a positive difference in people’s lives and anyone who came across your path. This says a lot about my discussion with Myriam Hakim, an accomplished leader in the pharma industry. From growing up with incredible women as her role models to now being an example herself to many in the Middle East and beyond, Myriam shares her personal story, her key learnings building teams and affiliates from scratch, while always being passionate about people, patients, and business.

“Every day is an opportunity to learn something new if you listen to others.”

MEET OUR GUEST Myriam Hakim Cluster General Manager at Kyowa Kirin Gulf Countries.

Myriam Hakim is an experienced pharma executive with 20 years of successful career in various key roles in the pharmaceutical industry in Europe and the Middle East. Her main focus has always been to create and add value to patients and medical communities in various therapeutic areas and particularly in rare diseases and Oncology. With her entrepreneurial spirit and results-orientation, Myriam has built, established, and grown teams to deliver profitable business covering the entire GCC and the middle east region.

Myriam is a fervent supporter to drive diversity and inclusion mainly around women in the workplace and in leadership positions within the pharma industry. She is a strong believer in leading with courage, passion, and love.

Let’s Get Busy! – John Sterman

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Let's Get Busy! - John Sterman
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Leadership for John Sterman means distributed responsibility. Each of us has influence and some ability to change the system. In this timely episode, while we see some places melting because of climate change, and some populations risking their existence, we should take our responsibility as leaders, humans, and global citizens, we should stand up, and take action through visioning, networking, truth-telling, learning, AND loving. John remains hopeful and believes that climate change is tough but solvable. We can solve for many sustainable problems by leading from a basis of love; love is more than empathy, more than care, it is the belief that we have the capacity for good, we have the capacity to sacrifice for the common good, and that we can nurture that! And if people believe this is naive, so be it. In this episode hear about the beer game, climate change, leadership, system dynamics, healthcare, and a call for us as leaders to GET BUSY!

“As a leader, design a system so that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.”

MEET OUR GUEST John Sterman Professor of Management at MIT Sloan in the MIT Institute for Data, Systems, and Society; Director of the MIT System Dynamics Group and the MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative.

John is a Professor of Management at MIT Sloan in the MIT Institute for Data, Systems, and Society. He is also the Director of the MIT System Dynamics Group and the MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative. John’s research centers on improving decision-making in complex systems, including corporate strategy and operations, energy policy, public health, environmental sustainability, and climate change. His work ranges from the dynamics of organizational change and the implementation of sustainable improvement programs to climate change and the implementation of policies to promote a sustainable world. Sterman pioneered the development of “management flight simulators” for corporate and economic systems which are now used by corporations, universities, and governments around the world.

He is the author of many articles on the challenges and opportunities facing organizations today, including the book, Modeling for Organizational Learning, and the award-winning textbook, Business Dynamics.

John has received multiple awards and recognitions around the globe and has been featured in several media for his innovative use of interactive simulations in management education and policymaking, particularly in climate change and energy policy.

I had the privilege to be John’s student, and I see the world now differently…. Definitely through a system dynamic lens but also through a lens of responsibility we all have as leaders to make the world a more sustainable and healthier place.

Learn more about climate solutions through En-ROADS an online simulator where John Sterman is Senior Advisor and Dr. Elizabeth Sawin is co-founder and Senior Advisor.

Fighting Inertia – Doug Bruce

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Fighting Inertia - Doug Bruce
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Leading through pandemics, crises, innovation breakthroughs, and transformations is Dr. Doug Bruce’s specialty. From HIV pandemic management in most hit countries to leading large transformations in the US healthcare system, Doug will share his key learning from overcoming silos to reaching the “truth” in moments of crisis and change. His leadership lessons are insightful for all of us whether in public health, private sector, or NGO: be creative, be a listener, and be humble. Doug spreads love by treating people with dignity, ensuring they know and perceive their value, and this spreads to patients…

“We build trust through transparency, humility, and honesty.”

MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Doug Bruce associate Chief of Clinical Affairs at Boston University School of Medicine.

Dr. Robert Doug Bruce is Associate Chief of Clinical Affairs at Boston University School of Medicine and Director of Primary Care at Boston Medical Center (BMC). Prior to those roles, Doug transformed healthcare in the New Haven community focusing on the largest health center in new haven on quality and value-based care which resulted in significant savings for CT Medicaid and the community. Doug was also Chief of Medicine at Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center and Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at Yale University.

Doug is a global expert in substance use disorders in people with HIV and hepatitis C. He has published widely on the topic of substance use disorders and HIV. He has provided technical assistance to CDC, NIH, and the United Nations.

In September 2020, Doug moved to Boston to join BU and BMC to continue practice transformation, innovation, and quality improvement within a safety net organization’s large academic medical practice.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Doug Bruce

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this podcast, joined today by Dr Robert Bruce Associate Chief of Clinical Affairs at Boston University School of Medicine, and Director of Primary Care at Boston Medical Center (BMC). Prior to those roles, Robert transformed healthcare in the New Haven community focusing in the largest health center in new haven on quality and value based care…

Voice of Change – Rosemarie Day

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Voice of Change - Rosemarie Day
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There are too many issues in the world that we need to solve! This is what drives Rosemarie Day and connects her to her purpose. Her strongest belief is that healthcare is a human right. Through her sense of purpose, collaboration, a healthy dose of patience balanced with impatience and a sense of urgency, Rosemarie led large healthcare reforms that made life better for millions of people. Listen to her story, her journey, her insights, and why she believes that women can lead the fight for universal healthcare and be the voice of change.

“Take the longer view and stick with it.”

MEET OUR GUEST Rosemarie Day, Founder & CEO of Day Health Strategies; Author & Speaker.

Rosemarie Day served as the founding Deputy Director & Chief Operating Officer of the Health Connector in Massachusetts. At the Health Connector in 2006, she helped lead the launch of health reform in Massachusetts, which became the model for the Affordable Care Act. Prior to this role, she was the Chief Operating Officer of the Massachusetts Medicaid program, among other state leadership positions. She has been working on health reform ever since, and is passionate about universal healthcare and women’s health issues. She is the founder and CEO of Day Health Strategies, a successful mission-driven, woman-owned consulting firm that celebrated its 12th anniversary in July. 

As a healthcare reform expert and CEO, Rosemarie Day, who is also a breast cancer survivor, has written a book to galvanize women to take action to make health care a right in the US. Its title is “Marching Toward Coverage: How Women Can Lead the Fight for Universal Healthcare” (Beacon Press, 2020). With 28 million Americans uninsured, and millions more who can’t afford their coverage, Rosemarie asks the fundamental question: Can we, as a nation, do better? Rosemarie believes we can and will—once women begin to engage collectively around this topic.

Rosemarie brings a feminist lens to the universal health care debate and seeks to empower more women to engage in that debate. She simplifies complex policy ideas about making change in the health care coverage system into an approachable and engaging framework. She combines a personal perspective on health policy with a professional perspective – she’s at once a health policy expert, strategist, and implementer, as well as a mother, daughter and friend who has faced some challenging health issues. She offers no easy panacea, but instead delivers a pragmatic path forward, one that recognizes health care as a fundamental human right, factors in the role of social determinants, and ensures coverage for all.

More about Rosemarie’s work here: https://rosemarieday.com/

Links to her book: Barnes and Noble, Indiebound, Amazon, Beacon, Penguin Random House, and Porter Square Books.

The Story of a Phone Call – Irshad Mecca & Gilbert La Fuente

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OneMoment
The Story of a Phone Call - Irshad Mecca & Gilbert La Fuente
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Today we welcome Gilbert La Fuente and Irshad Mecca. Gilbert and Mecca are longtime friends who met in college at Tufts University.  Today Mecca is the CEO of Farida, a large shoe manufacturing company in Chennai India, and Gilbert is an expert in Child Protective Services living and working in California. In the 90s, a few years after college, Gilbert made a call to Irshad which prompted a OneMoment… In the end, this is a story about friendship, love, traveling the unknown, and the combining of cultures. So, we will go back in time… to that phone call.

Know What You Don’t Know – Susan Silbermann

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SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Know What You Don't Know - Susan Silbermann
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When we think of inspiring leaders, we remember those we learned from by watching how they did what they do. It is those we want to follow and be like. It is those who made us feel valued and heard, those who made us grow after each interaction even when it is an unpleasant conversation. Because people remember how they felt when you left the room, lead from a place of genuine care and love. Hear more from Susan Silbermann, her journey, and more of those incredible insights and learning she’s sharing with us.

“Ask the questions because you want to move the ball forward.”

MEET OUR GUEST Susan Silbermann, an accomplished, global senior business executive, with broad experience in healthcare across multiple geographies.

Curious by nature, Susan is an authentic and communicative leader who is adept at leading remote, diverse teams and who excels at working cross-functionally. This reputation extends to interactions in the policy, government affairs, and public health arenas.

She is a Board Director at HilleVax Inc (Comp Chair) and LianBio (NomGov Chair) and was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of IAVI, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. She is also a member of the board of Meet the Writers, a non-profit organization bringing together authors and students in low-income NYC public schools. Previously Susan served on numerous not-for-profit and NGO boards, including Gavi, the Vaccines Alliance (member of Governance Committee); Catalyst Inc; and the Council of the Americas. In March 2021, she stepped down as Vice-Chair of the President’s Council for Doing Business in Africa.

Before retiring from Pfizer last year, Susan led a then $8B revenue, 10,000 colleagues Emerging Markets division, and Pfizer’s internal Global COVID-19 Task Force, ensuring the safety and well-being of 75,000 employees, facilities, and medicine and vaccine supply chain. In her prior role, Susan was the Global President of Pfizer Vaccines, leading operations, commercial, and business development.

Susan is looking forward to whatever lies ahead — and looking backward doesn’t really lead you anywhere new, does it?

Co-Creator of Impact – Alon Shklarek

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Co-Creator of Impact - Alon Shklarek
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“What makes you tick?” Alon Shklarek took this question to a deep reflection that led him to be free. Free to create impact through businesses, live his purpose to improve the world, and fix meaningful problems. His deep belief is that every company should have a social impact focus, and deeply think about how with their capabilities they can make the world a better place. Hear his thoughts on leadership being a team sport, his views on entrepreneurship, him not being George Clooney, and his words of wisdom on impact.

“When I see a problem I care about, I start a business.”

MEET OUR GUEST Alon Shklarek, serial impact entrepreneur, investor, and enabler.

Alon has founded, co-founded, and invested in over 25 businesses across 16 countries to date. Whether it is his ventures in the digital health space that are improving health outcomes for thousands of patients every day or his sustainability-focused ventures such as his leading plastics recycling company that gives over 100.000 tons of plastic waste a second life every year, all his companies are focused around leading with purpose and impact.

As an active Impact Investor Alon directly supports and mentors selected social entrepreneurs and is an ASN member of Ashoka, the world’s leading social entrepreneurship organization.

Besides, Alon teaches Leadership and Entrepreneurship as Guest Lecturer at MIT.

More from Alon:
Blog: https://www.alonshklarek.com/blog/category/blogpost/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alonshklarek

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Alon Shklarek

Naji: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership and love. I’m Naji your host for this episode, joined today by Alon Shklarek serial entrepreneur investor, and a serial entrepreneur. Alon has founded co-founded and invested in over 25 businesses across 16 countries. Whether it is duct plexus, the largest Indian doctors platform that solves thousands of patient cases every day, or sky plastics, a leading European recycling company that recycles over 100,000 tons…

Know When to Go – Jonathan Fleming

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Know When to Go - Jonathan Fleming
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It starts with the right people to solve the 75 steps! Jonathan Fleming is clear on what it takes to build successful biotech companies. He has built, cofounded, and funded several companies serving and changing the lives of millions of patients worldwide. Great leaders are humble and mindful enough to understand the blessing they were given for them to give back. They lead with care and love, especially in healthcare. Leadership is also about knowing when to go. In this provocative episode, you will hear incredible insights and straightforward words of wisdom. A great summary for us leading healthcare organizations: we should never forget our moral, ethical, and legal responsibility for patients, employees, and shareholders.

“Leading with love and care is something you should do to the core of your being in healthcare.”

MEET OUR GUEST Jonathan Fleming Executive Chairman of QurAlis and Enclear Therapies. Former President and CEO of Q-State Biosciences, and former Managing Partner of Oxford Bioscience Partners, an international venture capital firm specialized in life science investments.

Jonathan has been founding, financing, and operating breakthrough life science companies for over 30 years in the USA, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. During his career, he has raised more than $1 billion for early-stage investment funds that made more than 200 investments resulting in over 20 IPOs and 40 M&A events.

Jonathan has been the CEO of a neuroscience company, been the chairman of the board of numerous organizations, and been a director of many public and private companies. He has participated in the creation of numerous startups and has worked with seven different Nobel laureates to create and build companies based upon their work.

Jonathan has been a senior lecturer at the Sloan School since 2002 where I met him in an incredible class on strategic decisions in Life Science. 

Follow Your Bliss – Socrates Rosenfeld

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OneMoment
Follow Your Bliss - Socrates Rosenfeld
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Socrates Rosenfeld is co-founder and CEO of Jane Technologies, veteran, husband, and a dog owner. Gayle first met Socrates while he was an MBA student at MIT Sloan and he spilled into her office with one of his best Sloanie friends for a resume review. The two of them were quite a pair bringing a lot of humor and energy. They both were recent veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Socrates’ one moment led to the building of Jane Technologies. So, let’s go back in time, to that conversation he had with his wife…

Committed to Serve – Umbereen Nehal

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Committed to Serve - Umbereen Nehal
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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and don’t forget Belonging. Belonging is one of the most crucial aspects we talk less about but greatly impacts us. We also talked about Health Equity, what it means, and what we can do as healthcare leaders – it starts by raising the problem for us to start solving it! Hear why quality is about love and other incredible insights in this conversation with a Top Voice in healthcare, Dr. Umbereen Nehal.

“You have to raise a problem for it to be problem-solved.”

MEET OUR GUEST Umbereen S. Nehal, MD, MPH is a Dean’s Fellow and Sloan Fellow at the MIT Sloan School of Management. Her work is at the intersection of technology, policy, and healthcare delivery to diverse populations.

Umbereen is a recognized thought leader on human-centered health information technology (HIT) design, ethical artificial intelligence (AI), payment reform, quality, and reducing disparities. Educated at Aga Khan University Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health, Dr. Nehal trained at Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine followed by the Harvard Pediatric Health Services Research Fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital. Four times Dr. Nehal has been named “LinkedIn Top Voice” for “Healthcare” and as a “Top Female Voice” on International Women’s Day. As Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs of Community Healthcare Network, Dr. Nehal led a 14-site multi-specialty certified Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) serving 85,000 New Yorkers including behavioral health integration and telehealth. She had oversight of over 700 staff and a $100 million operating budget.

Dr. Nehal served as Associate Medical Director of MassHealth — a Medicaid program serving 1.6 million members and accounting for 40% of the state budget — providing leadership on program development and evaluation, cost effectiveness evaluation, population health initiatives, and state-wide information “HIway” for intraoperability. Dr. Nehal served as clinical lead for the 5-year restructuring to create new Accountable Care Organization (ACO) models, co-leading a successful bid for $1.8b in new investment from Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services (CMS). Dr. Nehal has expertise in leading multi-disciplinary teams for change management. She designed novel HIT for Medicare Advantage plans to track and rank new forms of data used for payment by CMS and contributed to a Series C fund raise for a client that offers an integrated cloud-based medial data and extraction platform enhanced by AI and natural language processing (NLP). As an MIT Sloan Fellow Dr. Nehal led an AI-focused hackathon, drawing hundreds of innovators from around the world, for human-centered
design solution in the age of COVID-19 and was an invited senior author on a chapter on business models, payment metrics, and business ethics for medical AI.

