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 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
JAN 16

S4 E2 - Brittany J. Bell, Biotech Executive

Mentorship, Mid-Career Pivots & Women in STEM — with Brittany J. Bell Description:When Brittany J. Bell realized med school wasn’t her path, she didn’t give up on science—she found a new one. In this episode of She Leads Biotech, Brittany joins host Sharron Cox to share how she turned her love of laboratory science into a purpose-driven career in commercial pharma. From lab bench to boardrooms, Brittany’s story is filled with pivots, mentorship, and a passion for supporting the next generation of women in STEM. 🎙️ We cover: What medical laboratory science actually is—and why it’s so vital Career pathways beyond the lab that most people don’t know about How two mentors gave Brittany the confidence to leap into industry Why young women need space to grow, not just directions The role of Women in Bio and how to get involved Resumes, AI, and what hiring managers should really be looking for 💡 Plus: Brittany’s take on leadership, mentorship, and the underrated power of following your gut. A thoughtful, inspiring conversation for anyone navigating career uncertainty, mentoring others, or just trying to find their place in the ever-evolving world of life sciences.

31 min
JAN 9

S4 E1 , The Arthur Sisters - CO-Founders of the Arthur Leadership Group.

Welcome to Season 4 of She Leads Biotech and we’re starting strong. This week, host Sharron Cox is joined by Melissa and Amy Arthur, sisters and co-founders of the Arthur Leadership Group, who bring decades of experience coaching women in biotech, medtech, diagnostics, and STEM. Their work focuses on helping women navigate burnout, build resilience, and lead with authenticity — not exhaustion. In this episode: The Career Catalyst framework for creating clarity, confidence, and momentum Power partnerships: what they are, and how to build them Why women in STEM still struggle with overwork, perfectionism, and self-doubt The link between identity and leadership Tools for building a values-aligned career in 2026 🎁 Special Gifts for She Leads Biotech ListenersFrom the Arthur Leadership Group:✅ A downloadable Power Partnerships Activation Guide — a framework for sourcing the support you need to thrive in 2026✅ A complimentary, confidential Career Catalyst Coaching Session — a private 1:1 session to gain clarity on your vision, activate practical steps, and tap into mindsets and networks that fuel momentum. 👉 Click here to claim your gifts Learn more about Amy & Melissa’s work at: www.arthurleadershipgroup.com #SheLeadsBiotech #ArthurLeadershipGroup #WomenInSTEM #CareerCatalyst #LeadershipCoaching #AuthenticLeadership #PowerPartnerships #CNAUSA #SharronCox

36 min
11/28/2025

S3 E27, Terri Gaskell, Chief Technology Officer of Rinri Therapeutics

Terri Gaskell | CTO, Rinri TherapeuticsRestoring Hearing. Redefining Possibility. In this episode, I speak with Terri Gaskell, Chief Technology Officer at Rinri Therapeutics, about the revolutionary work her team is doing to treat sensorineural hearing loss through stem cell therapy. Terri shares her remarkable journey from academia to biotech, the real-world hurdles of early-stage leadership, and the power of staying grounded (even when things get weird, wild, or wonderfully promising). We talk science, strategy, identity, and authenticity — all wrapped up in a clinical trial story that just might restore hearing for those who’ve lost it. 🎙️ This episode of She Leads Biotech is proudly sponsored by Phacilitate & Women in Advanced Therapies (WIAT). 📌 Chapters / Timestamps: 00:00 – Meet Terri Gaskell & the Rinri mission03:05 – The science behind restoring hearing via stem cells07:20 – From university spinout to clinical trials: how it all began11:40 – Navigating burnout & building balanced leadership14:30 – Why authenticity matters more than ever in biotech17:25 – Terri’s Women in Advanced Therapies experience19:40 – The highs, lows, and marigolds of team management22:55 – How academia prepared (and didn’t prepare) her for biotech26:15 – Advice for new biotech leaders: confidence vs competence29:30 – Rinri’s clinical pipeline and what’s next33:00 – Final reflections on purpose, progress, and patient impact #SheLeadsBiotech #TerriGaskell #RinriTherapeutics #HearingLoss #CellTherapy #BiotechLeadership #WomenInSTEM #RegenerativeMedicine #CNAInternationalUSA #SharronCoxStudio #WIAT #Phacilitate #LifeSciences

49 min
11/21/2025

S3 E26, Katrina Rice - Chief Delivery Officer of Biometrics Services at eClinical Solutions

Showing Up Fully: Katrina Rice on Leadership, Identity & Inclusive TrialsThis week, I sit down with Katrina Rice, Chief Delivery Officer of Biometrics Services at eClinical Solutions, for a raw and empowering conversation about identity, leadership, and impact. Katrina shares her journey from a first-gen college student in Alabama to a self-made C-level executive — and the courage it took to create the job she wanted when no one else offered it. We talk about the power of showing up as your full self, the ongoing challenges facing women of color in biosciences, and why diversity in clinical trials isn’t optional — it’s life-saving. 🎙️ Sponsored by Phacilitate & Women in Advanced Therapies (WIAT) Whether you're mentoring others, navigating your own path, or working to make your workplace more inclusive, Katrina’s story is a masterclass in resilience and authenticity. 📌 Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Intro02:15 – Growing up in Alabama and finding a path into science05:45 – What it felt like to be the only Black woman in the room08:30 – Transitioning from IT and government work to clinical research11:10 – Creating her own role at eClinical Solutions15:45 – What it means to lead with purpose, not just title20:00 – Diversity in clinical trials: why it matters and where we’re falling short25:30 – Representing communities of color in data and design29:45 – Advice for young professionals entering the life sciences34:00 – The power of authenticity and finding your own leadership style37:10 – Closing thoughts: identity, impact, and legacy Full episode now live on Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. #SheLeadsBiotech #Phacilitate #WIAT #KatrinaRice #eClinicalSolutions #DiversityInClinicalTrials #BiotechLeadership #WomenInSTEM #AuthenticLeadership #LifeSciences #SharronCoxStudio #CNAInternationalUSA

38 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

65
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Sharron Cox
Show Website

She Leads Biotech