In this episode of She Leads Biotech, Sharron Cox sits down with Angela Vollstedt, Director of Global Cell & Gene Therapies Portfolio at Novartis, for a conversation that blends operational grit with visionary thinking.

Angela’s career spans two decades in pharma — from legacy manufacturing to advanced therapies — and she’s now at the forefront of shaping how personalized medicine can become scalable, accessible, and sustainable.

We talk about:

• Her unexpected start in a male-dominated manufacturing environment

• The creative shift from operations to product development

• Rethinking biotech leadership in uncharted territory

• The “bus” model that could transform patient access in CGT

• The mindset young biotech professionals need to succeed today

Whether you’re scaling a CGT company or just starting out in life sciences, Angela’s story offers grounded insights and bold ideas about what it means to lead at the edge of innovation.

Listen now and share with a leader navigating the new frontier of biotech.

📌 Chapters / Timestamps:
00:00 – Meet Angela Vollstedt
01:00 – Her entry into pharma & manufacturing
05:00 – Being one of the only women in the room
07:00 – Lessons that shaped her leadership style
11:00 – Transitioning into product development
14:00 – Entering advanced therapies
16:00 – Balancing excellence with innovation
18:00 – A "bus" that could change patient access
23:00 – Why patient awareness matters
26:00 – What keeps her passionate about the work
28:00 – Advice for the next generation of biotech leaders