Dr. Nehal served as co-chair of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Healthcare Delivery and Disparities Research advisory panel, she informed national funding priorities for a portfolio of over $300 million clinical effectiveness evaluations. She co-authored national curriculum on the Patient-Centered Medical Home, now disseminated to over 8,000 residents. She is published on use of the Electronic Health Record (EHR) to promote transition planning for children with disabilities. She provided expert review to the Connecticut Department of Public Health’s medical home curriculum. Elected by her peers, she served as district representative and on the board for the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. A frequent invited stakeholder to the White House,
CMS, HHS, and NIH, she was asked to moderate a panel for U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Regina
Benjamin. Dr. Nehal served as the Principal Investigator of a community health grant to partner with community-based organizations and faith groups in low-resourced communities to promote improved heart health aligned with the Culture of Health. Dr. Nehal’s national leadership on community engagement won recognition from President Obama.

Mind Medication – Aden Eyob

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Mind Medication - Aden Eyob
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In this episode, I had a great conversation with a leader in Mindset: Aden Eyob. Aden is a clinical neuroscientist and author of the Book on Mind Training: The Secret for Positive Living. She is the founder and CEO of Mind Medication, a fusion of neuroscience-psychology and spirituality-based mindset consulting and speaker service that helps uncover people’s “why”, unlock potential, and free limiting beliefs to achieve the impossible. Aden’s mission is a world free from limiting beliefs. Her formula is straightforward: Change your thought for it to be positive, it brings positive emotions and leads to the correct behavior. Hear about her great CALM framework: Clarity of the why, Accountability of goals, Love and self-care, and Motivators.

“Thought + Emotion = Behavior”

MEET OUR GUEST Aden Eyob, Founder & CEO at Mind Medication, Author, Speaker, and Clinical Neuroscientist.

Aden has over ten years of business experience working with Fortune 500 companies, including Gilead Sciences, Kite Pharma, Medpace, Kantar Health, Ogilvy Healthworld, and academic institutions such as UCLA and Charles R. Drew University. Currently, Aden is the founder and CEO of Mind Medication, a fusion of neuroscience-psychology and spirituality-based mindset consulting, coaching, and speaker service that helps organizations uncover their why, unlock potential; and free limiting beliefs to achieve the impossible.

Before beginning her business, Aden spent most of her career in Biotechnology, most notable, three years at Gilead Sciences / Kite Pharma. She worked as a Clinical Trial Management professional within the oncology therapy unit. She also led Gilead’s Leadership Organization of Black Employees (GLOBE) Community Outreach Pillar, which engages in philanthropic endeavors and investments that provide opportunities to give back to the UK communities in which Gilead operates.

Aden’s innovative thinking and mindfulness approach towards her career, health, and personal commitments were recognized by her peers and awarded the Women at Gilead Life Balance Award for 2018. Moreover, Aden is the recipient of Brainz CREA Global Awards 2021 in recognition of her innovative ideas, adaptability in business, and contribution to mental health projects.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Aden Eyob

Naji: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership and love. I’m Naji your host for this episode and I have the pleasure to be with Aden Eyob, a leader in mindset. Aden is a clinical neuroscientist and author of the book on mind training, the secret of positive living. She is the founder and CEO of mind medication. A fusion of neuroscience, psychology and SP spirituality based mindset consulting and speaker service…

The Key is People – Zen Chu

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SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
The Key is People - Zen Chu
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Zen Chu built and invested in several successful medical and healthcare companies, his key to success: People first. When reflecting on the investor side, this doesn’t change either, it starts with people. For Zen, the best leaders and investors are those focused on impact, and when love is in their life, it allows them to be laser-focused on the impact they bring. In this episode, hear Zen’s incredible personal story and journey, his insightful advice, and lessons learned from leading turnarounds to building extremely successful ventures!

“Love in your life allows you to focus purely on impact.”

MEET OUR GUEST Zen Chu, Health Tech Serial Entrepreneur, and Investor.

Faculty Director for the Healthcare Ventures graduate courses and Hacking Medicine student teams at MIT, Harvard Medical School and UCLA.

As founder of four medical companies and Hacking Medicine Venture Capital fund, Zen has 25 years of experience building early-stage medical technology and healthcare service companies, usually serving among the first investors in companies like PillPack.com, Abridge.com, FeelMore Labs, Nurx.com, Aptible, Luminopia, Molecule.to, MycoMedica, DirectDerm and a few others still in stealth mode.

Zen cofounded and served as CEO for 3D-Matrix Medical Inc. a venture-backed MIT regenerative medicine company with a successful IPO in 2011. 3D-Matrix has wound-healing and drug-delivery products on the market outside of the US and multiple human clinical trials in process.

I met Zen through the MIT Healthcare Ventures, a course that teaches entrepreneurship, business models, and venture creation around technology that can transform healthcare. Zen actively consults companies in pharma, health tech, and healthcare systems struggling to adapt to global digital healthcare transformation and emerging markets.

Referent Leadership – Jim Dougherty

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Referent Leadership - Jim Dougherty
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You rarely chat with a leader with such extensive successful experience, from building companies to being on boards of large institutions, whose purpose is to make people happy. Through his humility and focus on mutual respect, transparency, and honesty, Jim Dougherty believes that one of the most important keys to success is the culture you create in a company. For him, culture should be created strategically in every company including startups, and not only be words on a wall or a slide. You’ll hear incredible advice on how to lead turnarounds while engaging teams to thrive and be at their best. In the end, people will remember how they felt with you, and this is the legacy that will remain…

“People want to work with you because they want to learn how to behave like you.”

MEET OUR GUEST Jim Dougherty Executive Chairman and Co-Founder at Madaket Health.

Jim is an entrepreneur, senior executive, and also Senior Lecturer in Technological Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Strategic Management at MIT. He has extensive experience working directly with investors to execute highly successful turnarounds of troubled companies. He has stabilized and recapitalized such companies as Gartner, IntraLinks, Prodigy, and Small Business ISP. At Lotus Development Corporation, Jim was the founder of eApps (Internet Division), and he created the NOTES: NEWSSTAND business publishing service which was later sold successfully. He is also an Adjunct Senior Fellow for Business and Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations. He sits on the board of different institutions too.

Jim is on the Board of Trustees for Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, where he Chairs the Research Oversight Committee, Bright Spirit Children’s Foundation, and the Foreign Policy Association in New York City.

Jim holds a BA in government from Framingham State University, an MA in international economics from Columbia University, and a Graduate Certificate of Special Studies in finance and administration from Harvard University.

Here are the great articles from Jim Dougherty we mentioned in the episode published in Harvard Business Review – HBR.

The Unexpected Moment in a Bar – Jennifer Rikoski

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The Unexpected Moment in a Bar - Jennifer Rikoski
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Jennifer Rikoski is a Partner at Ropes & Gray, a leading law firm where she is a partner in the employment, executive compensation, M&A, and employee benefits practice group. She also chairs the firm’s pro-bono practice and has focused much of her pro-bono work on working with refugees and immigrants. Jenny has successfully represented several dozen refugees and asylum-seekers and regularly lectures and leads training on immigration law and policy.

Change Needs Courage & Data – Dimitris Bertsimas

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SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Change Needs Courage & Data - Dimitris Bertsimas
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AI is simply the future, more explicitly Dimitris Bertsimas likes to talk about analytics which is for him the science of using data to build models that lead to decisions that impact the world positively. Personalized medicine is the aspiring future that we will get to soon. As leaders, we will have to drive those changes. This needs courage and openness to what data tells us. Hear from a leader who changed medical practices through data, models and decisions and impacted positively thousands of lives. “The beauty of computers is they don’t get tired”, but they can’t replace humans, hear more about it in this episode.

“Love is the most significant aspect of human happiness”

MEET OUR GUEST Dimitris Bartsimas Associate Dean of Business Analytics, Boeing Professor of Operations Research, and faculty director of the Master of Business Analytics at MIT.

Dimitris is Global Operations Professor of Management, a Professor of Operations Research, and the Associate Dean for the Master of Business Analytics at MIT.

A faculty member since 1988, his research interests include optimization, stochastic systems, machine learning, and their application. In recent years, he has worked in robust optimization, statistics, healthcare, transportation, and finance. Dimitris is also a serial entrepreneur and was a co-founder of Dynamic Ideas, sold to American Express. He is also the founder of Dynamic Ideas Press, a publisher of scientific books, the cofounder of Benefits Science, a company that designs health care plans for companies, Dynamic Ideas Financial, a company that provides financial advice to customers, of Alpha Dynamics, an asset management company, P2 Analytics, an analytics consulting company, and of MyA health, a personalized health care advice company. 

Dimitris has coauthored more than 200 scientific papers and several books. He is the former department editor of Optimization for Management Science and of Operations Research in Financial Engineering. A member of the National Academy of Engineering and an INFORMS fellow, he has received numerous research awards, including the Harold Larnder Prize (2016), the Philip Morse Lectureship prize (2013), the William Pierskalla best paper award in health care (2013), best paper award in Trapsoration (2013), the Farkas Prize (2008), the Erlang Prize (1996), the SIAM Prize in Optimization (1996), the Bodossaki Prize (1998), and the Presidential Young Investigator Award (1991–1996). He has also received recognition for his educational contributions: The Jamieson prize (2013) and the Samuel M. Seegal prize (1999). 

Dimitris holds a BS in electrical engineering and computer science from the National Technical University of Athens, Greece, as well as an MS in operations research and a PhD in applied mathematics and operations research from MIT.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Dimitris Bertsimas

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this episode joined today by Dimitris Bertsimas Professor of Management, Operations Research, and Associate Dean for the Master of Business Analytics at MIT. A faculty member since 1988, Dimitris’ research include optimization, stochastic systems, machine learning, and their application in different sectors including healthcare. Dimitris is also a serial entrepreneur, he cofounded several companies like Dynamic…

Compassionate Leader – Marissa Afton

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Compassionate Leader - Marissa Afton
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We’ve been hearing a lot lately about empathy and its importance in leadership (finally!), have you heard about compassionate leadership? Marissa Afton will take us through her work and research on what compassionate leaders do to build and engage high-performing teams and deliver success. You’ll also hear about self-care and the importance of “kindness to self” with great practical tips for us to fit in our daily schedules, like performance breaks and self space.

“Do Hard Things in a Human Way”

MEET OUR GUEST Marissa Afton International Partner & Head of Global Accounts at Potential Project

Marissa is a Partner and Head of Global Accounts at Potential Project. She is a driving force behind leadership development and change initiatives at multinational companies, helping leaders and organizations unlock their potential to create cultural excellence and superior performance, resilience, and innovation. 

A mindfulness practitioner for over 25 years, Marissa is recognized for her breadth of knowledge and deep experience in transforming organizations by transforming the mind.

She is a sought-after speaker at leadership conferences about the impact of mind training on high-performing cultures, as well as the mental qualities of excellent leaders. She works with many Fortune 500 companies including Bloomberg, Cisco, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, and White & Case, among others.

Here’s the link to her latest book on compassionate leadership https://www.potentialproject.com/resources#01-books

The Two Should Coexist – Richard Kivel

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The Two Should Coexist - Richard Kivel
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VC and Love? Can those two words coexist? For Richard Kivel, a renowned VC in healthcare, the most valuable VCs in the end, are those who are empathetic and direct at the same time. They are with you when there are problems, and point them out recognizing that things don’t usually go as planned. For him, it is the love versus fear concept. When investing in companies, he looks for devoted CEO, truthful and focused, with a vision and passion for the company, a CEO who is loved rather than feared! “If people feel valued, they feel loved, if they feel loved they are going to be committed, If they are committed, the organization will have a higher probability of success.” So, it really comes down to LOVE.

“Look for a CEO who is loved, not feared.”

MEET OUR GUEST Richard Kivel Investor & Board Director in Technology and Healthcare.

Richard serves as the Managing Director of GrayBella Capital LLC, a Pan-European venture capital firm based in London, investing in growth-stage technology and healthcare companies.

Since 2021 he has served as a Board member of Lottery.com, a publicly-traded (Nasdaq: LTRY) leading technology company that is transforming how, where and when lottery is played. Since 2018, Richard has served as Chairman of the Board of BC Platforms, a Zurich, Switzerland-based bio-computing leader.

Before this, Richard was Executive Chairman of the Board of ViS Research Inc., leading to a successful acquisition by IMS Health. In addition, he was a Board Director and Chairman of the nominating committee of Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: RNN) from 2010 until 2013.

Richard’s executive management experience also includes a Senior Management position at Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund, and two Chief Executive Officer positions: TheraGenetics, Ltd. from 2006 until 2009, and MolecularWare, Inc. from 2001 until 2004. Both companies were successfully acquired.

He has served various roles at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, including as the Chairman and President of the MIT Enterprise Forum, a Board member of the MIT Alumni Association, and is a regular Lecturer at MIT and other schools. He is also a Trustee of Bankinter Innovation Foundation, a technology think-tank based in Madrid.

Genuine Love – Bob Jones

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SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Genuine Love - Bob Jones
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When Bob heard the word love, he was really not sure… Hear his thoughts on the true meaning of spreading love in organizations from helping others realize their dreams to giving space for your people to thrive. Leadership is courage, entrepreneurship is loneliness, and if you go that route make sure the need is unmet, customers really think what you are providing is better, and ensure the sustainability of your venture.

“Help them connect the dots to the purpose, inspire them, and get out of the way!”

MEET OUR GUEST Bob Jones Entrepreneur, CEO, Speaker, Author of “The Start-Up Starter Kit”.

Bob is CEO of Scientific Nutrition Products, Inc. The company addresses medical conditions by creating and selling nutrition-based products. Bob was previously a Principal at Scientia Advisors, a strategy consulting firm, where Bob led the Nutrition and Wellness practice. Prior to Scientia, Bob was President and CEO of Vitasoy USA, Inc., the nation’s largest marketer and manufacturer of tofu and the pioneer of soymilk in America. This was a management turn-around.

Before joining Vitasoy, Bob launched three start-ups in the medical nutrition field. Each company addressed chronic medical disorders such as diabetes via specifically targeted nutrition products (rather than drugs). All three start-ups were with staff and faculty at Harvard Medical School. Each company turned leading-edge science into consumer products that were sold through retail pharmacies.

Bob has held executive positions at several other companies, including Abbott Laboratories and Baxter International. He has two awarded patents in the field of nutrition. He is an active mentor with MIT’s Venture Mentoring Service and has served as a judge in MIT’s 100K Business Plan Competition. He has an A.B. in biology from Princeton University and an MSM from MIT Sloan.

