What does it really take to move from academia to industry… and then into the C-suite?

In this episode of She Leads Biotech, I sit down with Sailaja Battula, Chief Scientific Officer at Ankyra Therapeutics, whose journey is anything but conventional.

Born and raised on a farm in South India, Sailaja became the first in her family to attend college. She completed her PhD while raising two young children, applied for over 200 industry roles to make her transition, built immunology teams from scratch, and ultimately stepped into the CSO role at a pivotal moment for her company.

This is a conversation about intention, discipline, leadership growth, and knowing when you are ready, even before you fully believe it yourself.

We cover:
• Transitioning from academia to industry
• What hiring managers really look for
• Building and leading discovery teams
• Moving from VP to CSO
• Leadership vs management in scientific roles
• Raising a family while building a biotech career

If you are thinking about your next move, especially into leadership, this episode is packed with clarity and practical insight.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction
01:40 Growing up on a farm in South India
07:01 Education, marriage, and moving to the US
08:48 Breaking into biotech with a newborn
11:19 PhD, postdoc, and moving into immuno-oncology
14:37 Why transitioning from academia to industry is hard
19:21 The three questions to ask before applying for a role
22:46 Career progression from scientist to VP
30:12 Stepping into the CSO role at Ankyra
36:16 What changes when you join the C-suite
38:10 Leadership vs management in science
40:38 Advice to her younger self
42:03 Using LinkedIn strategically for career growth
43:42 What’s next as CSO

🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with women shaping the future of biotech.

#SheLeadsBiotech #SailajaBattula #AnkyraTherapeutics #ChiefScientificOfficer #BiotechLeadership #WomenInScience #CNAUSAExecutiveSearch

In this episode of She Leads Biotech, I sit down with Mori Mohseni, Head of Biology at VidaVinci, for a powerful conversation about persistence, purpose, and what it really takes to lead in drug discovery.

From her early fascination with biology to pivotal roles at AstraZeneca, Novartis, BMS, and now startup biotech, Mori’s career has been defined by one recurring theme: give her the hard problem.

We talk about what it means to search for truth in science, even when the answer isn’t what you hoped for. We explore the transition from big pharma to biotech to startup life, and why those moves were intentional. And we dive into leadership, team building, and the obsession required to move breakthrough science forward.

This is a conversation about loving the work enough to stay with it when it’s difficult, and inspiring others to do the same.

📌 Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction and Mori’s early path into science

03:40 – Falling in love with biology and choosing research over medicine

08:10 – The leap from academia into industry

12:00 – A pivotal lesson: “Look for the truth” in drug discovery

15:20 – Seeing a drug go from bench to patient

18:45 – Big pharma vs biotech vs startup: what really changes

23:15 – Building infrastructure from scratch in smaller companies

27:30 – Leading as a servant leader and building strong teams

31:40 – Advice for young scientists navigating today’s market

35:50 – The future of biotech and the need for early innovation funding

40:10 – Leadership in biotech means loving what you do

Closing the Diagnostic Gap: Leadership, Equity, and Global Health with Devasena Gnanashanmugam

In this episode of She Leads Biotech, I sit down with Devasena Gnanashanmugam, VP of Medical Affairs at Cepheid, for a deeply thoughtful conversation about diagnostics, equity, and what it really means to lead in global healthcare.

Devasena’s journey spans medical training in India, pediatric infectious disease at Stanford, work at the NIH, and now industry leadership in molecular diagnostics. But at the center of it all is one consistent mission: improving access to timely, accurate diagnosis for the patients who need it most.

We talk about tuberculosis, HIV, COVID, and the persistent global diagnostic gap — and why identifying the problem correctly is often the most powerful intervention of all.

This episode is about science, yes. But it is also about humility, collaboration, and the responsibility that comes with leadership.

📌 Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 – Meet Devasena Gnanashanmugam
03:10 – From India to Stanford: early influences and medical training
07:45 – Why infectious disease and global health became her focus
11:20 – Tuberculosis as a medical and social justice issue
15:05 – “Find the bug so you can get the drug” – the power of diagnostics
18:40 – The global diagnostic gap and access challenges
22:15 – Lessons from COVID and what changed in molecular testing
26:30 – Transitioning from academia and NIH to industry
30:05 – The evolving role of physicians in biotech and diagnostics
33:50 – Leading from the front and from behind
37:10 – Collaboration, resilience, and staying grounded in purpose

🎙 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.

#SheLeadsBiotech #DevasenaGnanashanmugam #Cepheid #GlobalHealth #Diagnostics #MedicalAffairs #WomenInSTEM #LifeSciencesLeadership #CNAUSAExecutiveSearch #SharronCoxStudio

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 Forrest
02:15 – From science to motherhood: balancing ambition early
06:30 – Her early biotech roles and learning fast
09:45 – The leap into nonprofit and what it taught her
14:00 – Running a GMP viral vector program to BLA
17:25 – Walking away (and why)
21:10 – What drew her back to biotech
24:00 – How Caring Cross found her at the perfect time
27:30 – The COO role: building from experience
30:50 – Advice to women making unconventional career moves
33:45 – 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

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 / Timestamps
00:00 – Meet Kate Skrable
03:00 – Med school rejections and a new path into biotech
06:30 – Building resilience and finding purpose through pivots
10:45 – Why scarcity shaped her approach to leadership
14:20 – The power of servant leadership and hiring strong teams
17:35 – Making the leap into strategic partnerships at Pfizer
22:15 – Joining Women in Bio’s Boardroom Ready program
26:00 – What early-stage boards really need from commercial voices
30:00 – Advice to women: Don’t play small — say yes and figure it out later
33:10 – 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

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 Health
03:20 – What it’s like to be a woman in cardiac surgery (3% club)
06:45 – The patient case that changed everything
10:00 – Building her first prototype with a garden hose and grit
14:15 – Partnering with her husband and navigating startup life
17:30 – What she’s learned about leadership along the way
21:00 – Balancing motherhood, medicine, and entrepreneurship
25:00 – 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

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 biotech
03:45 – Early career lessons and the power of evidence-based decision-making
07:30 – Leading with curiosity, not ego
10:15 – Becoming CEO at IMUNON and what surprised her most
14:00 – IMUNON’s work in ovarian cancer and immune-gene therapy
17:20 – How personal loss and patient focus guide her leadership
21:40 – Mentorship, gender dynamics, and modeling what’s possible
26:00 – Why biotech needs both scientific clarity and emotional connection
30:30 – 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

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.

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 Listeners
From 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

Terri Gaskell | CTO, Rinri Therapeutics
Restoring 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 mission
03:05 – The science behind restoring hearing via stem cells
07:20 – From university spinout to clinical trials: how it all began
11:40 – Navigating burnout & building balanced leadership
14:30 – Why authenticity matters more than ever in biotech
17:25 – Terri’s Women in Advanced Therapies experience
19:40 – The highs, lows, and marigolds of team management
22:55 – How academia prepared (and didn’t prepare) her for biotech
26:15 – Advice for new biotech leaders: confidence vs competence
29:30 – Rinri’s clinical pipeline and what’s next
33:00 – Final reflections on purpose, progress, and patient impact

#SheLeadsBiotech #TerriGaskell #RinriTherapeutics #HearingLoss #CellTherapy #BiotechLeadership #WomenInSTEM #RegenerativeMedicine #CNAInternationalUSA #SharronCoxStudio #WIAT #Phacilitate #LifeSciences