In this episode, Naji Gehchan welcomes Selin Kurnaz, CEO and co-founder of Massive Bio, a health tech company using AI and data-driven solutions to expand access to cancer clinical trials. Selin shares her personal journey from a structured career in engineering and private equity to founding Massive Bio after her family’s experience with cancer. What started as a side project quickly became her full-time mission, as she realized the immense challenges and dedication required to drive change in healthcare. Since 2015, she has led Massive Bio to impact over 160,000 patients worldwide, with a focus on underserved communities and equitable access to clinical trials.

Selin highlights the importance of applying engineering principles to clinical operations, particularly in solving the long-standing challenge of patient recruitment in oncology trials. By combining systematic problem-solving with regulatory knowledge, Massive Bio addresses inefficiencies across the patient enrollment journey—identification, pre-screening, and last-mile enrollment. She explains how AI enables scalability, reducing the time it takes to match patients with clinical trials from months to minutes. This approach not only empowers patients to advocate for themselves but also helps physicians and pharma companies accelerate drug development, creating both individual and population-level impact.

Discussing leadership and growth, Selin emphasizes resilience, teamwork, and the importance of early adopters in driving healthcare innovation. She speaks candidly about the challenges women face in senior roles within health tech and the need for true meritocracy. At Massive Bio, she fosters a flat, mission-driven culture where every team member feels empowered and connected to the purpose of improving patients’ lives. Her closing advice to healthcare leaders is to remain resilient, embrace humility, and stay grounded—focusing on what truly matters: health, team, and impact.

"I’m not seeking fairness in life, but success in the unfairness of life."

MEET OUR GUEST Selin Kurnaz, CEO and co-founder of Massive Bio, a health tech company improving access to cancer clinical trials through AI and data-driven solutions.

Selin Kurnaz is the CEO and co-founder of Massive Bio, a health tech company improving access to cancer clinical trials through AI and data-driven solutions. She holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and brings over a decade of experience in life sciences strategy and operations. Inspired by her family’s cancer journey, Selin launched Massive Bio in 2015 to make cutting-edge treatments more accessible, particularly in underserved communities. Under her leadership, the company has onboarded over 160,000 patients and built a global network of sites, partners, and advocates. Selin is also a recognized voice for women in tech and digital health innovation.

About Massive Bio:

In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, Naji Gehchan welcomes Christy Fernandez-Cull, CEO of DaVinci Wearables and a trailblazer in tech and health innovation. Christy shares her inspiring journey from childhood curiosity — designing a cereal dispenser to let her hardworking parents sleep in — to leading groundbreaking work at companies like Apple, Waymo, and Google. With a PhD from Duke and an MBA from MIT, Christy blends deep technical expertise with visionary leadership, always guided by a moral compass instilled by her family and a relentless curiosity about the world.

Christy introduces her current venture, DaVinci Wearables, with the bold ambition of becoming the “body API for better health.” She describes a future where garments not only clothe us but also provide real-time biometric insights, especially focused on women’s health, a historically underserved field. With partnerships across universities and health systems, DaVinci is building a wearable ecosystem that tracks hydration, hormones, nutrition, and physical activity, empowering users through a smart companion app that educates and nudges healthier habits. Their unique platform blends data, personalized coaching, and community, aiming to democratize body intelligence for every stage of a woman’s life.

Throughout the conversation, Christy speaks candidly about the challenges and joys of entrepreneurship, especially as a female founder in health tech. She emphasizes the importance of empathy — both toward others and oneself — and encourages founders to stay anchored in purpose by connecting directly with the people they serve. Christy’s reflections on leadership, equity in women’s health, and the role of love and service in organizations offer powerful inspiration for healthcare leaders seeking to drive meaningful change.

"If you need to feel inspired, go directly to your customer… They’ll remind you why you started."

MEET OUR GUEST Christy Fernandez-Cull, CEO of DaVinci Wearables and former leader of sensing teams at Waymo (Google Self-Driving) and Lyft's Self-Driving Division.

