Leadership Lessons from Pharma: Building High-Performance Culture, Curiosity & Collective Intelligence | Pharmaverse Podcast

In this episode of the Pharmaverse Podcast, host Michael Petrack sits down with renowned medical affairs leader Dr. Toby Patterson, former SVP of Global Medical Affairs at Genentech and GSK, to explore powerful leadership lessons from pharma, sports, and life.
They discuss how great leaders “lead through the problem,” build principled cultures that outlive them, and create high-performing teams through collective intelligence, diversity of thought, and meaningful rituals.

Drawing lessons from rugby, the All Blacks, and real-world executive leadership, Toby shares why curiosity is the most important leadership trait today and how failure, recovery, and shared mission create both performance and joy at scale.
This episode is a must-watch for pharma leaders, biotech executives, aspiring managers, and anyone interested in leadership, culture, and organizational excellence.

🎧 Subscribe to Pharmaverse Podcast for more leadership insights from top pharma and biotech executives.

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Join host Michael Pietrack on the Pharmaverse Podcast as he speaks with Dr. Kirk Shepard, Chief Medical Officer of PDS Biotechnology, co-founder of the Medical Affairs Professional Society (MAPS), and creator of the Oncology Voices Network (OBN).

📙In this episode, they discuss:

▪️The inspiration behind the Oncology Voices Network and its mission to unite cross-functional stakeholders in oncology.

▪️Insights from the bestselling book “Voices of Oncology” and how collaboration accelerates cancer drug development.

▪️Dr. Shepard’s career journey, leadership lessons, and the importance of mentorship.

▪️How theater and athletics shaped his approach to teamwork, communication, and leadership.

▪️The evolving role of medical affairs in pharma, including the impact of AI and digital transformation.

Whether you’re a leader in pharma, an aspiring professional, or passionate about oncology innovation, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you grow your career and contribute meaningfully to cancer research.

Resources mentioned:
Oncology Voices Network: https://oncologynetwork.com
Voices of Oncology (Amazon Bestseller): [Link to book]


🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe to the PharmaVerse Podcast for more interviews with industry leaders.

🟨 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐔𝐒:
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In this powerful episode of the Pharmaverse Podcast, host Michael Pietrack sits down with Shetal Vyas, Senior Vice President of Commercial Strategy and Development at Ardelyx, to explore what authentic leadership really means in today’s pharmaceutical industry.

From immigrating to the United States at the age of seven to leading high-pressure pharma launches,  Shetal Vyas shares deeply personal stories that shaped her leadership philosophy. She explains how learning to get comfortable with the uncomfortable, embracing authenticity, building emotional intelligence (EQ), and leading with courage can transform both personal growth and professional success.

This episode is a must-watch for pharmaceutical leaders, biotech professionals, and anyone aspiring to lead with confidence, empathy, and impact. Learn how listening more than talking, coaching instead of commanding, and bringing your full self to work can elevate your leadership journey.

👉 Subscribe for more leadership insights from top voices across the pharma and biotech universe.

🟨 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐔𝐒:
▶  Website: [https://www.kbic.com/recruiting/]
▶  LinkedIn: [ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpietrack]
▶ Have you seen all of our playlists?                  [https://www.youtube.com/@ThePharmaversePodcast/playlists ]
▶ Also, join the private LinkedIn Job Board: MSL Job Board

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Season 3, Episode 1: Building a People-First Culture with John Harlow

Join Michael Petrack and John Harlow, a senior commercial leader in the pharmaceutical industry, as they explore how to create a people-first culture in Pharma. Gain actionable leadership insights on balancing performance with empathy, hiring for culture fit, fostering curiosity, and driving team success. Learn practical tips for supporting underperforming team members, cultivating competitiveness, and instilling a growth mindset. Essential listening for Pharma leaders and aspiring leaders aiming to elevate their leadership skills.

🟨 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐔𝐒:
▶  Website: [https://www.kbic.com/recruiting/]
▶  LinkedIn: [ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpietrack]
▶ Have you seen all of our playlists?                  [https://www.youtube.com/@ThePharmaversePodcast/playlists ]
▶ Also, join the private LinkedIn Job Board: MSL Job Board

In this episode of the Pharmaverse Podcast, host Michael Pietrack sits down with Allison Trucillo, MD, Vice President of Medical Affairs at Avalon Pharma, to explore what it truly means to lead with a growth mindset in the Pharmaceutical industry.

Allison shares her inspiring career journey from physician to pharma executive, discusses the powerful growth equation (stress + rest = growth), and explains how taking calculated risks, leveraging mentors, affirmations, and stepping outside your comfort zone can accelerate both personal and professional development.

This conversation is a must-watch for Pharma leaders, medical affairs professionals, physicians entering industry, and anyone striving to become the best version of themselves.

