She Leads Biotech

Sharron Cox

5.0 (2)
BUSINESS
UPDATED WEEKLY

This is She Leads Biotech, a podcast where we have real conversations with women leading the charge in innovation, research, and entrepreneurship in the bioscience space. Each episode offers a candid look at what it takes to succeed in a historically male-dominated field, and how to lean into your strengths to get where you want to go. We’re not just talking about the science; we’re getting to know the people behind the job titles!

1D AGO

S4 E10, Megan McGill - CEO at Brenig Therapeutics

Megan McGill | Leadership, Credibility & Persistence in Biotech CEO, Brenig Therapeutics What does it really take to build credibility as a leader in biotech? In this episode of She Leads Biotech, I sit down with Megan McGill, CEO of Brenig Therapeutics, to talk about leadership, persistence, and the realities women still face when building careers in the life sciences industry. Megan shares her journey into biotech leadership and what it takes to step into the CEO role in a competitive and evolving sector. One part of our conversation that really stood out was Megan’s honesty about something many women quietly experience: sometimes you have to outperform everyone else just to be taken seriously. We talk about the importance of credentials, preparation, and resilience, and why continuing to push forward matters, even when the room isn’t designed with you in mind. This conversation is an honest look at leadership, credibility, and the persistence required to succeed in biotech. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction01:45 Megan’s career journey into biotech07:30 Moving into leadership roles13:10 The reality of credibility and gender bias18:20 Why credentials matter in leadership24:15 Advice for women building careers in biotech29:40 Leadership lessons as CEO of Brenig Therapeutics34:30 Final advice for the next generation 🎙️ She Leads Biotech celebrates the journeys of women shaping the future of life sciences. Subscribe for more conversations with biotech leaders, founders, and innovators. #SheLeadsBiotech #MeganMcGill #BrenigTherapeutics #BiotechLeadership #WomenInBiotech #WomenInScience #LifeSciences

46 min
MAR 6

S4 E9, Sailaja Battula - Chief Scientific Officer at Ankyra Therapeutics

What does it really take to move from academia to industry… and then into the C-suite? In this episode of She Leads Biotech, I sit down with Sailaja Battula, Chief Scientific Officer at Ankyra Therapeutics, whose journey is anything but conventional. Born and raised on a farm in South India, Sailaja became the first in her family to attend college. She completed her PhD while raising two young children, applied for over 200 industry roles to make her transition, built immunology teams from scratch, and ultimately stepped into the CSO role at a pivotal moment for her company. This is a conversation about intention, discipline, leadership growth, and knowing when you are ready, even before you fully believe it yourself. We cover:• Transitioning from academia to industry• What hiring managers really look for• Building and leading discovery teams• Moving from VP to CSO• Leadership vs management in scientific roles• Raising a family while building a biotech career If you are thinking about your next move, especially into leadership, this episode is packed with clarity and practical insight. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction01:40 Growing up on a farm in South India07:01 Education, marriage, and moving to the US08:48 Breaking into biotech with a newborn11:19 PhD, postdoc, and moving into immuno-oncology14:37 Why transitioning from academia to industry is hard19:21 The three questions to ask before applying for a role22:46 Career progression from scientist to VP30:12 Stepping into the CSO role at Ankyra36:16 What changes when you join the C-suite38:10 Leadership vs management in science40:38 Advice to her younger self42:03 Using LinkedIn strategically for career growth43:42 What’s next as CSO 🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with women shaping the future of biotech. #SheLeadsBiotech #SailajaBattula #AnkyraTherapeutics #ChiefScientificOfficer #BiotechLeadership #WomenInScience #CNAUSAExecutiveSearch

46 min
FEB 27

s4 Ep 8 Mori Mohseni Head of Biology at Vida Vinci

In this episode of She Leads Biotech, I sit down with Mori Mohseni, Head of Biology at VidaVinci, for a powerful conversation about persistence, purpose, and what it really takes to lead in drug discovery. From her early fascination with biology to pivotal roles at AstraZeneca, Novartis, BMS, and now startup biotech, Mori’s career has been defined by one recurring theme: give her the hard problem. We talk about what it means to search for truth in science, even when the answer isn’t what you hoped for. We explore the transition from big pharma to biotech to startup life, and why those moves were intentional. And we dive into leadership, team building, and the obsession required to move breakthrough science forward. This is a conversation about loving the work enough to stay with it when it’s difficult, and inspiring others to do the same. 📌 Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction and Mori’s early path into science 03:40 – Falling in love with biology and choosing research over medicine 08:10 – The leap from academia into industry 12:00 – A pivotal lesson: “Look for the truth” in drug discovery 15:20 – Seeing a drug go from bench to patient 18:45 – Big pharma vs biotech vs startup: what really changes 23:15 – Building infrastructure from scratch in smaller companies 27:30 – Leading as a servant leader and building strong teams 31:40 – Advice for young scientists navigating today’s market 35:50 – The future of biotech and the need for early innovation funding 40:10 – Leadership in biotech means loving what you do

