Inside Pharma Leadership

In this episode, I’m joined by Marshall Spring to discuss the realities behind veteran suicide, the impact of isolation after service, and why rebuilding purpose and community is critical to recovery. Marshall shares how the Combat Recovery Foundation is helping veterans reconnect through service, resilience training, mentorship, and community-driven missions.

Meet the Guest
Marshall Spring is a combat Marine Corps Explosive Detection Dog Handler, former police officer, and founder of the Combat Recovery Foundation. After losing his business partner, a fellow Marine, to suicide in 2019, Marshall dedicated his life to suicide prevention, resilience coaching, and helping veterans navigate life after service.

Key Takeaways

• Isolation is one of the biggest drivers of veteran suicidality
• Community, belonging, and purpose are essential to recovery
• Veterans often struggle more with asking for help than offering help
• Service-based missions can help veterans reconnect and heal
• Peer mentorship and one-on-one coaching can bridge the gap before group support
• Families and friends should watch for changes in behavior, mood, and increased isolation
• Suicide rates among veterans may be significantly higher than officially reported

Connect with Marshall Spring

• Website: combatrecoveryfoundation.org
• YouTube: Combat Recovery Foundation 
• Instagram: @combatrecoveryfoundation
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshallspring/

Connect with Keith Willis

• Instagram: @coachtoachieve
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/ 
• Email: [email protected]

In this episode, I’m joined by Christopher Hayden to explore how AI is reshaping quality and compliance in life sciences. From smarter SOPs to human-first tech adoption, they unpack what’s changing—and what still matters most.

Meet the Guest
Christopher Hayden is a Partner Manager at Scilife, where he works at the intersection of technology, quality, and compliance. With a background spanning science, tech (including Google), and regulated industries, Chris helps life sciences organizations adopt smarter, more intuitive quality systems.

Key Takeaways

• AI isn’t replacing jobs—it’s reshaping how work gets done
• The real opportunity: automate repetition, not experience
• SOPs are evolving from static text to interactive, visual, and even AR-based tools
• Human-first adoption (communication, trust, culture) is critical for successful tech implementation
• Change management—not technology—is the biggest barrier to execution
• The future of quality lies in smarter, more intuitive systems that empower people, not replace them

Connect with Christopher Hayden

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisliamhayden/
• Email: [email protected]

Connect with Keith

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/
• Email: [email protected]

In this episode of Inside Pharma Leadership, I sit down with Maria De Buen, founder of BluePixel, a premier international UX/UI design and software development firm. Maria shares her journey from starting a business straight out of college to leading a 60-person remote team that works with global giants like Office Depot and Philip Morris. The conversation dives deep into the evolution of digital design, the critical role of user experience in healthcare, and how generative AI is democratizing software development.

Maria De Buen is the founder of BluePixel, a premier international UX/UI design and custom software development firm. Originally trained as an industrial designer, Maria pivoted into the technology sector after identifying a significant gap in the Mexican market for specialized boutique firms that prioritize user experience. 

Over the last decade, she has successfully transitioned from a solo freelancer to a business leader, scaling her company into the #1 ranked UX/UI firm in Mexico. An expert in systemizing creative growth and integrating generative AI into design workflows, Maria is widely recognized for her ability to bridge the gap between complex engineering and intuitive, human-centric design for global brands.

Maria highlights the difficult transition from being a "do-it-all" freelancer to a business leader. Scaling required her to stop expecting employees to be clones of herself and instead focus on systemization, delegation, and specialized roles.

Maria explains that technology fails if it isn't intuitive.

• UX (User Experience): The research-heavy logic, information architecture, and psychological understanding of the user journey.
• UI (User Interface): The creative, visual layer that makes the product accessible.
• Healthcare Application: In life sciences, design isn't just about "looks"—it's about accessibility (e.g., font size and button placement for elderly patients) and reducing errors in high-stakes environments.

Rather than fearing AI as a job-killer, Maria views it as an operating system for the brain.

• Speed: Tasks that once took months (like market research or initial prototyping) can now be compressed into a single week.
• Democratization: Tools are allowing non-technical leaders to build "decent" functional apps, though professional firms are still needed for high-level security, scalability, and complex databases.