Dr. Christy Fernandez-Cull is CEO of DaVinci Wearables and former leader of sensing teams at Waymo (Google Self-Driving) and Lyft's Self-Driving Division. She played a key role at Apple, contributing to autonomous systems and releasing the first LiDAR module in the 2020 iPad. Dr. Fernandez-Cull has experience in Defense technologies at MIT Lincoln Laboratory and consumer products at Apple. She advises VCs and startups in mobility, autonomous vehicles, and digital health, and serves on several boards. She holds a Ph.D. from Duke University and an MBA from MIT and lectures at Columbia University and MIT.

Longer Dr. Christy Fernandez-Cull is the CEO of DaVinci Wearables. Previously, she led the sensing and perception system’s teams at Waymo - formerly Google Self-Driving. She was also the Head of Sensors at Lyft Level 5 Self-Driving Division, leading sensor architecture for Lyft vehicle platforms — designing machine eyes to help transform transportation of the future. Prior to Lyft, she was a senior technologist at Apple spanning autonomous systems and the Camera and Depth Hardware team that released the first-of-kind Light Detection and Ranging module in the 2020 iPad. She has spanned both the development of Defense technologies at MIT Lincoln Laboratory and at-scale consumer-product technologies at Apple. She is a senior science advisor to multiple VCs and startups in the areas of sensors and systems for mobility applications, autonomous vehicles and digital health and wearables. She’s a Board member of Omnitron and a Venture Partner and Deep Tech Advisor at L’attitude Ventures and serves on a non-profit board. She received her MS and Ph.D. in Engineering from Duke University and MBA from MIT and enjoys mentoring in STEM/STEAM fields and serves as a adjunct/lecturer at Columbia University, guest lecture and AI practitioner at MIT-LL and MIT Media Lab.

In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, I had the pleasure of hosting Michael Pietrack, a seasoned recruiter in the pharmaceutical industry with nearly two decades of experience. Michael shared his fascinating journey, starting as a college baseball coach and transitioning into pharmaceutical recruiting by chance. Over the years, he has placed more than a thousand professionals, making a significant impact on the industry by connecting top talent with critical roles in medical affairs and beyond. Michael’s commitment to improving healthcare by enabling the success of industry leaders was evident as he discussed how recruiting for this field has become a purposeful mission for him.

Michael offered invaluable advice for both hiring managers and job seekers. For hiring managers, he emphasized the importance of clarity in defining roles, avoiding the pitfall of hiring clones, and trusting one’s gut instinct when making decisions. For candidates, he highlighted the need to have a clear career strategy, prioritize the “people” factor when considering opportunities, and be willing to take risks for growth. Michael also shared insights from his podcast, The PharmaVerse, where he explores leadership across the pharmaceutical universe. One key takeaway from his interviews is the central role of genuine care in effective leadership—a value deeply aligned with our podcast’s focus on spreading love in organizations.

"Leadership is leading from the front while ensuring no one is left behind."

MEET OUR GUEST Michael Pietrack Practice Lead for Pharma and Biotech recruiting team at Kaye/ Bassman International Corp.

Michael Pietrack has been recruiting in the Pharmaceutical Industry for nearly 20 years. He and his team have successfully placed more 1,000 Pharmaceutical professionals during that time, leaving a positive impact on the industry. Michael started his recruiting career with The Alpine Group, where he led the Medical Affairs Search Practice. In 2015, Michael co-founded TMAC Direct, an executive search firm exclusively devoted to Medical Affairs. Under Michael’s leadership, TMAC Direct was named one of the Top US Executive Search Firms by Forbes. In 2023, Michael joined Kaye/Bassman to lead the expansion of the already established and high-performing Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Search Practice. Aside from recruiting, Michael is also a speaker, recruiting trainer, and an accomplished author and was recognized as one of Pharma’s 100 Most Inspiring People by PharmaVoice. Michael is also a fellow podcast host on The Pharamaverse Podcast, where he engages in insightful conversations with industry leaders. 

On this episode, I had the privilege of hosting Afarin Bellisario, a mentor at MIT Sandbox, author, and tech entrepreneur with an extraordinary life story. Afarin began by sharing her journey from her childhood in Iran to becoming a prominent figure in high-tech and entrepreneurship in the U.S. Growing up in a family that straddled traditional and modern Iran, she had a unique perspective on navigating the contrasting worlds of South and North Tehran. Her education, initially rooted in mathematics, became her ticket to freedom and opportunity, culminating in her studies at NYU and MIT. The tumultuous events of the Revolution profoundly shaped her, compelling her to forge a new path in America. She eloquently described how curiosity, resilience, and adaptability fueled her career, whether in corporate America or mentoring young entrepreneurs.