38 min
FEB 20

S4 E7, Devasena Gnanashanmugam- VP of Medical Affairs at Cepheid,

Closing the Diagnostic Gap: Leadership, Equity, and Global Health with Devasena Gnanashanmugam In this episode of She Leads Biotech, I sit down with Devasena Gnanashanmugam, VP of Medical Affairs at Cepheid, for a deeply thoughtful conversation about diagnostics, equity, and what it really means to lead in global healthcare. Devasena’s journey spans medical training in India, pediatric infectious disease at Stanford, work at the NIH, and now industry leadership in molecular diagnostics. But at the center of it all is one consistent mission: improving access to timely, accurate diagnosis for the patients who need it most. We talk about tuberculosis, HIV, COVID, and the persistent global diagnostic gap — and why identifying the problem correctly is often the most powerful intervention of all. This episode is about science, yes. But it is also about humility, collaboration, and the responsibility that comes with leadership. 📌 Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Meet Devasena Gnanashanmugam03:10 – From India to Stanford: early influences and medical training07:45 – Why infectious disease and global health became her focus11:20 – Tuberculosis as a medical and social justice issue15:05 – “Find the bug so you can get the drug” – the power of diagnostics18:40 – The global diagnostic gap and access challenges22:15 – Lessons from COVID and what changed in molecular testing26:30 – Transitioning from academia and NIH to industry30:05 – The evolving role of physicians in biotech and diagnostics33:50 – Leading from the front and from behind37:10 – Collaboration, resilience, and staying grounded in purpose 🎙 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in. #SheLeadsBiotech #DevasenaGnanashanmugam #Cepheid #GlobalHealth #Diagnostics #MedicalAffairs #WomenInSTEM #LifeSciencesLeadership #CNAUSAExecutiveSearch #SharronCoxStudio

34 min
FEB 13

S4 E6,Megan Forrest, Chief Operating Officer at Caring Cross

In this episode of She Leads Biotech, host Sharron Cox speaks with Megan Forrest, Chief Operating Officer at Caring Cross, about a purpose-driven career shaped by science, family, and impact. Megan shares how she navigated: Becoming a mother while completing her degrees Career shifts between biotech and nonprofit Leading a viral vector program through BLA approval Taking a full year off — and choosing to come back Why the mission of Caring Cross was the “perfect storm” opportunity This is a compelling story of resilience, reinvention, and how the right role can align everything you've worked for. 🔗 Learn more about Caring Cross: https://caringcross.org 📌 Chapters:00:00 – Meet Megan Forrest02:15 – From science to motherhood: balancing ambition early06:30 – Her early biotech roles and learning fast09:45 – The leap into nonprofit and what it taught her14:00 – Running a GMP viral vector program to BLA17:25 – Walking away (and why)21:10 – What drew her back to biotech24:00 – How Caring Cross found her at the perfect time27:30 – The COO role: building from experience30:50 – Advice to women making unconventional career moves33:45 – Rapid fire: role models, reading, and what’s next 🎙️ Listen now and hear how a life built on passion and adaptability led to a role with real global impact. #SheLeadsBiotech #CaringCross #MeganForrest #BiotechLeadership #COO #CellTherapy #NonprofitBiotech #CareerComeback #CNAUSAExecutiveSearch #LifeSciencesLeadership