Stay updated on the latest in UX/UI and digital innovation:

LinkedIn: Maria De Buen

Instagram: Maria De Buen

Tiktok: Maria De Buen

Website: BluePixel

Connect with Keith

LinkedIn: Keith Willis

Email: [email protected] 

Karthik Sriram joins me to share how biotech finance leaders balance science, strategy, and capital to drive innovation. From his journey into the industry to raising over $800M, we unpack what it really takes to fund and scale life sciences companies—and why emotional intelligence is just as critical as financial expertise.

Karthik Sriram is a biotech finance executive currently leading Financial Planning & Analysis at Parabilis Medicines. With a background in biomedical engineering and an MBA from Wharton, he brings a unique ability to translate complex science into business strategy.

He has helped secure more than $800M in capital, supporting clinical development, extending cash runway, and positioning companies for growth and partnerships.

• Career paths aren’t linear—unexpected experiences often shape long-term direction
• Emotional intelligence is critical in finance, especially when influencing decisions and budgets
• Strong relationships and trust are essential to doing the job effectively
• OPEX vs. CAPEX decisions are foundational in biotech and directly impact scalability
• Raising capital requires honesty, clarity, and deep knowledge of your numbers
• Understanding the science—even at a high level—builds credibility with investors
• AI is accelerating drug development, especially in chemistry and early modeling
• The future of finance teams in biotech may be smaller, more automated, and AI-driven
• Early-stage companies face real barriers in adopting tools due to cost structures
• Flexibility—not fully remote or fully in-office—is the most effective operating model

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karthiksriram
X (Twitter): https://x.com/KarthikSriram_
Email: [email protected]

Connect with Keith

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/

Email: [email protected] 

Kevin Stealey joins me to break down what separates companies that consistently win from those that struggle—and why clarity and alignment are at the core of execution. We also dive into the importance of simplifying complexity in today’s data-heavy, fast-moving organizations.

Meet the Guest

Kevin Stealey is a seasoned executive with a track record of accelerating profitable growth across consumer packaged goods and life sciences. He’s the CEO of RTR Technovation Corporation and author of Winning Bets: Leadership Lessons from a Father’s Football Pool, where he shares practical leadership insights rooted in real-life experiences.

Key Takeaways

• Clarity + alignment = execution. Without both, progress stalls.
• Simplicity is a competitive advantage—especially in complex industries like pharma.
• More data doesn’t equal better communication—focus on what truly matters.
• Great leaders empower teams with clear direction and defined guardrails.
• As organizations grow, misalignment increases—intentional communication becomes critical.
• The higher you go in leadership, the simpler communication needs to be.

Connect with Kevin
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstealey/

Instagram: @kevinstealey

Connect with Keith
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/

Unlocking the Secrets of Aging: The Telomere Breakthrough

Why hasn't the "cure" for aging been found? According to molecular geneticist Bill Andrews, it’s not a lack of science—it’s a broken system. In this episode, the man who helped discover the "cellular ride tickets" (telomeres) that dictate our lifespan explains why the current biotech model favors profits over cures. We dive into the Hayflick Limit, the discovery of Telomerase, and the $130 million road map to making the "Betty White Test"—reversing 85 to 25—a biological reality.

Bill Andrews is the Founder and CEO of Sierra Sciences and a legendary molecular geneticist. With a career defined by "curing over publishing," Bill has been a key inventor for breakthrough therapies including Human Growth Hormone, Rytelo (cancer), and treatments for Multiple Sclerosis. He is one of the world’s leading experts on telomere biology and is famously obsessed with one goal: curing death by old age.

• The "Ride Ticket" Theory: Our cells have a finite number of divisions (The Hayflick Limit). Every time a cell divides, the telomeres (caps on our chromosomes) shorten until the "tickets" run out.
• The Telomerase Secret: Our reproductive cells don't age because they produce telomerase, an enzyme that adds "tickets" back to the chromosomes. Bill’s mission is to trigger this in all human cells.
• The System is Broken: Academic research is trapped in a "publish or perish" cycle, while biotech is often throttled by investors seeking quick ROI rather than long-term cures.
• The $130M Milestone: Bill estimates that with $130 million and three years of focused research, we could effectively cure human aging.
• Proof in Pets: Breakthroughs are already happening in the veterinary world with products designed to extend the lifespan of dogs, cats, and horses.

