E7: The Moments That Matter for Women Leaders in Life Science & Healthcare

In life sciences and healthcare, stepping into leadership is about finding the right environment, the right mentors, and the courage to invite yourself to the table.

In this special International Women's Day episode, Eric Southwell sits down with four of Supreme Group's most senior women leaders — Nicky Battle (President, Supreme Communications), Liz Kanter (President & Executive Creative Director, Pivot Design), Shannon Carlson (President & Founder, C24), and Elizabeth Yi (Co-Founder, Broth) — for an honest conversation about what it actually takes to grow, lead, and thrive.

What you'll learn from this episode

• Why the culture you work in matters more than the title you hold, and when it's time to walk away

• The critical difference between mentors and sponsors, and why you need both

• How to stop waiting to be noticed and start inviting yourself to the table

• What organizations need to do beyond assigning titles: real authority, intentional time, and passing the mic

• Why leadership isn't just about managing people, it's how you show up in every small moment, every single day

• How to tighten your story and project confidence, even when you don't have all the answers

• Why standing up for yourself requires leading with facts, not emotion, and the importance of addressing conflict fast

Links

• Supreme Group: https://supremegroup.ai

Timestamps

00:00 Episode summary sizzle

00:41 Welcome and introductions (Nicky Battle, Liz Kanter, Shannon Carlson, Elizabeth Yi) 

02:20 What most enabled your career growth? 

02:53 Shannon on culture, authenticity, and finding the right environment 

04:06 Advice for those who don't feel supported at work 

05:22 Liz on relationships, trust, and the mentor who changed everything 

07:46 The power of mentors vs sponsors 

08:57 Shannon on how you show up and the small moments that build trust 

10:08 Elizabeth on advocates who played both roles 

11:14 What if you don't have a mentor? How to find one 

14:04 Nicky on finding "expanders" early in your career 

14:44 Shannon on carving out time for yourself 

16:08 Elizabeth on the challenge of speaking up and projecting confidence 

17:16 Nicky on inviting yourself to the table 

19:08 What organizations can do to support women in leadership 

21:39 Elizabeth on redirecting the room and passing the mic 

22:20 Nicky on allyship and giving credit in meetings 

24:02 Advice for women early in their careers 

24:45 Shannon on proactive feedback and leading without a title 

26:49 Liz on stretching beyond your comfort zone and choosing your circle 

28:46 Communication and standing up for yourself with confidence 

31:48 Closing wisdom: don't be scared of this space, be intentional, embrace discomfort

Keywords

International Women's Day, women in leadership, life sciences marketing, healthcare marketing, mentorship, sponsorship, career growth, leadership development, women in pharma, women in healthcare, professional development, executive presence, allyship, career advice