After hours, Bob plays in a blues band in the Boston area and is a springboard diver, and an enthusiastic motorcyclist.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Bob Jones

Naji: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I’m Naji, your host for this episode joined today by Bob Jones, serial healthcare industry, entrepreneur. Bob is founder and currently CEO of scientific nutrition products, a company addressing medical conditions by creating and selling nutrition based products. Bob was previously a principal at CIA advisors, a strategy consulting firm, where Bob led the nutrition and wellness practice. Prior to that, Bob was…

Effective Leadership – Ben Shields

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SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Effective Leadership - Ben Shields
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We hear a lot about transferable managerial skills from sports to corporate and entrepreneurial world, Ben Shields summarized those to two key components: common goal for teams and measurable performance. Along those comes a crucial leadership skill of creating and maintaining a winning culture, which is a collective set of actions and behaviors that defines it, and best teams are obsessive about ensuring the culture is sustainable daily. This starts by building a learning culture based on mutual understanding. On a more individual level, success for Ben is driven by passion, hard work and luck. What about data and decision making? “Data can help you be less wrong in your decisions.”

“Great leaders make those around them better.”

MEET OUR GUEST Ben Shields Senior Lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management.

Ben Shields is a Senior Lecturer in Managerial Communication at the MIT. He studies the multibillion-dollar sports industry to identify broadly transferable management lessons in areas such as leadership communication, data-driven decision making, and innovation. 

Ben authored three books, Social Media Management: Persuasion in Networked Culture (Oxford University Press, 2016), The Sports Strategist: Developing Leaders for a High Performance Industry (Oxford University Press, 2015), and The Elusive Fan: Reinventing Sports in a Crowded Marketplace (McGraw-Hill, 2006), teaches and directs a number of courses and programs.  

Prior to MIT, Ben served as the Director of Social Media and Marketing at ESPN. He oversaw social media strategy for the ESPN brand and collaborated across the enterprise to develop and implement company-wide social strategy. He also worked on marketing strategy for several ESPN brands and sub-brands, including the SportsCenter “DaDaDa” campaign and the Emmy Award-winning “It’s Not Crazy, It’s Sports” brand campaign. 

Ben holds a BS and MA in communication studies and a PhD in media, technology, and society, all from Northwestern University. 

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Ben Shields

Naji: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I’m Naji your host for this episode, joined today by Ben Shields, senior lecturer in managerial communication at the MIT. Ben studies the multibillion dollar sports industry to identify broadly transferable management lessons in areas such as leadership, communication, data driven, decision making and innovation. Ben teaches a number of courses. And I had the privilege to be in one of those where…

The Scientist Leader – Angelique Adams

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SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
The Scientist Leader - Angelique Adams
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What if we start as leaders by sharing our own challenges, our vulnerabilities, our stories with our people? This might be the first step to bringing back humanity into leadership and building empathy with our teams. From engineering and technical expertise to leadership, executive coaching and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion role model, Angelique Adams shared her story, experiences, and learning with us. Focus on people, on their entire well-being and results at the same time, and most importantly care for the whole person they are. Finally, don’t forget to celebrate more your team, even the small wins!

“Help people have a seat at the table.”

MEET OUR GUEST Dr Angelique Adams, Author, speaker, and executive coach.

Angelique Adams is an author, speaker, and executive coach focusing on leadership development for scientists and engineers. Angelique is an engineer with 25 years of experience in operations, strategy, and innovation. She was Director of R&D at aluminum giant Alcoa, and Chief Innovation Officer at multibillion dollar steelmaker, Aperam. After leading hundreds of scientists and engineers around the world, she discovered her true passion is developing people, not products. 

Following the successful publication of her first book for women in STEM in 2021, she launched Angelique Adams Media Solutions, a distribution platform for her books, online courses, and coaching programs. Her second book, for women executives in college athletics will be out this summer.

Angelique lives in Knoxville with her husband and 2 children. She serves on the board of several local nonprofits and volunteers her time to mentor entrepreneurs. She has a Ph.D. from Penn State and an MBA from MIT.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Angelique Adams

Naji: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I’m Naji your host for this episode joined today by Dr. Angelique Adams, an author speaker, and executive coach focusing on leadership development for scientists and engineers. Angelique is an engineer with 25 years of experience in operations strategy and innovation. She was director of R and D. At aluminum, giant OAA and chief innovation officer at multibillion dollar steel maker, ARA after…

Multisolver Leader – Elizabeth Sawin

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SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Multisolver Leader - Elizabeth Sawin
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Sustainability is all about: how are we on this planet and how are we with each other? We can’t continue living on this planet looking at the world as a “pyramid”, a lens of supremacy and extraction of natural resources and labor. Every year of delay means losses and communities we can not recover… Thinking of the world as an interconnected web is the most important action we can take as leaders in each of the decisions we make. Think of it in a staff meeting ensuring all voices are being heard, while building your next manufacturing site ensuring it includes all lives and flows, think of circular economies…. The most impactful projects are the small ones who started to fix a problem that resolved another and entered in a positive loop of change improving the broader environment and community. The key for leaders is to keep a role of learners as we tackle these issues and make disruption of inequities part of our priorities.

“Lead by thinking of the world as an interconnected web.”

MEET OUR GUEST Elizabeth Sawin Founder and Director of the Multisolving Institute.

Elizabeth Sawin is the Founder and Director of the Multisolving Institute. Beth is an expert on solutions that address climate change while also improving health, well-being, equity, and economic vitality. She developed the idea of ‘multisolving’ to help people see and create the conditions for such win-win-win solutions. 

Beth writes and speaks about multisolving, climate change, and leadership in complex systems for both national and international audiences. Her work has been published widely, including in Non-Profit Quarterly, The Stanford Social Innovation Review, U. S. News, The Daily Climate, and System Dynamics Review.

She has trained and mentored global sustainability leaders in the Donella Meadows Fellows Program and provided systems thinking training to both Ashoka and Dalai Lama Fellows. Since 2014, Beth has participated in the Council on the Uncertain Human Future, a continuing dialogue on issues of climate change and sustainability among a select group of humanities scholars, writers, artists, and climate scientists. 

Beth is also a member of the advisory board to the Kresge Foundation’s Climate Change Health and Equity Program. A biologist with a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Beth co-founded Climate Interactive in 2010 and served as Climate Interactive’s Co-Director from 2010 until 2021. While at Climate Interactive, she led the scientific team that offered the first assessment of the sufficiency of country pledges to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2008. Beth also led Climate Interactive’s efforts to integrate measures of equity, health and well-being into decision support tools and computer simulations. 

Beth trained in system dynamics and sustainability with Donella Meadows and worked at Sustainability Institute, the research institute founded by Meadows, for 13 years. She has two adult daughters and lives in rural Vermont where she and her husband grow as much of their own food as they can manage.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Elizabeth Sawin

Naji: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I’m Naji your host for this episode joined by Elizabeth Sawin founder and director of the Multisolving Institute. Beth is an expert on solutions that address climate change while also improving health, wellbeing, equity, and economic fire fatality. She developed the idea of multisolving to help people see and create the conditions for such win-win solutions. Her work has been published widely. She…

Benevolent Leadership – Yacine Hadjiat

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SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Benevolent Leadership - Yacine Hadjiat
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Driven by curiosity, trying, failing, trying again while exploring the world, is what shaped Yacine Hadjiat’s incredible leadership journey. This curiosity led him to reinvent himself constantly, putting himself in vulnerable positions that taught him lessons we all should learn from: listen, ask, observe, understand, be open, stay humble and most importantly be benevolent as a leader. Start with the “who”, the people, the team to deliver exceptional innovations. Hear Yacine’s thoughts on digital health and innovation crystallized beautifully with his words “what excites me is what I don’t know yet, new vectors, new possibilities… digital will bring to health what internet brought to tech”.

“Define your why, bring the who, and work on the what.”

MEET OUR GUEST Dr Yacine Hadjiat Global Head of Biogen Digital Health Solutions

Dr Yacine Hadjiat holds medical degree with a specialization in Pain Management and supportive care (from both Paris Medical University and McGill University), as well as a MBA in Health Management. He has also completed several training courses and specializations in addiction, pediatric pain management, clinical research, health economics and Artificial Intelligence for Healthcare.

Throughout his career, he has covered several senior leadership positions in the pharmaceutical industry as well as clinical practice and academic medical research in Europe, US and Asia.

He started his journey in the pharmaceutical industry in France with Sanofi-Aventis in the Strategy and Public Affairs department before joining Grünenthal in Medical Affairs. He joined Mundipharma in 2011 in Paris where he served as Head of Medical Affairs for France, and then as Head of Medical Affairs for Europe based in Cambridge, UK, before moving to Singapore as Chief Medical Officer for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Latin America and Global Head of Medical for Consumer Healthcare. Currently, Yacine is the Global Head of Biogen Digital Health Solutions & Chief medical Officer. Based in paris, France.

Along with his career in the industry, Yacine had several years of clinical practice in pain and cancer care management including NGO work with Pain Without Borders especially in Africa and Asia and also fundamental and clinical research experience in the US at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Washington DC. He is also currently part of the French Health Institute (INSERM) in Public health research program.

Yacine also holds non-executive positions as advisor for governmental agencies in Singapore like the National Health Innovation Center (NHIC) and Entreprise Singapore, as well as MedTEch/healthTech incubators. He’s an author of several scientific publications from fundamental research science to clinical research projects, digital heath and health economics.

Yacine was recognised in 2018 as Top 50 Healthcare leaders at the SmartHealth conference in Dubai as a recognition for his work on equity in health and education. In 2019, he has also been awarded by the Association of Pharmaceutical Medicine Singapore (APMS) with the “Excellence in Medical Affairs Award” APMS is a chapter the International Federation of Associations of Pharmaceutical Physicians and Pharmaceutical Medicine (IFAPP).

Ethical Imagination – The Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi

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SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Ethical Imagination - The Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi
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We don’t get to sit every day with someone like Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi. His journey was inspired by incredible leaders he was fortunate to meet along the way. Noble prize laureates, or powerful figures in their community, who triggered questions around how to live a meaningful life. For Venerable Tenzin, in the history of humanity, the challenge of leadership is today more crucial than ever. Despite so many leadership programs thought in the best schools around the world, we suffer from a lack of ethical leadership… When we look around us, we are living in a society increasingly marked by a sense of polarization. More fear and hate than love and compassion. The world has quite often chosen to operate from a place of despair rather than from a place of hopefulness. “Hope is a game-changer”. 

No matter how small we think we are, individuals must recognize that they do have a voice, and need to exercise it; quoting Dalai Lama “if you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.” In a world where nothing is constant, maintain a healthy sense of curiosity and hopefulness, talk more with people who don’t believe in what you do …This is a powerful tool to value perspective in the complex society we live in.

This episode couldn’t have been timelier and resonate with the tense environment we are living in today.

“Aspiration + Reality = Hope.”

MEET OUR GUEST Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi president and CEO of the Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Venerable Tenzin is an innovative thinker, a philosopher, an educator, and a polymath monk. He is Founding Director of The Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a center dedicated to inquiry, dialogue, and education on the ethical and human dimensions of life. The Center at MIT has 6 Nobel Peace Laureates as its founding members and its programs run in 8 countries and expanding.

Venerable Tenzin’s unusual background encompasses entering a Buddhist monastery at the age of 10 to receiving graduate education at Harvard with degrees ranging from Philosophy to Physics to International Relations.

Venerable Tenzin serves on the Board of several academic, humanitarian, and religious organizations.  He is a recipient of several recognitions and awards, including a 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award from Harvard for his visionary contributions to humanity. 

Humbitious Leader – Amer Kaissi

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SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Humbitious Leader - Amer Kaissi
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Have you heard the latest word defining great Leadership? Humbitous. For Amer Kaissi, award winning Professor, exceptional leadership is all about humility and ambition combined.

While ambition might sound familiar, humility comes in 3 layers. First, relationship with ourselves: it’s about self-awareness, being aware of our strengths and areas of improvements, and looking at our capabilities as accurately as can. Second, relationship with others: it’s about generosity and giving time and effort to grow others. Finding appreciation to the intelligence of the group and having a growth mindset to go into every conversation with curiosity and assumption to learn something new. Lastly, relationship with the world: Taking the time to ponder in the grand scheme of things and acknowledge how small and insignificant we are. This layer comes as an “ego dissolver”.

When thinking of ambition in leadership, it is not narcissism. Unfortunately, narcissists tend to be chosen more for leadership position, however in the long run, they are ineffective leaders because they are self-centered, and not good team players: short term turn around but no long-lasting impact.

I will leave us as healthcare leaders with this last statement from Amer ”In Healthcare, humility is amplified by 100 because we are in the business of compassion and empathy.”

“Humility is looking at your capabilities as accurately as can.”

MEET OUR GUEST Amer Kaissi an award-winning professor of health-care administration at Trinity University, a Top-15 program.

Dr. Amer Kaissi is a professional speaker and a certified executive coach. His most recent book is “Humbitious: the power of low-ego, high-drive leadership.” He is an award-winning professor of health-care administration at Trinity University, a Top-15 program. His previous book, Intangibles: The Unexpected Traits of High-Performing Healthcare Leaders, won the 2019 ACHE Book of the Year Award.

He is a national speaker and a faculty member with ACHE, the University of Colorado Denver, and Boston College. Amer is the director of the Executive Program at Trinity University, where he teaches courses in leadership, professional development, and public speaking. Amer works with MEDI — a division of Navvis — and with the Leadership Development Group as an executive coach, and consults with hospitals and other organizations in their strategic planning efforts. Amer is also a certified executive and physician coach. He lives in San Antonio, Texas, with his wife and their two teenagers.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Amer Kaissi

Naji: Hello leaders of the word. Welcome to spread love in organizations, a podcast for purpose driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world, by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership and love. I’m Naji, your host, having the pleasure to chat today with Professor Amer Kaissi and discuss his most recent book Humbitious: The Power of Low-Ego, High-Drive Leadership. Amer is an award winning professor of healthcare administration at Trinity university, the top 15 program. His previous book Intangibles: The Unexpected Traits of High-performing Healthcare Leaders won the 2019 ACHE book of…

Lead Without Labels – Christi Shaw

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SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Lead Without Labels - Christi Shaw
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Looking back into your past, do you regret not taking the time to pause and cherish precious moments with your loved ones? Or not being there when they needed you the most? It is unlikely to listen to Christi Shaw and not pause and reflect on your personal story.

What strikes us is the strong sense of care, love, family and the desire to make an impact she conveys when sharing genuinely her story with us with all its highs and lows. Christi shares her lifelong learning and leadership philosophy “Never let success go to your head; never let failure go to your heart”. Because when you are at your best, you help people be at their best. For her, leadership is all about enabling others to move forward by leveraging what everybody brings to the table. It is about leading without labels, without hierarchy, and barriers to collaboration.

Listening to Christi, beyond respect, you can’t but admire her strength from miles away and the genuine soul behind the incredible leader she is… As she says, life is too short, and “we spend too many hours at work just to be respected and not loved”.

“My biggest learning:  being compassionate and spreading love and caring at work is a good thing.“

MEET OUR GUEST Christi Shaw Chief Executive Officer of Kite.

Christi Shaw serves as Chief Executive Officer of Kite, a Gilead Company. Kite is the only company with global scale dedicated exclusively to the research, commercialization and manufacturing of cell therapy to treat cancer.

Christi is driven by values, integrity and a deep connection to people living with cancer and their loved ones after losing both her mother and sister to cancer. Under Christi’s leadership, Kite has received four FDA approvals for its CAR T-cell therapies in just four years for certain types of blood cancer and is working to bring CAR T to more patients. Kite recently released 5-year patient survival data, a significant milestone showing durable long-term survival and suggestive of a potential cure for these patients.