Enjoyed this deep dive into the future of medicine? Let’s keep the conversation going:

Bill Andrews: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-h-andrews-ceo-5455b45/

Keith Willis:https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/

Why hasn't the "cure" for aging been found? According to molecular geneticist Bill Andrews, it’s not a lack of science—it’s a broken system. In this episode, the man who helped discover the "cellular ride tickets" (telomeres) that dictate our lifespan explains why the current biotech model favors profits over cures. We dive into the Hayflick Limit, the discovery of Telomerase, and the $130 million road map to making the "Betty White Test"—reversing 85 to 25—a biological reality.

Bill Andrews is the Founder and CEO of Sierra Sciences and a legendary molecular geneticist. With a career defined by "curing over publishing," Bill has been a key inventor for breakthrough therapies including Human Growth Hormone, Rytelo (cancer), and treatments for Multiple Sclerosis. He is one of the world’s leading experts on telomere biology and is famously obsessed with one goal: curing death by old age.

• The "Ride Ticket" Theory: Our cells have a finite number of divisions (The Hayflick Limit). Every time a cell divides, the telomeres (caps on our chromosomes) shorten until the "tickets" run out.
• The Telomerase Secret: Our reproductive cells don't age because they produce telomerase, an enzyme that adds "tickets" back to the chromosomes. Bill’s mission is to trigger this in all human cells.
• The System is Broken: Academic research is trapped in a "publish or perish" cycle, while biotech is often throttled by investors seeking quick ROI rather than long-term cures.
• The $130M Milestone: Bill estimates that with $130 million and three years of focused research, we could effectively cure human aging.
• Proof in Pets: Breakthroughs are already happening in the veterinary world with products designed to extend the lifespan of dogs, cats, and horses.

Enjoyed this deep dive into the future of medicine? Let’s keep the conversation going:

Bill Andrews: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-h-andrews-ceo-5455b45/

Keith Willis:https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/

In Episode 3 of Inside Pharma Leadership, I sit down with Dr. Angela Tran, CEO & Founder of MedFit Medical Weight Loss, to talk about physician burnout, redefining how medicine is practiced, and what it really takes to achieve long-term, sustainable health.

Dr. Tran shares her journey from burnout in traditional healthcare to building a practice centered on “medical fitness”—helping patients not just lose weight, but transform their lifestyle, reduce medications, and take ownership of their health.

We also explore GLP-1 medications, wearable health tech, AI in medicine, and why mindset and support systems are often more important than diet and exercise alone.

Dr. Angela Tran is a board-certified physician, entrepreneur, and the CEO & Founder of MedFit Medical Weight Loss, which she launched in 2012.

After experiencing severe burnout in traditional primary care, Dr. Tran made the decision to redefine how she practiced medicine—focusing on prevention, lifestyle transformation, and long-term patient outcomes.

She specializes in obesity medicine and medical weight loss, helping patients reduce or eliminate medications while improving overall health. Her work combines clinical expertise, personal experience, and a strong emphasis on behavior, mindset, and accountability.

1. Physician Burnout Is Real—and Can Lead to Reinvention
Dr. Tran openly shares her experience with burnout and how it pushed her to leave traditional healthcare and build a practice aligned with her values and purpose.

2. Weight Loss Is More Than Diet and Exercise
Sustainable weight loss starts with mindset. Beliefs, habits, and support systems play a critical role in long-term success.

3. GLP-1 Medications Are Transformational—When Used Correctly
GLP-1s are changing the landscape of obesity and chronic disease treatment, but outcomes depend heavily on proper guidance and experienced providers.

4. Data and Wearable Tech Empower Patients
Tools like continuous glucose monitors and fitness trackers provide objective data that help patients take control of their health and make better decisions.

5. AI Enhances—Not Replaces—Healthcare
AI can provide speed, objectivity, and better decision support, but it works best when combined with human expertise and patient relationships.

6. The Right Support System Is Everything
Long-term success isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about having the right people around you, from providers to family and community support.

• Instagram: @medfitdrtran
• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtrangela/

• Email: [email protected]  
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/ 

In Episode 2 of Inside Pharma Leadership, I sit down with Lorrinda Gray-Davis to talk about the intersection of patient experience, healthcare policy, and innovation.