🟨 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐔𝐒:
▶  Website: [https://www.kbic.com/recruiting/]
▶  LinkedIn: [ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpietrack]
▶ Have you seen all of our playlists?                  [https://www.youtube.com/@ThePharmaversePodcast/playlists ]
▶ Also, join the private LinkedIn Job Board: MSL Job Board

Dive into the Pharmaverse Podcast with host Michael Pietrack as he speaks with Marco Smit, CCO and COO at Domelabs AI, about the revolutionary impact of AI on the pharmaceutical industry. This episode covers:

- How AI, including Gen AI and Agentic AI, is reshaping drug development and operational strategy
- Emerging roles in pharma and guidance for recruiting AI-savvy talent
- Practical tips for employees to engage with AI, maximize productivity, and create leadership opportunities
- Managing AI risks in clinical, legal, and organizational contexts
- Bold predictions for the next 3–5 years, including commoditization of foundation models and the evolving data landscape

Whether you’re a Pharma executive, researcher, or aspiring professional, this episode offers actionable insights to thrive in an AI-powered pharmaceutical ecosystem.

🟨 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐔𝐒:
▶  Website: [https://www.kbic.com/recruiting/]
▶  LinkedIn: [ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpietrack]
▶ Have you seen all of our playlists?                  [https://www.youtube.com/@ThePharmaversePodcast/playlists ]
▶ Also, join the private LinkedIn Job Board: MSL Job Board

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Season 2, Episode 22: Man in the Arena with Tony Lin

Join Michael Pietrack on The Pharmaverse Podcast as he interviews Tony Lin. In this inspiring episode, Tony shares his leadership journey, the invaluable lessons he learned from his father, and the resilience needed to thrive in Pharma. He dives deep into facing challenges, navigating cultural transitions, mentorship, and the power of mental cues like “Man in the Arena” to overcome setbacks. Whether you’re an aspiring leader or an experienced professional in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, Tony’s insights on leading from the front, developing teams, and embracing failure as growth are invaluable. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain actionable advice, motivation, and a blueprint for leadership success in the ever-evolving world of Pharma.

Subscribe to The Pharmaverse Podcast for more interviews with top leaders shaping the Pharmaverse.

🟨 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐔𝐒:
▶  Website: [https://www.kbic.com/recruiting/]
▶  LinkedIn: [ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpietrack]
▶ Have you seen all of our playlists?                  [https://www.youtube.com/@ThePharmaversePodcast/playlists ]
▶ Also, join the private LinkedIn Job Board: MSL Job Board

Season 2, Episode 21: A Century of X-Rays with Margaret Yu

In this powerful episode of the Pharmaverse Podcast, host Michael Pietrack sits down with Dr. Margaret Yu, Chief Medical Officer at ARTBIO, an oncology company leading the charge in Radioligand Therapy (RLT) to revolutionize cancer care.

Dr. Yu unpacks the 130-year history of radiation in medicine — from the discoveries of Marie and Pierre Curie to the approval of modern alpha isotopes — and explains how ARTBIO is developing new radioisotope-linked therapies to transform precision oncology.

She also shares deeply personal stories from her medical training, lessons from mentorship, and how being a “language brain in a science-driven world” shapes her communication and leadership approach. In the closing moments, Dr. Yu offers invaluable leadership advice on resilience, growth, and embracing challenges for anyone navigating their first leadership role in Pharma or biotech.

Whether you’re a Pharma executive, biotech innovator, or medical professional, this conversation delivers both inspiration and insight into the future of cancer treatment and scientific leadership.

🎧 Tune in and subscribe for more conversations with the brightest minds in life sciences.

𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐔𝐒:
▶  Website: [https://www.kbic.com/recruiting/]
▶  LinkedIn: [ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpietrack]
▶ Have you seen all of our playlists?                  [https://www.youtube.com/@ThePharmaversePodcast/playlists ]
▶ Also, join the private LinkedIn Job Board: MSL Job Board

Season 2, Episode 20: Exploring The "ProFound" with John Lepore | The Pharmaverse Podcast

Join host Michael Pietrack on The Pharmaverse Podcast as he talks with John Lepore, CEO of ProFound Therapeutics, about leadership, career pivots, and the future of pharmaceutical innovation. Discover how passion, mentorship, and strategic partnerships drive breakthrough therapies and impact patient care.

🔖In this episode:
👉Explore ProFound Therapeutics’ innovative approach to discovering novel proteins and therapies.
👉Learn leadership lessons for small companies vs. large corporations.
👉Gain insights into career management, mentorship, and taking calculated risks.
👉Hear inspiring stories on how science, focus, and urgency shape breakthroughs.
👉Understand the importance of company culture, accountability, and collaboration in the pharmaceutical industry.

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more insights from leaders shaping the future of pharma and healthcare innovation.

𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐔𝐒:
▶  Website: [https://www.kbic.com/recruiting/]
▶  LinkedIn: [ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpietrack]
▶ Have you seen all of our playlists?                  [https://www.youtube.com/@ThePharmaversePodcast/playlists ]
▶ Also, join the private LinkedIn Job Board: MSL Job Board

                                                    👋 Thanks for visiting my Channel✨