Christi currently serves on the board of directors of Avantor and the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) and is on the executive committee and the board of directors of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO).

Christi holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Iowa State University and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin. She resides with her husband and son in Santa Monica, California.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Christi Shaw

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host, having the pleasure and honor to have with me today Christi Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of Kyte. Christi serves as CEO of Kite, Gilead’s cell therapy company. Based in Santa Monica, California, Kite is pursuing the ambitious goal of a cure for cancer with industry-leading pipeline and manufacturing capabilities. In her role, Christi is responsible for all…

Open Mind, Open Heart, Open Will – Otto Scharmer

Otto Scharmer Spreadloveio Quote
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Open Mind, Open Heart, Open Will - Otto Scharmer
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A transformational episode with a social transformer and thinker, Otto Scharmer. Hear in this episode from the creator of Theory U and the Presencing institute. The pandemic was a mirror of what is broken in our society. We all have a responsibility as leaders and change-makers to fix that, to improve the world, the planetary wellbeing. We can achieve that by sensing, feeling the emerging future possibilities, and embodying them now. Learning from the past is not good enough, we should learn from the emerging future… All we need to do is ask ourselves: What is mine to do? Find that one piece we are polishing as a leader and put it into the path of the future.

“Lead by activating the intelligence of the heart.”

MEET OUR GUEST Otto Scharmer, a social transformer, an MIT professor and incredible leader.

Otto is a Senior Lecturer at MIT and co-founder of the Presencing Institute. He chairs the MIT IDEAS program for cross-sector innovation and introduced the concept of “presencing”—learning from the emerging future—in his bestselling books Theory U and Presence. He is co-author of Leading from the Emerging Future, which outlines eight acupuncture points for transforming capitalism. His most recent book, The Essentials of Theory U summarizes the core principles and applications of awareness-based systems change.

In 2015 Otto co-founded the MITx u.lab and in 2020 the GAIA journey, which have activated a vibrant worldwide ecosystem of transformational change involving more than 200,000 users from 185 countries. Otto is a member of the UN Learning Advisory Council for the 2030 Agenda, the World Future Council, and the Club of Rome’s High-Level 21st Century Transformational Economics Commission.

Otto has won several prizes and received in 2021 the Elevating Humanity Award from the Organizational Development Network.

Be Useful To People – Theodore Leondaridis

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SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Be Useful To People - Theodore Leondaridis
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A “global citizen” as he defines himself, a leader and multicultural manager, we had the pleasure to host Theodore Leondaridis in this inspiring episode! He shared about how he built a culture of feedback, a culture of trust, where people feel safe to say what they think and thrive towards the shared purpose of the company. Theodore defines leadership as being useful for people; what a great example of loving leadership!

“Get on the boat and change!”

MEET OUR GUEST Theodore Leondaridis General Manager at Pierre Fabre Spain.

Theodore Leondaridis is General Manager at Pierre Fabre in Spain. He always wanted to be a veterinarian but then decided otherwise! Moving to Basic Science then ESCP business school in 2013, he then joined Pierre Fabre as a trainee in Corporate Business Development. Theodore then had different experiences as Financial Analyst, Global Oncology Launch Manager, Oncology Business Unit Director in Portugal, along with different leadership responsibilities. Theodore is now heading Pierre Fabre Medical Care in Spain as the General Manager where he is leading a team of more than 250 people.

Theodore is a global healthcare leader, a husband, and a father of 2 amazing young kids.

From Data To Impact – Georgia Perakis

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SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
From Data To Impact - Georgia Perakis
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From the island of Crete in Greece to the US, Georgia Perakis fulfilled her father’s dream. We wouldn’t have imagined that analytics could actually change the world and make a real difference. Georgia took it even further and talks about an analogy with data to understand the power of diversity and inclusion. Her pragmatic vision of using data is invaluable and makes us see things through a different lens. Start by filtering out the noise around big data and asking the big question: what is the problem I am trying to solve? Before big data, let’s start talking about “little data” and missing data to put things in order and see the big picture. Georgia definitely won her students’ hearts but also the analogy of the year by comparing MIT to a great candy store to choose from! Thank you for being who you are and for your exceptional leadership!

“The Love Large Numbers: Look at the long term goal, focus on the end outcome rather than looking at the present failure, persist… it will work out eventually.”

MEET OUR GUEST Georgia Perakis, Professor of Management, Operations Research, Statistics, and Operations Management.

Prof Georgia Perakis teaches at MIT Sloan courses and performs research in analytics, optimization, machine learning with applications in pricing, revenue management, supply chains, transportation, energy, and healthcare among others.

In her research, Georgia investigates the theory and practice of analytics and its role in operations problems. She has received numerous awards and has several prestigious publications.

Currently, Georgia serves as the co-director of the Operations Research Center, on the council for the College of Computing, and faculty director of the Executive MBA (EMBA) program at MIT Sloan. She is also the editor-in-chief of the M&SOM journal. Prior to that role, she had also served as America’s editor in chief of the Journal of Pricing and Revenue Management, as a department editor for the journal Service Science in the area of Analytics and as an associate editor for the flagship journals: Management Science, Operations Research, M&SOM, INFORMS Journal on Optimization, and as a senior editor for POM. She has served as the chair of the RMP Section of INFORMS and as the VP of Meetings of the MSOM Society of INFORMS.  

Georgia holds a BS in mathematics from the University of Athens as well as an MS in applied mathematics and a PhD in applied mathematics from Brown University.    

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Georgia Perakis

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this episode from our new series focused on us as leaders. I’m thrilled to be joined by an exceptional MIT professor of Management, Operations Research, Statistics and Operations Management: Georgia Perakis. Georgia teaches courses and performs research in analytics, optimization, machine learning with applications in pricing, revenue management, supply chains, transportation, energy, and healthcare among others.…

Strategic Apathy – Monty Sharma

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Strategic Apathy - Monty Sharma
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If you are looking for inspiration, straightforward and pragmatic advice, this episode is for you! Whether you are an entrepreneur looking to start and scale a business or a healthcare leader looking to have an impact, Monty’s authentic perspective will help you see things clearer. His favorite sentence “What the heck do I know” shows his powerful humility as he mentors hundreds of startups. Monty shares insights and guidance on how to build teams as an entrepreneur and build the crucial capabilities of a leader. Hope you will enjoy this open and candid discussion.

“Leadership has a moral obligation to help the team grow.”

MEET OUR GUEST Monty Sharma, serial entrepreneur, Managing Director of MassDiGI.

Monty Sharma is a serial entrepreneur, a mentor in several start-up programs, and currently Managing Director of MassDiGI. 

Prior to joining MassDiGI, Monty, a respected game industry and technology professional, was co-founder and general manager of Vivox, a voice chat service provider in the games industry with key relationships to EA, Sony, Ubisoft, Nexon, Bigpoint, and many others. Monty advises a number of game companies and is a veteran MassChallenge and MIT Sandbox mentor.

Be The Nice Kid – Rodrigo Verdi

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SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Be The Nice Kid - Rodrigo Verdi
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From Brazil to MIT Professor of Accounting awarded multiple times by his students with teaching awards, Rodrigo is more than an accounting expert and teacher, he is an incredible human leader who cares for his people and students. Listen to the best lessons of life learned in kindergarten, and many other inspiring reflections in this episode!

“Legacy in life has to be the people… Those you touched.”

MEET OUR GUEST Rodrigo Verdi Professor of Accounting at MIT Sloan.

Prof Rodrigo Verdi joined MIT in 2006 after receiving a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania. He has taught financial accounting to undergraduate, MBA, EMBA, and PhD students over the last 15 years, and has received five teaching awards at MIT and Sloan.

Rodrigo is Senior Editor at the Journal of Accounting Research, and has previously been Editor at The Accounting Review and Associate Editor at Management Science. His research has been published in the premier accounting and finance journals and has also received the Distinguished Contributions and Best Paper Award recognitions by the American Accounting Association.

Outside MIT, Rodrigo has served as head of the Governance Committee on the board of the Cambridge Ellis School over the last three years and as Advisor to the Provost at Unisinos University, a Jesuit university in southern Brazil with more than 30 thousand students.

Unapologetic Unconventional Love – Loredana Padurean

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Unapologetic Unconventional Love - Loredana Padurean
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In 1972, an army doctor created the terminology “soft and hard” skills as he saw success resided not only in having people with strong machine operation skills but also in having individuals who could manage and supervise teams, along with other skills. Half a century later the world transformed enough for us as leaders to change the terms! In this episode, Prof Loredana Padurean shares her philosophy on the skills of the 21st century: SMART and SHARP! From “treating people like people”, to “love with massive humility”, Loredana, the Unapologetically Unconventional Professor, shares her incredible journey, great research stories, and her leadership beliefs, all with a very fresh perspective on the world of today.

“The job is easy, the people are not.”

MEET OUR GUEST Pr. Loredana Padurean Associate Dean at the all-new Asia School of Business.

Prof Loredana Padurean Associate Dean at the all-new Asia School of Business, a collaboration between the Central Bank of Malaysia, MIT Sloan, and an International Faculty Fellow at MIT Sloan.

Loredana is the Faculty Director for Action Learning and Innovation and Entrepreneurship at ASB. She has been an energizing force behind the establishment of the school. Under her leadership, the Action Learning program at ASB was recognized repeatedly as one of the most innovative programs in the world.  She is an international keynote and TedX speaker. She has taught in various MIT Sloan executive programs, at IMD, as well as in major companies. Prof. Loredana has an MA in Communication and Economics and a PhD in Management from USI Switzerland.

Find more about Smart x Sharp and the white paper here.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Loredana Padurean

Naji: Hello, leaders of the word. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose driven healthcare leaders, striving to make lives better around the words by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership and love. I’m Naji, your host for this episode, we’re joined by Professor Loredana Padurean, associate dean at the all new Asia School of Business, the collaboration between the central bank of Malaysia, MIT Sloan, and the international faculty fellow at MIT, Sloan. Loredana is the faculty director for action learning and innovation and entrepreneurship at ASB. She has been an energizing force…

Sharing Vulnerability – Naji Gehchan

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Sharing Vulnerability - Naji Gehchan
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36 episodes later, we are closing the year and our first season with a unique episode.
Going from the principle that everyone has a story worth telling, Jill Donahue hijacked the mic and turned the table… and the host became the guest.

“Everyone has a story to tell.”

Naji Gehchan

MEET OUR GUEST Naji Gehchan or your host for the past 35 episodes.

Confidence with Competence – Elsbeth Johnson

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Confidence with Competence - Elsbeth Johnson
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High capability with low ego is the crucial combination for leaders of the future. It enables putting customers, businesses, purpose, and most importantly the people and the next generation of leaders before oneself. Hear from Prof Elsbeth Johnson on leadership, transformation, and more about the powerful framework she has developed after years of research on how to lead strategic change, and published recently in her great book: Step up and Step Back: How to Really Deliver Strategic Change in Your Organization.

“Great good ahead of benefit.”

MEET OUR GUEST Elsbeth Johnson Senior Lecturer at MIT Sloan and expert in leadership, strategy, and change.

Dr. Elsbeth Johnson is Senior Lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management and an expert on leadership, strategy, and change. The main focus of her research is on what leaders need to do to help their organizations execute strategy, or deliver long-term, strategic change, without the need for the leader’s ongoing, personal involvement. Prior to joining MIT, Elsbeth was taught leadership at London Business School and London School of Economics.

Prior to academia, Dr. Johnson worked as an investment banker, a sell-side equity analyst, and a corporate strategist. She also spent three years as a special adviser to the first Blair Government in the UK.

As a consultant and executive educator, Elsbeth has worked with a range of companies, helping them develop their strategy and the capabilities and culture that will deliver it.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Elsbeth Johnson

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this exciting episode from our new series focused on us as leaders. I’m joined by Professor Elsbeth Johnson, Senior Lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management and an expert on leadership, strategy and change. The main focus for her research is on what leaders need to do to help their organizations execute strategy, or deliver long-term,…

Not Tough Love, True Love – Enrique Conterno

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Not Tough Love, True Love - Enrique Conterno
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For our 34th episode, we talked to Enrique Conterno about his remarkable journey. Enrique talks about the importance of taking chances and risks in careers. There is no formula when it comes to building a sustainable business with strong performing teams. It’s all about centering and focusing on the common purpose and the key values. Enrique explains the importance of implementing a culture of empowerment in an organization, leading to more accountability, thus teams will genuinely contribute to the success of their organization. Enrique shares with us his vision on leading in moments of crisis – “It is critical to remain true to your value, stick to your north star, otherwise one can get lost”. Crisis challenges us on many levels, but it’s an opportunity itself if it is framed the right way. It’s all a matter of refocusing the priority and staying grounded. When asked about work-life balance, Enrique stresses the importance of time and space to replenish and refresh. 

“It’s not about tough love, but rather true love.”

MEET OUR GUEST Enrique Conterno Chief Executive Officer at Fibrogen.

A native of Peru, Enrique is a mechanical engineer with an MBA from Duke. He joined Eli Lilly in 1992 and spent the next two decades working in the U.S. and internationally across sales, marketing, finance, business development, and general management roles. Enrique became the President of Lilly Diabetes in 2009. In addition to those responsibilities, he took on the role of President of Lilly USA in January 2017 before retiring at the end of 2019 after 27 years of service with the company. Enrique is now the CEO of Fibrogen.

Some great articles Enrique wrote in “Fortune” can be seen here.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Enrique Conterno

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to “Spread Love in Organizations”, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host today, excited to be joined by Enrique Conterno CEO of Fibrogen.  A native of Peru, Enrique is a mechanical engineering with an MBA from Duke. He joined Eli Lilly in 1992 and spent the next two decades working in the U.S. and internationally across sales, marketing, finance, business development, and general management roles. Enrique became the President…

Incredibly organized? Operationally efficient? Or maybe just lazy.

For some time I’ve been thinking about a constant question I get: how do you find time to do all you do (successfully I hope); Work as a leader and executive in biopharma, family with two amazing young daughters, executive MBA at MIT, podcast host, some other entrepreneurship ventures, training, friends… and constantly, I have the voice of my mother telling me when I was younger: “come on, speed it up, do more, stop wasting your time!” Let me share something I never shared before: I really think I’m lazy!

As weird as it can sound, I get things done because I love getting to a point where I can do nothing. This shapes my organizational and operational efficiency. Combined to my constant search for excellence, it always helped me getting things done pretty good and the fastest route possible. When I was at high school and med school, I always woke up at 4 or 5am to get studies done as soon as I could so I can enjoy my afternoons free. And I kept this ever since, but instead of afternoons, it is now more evenings or few hours I intentionally take with my family and/or for myself. Those moments of doing nothing are precious! These are the times where my neurons interconnect and talk to one another unconditionally. This is when I get most creative! 

I finally managed to get things straight on this topic while talking to a Professor last week. I get things done, on many fronts and in parallel, because I’m operationally efficient, which in my mom’s words and in my mind equals to being lazy.

No more fear of some day someone discovering it (yes that goes along with my impostor syndrome). In fact, I will be looking from now on for amazing leaders who spread love in their organizations and are lazy enough to get things done beautifully and efficiently.

