SpreadLove In Organizations

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.

In this special episode in partnership with ESCP Business School, I’m joined by Jessica Leygues, an ESCP Business School MSc Biopharmaceutical Management alum, current General Secretary of the Women's Cancer Institute, for a thought-provoking conversation about her inspiring journey and her work redefining healthcare systems. Jessica, an engineer by training from AgroParisTech, shared her early career in biotech consulting and her transition to leadership roles, including as CEO of Medicen Paris Region during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She discussed how her experiences in the public and private sectors gave her insight into where real impact can be made in healthcare.

Jessica emphasized that values-driven leadership and small teams have allowed her to focus on deep, meaningful change, particularly in her current project, building the Women's Cancer Institute from scratch. We explored her belief in co-constructing solutions alongside patients and teams, and how this approach is central to her leadership style. She noted the importance of fighting for what you believe in, balancing small victories, and ensuring inclusivity in decision-making.

We also touched on the broader challenges in women's health, where systemic gaps, such as the underrepresentation of women in clinical trials, are leading to disparities in outcomes. Jessica's goal with the Women's Cancer Institute is to address these gaps with a holistic approach that includes personalized care, patient feedback, and a commitment to changing the cultural narratives around women's health.

It was an inspiring conversation about leadership, innovation, and the future of healthcare, all driven by the belief that listening to people and co-creating solutions is the key to meaningful progress.

"Fight for what you believe in"

MEET OUR GUEST Jessica Leygues, General Secretary of Women’s Cancer Institute.

Jessica Leygues is the General Secretary of Women’s Cancer Institute in France. Jessica is an engineer by training from AgroParisTech, and started her career at Alcimed consulting firm where she spent eight years developing new healthcare markets (Biotech/MedTech) for entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs and large corporations as well as for the public and semi-public innovation sector, including the French Ministry of Research, research institutes, competitiveness clusters and knowledge transfer centers. Strongly committed to optimization initiatives for healthcare systems, Jessica then joined Celgene, where she was responsible for a partnership hub aimed at developing the healthcare value model. In April 2020, the midst of COVID pandemic, Jessica became the CEO of Medicen Paris Region, Europe’s leading health cluster, where she redefined the strategic positioning of the group in order to launch concrete reindustrialization initiatives to accelerate growth in the French healthcare industry and boost national sovereignty to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this episode, we dive with Alison Fragale, a research psychologist, award-winning professor, international keynote speaker, and author, into the profound insights of understanding human behavior, especially for those of us in leadership positions. We explore how essential it is to recognize that at the core of any organization, it's the psychology of the people involved that really drives success. Alison highlights how often leaders, especially those with technical backgrounds, might overlook the importance of these human factors until they face significant challenges in getting people to move in the right direction. It's not just about the data or scientific narratives; it's about connecting with people on a level that influences their behavior.

We also discuss the critical role of status and power in our lives and organizations. Status is about respect—how much we are valued by others—while power is about controlling resources that others care about. These two are closely linked, but they are distinct. Alison emphasizes that many people assume if they are powerful, they will automatically be respected. However, the reality is often the opposite; respect is the foundation that can lead to power. This understanding is particularly important when addressing issues like gender and minority status in the workplace, where ascribed characteristics can unfairly influence status.

Tune-in to learn more in this incredible conversation with Alison, and don't hesitate to get her recently published book!

"Be yourself in the most strategic way possible"

MEET OUR GUEST Alison Fragale, a research psychologist, award-winning professor, international keynote speaker, and author.

Alison Fragale, a research psychologist, award-winning professor, international keynote speaker, and author, on a mission to help others — especially women — work and live better by understanding and applying the science of people. Alison excels in translating her deep academic expertise is in status, power, negotiation, and influence into actionable advice. Alison is currently Professor at Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina and her research appeared in several news outlets such as Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, to name a few…

In this special episode in partnership with ESCP Business School, I’m joined by Clarissa Gorin, a pharmacist and ESCP Business School MSc Biopharmaceutical Management alum, who transitioned from the blockchain industry to head Medical Affairs at Ad Scientiam, a MedTech company specializing in digital biomarkers. Clarissa shares her journey from a traditional pharmacy career path to embracing tech innovation in healthcare, particularly in the fight against counterfeit medicines in developing countries. Her work at Ad Scientiam, which originated from the Paris Brain Institute, focuses on creating digital biomarkers using smartphone sensors and AI to monitor and predict the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Clarissa's unique perspective highlights the importance of adaptability and the practical application of technology to meet real-world needs in the healthcare sector.