We also delved into her debut novel, Silence Whispers, which tells the story of a young woman navigating transformative changes in her life and country. Afarin explained how this fictional character, Gohar, was inspired by both her own experiences and the rich stories of her heritage, blending historical and personal elements. Through extensive research and creative writing, she captured the complex dualities of Iranian society and the broader universal struggles of identity, resilience, and transformation. Afarin emphasized that while Gohar shares some traits with her, the character stands apart as a vehicle for exploring the broader human experience. The novel serves as both a personal exploration and a reflection on the cultural and societal shifts of her homeland.

Finally, Afarin shared her philosophy on the intersection of history and technology, emphasizing how understanding the past can inform and guide our technological future. Drawing on examples from her work with startups and historical case studies, she highlighted the recurring patterns in how society reacts to radical new technologies. From the advent of radio to the rise of artificial intelligence, Afarin underscored the importance of maintaining human agency and using technology as a tool for good. Her reflections offered profound insights into leadership, innovation, and the enduring need to balance progress with humanity.

"Change is inevitable; embracing it with curiosity turns challenges into opportunities."

MEET OUR GUEST Afarin Bellisario Consultant, Advisor at MIT, and Author.

Afarin Bellisario bridges East and West, technology and the human condition, and past and present. Born and raised in Tehran in a family with its feet in the past and its head in the future, she led a successful career in high-tech and international business in the US after earning her PhD (from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). But writing had always been her passion. Having written professionally in pre-revolutionary Iran, she has published op-eds in major papers, including the Boston Globe and an essay, Movies with my Aunt, as part of the anthology Love & Pomegranates. 

Today, she mentors startups, teaches, and writes about the clash between tradition and modernity and how the past can shed light on our technology-fueled future. A music lover, she is a Cambridge Chamber Ensemble board member and writes for their newsletter as well as on Medium. Afarin continues to discover new destinations globally.

In this episode of SpreadLove in Organizations, Naji hosted Jason Bhardwaj, a seasoned life science executive and CEO of Nova Anchora. Jason shared his journey from growing up in a science-oriented household to leading biotech startups. He described how his passion for healthcare and business developed through his studies in biomedical engineering at Duke and a decade-long career in consulting. His transition from consulting to entrepreneurship reflects his drive to build impactful solutions in heatlthcare.

Jason highlighted key lessons from his experience building and leading biotech teams. He emphasized the importance of finding personal gratification in the startup ecosystem, where milestones - like moving a project from concept to clinic - feel profoundly rewarding. He discussed the critical role of people decisions in virtual biotech models, stressing the importance of rigorous hiring processes and selecting the right partners to ensure a cohesive and capable core team. Jason's philosophy centers on creating an environment where each team member's unique skills contribute to breakthrough innovations.

Beyond biotech, Jason shared his commitment to community and education. With two young children, he recently announced his candidacy for the Newton, Massachusetts public school committee. Inspired by a family legacy in teaching, he aims to contribute to educational development and support local families. This passion underscores his belief that learning is a lifelong journey, whether in science, business, or public service.

"Find the way you want to make a difference"

MEET OUR GUEST Jason Bhardwaj CEO of Nova Anchora.

Jason Bhardwaj is an experienced life sciences executive with a broad background leading in startups and ~20 years working in healthcare. Currently, Jason is the CEO of Nova Anchora, developing a recombinant protein-based treatment for DEB (dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa). Prior to this, Jason served for 6 years as CEO of another dermatology-focused biotech (Follica, a drug-device combination product for alopecia). Jason has led or advised across a wide range of technologies (drugs, devices, combinations), as well as indications (e.g., Dermatology, Psychiatry, Cardiology, Ophthalmology).