Water the Garden with Love – Daena Giardella

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SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Water the Garden with Love - Daena Giardella
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Daena Giardella’s background is quite unique, she has enjoyed dual careers in business organizational development and in the performing arts for over twenty-five years. She makes an analogy between art and leadership…Because both careers are all about making connections with people and telling the stories that need to be told. Daena gives us her perspective on fostering a safe culture while still being in the hybrid environment missing the human live connections. Today we are at an inflection point, with a strong generational awareness about the psychological dimension of life-work balance and most importantly what to expect from work. Daena’s word of wisdom to all leaders out there is to stop and reflect so they can repair and inspire and keep building exceptional things around them. Hope you will enjoy this heartfelt discussion, happy listening!

“Find a way to reflect so you can repair and inspire.”

MEET OUR GUEST Daena Giardella Senior Lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management and a Faculty Affiliate of the MIT Leadership Center.

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Daena has been an organizational leadership, teams consultant, and executive coach as well as a media, communication, and presentation consultant for over twenty-five years.

Before being a senior lecturer at MIT and teaching numerous amazing courses, Daena has enjoyed dual careers in business organizational development and in the performing arts. She combines these backgrounds to design innovative educational programs for numerous world-class companies, organizations, and academic institutions in the USA and abroad.

A fact I learned recently, Daena is also a talented actor who received kudos in the USA and internationally, the Boston Globe has called her an “impressive talent” and she definitely is an impressive talent, an impressive leader, coach, and an amazing person.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Daena Giardella

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. In this episode, get ready to learn and be inspired as I have the honor to be with Daena Giardella, a Senior Lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management and a Faculty Affiliate of the MIT Leadership Center. Daena has been an organizational leadership consultant and executive coach as well as a media, communication, and presentation consultant for over twenty-five years.…

The Trusted Voice – Adam Brown

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SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
The Trusted Voice - Adam Brown
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From impact as a front-line emergency physician to Chief Impact Officer, Dr. Adam Brown could not stay siloed in a single service line. He always believed in visionary leadership, powered by the trust component to be seen as the trusted voice. Dr. Brown takes us back to the early days of the pandemic talking about the number of deaths that could have been prevented, only if there were more trusted voices out there! We all assume there is health literacy and health illiteracy, whereas there are different types of literacy.

When asked about equity, Adam thinks that the concept is still misunderstood; equity is not about equality, because access doesn’t give you usage. To improve health, we need first to acknowledge the problem and identify the drivers of inequities, then start addressing all social determinants. Diversity alone is not the full answer to equality, neither is inclusion nor equity.; we need to have the 3 pieces of those parts to get to a sustainable solution. And this is only the beginning of a long journey! Thank you, Adam, for sharing your vision and genuine belief in the reality of humanity’s kindness and altruism. 

“Equity is not about equality […] access does not mean usage.”

MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Adam Brown Chief Impact Officer at Envision Healthcare.

Adam began as a front-line emergency physician with progressive clinical and administrative roles throughout the mid-Atlantic and Midwest, becoming the President of the nation’s largest Emergency Medicine practice at Envision Healthcare. During the first waves of the COVID pandemic, he continued to serve as President of Emergency Medicine and was named Chair of the COVID Task Force for all specialties at Envision. That year, the CEO also appointed him to the role as an Executive Sponsor of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). In 2021, he assumed the role of a newly created position at Envision as the Chief Impact Officer and has continued in his roles in the pandemic response and DEI.

As an emergency physician and healthcare executive, Adam has a driving passion to improve the lives of patients. Using the skills and influence he’s gained as a healthcare business leader and physician, he is expanding his reach to improve the health of millions of lives. His abilities as an outstanding communicator, visionary leader, and strategist position him as a recognized thought leader in the industry and beyond. 

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Adam Brown

Naji: Hello leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, a podcast for purpose driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership and love. I’m Naji your host for this episode. And I am thrilled to be joined by an outstanding communicator, a visionary leader, a healthcare thought leader, and one of the most amazing frontline emergency physicians. Dr. Adam Brown, Adam began as a frontline emergency physician with progressive clinical and administrative roles throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest becoming the president of the nation’s largest…

Outsider To Coach – Gayle Grader

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SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Outsider To Coach - Gayle Grader
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In every possible way, we are all made up of stories that we accept and acknowledge. These stories shape how we see and define ourselves. Growing up in an immigrant family of 8 adopted children, Gayle Grader was perceived as an outsider. This experience was foundational to who she is today and what she wants to achieve in life; “You can be the outsider and look in” Gayle says. By being the outsider girl, she learned the skill of observation and developed a curiosity in people and society. 

In this episode, we discussed the common trait of leaders throughout history; answered complex questions, are we born or made leaders? Talked about optionality and how to mute the noise to find the signal and focus on the legacy we want to leave behind.

How we arrange the plot points of our story into a narrative, can shape who we are; and to know Gayle’s story is to know her philosophy and life’s ultimate purpose: Bringing impact and scale by helping talents unleash their authentic themselves to lead the organization.

“Be fully engaged with who you are…accept the peak and valley of your journey.”

MEET OUR GUEST Gayle Grader Executive Coach and Director of Executive Career Development at MIT Sloan.

Gayle Grader is an Executive Career Coach and the Director of Executive Career Development for MIT Sloan. She oversees the Executive Career Development Team and is responsible for setting the programming strategy, delivering career education workshops, and providing one-on-one executive coaching.

Before joining Sloan in 2018, she spent 13 years as a strategy consultant and business coach working with wide-ranging companies from Fortune 500 to start-ups. In her early career, before she took a hiatus to start a family, Gayle worked in consulting, investment banking, asset management, and executive search.

Gayle has a passion for understanding leadership and how great leaders become the people they are; she can be frequently found reading historical and contemporary biographies building up her perspective on what causes some to become those great leaders who go down in history books.

Live Your Purpose – Jill Donahue

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SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Live Your Purpose - Jill Donahue
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Reflecting on a personal unfortunate experience, led her to understand the missing piece of the puzzle she was always trying to figure out. Jill Donahue understood early on that articulating the “Why” will only connect you more to the difference you want to make in the world and eventually impact patient outcomes. Jill is an avid reader and will always refer to studies and research to support what she preaches. In this episode, she referred to Daniel Pink, Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose framework, being the key to exceptional performance.

Today, we have a greater set of expectations of our leaders that goes beyond delivering bottom-line performance and increasing shareholders’ value, because the ripple effect of spreading love and being purpose-driven is key to thriving in any organization.

“When you connect with your purpose, things will change for you.”

MEET OUR GUEST Jill Donahue Author, Speaker, Co-founder Aurora Project, Associate Editor at HS&M Magazine, and Cofounder of Excellerate.

Jill Donahue is on a mission to lift pharma! As a global thought leader in pharma, she won multiple awards for her work, author of 2 books (including the award-winning EngageRx: The 3 Keys to Patient-focused Growth), delivering talks at global conferences, publishing in industry journals, and serving pharma teams.

When Jill was 35 her father died of an avoidable prescribing error. As a pharma person reflecting on her family’s loss, she pictured the closed door. She, since then, strives to lift Pharma by inspiring our people to be more purpose-driven and enabling them to be more engaged and engaging. She believes in a world where pharma professionals contribute to better patient outcomes and better business outcomes simultaneously. Where they feel proud and can make a difference for themselves, their companies, and most importantly to patients. 

Jill is the co-founder and managing director of Excellerate, She also co-founded The Aurora Project; a global volunteer group of thought leaders trying to illuminate commercial pharma’s path to patient centricity.

Here’s a list of Jill’s recommended readings with a summary of her take about each of them. Enjoy!

  1. The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
  2. The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle
  3. Meaningful Work by Shawn Askinosie
  4. Everybody Matters by Bob Chapman and Raj Sisodia
  5. Intrinsic Motivation at Work by Kenneth Thomas
  6. Selling with a Noble Purpose by Lisa Earle McLeod
  7. Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
  8. Give and Take by Adam Grant
  9. Taking People with You by David Novak
  10. The Purpose Economy by Aaron Hurst
  11. The Purpose Effect by Dan Pontefract
  12. Turn this Ship Around by David Marquet
  13. Grow by Jim Stengel

Purpose & People – Amy Edmondson

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SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Purpose & People - Amy Edmondson
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It is our responsibility as leaders to build fearless organizations. Organizations with low interpersonal fear for our people to be willing to speak-up their ideas, their beliefs, their thoughts, their experiments, their doubts, and team-up with one another for the greater good: it is not about me but about us. I had the immense pleasure to chat with Prof Amy Edmondson who pioneered work on psychological safety in organizations and its importance in leading successful teams. Enjoy the practical advice and words of wisdom in this special episode.

“Love is an invisible force that keeps us going.”

MEET OUR GUEST Amy Edmondson, Professor of Leadership and Management at Harvard Business School.

Edmondson is the Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at the Harvard Business School. She teaches, writes, and “ruminates” (as she says) on organizational learning, psychological safety, leadership, and teaming. Edmondson is one of the most renowned thought leaders who won multiple awards and published the best book we’ve read. Her most recent book, “Fearless Organizations: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth” is a must – not only to read – but a must to learn and do in our organizations.

Her prior books – Teaming: How organizations learn, innovate and compete in the knowledge economy, Teaming to Innovate, and Extreme Teaming – explore teamwork in dynamic organizational environments. In Building the future: Big teaming for audacious innovation, she examines the challenges and opportunities of teaming across industries to build smart cities.

We will let you enjoy listening to this episode, and promise you to experience Edmondson’s impact on many of us leaders trying to make the world we all inhabit a better place.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Amy Edmondson

Naji: Hello leaders of the world. Welcome to SpreadLove in Organizations, a podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world, by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I’m Naji, your host for this exciting episode from our new series focused on us, as leaders. I still can’t believe with who I’ll be chatting today and not sure if I even need to introduce my guest, Amy Edmondson. Amy is the Novartis Professor of leadership and management at the Harvard business school. She teaches rights and “ruminates”, as she says, on organizational…

The Fire from Within – Panos Alexakos

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SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
The Fire from Within - Panos Alexakos
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“Integrity is the highest value that I have” Panos Alexakos summarizes in these words the purest version of leadership. You are not meant to be perfect, do not be afraid to talk about where you come from, your journey…and always make sure to check on the fire within you. Panos experience and reflections on his journey are so powerful and humbling. Fear keeps us human, and it is ok to show our vulnerability… Building a speak-up culture is more than ever what we need for us to navigate through all the crossroads that we come across in life.

“Never let your hands shame your face.”

MEET OUR GUEST Panos Alexakos, Head of Integrity & Compliance Novartis Pharmaceuticals European Region.

Panos Alexakos was appointed Head of Integrity and Compliance, Region Europe, Pharmaceuticals, in July 2018. He was previously Head of Central and Eastern Europe. Panos has been with Novartis for over 20 years and has worked in senior leadership roles in Greece, Germany, the UK and in Switzerland. Panos brings with him experience from Oncology, Specialty and Primary Care and also the Consumer Health Division.
In his role, Panos partners with the rest of the business to build the leading ethical pharmaceutical company in the world. Panos holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Media Communications and a Masters of Business Administration. Between receiving his MBA
and joining Novartis, he served as an Officer in the Hellenic Military Air Force, and held Sales and Marketing positions with Johnson & Johnson Greece.

Panos was born in Athens, Greece and currently resides in Basel, Switzerland. When not working and not spending time with his family Panos enjoys participating in endurance events.

People Come First – Johanna Hising DiFabio

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
People Come First - Johanna Hising DiFabio
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Chatting with a leader whose passion and purpose is to develop innovative principled leaders has a special taste! This is what Johanna Hising DiFabio, Assistant Dean Sloan Fellows MBA and Executive MBA at MIT thrive for! Johanna’s inspiring personal story moving from her home country Sweden, to growing up in different European countries, then coming to the US to pursue her education, her personal experience with healthcare, and her passion for people, bring a different cultural lens of how communities come together to learn, both from their similarities and differences. Johanna is an incredibly inspiring leader fostering this lens of diversity and her leadership beliefs through the programs she leads at MIT, impacting hundreds of leaders joining those programs every year striving to invent the future.

“Have the courage to speak your opinion and truth.”

MEET OUR GUEST Johanna Hising DiFabio Assistant Dean, Sloan Fellows MBA & Executive MBA at MIT Sloan.

Johanna leads all aspects of the Sloan Fellows MBA & Executive MBA programs at MIT Sloan by collaborating with faculty on the development of innovative curricula; co-working with global organizations on action learning labs to help them meet pressing strategic issues; and, with us, students to create a learning environment that is second-to-none in terms of the personal development and career enhancement.

Johanna is passionate about leadership and leadership development and that is why she joined MIT a decade ago. There is no better place for that and it is reflected in MIT Sloan’s mission: “to develop principled, innovative leaders who improve the world and to generate ideas that advance management practice.”

Kill The Dragons – Chinedu Echeruo

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Kill The Dragons - Chinedu Echeruo
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In this special episode, you’ll hear from a serial entrepreneur who successfully sold one of his companies to Apple and is now dedicating his life to helping people achieve their own goals of imagination by “removing the dragons to human subjective progress”. He is now co-founder and “dreamer” of Love & Magic Company working with leaders and organizations on “magic” to turn potential into reality, putting structure in their imagination, making electricity, and bringing potential to life.

“Every uniqueness is a part of the human tapestry.”

MEET OUR GUEST Chinedu Echeruo a serial entrepreneur who has dared to invent the future.

Chinedu believes that individuals, empowered by imagination and inspiration, can solve virtually any problem. He dared to invent the future starting in 2005, when he founded HopStop, the pioneering travel app that helped millions of users navigate public transportation in major metropolitan areas around the world that Apple acquired in 2013. Chinedu also founded Tripology, a lead-generation and referral business for the travel industry. Tripology was acquired by Rand McNally and now owned by USA Today.

Chinedu cofounded “Love & Magic Company” to co-build beloved organizations with innovative partners.

Prior to completing his MBA, Chinedu spent several years at J.P Morgan Chase where he was involved in a broad range of M&A, financing, and private equity transactions.
Chinedu has been featured in multiple media, including and is committed to making the world a better, more cohesive place through the free flow of information.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Chinedu Echeruo

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this very special episode with Chinedu Echeruo, a serial entrepreneur, Dreamer and cofounder of Love and Magic Company! Chinedu believes that individuals, empowered by imagination and inspiration, can solve virtually any problem. He dared to invent the future starting in 2005, when he founded HopStop, the pioneering travel app that helped millions of users navigate public…

When Magic Happens – Barry Stein

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
When Magic Happens - Barry Stein
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From growing up in South Africa, in the apartheid era, to his early years in medical school, before moving to Canada and then the US, Barry Stein’s story and vision of the world is so humbling. Aware of the privilege he had in South Africa, Barry understood early on that you must develop a capacity of change management to change paradigm fixed in the mindset not only of a community but sometimes globally. In this episode we covered the aspects of innovation and entrepreneurship, being the catalyst and frameworks to solve problems in healthcare and accelerate new ideas for sustainable positive impact. When asked about change, Barry’s advice was to forget about interpersonal issues, surround yourself with people with talents, forget about the persona sitting around the table and focus on the mission and the vision that excites the group…. this is where the magic happens.

“You feel loved when you feel heard”

MEET OUR GUEST Dr Barry Stein, Chief Clinical Innovation Officer and Chief Medical Informatics Officer for Hartford HealthCare (HHC).

