Reimagining Rare Disease Drug Development with Nerissa Kreher

In this episode of She Leads Biotech, I’m joined by Nerissa Kreher, Chief Medical Officer of Alltrna, for a conversation about rare disease innovation, precision medicine, and the future of drug development.

With more than 20 years of experience in rare diseases, Nerissa shares her journey from pediatric endocrinologist to biotech executive and explains how Alltrna is taking a novel approach to treating genetic diseases through mutation-defined therapies.

A fascinating discussion about science, innovation, leadership, and hope for families living with rare diseases.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
02:00 From Medicine to Biotech
05:00 Falling in Love with Rare Disease Research
08:00 Understanding Rare Disease Communities
12:00 The Challenge of Clinical Trials in Rare Diseases
16:00 Mutation-Defined Therapies Explained
21:00 How Alltrna Is Rethinking Drug Development
26:00 Regulatory & Clinical Development Challenges
31:00 Public vs Private Company Leadership
35:00 What Makes a Great Biotech Executive
39:00 Leadership, Mentorship & Authenticity
43:00 The Role of Patients in Drug Development
47:00 The Future of Rare Disease Innovation
51:00 Bringing Hope to Patients & Families

#SheLeadsBiotech #RareDisease #PrecisionMedicine #GeneTherapy #BiotechLeadership #WomenInBiotech #CNAUSAExecutiveSearch

Leading with Purpose in Rare Disease with Sarah DiSalvatore

In this episode of She Leads Biotech, I’m joined by Sarah DiSalvatore, Fractional SVP of Clinical Operations & Biotech Executive, for a conversation about leadership, rare disease, and the realities of bringing innovative therapies to patients.

Sarah shares her journey from bench research to executive leadership, why quality and compliance are fundamental to successful clinical development, and how fractional leadership is helping early-stage biotech companies build smarter and more efficiently.

We also discuss the deeply personal experience of becoming a rare disease parent, and how that has transformed the way Sarah approaches patient advocacy, programme development, and the importance of building centres of excellence for underserved communities.

A thoughtful conversation about resilience, strategy, and keeping patients at the centre of every decision.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
02:00 A Childhood Dream of Medicine
06:00 From Bench Research to Clinical Operations
11:00 Why Quality and Compliance Matter
16:00 Growing into Leadership
20:00 The Rise of Fractional Executives
25:00 Becoming a Rare Disease Parent
30:00 How Personal Experience Changed Clinical Development
34:00 Building Centres of Excellence for Rare Diseases
38:00 The Future of Clinical Operations
42:00 Advice for Parents, Caregivers & Leaders

#SheLeadsBiotech #RareDisease #ClinicalOperations #BiotechLeadership #GeneTherapy #WomenInBiotech #CNAUSAExecutiveSearch

Beyond Burnout: Rethinking Leadership and Identity with Melody Keel

In this episode of She Leads Biotech, I’m joined by Melody Keel, CEO of The Research Associate Group, for a candid conversation about clinical operations, leadership, burnout, and building a life beyond your job title.

With more than 20 years of experience in clinical operations, Melody shares what she’s learned about leading teams, navigating high-pressure environments, and why empathy is one of the most powerful tools a leader can have.

We also discuss the changing biotech job market, the importance of personal branding, and why your career should never become your entire identity.

Whether you work in clinical operations or any area of life sciences, this episode is packed with practical insights and honest reflections.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
02:10 Falling into Clinical Operations
05:00 Why Great Leaders Put People First
09:30 The Reality of Burnout in ClinOps
14:00 Sponsor vs CRO Life
17:20 A Personal Wake-Up Call
20:00 Building a Life Beyond Work
23:00 The Future of Careers in Biotech
27:00 Why Your Personal Brand Matters
30:00 Supporting Women Through Career Change
33:00 Finding Your Purpose Beyond Your Job

#SheLeadsBiotech #ClinicalOperations #Leadership #WomenInBiotech #CareerGrowth #LifeSciences #CNAUSAExecutiveSearch

Building Your Own Table with Jennifer Daily

In this episode of She Leads Biotech, I’m joined by Jennifer Daily, neuroscientist, biotech executive, and founder, for a conversation about leadership, drug development, and the journey from employee to entrepreneur.