Lorrinda shares how her personal journey through end-stage liver disease reshaped her career and led her into transplant advocacy, policy leadership, and building practical tools that help patients navigate access to medications and long-term care.

Our conversation explores what healthcare leaders often miss about patient access, the critical role of care partners, and how emerging technologies like AI can help simplify complex healthcare systems.

Meet the Guest

Lorrinda Gray-Davis is a transplant advocate, speaker, and policy leader focused on improving patient access to care and medication affordability.

Before entering healthcare advocacy, she spent more than 20 years in construction leadership, managing large-scale projects and leading teams across complex environments. After being diagnosed with end-stage liver disease, her experience navigating the healthcare system inspired her to dedicate her work to helping patients better understand and access the care they need.

Today she is actively involved in transplant advocacy and policy work through Transplant Recipients International Organization, while also developing tools designed to help patients navigate medication access and healthcare systems more effectively.

Key Takeaways

1. Healthcare Navigation Is Harder Than It Should Be

Many patients enter the healthcare system without clear guidance. Lorrinda compares it to going on a safari without a guide—patients are expected to navigate complex systems while dealing with serious health challenges.

2. Access to Medication Is Still a Major Challenge

From step therapy policies to insurance barriers, patients often struggle to access the medications they need. Education around copay cards, grants, and assistance programs can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs.

3. Care Partners Are Critical to Patient Outcomes

Lorrinda emphasizes the importance of involving “care partners” in medical conversations. These individuals often play a key role in helping patients understand treatment options and advocate for their care.

4. Technology Can Help Simplify Patient Access

Lorrinda built the Transplant Medication Navigator to help patients identify financial assistance, copay programs, and insurance options in one centralized place.

5. AI Is a Tool for Amplifying Human Thinking

Rather than replacing jobs, AI can serve as a thinking partner—helping leaders, innovators, and advocates build better tools and systems when paired with critical thinking.

Connect with Lorrinda

• Website: lorrindagraydavis.com
• Transplant Medication Navigator: transplantmedicationnavigator.com
• Organization: Transplant Recipients International Organization
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lorrinda-gray-davis/

Connect with Keith

• Email: [email protected]  
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/

The opioid crisis is the worst healthcare disaster in American history, yet for millions suffering from chronic pain, the only options are addiction or agony. What does it take to build a "Holy Grail" solution when there is no playbook? Steven Fox, a "rare kind of builder," joins us to discuss the high-stakes world of life science innovation, the art of surrounding yourself with "survivors," and why he believes he’s finally found the key to ending the opioid epidemic.

In this episode, Keith Willis sits down with Steven Fox, Chairman and Founder of Akelos Incorporated. From his roots as a cosmetic dentist to becoming an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Steven shares his 40-year journey of turning big ideas into public ventures.

The conversation dives deep into the "three-dimensional chess" of biotech leadership: navigating the NIH grant system, building a world-class team of Nobel laureates without using headhunters, and the relentless tenacity required to move a non-opioid pain treatment toward FDA approval. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned executive, Steven’s "guerrilla warfare" approach to leadership offers a masterclass in survival and execution.

Steven Fox is the Chairman and Founder of Akelos Inc., a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to solving the opioid crisis through non-addictive chronic pain treatments. A dentist by trade and a lifelong entrepreneur, Steven has:

• Developed 68 patents and raised over $75 million in capital.
• Taken a technology from the ADA public and placed products in 42,000 stores across America.
• Been awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and the Medal of Freedom from members of the U.S. Senate.
• Assembled a powerhouse team featuring former heads of neuroscience from Merck, Pfizer, and Eli Lilly, alongside Nobel Prize winners.

• The "Survival" Team: Why "jockeys" are just as important as the "horse," and why Steven prefers team members seasoned in survival over S&P 500 pedigree.
• Bridging the Gap: How 48 years of treating dental pain provided the clinical insight needed to tackle the global opioid crisis.
• Entrepreneurial Tenacity: The reality of the 5 AM to 9 PM grind and why you have to be willing to "get up off the mat" repeatedly.
• The Patent Moat: The strategic (and sometimes costly) art of building intellectual property protection around groundbreaking science.
• Remaining "Sensationally Curious": Steven’s #1 piece of advice for anyone looking to innovate in a crowded marketplace.

• Email: [email protected] 
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drstevefox/

• Email: [email protected]  
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/