Barry Stein, MD MBA FSIR FACR RPVI, is the Chief Clinical Innovation Officer and Chief Medical Informatics Officer for Hartford HealthCare (HHC) where he also practices as a Vascular and Interventional Radiologist and is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. He has held numerous leadership positions including Chief Imaging Informatics Officer at HHC, Vice Chair of Radiology, Chief of Cardiovascular MRI & CT, and Director of the Advanced Imaging and Quantitative Analysis Core Laboratory at Hartford Hospital.

Barry graduated with his executive MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management. He received his post graduate medical training at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, where he did his Radiology residency, served as Chief Resident, and completed fellowships in MRI and Vascular & Interventional Radiology. He received his medical degree from the University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa. Barry is board certified by the American Board of Radiology in Diagnostic Radiology and Vascular and Interventional Radiology and is a fellow of both the Society of Interventional Radiology and American College of Radiology. He is a recognized expert in cardiovascular MRI and CT and was one of the pioneers in Magnetic Resonance Angiography. Barry continues to remain engaged at MIT serving on the Sloan Alumni Board, participating as an invited lecturer in courses on Innovation as well as Quantitative and Qualitative approaches to leadership, is a mentor for LinQ programs in the MIT Institute for Medical Engineering & Science, a host to students from the MIT Initiative for Health Systems Innovation, as well as a co-principal investigator conducting clinical and operational heath systems analytics research in collaboration with Sloan faculty at HHC.

Barry is currently focused on leveraging technology, and building a differentiated healthcare Innovation ecosystem at HHC, to accelerate clinical transformation.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Barry Stein

Naji: Hello leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, a podcast for purpose driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world, by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership and love. I’m Naji, your host today, honored to be with Dr. Barry Stein, chief clinical innovation officer and chief medical informatics officer for Hartford Healthcare. He also practices as a vascular and interventional radiologist. Dr. Stein is also an assistant clinical professor at the University of Connecticut school of medicine and has held numerous prestigious leadership positions at Hartford Hospital. Barry graduated with…

People Over Projects – Julie Rachline

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
People Over Projects - Julie Rachline
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In today’s episode, we get to sit with Julie Rachline, CEO at LallianSe. We will deep dive into Julie’s experience as an entrepreneur living by a very genuine motto: Be an opportunity for others! Taking us through her personal journey, and learnings on choosing people over projects, simply because good people lead to great projects and generate outstanding impact. 

“Be an opportunity for others.”

MEET OUR GUEST Julie Rachline Founder and Chief Executive Officer at LallianSe since 2015.

PhD in Neuropharmacology and ESCP Business School Alumni, Julie Rachline is a serial entrepreneur and former VC driven by passion for innovation and science. With more than a decade of experience as an early- stage and growth capital investor in France and Europe combined with two years as a head-hunter, she founded LallianSe in 2015 and is the Integrator’s CEO since.

LallianSe integrator builds the foundations for better health by relying on the LallianSe community of Experts, which offers outsourced management of key responsibilities to steer operations towards success as well as hospital immersion, with coworking spaces combined with dedicated events for innovation in healthcare.

Julie is also co-founder and CEO of Braintale, leader of Invest Health, the commercial affiliate of EIT Health , evaluator for the European Commission with EIC programs and independent board member of DTA Medical, Virdis and TechToMed.

A Mindful Moment – Shavasana

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
A Mindful Moment - Shavasana
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“Be brave, and show your voice to the world.”

“All children are born artists” but how to remain artists as we grow up? 

Do not put a ceiling on what you think, just like kids, do not be frightened to be wrong. Pause and focus on your inner WHY, What aspires you? What kind of footprint do you want to leave behind…

Let’s take 5min out of our busy schedules to pause and enjoy a mindful moment.

Thank you Andrea for always reminding us what really matters!  

Go Where You Are Loved – Rob Salafia

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Go Where You Are Loved - Rob Salafia
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What can we take from being an art performer to becoming an exceptional leader? A silver line connects both: you have to shift your perspective and be genuinely interested in your audience, your people, allowing them to better connect with you. We all have a story, and we all have far more in common than what differentiates us. Understanding the core of humanity, our cultural background, and experiences make us unique, appreciate each point of view… From his hard beginning in the art to his unique experience in Nepal, to becoming a renowned performer and now an executive coach and leader, you’ll hear in this episode Rob’s stories and great advice for us to become better leaders, expanding our boundaries, bringing the quality of tolerance, appreciation of difference to a whole new level.

“Cultivate Positivity… Only if we have a positive view on the world, we are able to bring our best selves forward, and allow everybody else bring theirs as well.”

MEET OUR GUEST Rob Salafia an Author, Speaker, Executive Coach and CEO of Protagonist Consulting Group.

Rob combines two decades of experience as a top leadership development executive with a well-established career in the performing arts. He has a passion for coaching leaders to develop their presence, tell compelling stories and establish authentic connections.

Rob is the author of – Leading From Your Best Self – an amazing book I strongly recommend.

What is unique about Rob is that for the first half of his career he was a performing artist where he traveled the globe delivering his unique, one-person variety show. Rob is a lecturer in MIT Sloan School of Management and an MIT Leadership Center Master Executive Coach. Over the past 20 years, Rob has worked with numerous Fortune 500 companies.

Linking Balcony to Basement – Lien Le

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Linking Balcony to Basement - Lien Le
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When asked about leadership, you certainly don’t expect to hear about basements and balconies… Our guest Lien Le is definitely not an architect but a dedicated physician with inspiring vulnerabilities, and powerful stories. Lien has a very interesting perspective on leadership and building performing teams: It’s all about leading from the basement! All the stories that came out of the pandemic confirmed her firm belief in the true role of leaders: “Find your own checkpoints and get other people back to the path you initially set”. Hope you will enjoy this heart-to-heart conversation as much as we did.

“Spreading love starts by building human connections one at a time…maybe over a cookie.”

MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Lien Le, Medical Director of Inpatient Medicine at Newton Wellesley Hospital, Massachusetts.

Dr. Le focuses on operations, strategic and business planning for the Hospitalist Division through partnerships with clinical services at Newton Wellesley Hospital and hospitals within the Mass General Brigham Health System. Most recently, Lien led COVID-19 physician redeployment efforts for the Division of Hospital Medicine as well as other key COVID-19 inpatient surge operations. She oversees strategy, budget, operations, recruitment, staffing, as well as professional development for the medical staff of the unit.

In addition, Dr. Le is the co-founder of the Surgical Preparation and Negaviation Clinic, a perioperative clinic designed to risk stratify and optimize patients undergoing elective surgeries. Dr. Le continues her clinical practice as a hospitalist physician while also being an Assistant Clinical Professor at Tufts Medical School. Dr. Le received her internal medicine residency training at Boston Medical Center. She attended Dartmouth and Brown Medical Schools. She is currently a student at MIT Sloan Executive MBA program. Lien was born in Vietnam and immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 13.

From a Place of Love – Theresa Hummel-Krallinger

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
From a Place of Love - Theresa Hummel-Krallinger
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What are the reasons and the differentiator that makes your organization a place you want to spend 8-10 hours a day working for? How to become an employer of choice? What is at the heart of your organization? Theresa Hummel-Krallinger an Emmy Award-winning comedian, senior training professional and performance consultant will tell us more about how to approach everything in the workplace from a place of love!

“When we come to work we have to bring our whole self…we cannot check our humanity at the door.”

MEET OUR GUEST Theresa Hummel-Krallinger Corporate Prophet and Laughologist.

Theresa Hummel-Krallinger an Emmy Award-winning comedian, well-respected senior training professional and performance consultant, founder of High Five performance, BUT it is her work as a humorist and motivational speaker that sets her apart.  Known for her lively and interactive presentation style, she is a frequently requested speaker on topics of leadership, career management, organizational culture and workplace communications. 

Theresa is the past president of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of Association for Talent Development (ATD), and is the past president for a local Toastmasters club.  She has been a featured speaker at numerous regional and international conferences.   She facilitates “Meet the Author at the Pyramid Club,” which has been named one of the top 10 best networking associations by the Philadelphia Business Journal.  She won an Emmy in 2019 for her work on the PBS talk show, “Counter Culture.”

Be Here Now – Angel Perez Angejo

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Be Here Now - Angel Perez Angejo
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Get ready to have your mind challenged with what social impact really means! In this episode, we will dive into Angel Perez’s passion which became his company’s purpose to build a better world. The “promised land is not about the output but the impact”! With the U.N. climate change report this week, this episode couldn’t be more timely. We are in a “code red for humanity” leaving us all accountable for the future of the generations to come. 

“Only companies that include impact at the core of their business will be successful in the coming years.”

MEET OUR GUEST Angel Perez Angejo founder and Managing Partner at Transcendent, a Business Impact consulting firm. He has an extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, leading commercial organizations as a general manager and marketing leader.

Angel is the founder and managing partner of Transcendent,  a consulting firm specializing in business impact, ESG active management, sustainability, and definition/ activation of business purpose. Transcendent is a certified BCorp.

Over the last 4 years Transcendent has worked with multinationals, family businesses, public listed companies, and SMEs in multiple sectors, as well as with fund managers.

Prior to Transcendent, Ángel worked for 20 years at Eli Lilly where, among other positions, he was Managing Director of Denmark and  Senior Director for Marketing, Operations and Transformation for Europe, Australia and Canada.

He is also a visiting professor at the University of Navarra and a mentor of social entrepreneurs.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Angel Perez

Naji: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I’m Naji and in this episode, get ready to have your mind challenged with what social impact really means. We’ll dive in a leader’s passion that became now his company’s purpose to build a better word. Angel Perez is founder and managing partner at transcendent, a business impact consulting firm. He has an extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, leading commercial organizations as…

The Infinite Person – Rhie Lim

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
The Infinite Person - Rhie Lim
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From her experience as a journalist at CNBC in Korea to her move to the USA and now co-founding a biotech startup transforming research… Rhie-young Lim shares her story, and learnings inspired by her Asian culture, talking about grit and execution but most importantly about universal language, building a startup, and performing teams working for a shared vision and purpose. 

“Every different perspective makes us richer.”

MEET OUR GUEST Rhie-young Lim Chief Operations Officer at LifeCanvas Technologies. Rhie cofounded Lifecanvas, an MIT biotech startup that is transforming biological tissue processing and phenotyping to radically improve human health.

Since the startup’s incorporation 3 years ago, Rhie has successfully led fundraising and exclusive licensing efforts and has grown the company into a profitable venture. She now oversees day-to-day operations spanning marketing, sales, distribution, as well as talent management, and long-term strategy and planning. Previously, Rhie brought the very first overseas MIT entrepreneurship Bootcamp to Seoul, South Korea, and was a financial correspondent for CNBC Asia for 6 years!

True Self-Leadership – Sebastian Sorsaburu

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
True Self-Leadership - Sebastian Sorsaburu
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Episode 17 is here, and we are joined by Sebastian Sorsaburu, Vice President, Global Medical Affairs, Specialty Care Head at AbbVie. Sebastian has an interesting take on leadership, team building, and self-awareness. This episode is all about how to stay true to yourself and lead by example to get to a point where the “total of your work is bigger than the sum of the parts”. It is also a wake-up call to all leaders to nurture self-leadership, and practice self-awareness, and self-knowledge.

“We are the sum of our focused moments – Focus is the true multiplier.”

MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Sebastian Sorsaburu Vice President, Global Medical Affairs, Specialty Care Head at AbbVie. Sebastian’s passion is to help bridge the gap between Scientific Innovation and Clinical Practice to help optimize Health Population Outcomes.

Dr. Sorsaburu is a Physician executive with 20 years of portfolio management and leadership experience across Research & Development functions, in multiple geographies and therapeutic areas.

Sebastian is passionate about understanding and prioritizing effectively in 3 major areas.

1. Building high-performing teams by attracting, nurturing, and developing talent, by fostering a culture of diversity, belonging, and innovation, and giving special attention to communication frequency and style.
2. Driving Performance to deliver results that matter to patients, the organization and the broader enterprise.
3. Shaping the future through horizon scan (science, clinical practice, policy, capabilities), dynamic organizational design and digital culture transformation to accelerate learning and performance operating under 3 principles to evolve the ways we work: autonomy, collaboration and speed.

Sebastian is the author of over 40 scientific documents including 20 peer-reviewed publications, regulatory safety and clinical trial dossiers, NDA and IND submissions.

Brutal Honesty with Realistic Optimism – Rob Brown

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Brutal Honesty with Realistic Optimism - Rob Brown
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In this episode, you will hear from Rob Brown, CEO of a biotech, talking about the core element of any business: The TEAM. He takes us down memory lane, from his different positions as an executive in marketing, sales, and HR, from pharma to biotech…
A common thread on this journey seems to be relevant to any sector or business: Following a strategy is one thing but owning it first is quite another. To get to this point you need strong leadership, which he defined as: “put the cause and the team First”.

“Lead with brutal honesty and realistic optimism – Honest and transparent along the way, but also realistic and authentic.”

MEET OUR GUEST Rob Brown Chief Executive Officer at Brickell Biotech after having spent over 30 years at Eli Lilly and Company, where he most recently served as chief marketing officer (CMO) and senior vice president of marketing from 2009 through 2018.

Prior to his role as CEO and CMO, Rob held the position of vice president and chief marketing officer for Lilly USA from 2007 – 2009, where he partnered with the business units to ensure the company continued to develop industry-leading marketing capabilities, streamline and improve marketing processes, and transform marketing by building a consumer marketing center of excellence.

From 2003-2007, Rob was the executive director of marketing for the Intercontinental region, including responsibility for Europe. In addition, he held a variety of other leadership roles of increasing responsibility within sales, marketing and product management departments, including serving as general manager for China, where he helped the company establish its presence. During his tenure as GM, he managed a joint venture in Suzhou, oversaw the construction of Lilly’s first manufacturing facility and expanded the affiliate’s reach from 12 to 45 cities.

Rob joined the pharmaceutical industry after receiving a bachelor’s degree in economics from DePauw University and a master’s in business administration from Indiana University. Rob currently serves on the board of trustees of Franklin College.

Cycling Forward – Ian MacGregor

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Cycling Forward - Ian MacGregor
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 An athlete and champion who took a pain point for cyclists, along with his co-founder Dr. Allen Lim, created a company now employing more than 100 employees. From accountability and grit to being real, empathetic, and radically candid, hear from a successful entrepreneur solving sports nutrition problems.

“Say what you mean with the other person’s best interest in mind.”

MEET OUR GUEST Ian MacGregor founder and Chief Executive Officer of Skratch Labs..

Ian Co-founded more than a decade ago Skratch Labs, a sports nutrition company based in Boulder Colorado that was recognized by Inc. 500 as the 3rd fastest-growing food and beverage company in the US. He is now the CEO. In 2007 he co-founded The Just Go Harder Foundation to provide mentorship opportunities for aspiring cyclists and ski racers. Ian is a former professional cyclist and two-time US National Espoir Road Cycling Champion. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from The Colorado School of Mines and currently resides with his family in the small mountain town of Nederland, Colorado.

Making Friends With Yourself – Brie Doyle

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Making Friends With Yourself - Brie Doyle
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This episode is like no other. You will be hearing from Brie Doyle on how to take care of yourself as a leader – a key subject, yet rarely seriously considered by many of us. Great advice, tips, daily practices, and habits to build that will determine who you are!