33 min
FEB 6

S4 E5, Kate Skrable, VP of Strategic Partnerships at Pfizer

Kate Skrable didn’t plan on a career in biotech. But when med school doors didn’t open, she built a different path — one that’s led her to Pfizer, where she now serves as VP of Strategic Partnerships, leading global deals across multiple therapeutic areas. In this episode of She Leads Biotech, Kate joins Sharron for a candid, funny, and deeply insightful conversation about owning your story, leading with purpose, and preparing for board service. They talk about: What “fail forward” really means Growing up with grit and staying grounded in purpose Servant leadership and hiring A-players The power of Women in Bio’s Boardroom Ready program What smaller companies really need from a commercial advisor 🎙 Chapters / Timestamps00:00 – Meet Kate Skrable03:00 – Med school rejections and a new path into biotech06:30 – Building resilience and finding purpose through pivots10:45 – Why scarcity shaped her approach to leadership14:20 – The power of servant leadership and hiring strong teams17:35 – Making the leap into strategic partnerships at Pfizer22:15 – Joining Women in Bio’s Boardroom Ready program26:00 – What early-stage boards really need from commercial voices30:00 – Advice to women: Don’t play small — say yes and figure it out later33:10 – What’s next for Kate Skrable Whether you’re navigating your own career pivot or building your board CV, this episode will leave you energized and empowered. 🎁 Follow for more episodes celebrating women in science, strategy, and leadership.🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube. #SheLeadsBiotech | Hosted by Sharron Cox | CNA USA Executive Search

37 min
JAN 30

S4 E4, Meghana Helder - Surgeon, Founder & CEO of Octin Health

What happens when a heart surgeon gets fed up with “good enough”? In this episode of She Leads Biotech, I sit down with Dr. Meghana Helder-Surgeon, practicing cardiac surgeon and Founder & CEO of Octin Health. She shares how one sleepless night in the OR — and one patient outcome she couldn’t let go of — led her to build a medtech company from her basement, starting with a garden hose, a drill, and a whole lot of determination. We talk about: Being a woman in one of the most male-dominated specialties in medicine What it takes to spot a gap in care — and do something about it Why she didn’t wait for permission, funding, or perfect conditions to start How she balances leadership, clinical practice, motherhood, and mission What she wants every young woman in STEM to hear 💬 “You don’t have to change who you are to lead. You just have to stop apologizing for it.” 📌 Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Meet Meghana Helder and the origins of Octin Health03:20 – What it’s like to be a woman in cardiac surgery (3% club)06:45 – The patient case that changed everything10:00 – Building her first prototype with a garden hose and grit14:15 – Partnering with her husband and navigating startup life17:30 – What she’s learned about leadership along the way21:00 – Balancing motherhood, medicine, and entrepreneurship25:00 – Advice for women who feel like they don’t “fit the mold”28:00 – What’s next for Octin Health 🎧 Now streaming on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts & more #SheLeadsBiotech #MeghanaHelder #OctinHealth #WomenInSTEM #MedTechFounders #CardiacSurgery #LifeSciencesLeadership #StartupJourney #AuthenticLeadership #CNAUSAExecutiveSearch #SharronCoxStudio

38 min
JAN 23

S4 E3, Stacy Lindborg - CEO & Board Director at IMUNON

This week on She Leads Biotech, I’m joined by Stacy Lindborg, CEO and Board Director at IMUNON, whose career journey, from stats and data to the biotech C-suite, is a powerful example of purpose-driven leadership. In this episode, Stacy shares how her training in statistics shaped her approach to decision-making, the personal values that guided her transition to CEO, and how IMUNON is advancing new therapies in ovarian cancer that could shift the standard of care. She brings a rare blend of rigor, humility, and heart to the conversation and reminds us that leadership isn’t about ego. It’s about evidence, conviction, and the courage to follow both. 📌 Chapters / Timestamps00:00 – Meet Stacy Lindborg and her journey from statistics to biotech03:45 – Early career lessons and the power of evidence-based decision-making07:30 – Leading with curiosity, not ego10:15 – Becoming CEO at IMUNON and what surprised her most14:00 – IMUNON’s work in ovarian cancer and immune-gene therapy17:20 – How personal loss and patient focus guide her leadership21:40 – Mentorship, gender dynamics, and modeling what’s possible26:00 – Why biotech needs both scientific clarity and emotional connection30:30 – Final thoughts on staying grounded and building a legacy 🎙️ This episode is proudly presented by CNA USA Executive Search. Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your favorite episodes. #SheLeadsBiotech #StacyLindborg #IMUNON #WomenInSTEM #BiotechLeadership #OvarianCancer #LifeSciencesInnovation #AuthenticLeadership #SharronCox #CNAUSAExecutiveSearch #ExecutiveLeadership #PurposeDrivenCareers

35 min

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

This is She Leads Biotech, a podcast where we have real conversations with women leading the charge in innovation, research, and entrepreneurship in the bioscience space. Each episode offers a candid look at what it takes to succeed in a historically male-dominated field, and how to lean into your strengths to get where you want to go. We’re not just talking about the science; we’re getting to know the people behind the job titles!

Creator

Sharron Cox
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

69
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Sharron Cox
Show Website

She Leads Biotech

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Business

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