Jennifer shares how working across clinical development, regulatory affairs, manufacturing, and preclinical research gave her a unique perspective on what it really takes to move therapies from concept to patient.

We also discuss the realities of gene therapy, why execution is often more important than great science alone, the power of building a strong network, and what inspired her to launch her own company in the neuroscience space.

A thoughtful conversation about leadership, risk-taking, and creating opportunities instead of waiting for them.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
02:30 Discovering Science & Neuroscience
05:00 Moving from Academia to Industry
08:00 What Industry Looks for in Scientists
10:00 Seeing the Full Drug Development Picture
13:00 Why Great Science Isn't Enough
16:00 Funding Plans, Not Hope
19:00 From Executive to Founder
22:00 Building a Company in Neuroscience
25:00 Creating a Culture Where Every Voice Matters
28:00 Risk, Decision-Making & Leadership
31:00 The Future of Gene Therapy
34:00 Career Advice, Networking & Growth

#SheLeadsBiotech #WomenInBiotech #BiotechLeadership #GeneTherapy #Neuroscience #FemaleFounder #CNAUSAExecutiveSearch

Rethinking IVF with Ivana Muncie-Vasic

In this episode of She Leads Biotech, we’re joined by Ivana Muncie-Vasic, CEO & Founder of Vitra Labs, for a conversation about fertility innovation, bioengineering, and building a biotech company from the ground up.

Ivana shares how her work in stem cell biology led to the development of hormone-free IVF technology designed to reduce the physical and financial burden of fertility treatment for patients.

We also talk about the realities of becoming a first-time founder, navigating imposter syndrome, building resilience as a CEO, and how becoming a new mother has deepened her connection to the mission behind Vitra Labs.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
02:00 Finding Bioengineering & Stem Cell Research
07:00 Why Patient Impact Became the Focus
10:00 From Academic Research to Founding Vitra Labs
14:00 The Science Behind Hormone-Free IVF
19:00 Why Traditional IVF Is So Difficult on Women
23:00 Becoming a First-Time CEO
27:00 Panic Attacks, Pressure & Founder Reality
31:00 The Importance of Support & Coaching
34:00 Becoming a Mother While Building a Startup
37:00 Advice for Future Founders

#SheLeadsBiotech #WomensHealth #FertilityInnovation #IVF #WomenInBiotech #CNAUSAExecutiveSearch

Changing the Conversation Around Women’s Health with Saundra Pelletier & Mitch Rosen

In this episode of She Leads Biotech, we’re joined by Saundra Pelletier and Mitch Rosen from Evofem Biosciences for a candid conversation about women’s health, education, intimacy, and the importance of normalizing these discussions.

We explore why women deserve more options, why men need to be part of the conversation too, and how a new generation is changing the way people think about sexual health and communication.

From access and advocacy to stigma, healthcare gaps, and the power of education, this episode is honest, insightful, and surprisingly fun.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
03:00 Evofem, Phexxi & Women’s Choice
07:00 The “Say Vagina” Campaign
12:00 Why Men Need to Join the Conversation
16:00 How Mitch Found Women’s Health
21:00 What’s Changing in Women’s Healthcare
26:00 Shared Responsibility & Communication
31:00 Generational Shifts Around Intimacy
35:00 Myths & Misconceptions in Women’s Health
40:00 AI, Access & The Future of Care
45:00 What Real Progress Looks Like
49:00 Final Advice & Takeaways

#SheLeadsBiotech #WomensHealth #HealthcareInnovation #WomenInBiotech #CNAUSAExecutiveSearch

Trusting Your Judgement in Biotech with Anna Polak-Andersen

In this episode of She Leads Biotech, we’re joined by Anna Polak-Andersen, CEO of AnRes Clinical, for a thoughtful conversation about clinical development, leadership, and navigating the biotech industry across Europe.

Anna shares her journey from studying pharmacy in Poland to leading a clinical development consultancy supporting biotech companies and rare disease programs across the industry.