Find more and support Jason's mission: www.jason4newton.com

In this episode, Naji engages in a deep conversation with Angela Justice, an award-winning Chief People Officer, executive coach, and neuroscientist. Angela shares her journey from consultant to Chief People Officer and founder of Justice Group Advisors, providing unique insights from her extensive experience in healthcare, biotech, and nonprofits. Angela’s curiosity about human behavior, which began with her passion for dance, has driven her to explore the concept of potential in individuals and teams. She discusses how her lifelong fascination with understanding people’s motives and capacities fueled her career in executive coaching, where she helps leaders identify and maximize their strengths while fostering strategic alignment in organizations.

Angela emphasizes the power of purpose-driven leadership and the importance of aligning individual motivations with organizational goals to cultivate high-performing teams. She shares that one of the most vital aspects of leadership is focusing on a larger purpose, especially in healthcare, where the mission centers on improving patient lives. In her view, humility is essential for leaders, allowing them to embrace diverse ideas and remain open to learning from their teams. Angela believes that fostering an environment of collaboration and unity around shared goals can significantly enhance both individual and team performance, driving sustainable success in organizations.

Angela also speaks about her journey in embracing her unique strengths, or “edge,” which she describes as critical to thriving in one’s career. She encourages leaders and professionals to discover what makes them unique and leverage that distinctiveness as a strategic advantage.

"Move up in your life, not just in your career. Think bigger about the legacy you want to leave, and you’ll bring more impact to the world."

MEET OUR GUEST Angela Justice Chief People Officer, executive coach, and trusted advisor.

Angela Justice is an award-winning Chief People Officer, executive coach, and trusted advisor to top executives. A neuroscientist by training, Angela began her career as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company before holding senior leadership positions in Medical Affairs, Patient Advocacy, and Human Resources. Most recently, she was the Chief People Officer and Head of Medical Affairs at TCRTherapeutics. Angela's diverse background and hands-on experience in the C-suites and boardrooms of healthcare, biotech, and nonprofit sectors provide her with a unique and informed perspective. Her deep understanding of human and organizational behavior enables her to drive sustainable change, helping leaders establish strategic alignment, address blind spots, and leverage strengths for exceptional results. As the Founder and Managing Director of Justice Group Advisors, Angela is dedicated to helping leaders earn and embrace their seat at the table.

You can download here the workbook to find your edge! Thank you Angela for this gift!

Learn more about Angela's work here.

In this episode, Naji talks with Rebecca Yeung, an accomplished leader who shares her journey and the wisdom encapsulated in her book, "What Rules?". The conversation starts with Rebecca recounting a pivotal choice during a challenging period in her life: accept misery or fight for change. This philosophy underpins her book, which challenges conventional expectations and societal "rules" that often guide people's lives and careers.

Rebecca explains the inspiration behind the book's title, crediting her executive coach Gayle Grader, who helped her recognize that by not adhering to typical "rules," she was able to break through barriers like the "bamboo ceiling." This led to the exploration of six key rules in her book: the goals rule, strengths rule, opportunity rule, limits rule, either-or rule, and happiness rule. These rules prompt deeper reflection on what drives us, encourage embracing one's strengths, and challenge traditional success metrics.

Throughout the episode, Rebecca discusses the importance of finding fulfillment and celebrating small wins along life's journey. She emphasizes that success is not solely defined by titles or wealth but by meaningful progress and continuous improvement. She also shares practical tips for leaders to help their teams grow by applying these principles in the workplace, fostering environments where individuals can thrive, develop, and find true joy in their work.

Rebecca's insights offer a fresh perspective on redefining success, encouraging listeners to live authentically and find happiness in the present, rather than constantly pursuing elusive future goals.

"Life is too short to live by someone else’s rules."

MEET OUR GUEST Rebecca Yeung Corporate Vice President at FedEx Corporation.

Rebecca Yeung is a Corporate Vice President at FedEx Corporation and leads Operations Science and Advanced Technology. In her role, she is responsible for driving critical aspects of FedEx’s innovation and transformation strategy including scaling up robotics and automation technology, autonomous vehicles, decision science, and electromobility. She sits on the FedEx Strategic Management Committee, a C-suite leadership group that sets the strategic direction for the enterprise.