That is the first episode of a series in our Spread Love in Organizations Podcast that will focus on helping us as leaders take care of ourselves to serve better our people and patients.

“Shut down the world around you to focus on your inner world.”

MEET OUR GUEST Brie Doyle hosts transformational wellness retreats throughout the US and across the globe and is the founder of She Glows Retreats, LLC.

Brie specializes in curating mental and emotional wellness curricula for groups, conscious companies, schools, and individuals.  A yoga and meditation teacher for over twenty years, Brie is a leader in the health and wellness space who helps people heal their past and reclaim their power.  Her first book, YOU SHOULD LEAVE NOW: Going on Retreat to Find Your Way Back to Yourself, comes out today.  She lives in Boulder, Colorado, with her husband and three kids.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Brie Doyle

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this very special episode like no other with Brie Doyle, founder of She Glows Retreats and Author of the great book YOU SHOULD LEAD NOW: Going on Retreat to Find your Way Back to Yourself! This episode is like no other, we will be hearing from Brie about how to take care about ourselves as leaders…

Leadership Through Universal Human Truth – Gabi Mittas

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Leadership Through Universal Human Truth - Gabi Mittas
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In this episode, you will hear from an international leader, walking us through her personal journey, starting with her upbringing in Australia in a very cosmopolitan environment, talking about all the diversity and richness you get from growing and thriving in such an atmosphere to her experience in healthcare leading marketing teams in pharma across the world to bring science into something that resonates, touches and impacts people. 

“Align on a common purpose that will drive your behavior… Look for the universal human truth.”

MEET OUR GUEST Gabi Mittas, Chief Marketing Officer Australia, New Zealand, and North Asia Pacific Region at Eli Lilly.

Gabi is one of the most purpose-driven, human-centric leaders you’ll meet. She has an extensive experience in sales, marketing, and commercial organizations across the globe. She led marketing teams in Australia, the UK, the US, and Globally. She was Senior Director in Global Marketing Oncology before taking the lead of the marketing organization as Chief Marketing Officer for Australia, New Zealand, and the North Asia Pacific Region. Gabi is passionate about people’s development and how to positively impact patients’ journeys.

Passion and Profession for Purpose – Patrick Youssef

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Passion and Profession for Purpose - Patrick Youssef
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His passion is his purpose and goes beyond the duty. Patrick is a leader in Humanitarian, risking his life and leading his teams in the most challenging but most in-need communities in the world. He shares his experiences from Irak to African countries, leading with his heart and striving daily to make health a simple right accessible for everyone.

“Purpose is not how much you deliver, but how you deliver and lead.”

MEET OUR GUEST Patrick Youssef Director and leader for Africa in the International Committee of the Red Cross. In January 2016, he was recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader. He sits in the International Council of Advisors of Global Dignity.

Patrick Youssef joined the ICRC in 2005 and completed different missions in Sudan, Chad, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay. Between 2010 & 2013, he was the deputy head of operations for the Near and Middle East covering Yemen, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Gulf Cooperation Council. Mr. Youssef was the Head of the delegation in Iraq for more than 2 years, before taking the role of Deputy Regional Director for Africa, where he managed ICRC operations in the Maghreb, the Sahel region, the Lake Chad Basin, and West Africa.

In addition to his field experience, Mr. Youssef worked on specific topics related to the respect of International Humanitarian Law such as the treatment and judicial guarantees of persons deprived of freedom, the recruitment of children in the armed forces, and Transitional Justice.

Prior to joining the ICRC, Patrick worked in the private sector in Lebanon & the Levant.

Born in 1978, Patrick Youssef has a bachelor’s degree in public law, a Master’s degree in Diplomacy and Strategic Negotiations from Paris Sud XI, an LLM in International Law in armed conflicts from Geneva University, a certificate of completion of an Executive Education on Global Leadership and Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School as well as a training certificate from the Oxford Said Business School on ‘’Transformational Leadership’’

Learning Through Humility – Karla Alcazar

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Learning Through Humility - Karla Alcazar
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Hear about a passionate leader in healthcare, from her childhood inspired by 3 powerful women in her family to now giving back every day what others gave her to help diverse talents in her organizations, and also impact socially youth in the Brazilian favelas. Listen to what Karla thinks about innovation and why inclusion means dancing!

“Stay humble to keep learning.”

MEET OUR GUEST Karla Alcazar is an international leader passionate about making life better for people around the world through driving innovation in her organizations and leading with genuine care. Karla is the General Manager of the Brazilian affiliate in the pharmaceutical industry, with an extensive experience in sales, marketing, and general management.

Karla is a native of Mexico and joined Eli Lilly as a Market Research Manager in Mexico in 2006. Her first four years within the business were spent in assignments in marketing and sales before moving to the United States of America to assume a Global Brand Leadership Role. In 2013, Karla returned to Mexico to lead the primary care business and then took over the responsibility of leading the BioMedicine Business Unit of Latin America, the Caribbean, and Mexico. In 2015, she assumed the role of Senior Director, Chief Marketing Officer of the LACAM region overseeing the marketing functions and leading the digital transformation within the business, before moving in January 2018 to lead as the General Manager of the Brazilian affiliate.

Karla holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (ITAM – Mexico) and a Master’s in Business Administration – MBA from Tulane University, USA.

Karla is a member of the CEO’s Committee at INTERFARMA (Pharma Trade Association), American Chamber (AMCHAM), and a Board Member of United Way Brazil.

Beyond Business – Stefan Bauer

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SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Beyond Business - Stefan Bauer
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I am joined by Stefan Bauer, a transformational leader who will share his deepest beliefs about creating a caring and loving environment to foster the leadership of the 21st century and answer the dilemmas our world is facing. This episode is like no other, going from spirituality to concrete business concepts and results, we are sure it won’t leave you indifferent.

“Fostering a human environment creates a different energy that connects people with their purpose in life.”

MEET OUR GUEST Stefan Bauer is a Transformational international leader, Organizational Architect, Consultant, Coach and Speaker.
Stefan has more than 26 years of HR experience in a global US-based pharmaceutical company: HR line management, Organizational Development, Leadership Development.

Experienced designer and facilitator of high-impact interventions and global leadership development programs for Executives, General Managers, high-potentials, Leadership Teams. Extensive change management experience, including generating an innovative, agile organizational culture of the 21st century. Coach of transformational leaders, Executives, General Managers, high-potentials. Based in Germany; international assignments in USA and Brazil.

Core competence: transformational leadership, organizational transformation, “new work”. Previously 10 years experience in a global US-based IT Corporation.

Speaker on transformational leadership at international conferences, Business Schools, and Universities; cited in books, numerous articles, and interviews.

An Artist in Business – Geraldine Maouchi

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
An Artist in Business - Geraldine Maouchi
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#Botox_Your_Brain #Make_It_Happen #Agility_Is_An_Attitude, Geraldine lives by those hashtags! A business transformer, digital enthusiast, artist, executive, leader, a citizen of the world so many powerful words can help us draw an image of who she is. Through her diverse, impressive life and career in different types of organizations including healthcare, one common thread defined her learning: “it’s all about the Human”.

“Doubt. Think. Believe in yourself. Dare to try. Re-do it again and again.”

MEET OUR GUEST Geraldine Maouchi is an expert in Business Transformation. For the last 6 years, Geraldine has been leading Digital Transformations as a C-Level, member of Executive Committees in Retail, Luxury, and Healthcare. She was one of the first CDO to have joined the Chief Digital Officer Club in 2013. 

Since 2000, Geraldine Maouchi developed twofold expertise – both online and offline based on her vision of a Hybrid model blending the traditional and digital. She worked across Europe, the US, the Middle East, and Brazil, for all kinds of organizations (start-ups, SMC, groups, family businesses, entrepreneur, NGO), and in various industries (high-tech, telecom, hospitality, luxury, healthcare, retail, eBusiness…).  

Geraldine is, as well, a Guest lecturer for the HEC Master and MBA “Shaping Strategies in a Digital World” elective course and a Board Member of the EMlyon “Specialized Master in Digital Transformation, Marketing & Strategy”.

Geraldine wrote several articles that were published in various media in Europe, USA, Middle-East, these include:
– Transformation in post-covid new normal (hybrid organization and holistic management): Will the new normal see the advent of novel leadership and hybrid organizations, The Economist Intelligence Unit, July 2020
– Building hybrid organizations (where online and offline merge) for both traditional companies and pure players: “The 4 steps towards a Hybrid organization” co-written with Affiliate Professor at Master of Strategy HEC Business School, Hélène Musikas, Forbes France, Q4 2019. 
– Digital Bulletin UK “Keeping Up with Digital Transformation” 

Hope-Driven Leadership – Harout Semerjian

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SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Hope-Driven Leadership - Harout Semerjian
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In this episode, you’ll be getting a booster shot by hearing from an amazing leader who believes that leadership is a privilege. Harout will give you his recipes of success in building highly engaged and performing teams. You’ll be positively surprised to hear the first ingredient!

“Even if we are standing, the world is turning and changing.”

MEET OUR GUEST Harout Semerjian, President and CEO of GlycoMimetics, a seasoned global pharmaceutical leader with a passion and focus in Oncology. Harout was elected top 10 emerging pharma executives in 2018, a strong believer in leading with care to deliver results for the patients we serve.

Harout is a seasoned biopharmaceutical leader with more than 25 years of expertise in commercializing specialty medicines across the United States, Europe, and emerging markets. He has built a reputation for building high-performance teams, leading transformations, and delivering exceptional results. He has deep expertise in oncology, hematology and rare diseases having launched more than 20 specialty products or major indications over the years. Harout spent 17 years in Novartis where his last role was Senior Vice President and global head of Ribociclib, the CDK4/6 inhibitor. Then he moved to Ipsen to be the Chief Commercial Officer and recently for a short period was the Chief Executive Officer of Immunomedics before its sale to Gilead. Currently, Harout works as a consultant and investor within healthcare.

Harout is passionate about healthcare disparities and coaching talent to achieve their full potential. In his spare time, he spends his time traveling with his family despite having a heavy travel schedule, as it provides an opportunity for his daughters to connect and expand their horizons.

Mechanical & Human Heart – Jason Gluck

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Mechanical & Human Heart - Jason Gluck
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A physician saving every single day lives through the mobile Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation program he created, a heart, lung machine. Jason built the most competitive network without competition… Because “sometimes you just have to change the game”! Since Jason led this change with his strong passion, creativity, and courage, he believes his teams are continuously “re-writing what they know” and reshaping what once was the best of care. Listen to sobering and inspirational stories from Dr. Gluck and how he leads his teams through change and moments of uncertainty.

“The power is in the word yes.”

MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Jason Gluck Director of the Mechanical Circulatory Support (mechanical heart/lung) Program at Hartford Healthcare Hospital.

Jason is a physician, founder of the Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation program, and creator of the first and only mobile ECMO program in Connecticut, bringing this life-saving technology to patients in need throughout New England. He invented, ‘VLAD’, a medical simulator family for training patients, families, pre-hospital emergency medical care, and hospital-based providers about patients supported by mechanical pumps. Dr. Gluck publishes and speaks internationally on mechanical support and acute cardiogenic shock. He has a passion for jazz and enjoys hiking, biking, and skiing!

Fighting For The Underdog – Daphne Haas-Kogan

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SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Fighting For The Underdog - Daphne Haas-Kogan
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So many times we hear about selfless leaders… Until you hear and meet Daphne, you obviously didn’t really see what selfless leadership is. Her mission in leadership is “fighting for the underdog”. Daphne is an impressive humble leader we can all learn from.

“It can never be about oneself, but the opposite.”

MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Daphne Haas-Kogan, Professor and Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School.

Daphne is a Radiation Oncologist and thought leader at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Boston Children’s Hospital. She is a Professor at Harvard Medical School. After her Biochemistry and Molecular Biology degree from Harvard University, Daphne received her M.D. from the University of California, San Francisco. While at UCSF she served as Vice-Chair for Research and Educational Program Director. Daphne has been elected in 2019 to the National Academy of Medicine, considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine. She has been selected as one of the top physicians in the United States by several publications including Best Doctors in America.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Daphne Haas-Kogan

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host today. So many times we hear about selfless leaders… Until you hear and meet Dr Daphne Haas Kogan, you obviously didn’t really see what selfless leadership is. Daphne is Professor and Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer institute, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital and Professor at Harvard Medical School.…

Serial Entrepreneur Physician – Ahmed Mady

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Serial Entrepreneur Physician - Ahmed Mady
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Physician, Harvard Medical, MIT, Serial Entrepreneur, Textile Business Owner in Egypt, Start-ups, Stem cells, what else? Hear from a talented innovator, multi-disciplinary mind, and business savvy physician living his life with the same thread since his childhood: being human. From his early childhood in his father’s textile manufacturing site to now leading startups and his family business, he thrives to learn more every day, genuinely cares for his people, leads with purpose, and does business for good.

“To be a good human is a shortcut to be a great leader.”

MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Ahmed Mady is a serial entrepreneur, healthcare consultant, and physician-scientist. He is currently pursuing his Executive MBA degree at MIT Sloan in Boston while serving as the Managing Director of his family textile business in Egypt.

Prior to this role, he worked as the Senior Director of Business Development at an innovative Boston-based diabetes management startup, Healthimation, and as a Senior Consultant at Navigant Consulting where he led numerous global life sciences/healthcare projects in pharmaceutical, med-tech, and biotech spaces. In addition, Dr. Mady has experience conducting translational research at the Cardiovascular Research Center at Harvard Medical School/Mass General Hospital. His laboratory/clinical research is focused on stem cell applications in Heart diseases and Diabetes, where he investigated the differentiation of stem cells into mature heart cells and created human cardiac tissue engineering models.

Ahmed earned his Medical Degree from Alexandria University in Egypt, having done several rotations in Internal Medicine and Cardiology in the United States.

Dr. Mady has over 14 years of experience in the healthcare business, manufacturing, medical research, and technology management. 

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Ahmed Mady

Naji: Hello leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, a podcast for purpose driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership and love. I am Naji your host for today’s episode joined by Dr. Mady a physician scientist, healthcare consultant, serial entrepreneur, and a brilliant innovator. Ahmed Mady is currently pursuing his executive MBA at MITs Sloan in Boston. While serving as the managing director of his family, textile business in Egypt. Prior to this role, he worked as the senior director of business development…

Managing with Humanity – Bogdana Coudsy

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Managing with Humanity - Bogdana Coudsy
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The metaphor of the year? Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland. Women and Leadership should be synonyms. Digital is a chance. Spread Love in Organizations should be integrated at work to show what is best in human being… Those are only parts of an incredible, genuine, and surprising discussion with Bogdana Coudsy! Hear from the leader heading the medical team of vaccines in the pandemic and what made her team thrive every day helping humanity.

“Do not deny at work what is the most beautiful in human being.”

MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Bogdana Coudsy is the Vice President, Head of Global Medical Franchise for vaccines specifically at Sanofi-Pasteur. A medical doctor by training and a pharmaceutical marketer by trade, Bogdana has an impressive resume and career.

Bogdana has held consequential leadership roles across the globe at Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, and now leading the Medical Team of Influenza franchise at Sanofi-Pasteur as a leader and expert in vaccines and immunology. She makes a daily population-level impact on public health on the front end these days! 

Bogdana is an impressive leader with a wealth of experience across the globe, and an avid learner. With all she has to lead during those moments, she is also investing her time in an Executive MBA in Paris.