We talk about the realities of clinical research, the importance of strategic thinking in development, the current European biotech landscape, and why learning to trust your own judgement is one of the most important leadership lessons of all.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
03:00 Why Anna Chose Clinical Development
08:00 Early Career at Pfizer
11:00 Staying Connected to Patient Impact
15:00 What Makes AnRes Clinical Different
20:00 Choosing the Right Clients & Partnerships
24:00 European Biotech & Funding Challenges
28:00 Women in Leadership & Self-Doubt
32:00 Trusting Your Own Judgement
35:00 Advice for the Next Generation

#SheLeadsBiotech #ClinicalDevelopment #WomenInBiotech #BiotechLeadership #CNAUSAExecutiveSearch

Building a biotech company takes more than science.

In this episode of She Leads Biotech, Dr. Stella Vnook, CEO of Aviva Ventures, shares her journey from arriving in the US with nothing to leading multiple biotech ventures and supporting the next generation of founders.

We explore the realities of building in biotech, from self-doubt and uncertainty to navigating the business side of science, and why so many great ideas never get started.

A practical and honest conversation about resilience, leadership, and what it really takes to turn science into impact.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
01:30 Stella’s Early Journey
05:00 Building a Career in Life Sciences
09:00 Self-Doubt and Leadership
13:00 From Pharma to Entrepreneurship
18:00 Starting Without Knowing How
23:00 Common Mistakes Founders Make
27:00 Building Multiple Companies
32:00 The Story Behind Caerra
36:00 Aviva Ventures and Supporting Founders
40:00 Advice for Early-Stage Founders
44:00 What Success Looks Like

#SheLeadsBiotech #WomenInBiotech #BiotechLeadership #LifeSciences #CNAUSAExecutiveSearch

Solving More Than Science with Adrienne Mendoza

Cell and gene therapy is advancing rapidly, but science alone isn’t enough.

In this episode of She Leads Biotech, Adrienne Mendoza, Chief Operating Officer of BBG Advanced Therapies, shares what’s really needed to move the field forward, from improving access and infrastructure to rethinking how these therapies reach patients.

We also explore her journey over the past year, building a stronger presence in the industry, translating complex science for broader audiences, and the realities of leading through a challenging and evolving market.

A practical and honest look at where the field is today, and what it will take to get to the next stage.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
02:00 Stepping into a New Role at BBG Advanced Therapies
05:00 How the Role of a COO Evolves
08:30 Building Presence and Community in CGT
12:00 Making Complex Science Understandable
16:00 The Mobile Leukapheresis Bus
21:00 Access Challenges in Cell & Gene Therapy
27:00 What Needs to Change in the System
33:00 Industry Challenges and Optimism
38:00 What the Next 5 Years Could Look Like
41:00 Life Outside of Biotech

#SheLeadsBiotech #CellAndGeneTherapy #BiotechLeadership #LifeSciences #CNAUSAExecutiveSearch

Rethinking Eye Care: From NanoDropper to Mu Medical

What started as a student project has turned into a company reshaping how eye care is delivered.

In this episode of She Leads Biotech, we’re joined by Allisa Song, CEO of Mu Medical, and Mackenzie Andrews, CCO, to talk about the journey from an idea sparked in a research lab to a product now used across thousands of clinics.

They share how a simple question, why are eye drops too big, led to a solution that improves patient outcomes, reduces waste, and is now evolving into something much bigger.

We also get into co-founder dynamics, building in a complex healthcare system, and the reality of being young female leaders in a traditionally male-dominated space.

A practical, honest conversation about building, scaling, and challenging assumptions in healthcare.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
01:30 Meet Allisa & Mackenzie
04:00 From Research Lab to Startup Idea
08:30 The Eye Drop Problem Explained
13:00 Building NanoDropper
18:30 When It Became a Real Business
22:00 Product Demo & Clinical Impact
26:00 Go-to-Market Strategy
30:00 Working with Insurers, Clinics & Pharma
34:00 Evolving into Mu Medical
38:00 Co-Founder Dynamics & Trust
42:00 Being Women in a Male-Dominated Industry
47:00 Advice for Founders
51:00 What’s Next for Mu Medical

Listen / Watch:
Spotify | YouTube

#SheLeadsBiotech #MedTech #HealthcareInnovation #WomenInBiotech #CNAUSAExecutiveSearch