SpreadLove In Organizations Naji Gehchan

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.

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.

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.

Adam Castano, a renowned figure in the fields of cardiology and biotechnology, shared his compelling journey from a childhood influenced by his parents' professions—his mother, a Freudian psychoanalyst, and his father, a cardiologist—to his current role in the biotech world. Growing up in an international setting, he developed a passion for science and medicine, leading him to pursue studies in molecular biology and medicine.



During his medical training, Adam discovered his interest in cardiology, particularly in rare diseases like cardiac amyloidosis. Motivated by a desire to make a global impact, he transitioned from academia to the biopharmaceutical industry, joining Pfizer and later Bridge Bio. Throughout his career, Adam emphasizes the importance of humility, purpose, and patient-centered care. He encourages leaders to maintain a focus on health equity, uphold ethical standards, and foster a culture of love and passion within their organizations.



Reflecting on his experiences, Castano underscores the interconnectedness of heart and mind in leadership, advocating for a holistic approach that prioritizes patient well-being, intellectual rigor, and emotional commitment. He concludes with a call for healthcare leaders worldwide to prioritize purpose, intellectual excellence, and compassionate leadership to drive meaningful change in healthcare.




"Character is at the heart of leadership. People follow those who display ethical and moral character."





MEET OUR GUEST Adam Castano Senior Medical Director in Global Clinical Development at Merck & Co.




Adam Castaño, MD MS is a Senior Medical Director in Global Clinical Development at Merck & Co. He is a board-certified cardiologist and industry professional dedicated to the singular unifying purpose of bringing about innovative therapies and breakthroughs that improve patients’ lives. Previously he led development programs in cardiac amyloidosis at BridgeBio and Pfizer Inc. He also served as Assistant Professor and Co-Director of the Center for Cardiac Amyloidosis at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons.



Personally, Adam enjoys living in New York City’s Upper East Side with his wife Maria, son Marty, and Norwich Terrier, Buzz Aldrin. He enjoys nature, Legos, tennis, traveling the world, and the cultivation of great conversations with friends over wine and good food.



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/

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.

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.