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Bogdana Coudsy

Naji: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I’m Naji joined by Dr. Bogdana Coudsy, vice president, head of global medical franchise for vaccines, specifically at Sanofi Pasteur a medical director, uh, medical doctor by training and pharmaceutical marketing, uh, by trade.Bogdana has an impressive resume and career. She’s held consequential leadership roles across the globe at Johnson and Johnson, Procter and Gamble. And now leading the medical teams of influenza…

Red Energy and Empathy – Jeremy Morgan

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Red Energy and Empathy - Jeremy Morgan
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Have you ever walked one million steps in 35 days; carrying your life in a bag-pack, walk and reflect? Going through this experience, “you just be”. From the impostor’s syndrome to the Camino de Santiago in Spain, walking us through how he combined the red energy and drive with even more crucial leadership skills: empathy, harmony, and authentic care. An episode full of stories, and real-life experiences, from early-career advice to life-learning experiences as an executive in the Healthcare Industry. An episode, you start and you won’t be able to stop!

When asked about diversity and inclusion, Jeremy recommends reading “Delusions Of Gender” by Cordelia Fine. The book made him reflect on privileges and the importance of building environments where people feel respected and every person can bring their own self.

“You can’t serve others until you care about yourself.”

MEET OUR GUEST Jeremy Morgan is a global healthcare senior Executive with an extensive experience in the bio-pharmaceutical industry across the globe. Jeremy is currently Senior Vice President leading the rare disease business at Kyowa Kirin. He has a passion for people, diversity, and inclusion and enjoys very long-distance walking.

Jeremy started his career as a research biologist and then joined Eli Lilly in 1986 as a sales representative going through multiple assignments in the UK, USA, and France with increasing responsibility before becoming a General Manager in 2003 for the company’s operations in Turkey.  Further General Management jobs followed in Australia and then Germany before taking on the leadership of the international Diabetes business covering Europe, Japan, Canada, Australia, and NZ. After retiring in 2017, Jeremy took the opportunity to try something different and consulted in the market access space for a couple of years before returning to his passion and joining Kyowa Kirin International to lead the rare disease business.

Jeremy is a champion of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and brings extensive external engagement experience from multiple charity and industry boards including EuropaBio.

Jeremy is Welsh, married to Clare – has 2 kids, and lives just outside Cobham in Surrey, UK.  In his spare time, he enjoys all sports, long-distance walking and loves to cook.

Care At Its Best – Clarissa Yang

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Care At Its Best - Clarissa Yang
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A Thought Leader, Clinician, Chair, and most importantly a genuine, humble, inspiring leader driving efficiency and clinical care redesign by leading her teams with empathy, care, and love. From leadership roles at Harvard Medical School to President of Pratt dermatology associates and Chair of Dermatology at Tufts University School of Medicine, Dr. Clarissa Yang has always been passionate about bringing exceptional care to patients. Hear about how she led toward a caring culture and navigated through the tough moments of the pandemic.

“Lead how you like to be led.”

Dr. Clarissa Yang - SpreadLoveio

MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Clarissa Yang is a thought leader and clinician dedicated to delivering high-quality, compassionate, clinical care to her patients.

She believes in constant improvement and re-evaluation of clinical care systems and in developing the next generation of doctors.

Clarissa is the President of Pratt Dermatology, Dermatologist-in-Chief at Tufts Medical Center, and the Chair of Dermatology at Tufts University School of Medicine where she is responsible for the strategic clinical, educational, and research success. She also serves on the Board of Trustees at Tufts Medical Center. Previously, she held leadership roles at Harvard Medical School.

Clarissa grew up in Canada and obtained her medical school training at McGill University. She focuses on operational efficiencies, integration of technology, and clinical care redesign. and has been awarded “Top Doctor” by Boston Magazine since 2017!

Transcripts

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Clarissa Yang

Naji Gehchan: Hello, leaders of the world. Welcome to spread love in organizations, the podcast for purpose-driven healthcare leaders, striving to make life better around the world by leading their teams with genuine care, servant leadership, and love. I am Naji, your host for this podcast, joined by Dr Yang, a thought leader and clinician dedicated to delivering high-quality, compassionate, clinical care to her patients. She believes in constant improvement and re-evaluation of clinical care systems and in developing the next generation of doctors. Clarissa is the President of Pratt Dermatology., Dermatologist-in-Chief at Tufts Medical Center, and the Chairman of…

Let People Fly – John Bamforth

SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
SpreadLove In Organizations - Healthcare Leadership
Let People Fly - John Bamforth
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If you want to hear from a leader who knew every person’s birthday in his 100+ team, a manager whose passion is to find and develop the next generation of leaders who will change the world, tune in and hear from John Bamforth! An inspiring story with strong advice for all of us leading our teams towards success with genuine care and love.

John’s recommended readings: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, The Obstacle Is the Way, Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World.

“Remove the shackles and let people fly!”

SpreadLoveio - John Bamforth

MEET OUR GUEST John Bamforth is originally from the northwestern part of the UK but emigrated to the US in 2001. He now holds dual citizenship. A pharmacist with a PhD in neuropharmacology, John joined the Pharma industry in 1989 with Eli Lilly. Spending most of his career in commercial functions, he became recognized as a builder of global brands and leader of highly engaged teams. 

After retiring from Lilly after 30 years, John returned to academia to lead the Eshelman Institute for Innovation at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. The institute was created by a $100M gift from Dr Fred Eshelman and is focused on translating the brightest and best ideas on campus into products and services that impact patients. In his current role, John continues to advocate for diversity and inclusion and  its demonstrated impact on performance and innovation. 
John is on multiple boards including the Structural Genomics Consortium and Akanocure Pharma, where he is chairman of the board. He is also interim Executive Director of READDI, a public-private partnership founded to develop novel anti-virals for the next pandemic. 

John’s passions outside work are his family, he has two children (Thomas and Rebecca) with his wife Sue. They also have two West Highland Terriers, Luke and Lucky, who he takes for endless walks.

John and Sue founded the Ciara Arts and Science Foundation in 2017 to support college scholarships for disadvantaged youth. John is a keen golfer and general sports geek. He loves to attend big sports events like the Masters, Ryder Cup, Super Bowl, and Rugby World Cup. 

Learning After a Year in the USA!

One year today in the US! Beyond all the craziness of 2020, I’ve been so fortunate to be part of an amazing team and lead passionate, dedicated, purpose-driven people. 

My three “people” learning:

  • Unite through purpose

With all the cultural differences that we can imagine, the real true diversity that we have, leaders unite through purpose. It is incredible to come in a new country, go out for work and feel like you never left home. The underlying values and beliefs that create the company’s culture, fueled by genuine intent to strive for a noble purpose, then the power I watched here of deeply valuing hard work, made us navigate crazy times together without ever loosing site of our why and how.

  • Spread Love is universal

I hesitated for months coming here if “love” is a world to stand for at work in the US. I quickly realized that it is universal and desperately needed in our world at home and work if there still is any difference in both… It starts by genuine care, curiosity and listening. I learned so much from leaders’ tough stories, discovered what D&I is really about, educated myself on racial justice and I am convinced more than ever that spread love should be leaders’ priority. Spread love to create an inclusive equitable environment, a place where everyone feels safe to thrive, to have true tough discussions, open debates to advance the world and most importantly to imagine and invent the future… As I shared in a previous article, never forget that real love is not kindness.

  • What “community” really means

Many times, we hear about this outside the US, value of hard work in this country, praising success, looking up-to people, and this is really great! What I learned to be even greater is how people intentionally give-back to their communities, their friends, the causes they believe in. I experienced it even personally with tough moments being thousands of miles away from my birth country and watching it online being destroyed recently by a massive explosion. My teams were here not only to support me but also supported Lebanon through donations to the Red Cross. It is just beautiful to see the power of communities and the real sense of caring for one another.

What about my learning from a business standpoint?

Same personal leadership believes in a totally different marketplace. Everything starts with people first, great diverse talents and leaders striving towards our purpose, intentionally radically focusing on 2 to 3 priorities (making choices) and then relentlessly executing on those with excellence to deliver positive impact to the patients and communities we serve; this translates into great results.

Great Job! For Real?

While every single day, I live the fact that nothing works without TRUST, here is my last experience on “feedback” sessions when true trust is missing…

How many times in a corporate world while driving a project, you just felt like stopping it because of internal hurdles. How many times the project was so painful that teams even lost the essence of why it started and were just happy it ended… Moreover, the aftermath usually looks like a simple mail with “great fantastic job all”! Along this, as leaders we usually feel this urgent need “to recognize the group and celebrate” rather than dig into what happened to make it better.

How many times then have we tried, as good leaders, to do a “post-action feedback review”? Usual result: instead of a string of congrats emails, a beautiful meeting room filled with individuals and leaders congratulating each other. Those untrue feedbacks and enrobed thoughts kill teams, make things so slow in organizations and never put people into a trustworthy relationship to improve continuously.

Thinking through this corporate “politeness”, I remembered my lifetime experience in the Lebanese Red Cross. Basis is trust for sure. True trust between people and the leaders who show daily their trust for their teams and their radical empathy. In this safe environment, everything is possible. A simple exercise we used to do back then was an “evaluation”. Every single mission we did would end – whatever time it was – by an evaluation. Always. No one would go out of the ambulance without this true, sometimes tough, evaluation. Let me detail what this was: During an emergency, you just do not have time to say “sorry” or leave someone do a mistake or risk patient’s life; you just do. Therefore, what was key for teams to learn and grow their capabilities was to discuss after each action how things went, where someone went wrong, when someone did great, if someone put others at risk or patient at risk etc… With emotions and adrenaline, some of those evaluations would go into tough discussions, true talks, real words but they would always end in the ambulance with the mission done. When out of the car, we would go back to normal, back to a real team whatever happened and said there; nevertheless individually and as a team grown.

Three learnings from this experience:

– If trust is there, you can talk true because people really believe that the feedbacks given are not personal. The feedback is given on the work performed, how to improve it and make the individuals and team learn continuously.

– Do an after-action review on every single important project because you can always learn from great things and the day it goes bad you can talk true. If you only do an after-action review when things go wrong, people will always try to find out ways to say that in fact it went great…

– The ambulance… Do the review directly within the action and not in a meeting room after a while… Have a “safe place” environment where people can express everything they want, and when out of the session, things stayed in and only learnings went out with them.

Finally, real trust here is important for a simple aspect: people should know that this is not a performance management process and that as a leader you deeply believe they are doing a good job – otherwise you would have treated this separately. The only reason of the “evaluation” is to grow as individuals by learning and as teams by co-working honestly. Only then, you will start to move fast as an organization and make things better for the people and customers you serve.

Leading a transformation: core is trust but then?

Who of us is not in a transformation mode in this 21st century? Who didn’t notice that the world is changing? Well has it ever stopped changing? Luckily no… Things are static when there’s no life in them. Change is a constant we live with. Its pace has drastically accelerated probably these last years but change is here and is here to stay whether we want it or not.

Now with this word “change” in organizations comes “fear”, rare people see in change “opportunity”, so you can imagine the emotions related to “transformation”, “cultural transformation”. Trust is the core in these situations. Interesting fact is that everyone thinks “trust” is encored in their teams until change or transformation starts. With trust, transformation can be ignited.

We would hear a lot that “it has to start from the top”, other would argue that at the opposite it has to be a “bottom-up approach”, always the same people on the “top” deciding if it has to be top-down or bottom-up… What if we stop for a moment these hierarchical attributes and think of our people in an organization as a bunch of talented and diverse individuals willing to thrive and transform for a common vision and “why”. Once we start seeing this, real transformation begins! It has to be a movement! It’s all about creating this movement, and once there, this community can live by its own and that’s the beauty of leadership to my eyes: we as leaders are not needed anymore, movement is so big it will continue without us… The more diverse and inclusive the community behind the movement is, the bigger chance it has to make it happen.

My learning through leading transformations is that creating a movement can be challenging but so rewarding that leaders and teams are willing to endorse as a community. The biggest “hurdle” though as it grows is not killing it with continuous frustrations within this community… So transformation doesn’t stop once the movement has been created. As leaders, we have to go into the details and understand the frustrations this community is facing (will face) throughout the organization. Map each one of them, work it out with the different parties, coach, train people in the movement and those who didn’t yet onboard. Try to nail down each one of these roadblocks so that the movement grow bigger in the different parts of the organization and delivers its promise.

The most important humanitarian leadership lesson

Googling “leader” or “leadership” gives us great definitions and different perspectives. It goes from command and control to creating a vision and inspiring people. Leadership skills has definitely evolved since the last century and constantly change. We can read a lot about leader vs manager and all that goes with this from command and control to inspire and empower. Nevertheless, in corporations, reality is that a leader (former manager) is a hierarchical position given to a “talent” (many times a technical performer) to command, perform, control and report to a “bigger” leader. But even in this model, we have what people would call a “real leader”, and through my different experiences and talking to teams, it spontaneously goes to a simple sentence: “she/he is someone I would follow no matter what”.

It was tough for me to evaluate in the business world and current organizations how true the “no matter what” is. It might be easier in flat liberated organizations to do so but still…

Thinking through this, took me to my humanitarian experience in the Lebanese Red Cross where I served several years during moments of tensions, war, crisis and terrorism that hit Lebanon. The Lebanese arm of this international humanitarian organization is practically the only emergency medical system in the country taking in charge all “human” emergencies. The team in the Red Cross is extremely diverse; different ages, backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, studies, etc. Nevertheless, we all – truly and deeply – shared the same values, the exact same vision and mission, the same “why”: to help and serve people in need. Being a leader in this organization suddenly looks simple no need to create a vision or inspire for teams to follow you: people come for the same “why”, volunteer, perform, grow and have a real social impact as a team… It’s thus all about coaching them, teaching them emergency techniques, managing them not to perform errors when in an emergency, commanding them to perform the right moves when on the field with a patient and making sure they keep this “flame” and this “why” to keep on volunteering and coming day after day… Easy!

Let’s dig a little deeper though: war, bombing, real life-threatening risks, not only in your community… Would you really follow the leader “no matter what”?

Why would your team follow you in the ambulance? Why would they litterally risk their lives, hear what you say, and execute what you ask? Why would they go into a risky war zone and follow your commands on the field? Because of the “why”? Because of the “adrenaline”? The “heroic act”? The nice “story to tell their kids”? Probably all of that, but the single foundation for me stands to the TRUST you created as a leader… The trust that you won’t let them go, that you would risk your life for them, that you’d go save them if anything touches them, that you’ll back them up, that you’ll run for them as they would do for you, that you’ll care not only for them but for their families and community too… But is this enough? Certainly not… It’s also the trust you create as a leader in the organization they work for and serve. We were out in war zones with no fear because we trusted each other, we trusted our organization and believed that “it” will protect us no matter what, that the leaders will be there, the community will stand for us, the country… We were maybe naive but it taught me this single leadership principle: BUILD TRUST (honest true trust). Without trust, without this “safe” environment, without a real genuine caring community, without love, you can manage, decide and command by hierarchy but will you be leading teams willing to follow you “no matter what”? The “why”, the vision, the mission and the values are the basis of success in any business or organization, but all those without TRUST might bring performance and growth BUT in moments of tensions, moving risky environments and stress would people stay here with you and follow the leader “no matter what”?