As an expert in both advanced technology and logistics operations, she frequently speaks at high profile industry forums including Fortune, World 50, Reuters Momentum, CES, The AI Summit-Silicon Valley, TechCrunch Mobility, HBS Tech Conference and MIT The Engine Tough Tech Summit. In March 2024, Rebecca was recognized by Reuters Events as one of the top 20 Trailblazing Women in Enterprise AI who are demonstrating real influence, impact, and leadership in large-scale enterprise AI deployment.

Rebecca joined two public boards in 2023 – Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) and Columbus McKinnon (NASDAQ: CMCO), bringing to both her technology and innovation expertise and strategic perspective. She has also previously served as a Board of Director for the Mid-South Food Bank between 2013 and 2022.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Karim Benhadji, Chief Medical Officer at Inspirna. With nearly 20 years of experience in oncology drug development, Karim shared his journey from medical school in Algeria to his leadership roles in the biotech industry. He recounted how his passion for science and technology initially led him to medicine and eventually to oncology, a field that has seen transformative advancements over the past two decades. Karim’s experience spans various stages of drug development, including his pivotal role in the approval of key oncology drugs while serving at companies like Eli Lilly and Taiho Oncology.

Karim emphasized the value of taking risks and embracing opportunities, which propelled his transition from academia to the pharmaceutical industry. He recounted how a recruiter’s unexpected call introduced him to clinical research at Eli Lilly, where he gained significant expertise in oncology drug development. Over the years, he led teams in both big pharma and smaller biotech environments, learning the importance of diversity, culture, and team collaboration. He shared his leadership philosophy of authenticity, humility, and empowering others, which has been integral to his success in building high-performing teams to develop life-saving therapies for cancer patients.

As the conversation progressed, Karim highlighted the rapid advancements in oncology, especially the promise of precision medicine and cell-based therapies. He expressed optimism for the future, acknowledging the challenges but also celebrating the scientific progress that has given patients more treatment options. He also touched on the potential of artificial intelligence to revolutionize drug discovery and clinical trial processes, reinforcing his belief that while 90% of drug development efforts may not lead to immediate breakthroughs, they contribute invaluable knowledge to the field and ultimately drive innovation for patients.

"It's all for the patients—they can't wait, and every day lost in bureaucracy or indecision impacts their lives."

MEET OUR GUEST Karim Benhadji Chief Medical Officer at Inspirna.

Karim Benhadji is currently Chief Medical Officer at Inspirna. He has nearly 20 years of experience in biopharmaceutical oncology drug development, and most recently served as Chief Medical Officer of GV20 Therapeutics. He previously served as Senior Vice President, Head of Clinical Development and Operations at Taiho Oncology where he oversaw the development of early and late phase portfolio assets, including the FDA approval of LYTGOBI® (futibatinib) in cholangiocarcinoma and the Phase 3 SUNLIGHT that led to the FDA approval of LONSURF® (trifluridine/tipiracil) in combination with bevacizumab in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Prior to joining Taiho Oncology, Karim spent 13 years with Eli Lilly and Company in oncology development roles of increasing responsibility, including overseeing several immuno-oncology programs. Dr. Benhadji received his M.D. from the University of Oran, and completed his Oncology fellowship in the universities of Oran and Paris. He also received a Master of Science in Pharmacology and Therapeutics in Oncology from the University of Paris.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Suman Lal, whose journey from medical school in India to becoming a leader in innovation is as remarkable as it is unconventional. Initially embarking on a path toward medicine, Suman realized that his true passion lay beyond traditional medical practice. An encounter during medical school inspired him to explore other fields. This decision led him into research and ultimately to Singapore, where he found himself immersed in the country's burgeoning life sciences and healthcare innovation sector. While Suman experimented with various career paths — including academia and research — he discovered that his curiosity drove him to explore new industries rather than settle into any one role.

Following his research phase, Suman transitioned into sales within the life sciences industry, a humbling experience that taught him valuable lessons in resilience and adaptability. He spent five years distributing products for early-stage companies, a role that honed his business acumen and led him to appreciate the practicalities of industry work. Afterward, he pursued an MBA at MIT Sloan, where he was drawn to Boston’s vibrant innovation ecosystem. Suman's post-MIT journey took him through several pivots, including starting a cosmetics startup, which introduced him to the world of drug discovery and eventually brought him back to Boston. His passion for innovation led him to the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), where he worked on building global innovation ecosystems.

Suman’s current focus is on developing the Technology Innovation Studio (TINS), a "mini ecosystem" that combines physical space, curated networks, consulting, and innovation labs to accelerate breakthroughs in healthcare, life sciences, and beyond. With partnerships spanning MIT and CIC’s global network, Suman envisions TINS as a model for fostering collaboration between scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors to solve complex problems. His ambition is to replicate this model in innovation cities worldwide, creating a sustainable platform for innovation and learning that empowers individuals and communities alike.

"Every challenge is an opportunity to create something better."

MEET OUR GUEST Suman Lal is Managing Director of Technology Innovation Studio (TINS).

Suman Lal is Managing Director of Technology Innovation Studio (TINS) - a physical space in Kendall Square that brings together business leaders, scientists, serial entrepreneurs, investors, industry experts, corporate innovation teams and policy experts to explore and apply tools, methods and models in innovation. Suman is also a Senior Advisor to the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) that operates innovation campuses and labs across cities in US, Europe and Asia, and in his previous role worked closely with the leadership team to advise diverse stakeholders in cities and regions around the world on building innovation infrastructure and ecosystems.

Suman is also a Senior Advisor to the Venture Cafe Global Institute (VCGI) that operates the Venture Cafe gatherings in 15 cities, often described as the heartbeat of several innovation districts. Suman has deep experience in the area of technology commercialization, by making independent inventions, licensing intellectual property from major research institutions to form NewCos, and operating venture studios where he took interim CEO roles at the portfolio companies. Prior to this, Suman did technical sales and distribution for 15 early-stage companies over a 5 year period, gaining valuable insights into how early-stage companies transitioned into profitable and scalable businesses.

Suman has an MD in clinical medicine and an MSc in human genetics and did his PhD in precision medicine & clinical pharmacology. Suman received his MBA from MIT as a Sloan Fellow, focusing on innovation and global leadership.

In this episode, my guest Diana Haydar shared her remarkable journey, growing up in Lebanon in a modest family amidst the complexities of war and the resilience it demanded. From her childhood, surrounded by her close-knit sisters, to the school memories we shared, it was clear how both the warmth of family and the trials of war shaped her. School debates and the realities of wartime Lebanon not only matured us beyond our years but also laid the foundation for her leadership journey. Despite the hardships, she drew strength from her experiences, which continue to fuel her resilience today.

As a physiotherapist, she worked with children with special needs in Lebanon, confronting firsthand the struggles of families navigating a healthcare system that offered little support. Her compassion and drive led her to transition into a leadership role within the insurance industry, advocating for patient care and tackling the inequities in healthcare access. She recounted her experience managing teams, demonstrating how she embodied courage and commitment to serving those in need.

Relocating to Dubai in 2021, she faced new challenges, but her determination and adaptability shone through. Reflecting on the stark contrasts between healthcare systems in Lebanon and the UAE, she emphasized her commitment to improving access and ensuring equitable healthcare. Her leadership is defined by resilience, purpose, and the ability to inspire her teams to push forward even in the face of adversity, underscoring a deep-rooted passion for making healthcare more accessible and fair for all.

"Nothing can stop us from doing our job; we will never cease serving the people we are meant to serve."

MEET OUR GUEST Diana Haydar, Director of Direct Sales at Nasco Insurance Group.

Diana Haidar is the Director of Direct Sales at Nasco Insurance Group. Diana has been a key part of the Nasco Insurance group for 20 years, starting in Third Party Administration and then moving into the Direct Broker business, She now covers Middle East's direct portfolio, including Medical, General, and Life insurance. She started her career as a certified physiotherapist, then worked at a mountain Hospital with children with special needs . She holds also a master’s degree in Hospital and Health Management from ESCP & ESA . With 20 years of hands-on experience in the medical field as a professional as well as in insurance industry, Diana has been involved in various aspects of the business, from operations and sales to planning and growth. For over two decades, Diana has been empowering teams, encouraging fresh perspectives, and finding new ways for Nasco Middle East to grow in the world of direct sales. She's a leader dedicated to making a lasting impact on the insurance industry.