Throughout the episode, we dive into Clarissa's experiences in navigating cultural challenges in tech adoption, particularly in developing regions, and how this has shaped her approach to leading innovative projects. She emphasizes the value of understanding the specific needs of both patients and healthcare providers when developing new technologies, and the critical role that digital biomarkers and AI can play in the future of medical diagnostics and treatment. Clarissa also reflects on the importance of accessibility and humility in tech development, ensuring that solutions are not only high-tech but also practical and adaptable to diverse healthcare settings around the world.

"Effective leadership hinges on adaptability and the ability to respond swiftly to change."

MEET OUR GUEST Clarissa Gorin, Head of Medical Innovation, Medical Affairs at Ad scientam.

Clarissa holds a dual degree in Pharmacy and a Master of Science (MSc) specialized in pharmaceutical and biotechnology management from ESCP Business School. She quickly developed a keen interest in emerging technologies, data management, and their applications in the healthcare sector. Following her initial professional experience focusing on the blockchain industry and the fight against counterfeit medicines in developing countries, Clarissa joined Ad Scientiam in 2020 as Head of Medical Affairs.

Ad Scientiam, a MedTech company originating from the Paris Brain Institute, specializes in developing digital biomarkers that enable the monitoring and prediction of the progression of certain neurodegenerative pathologies and rare diseases. These innovative markers are derived from proprietary algorithms for measuring precise analysis movements, vocal activity, or image processing derived from smartphone sensors and AI technologies. Within Ad Scientiam, her role involves working collaboratively with the Scientific Board to ensure the development and validation of these biomarkers, leveraging her medical knowledge and expertise. 

In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Carl Dahlberg, who shared his fascinating journey from a computer science nerd to an emergency physician and medical innovator. Carl discussed how his passion for problem-solving has driven his diverse career, spanning IT, financial trading, and emergency medicine. He reflected on his transition into healthcare and how his tech background influenced his approach to medicine, emphasizing creativity and innovation.

Carl highlighted a recurring theme in his career: a desire to solve important problems for real people, which ultimately led him to focus on healthcare innovation. He expressed concerns about the U.S. healthcare system's inefficiencies and the need for a fundamental redesign to improve outcomes and reduce costs.

When discussing his work mentoring entrepreneurs, Carl emphasized the importance of listening to customers and stakeholders to truly understand the problems that need solving. He also shared his insights on leadership, noting that modern leaders should align incentives and communicate the mission clearly to their teams, rather than merely issuing directives.

In a reflective segment, Carl shared his views on concepts like innovation, entrepreneurship, health equity, and spreading joy in organizations. He underscored the importance of joy in work, distinguishing it from mere fun, and emphasized that true satisfaction comes from tackling meaningful challenges.

Carl concluded with advice for healthcare leaders: ensure that clinicians, who are the embodiment of the mission, have a voice in decision-making processes to avoid potentially disastrous oversights.

"True satisfaction comes from solving important problems for real people, not just making a profit."

MEET OUR GUEST Carl Dahlberg, President at Dahlberg Healthcare Solutions.

Carl Dahlberg, a physician innovator whose passion is solving important problems for real people.  Holding degrees from The University of Michigan Medical School and MIT Sloan School of Management Carl has a multifaceted background spanning technology, medicine, art and business.  He’s co-founder of the MIT Sloan Physicians Group and a mentor with the MIT Sandbox and UM6P Explorer innovation programs.  Carl blends medical proficiency with entrepreneurial spirit and relentless creativity to drive positive change in healthcare and beyond.

In this episode, Naji welcomes Emilia McLaughlin, a biotech founder and CEO, to discuss her journey into the field. Emilia shares that her initial interest in medicine led her to study biochemistry, but she eventually found her passion in parasitology. She describes her shift from academic research to entrepreneurship as motivated by a desire to directly impact patient care, which she found lacking in academic work.

Emilia highlights her experience with the incubator program Entrepreneur First, which catalyzed her transition into biotech entrepreneurship. She emphasizes the importance of building strong teams, hiring the right people, and maintaining a focus on patient needs in the biotech industry. She discusses the challenges of being a female founder in a predominantly male industry and the importance of supporting other women in making the leap from academia to entrepreneurship. Throughout the conversation, Emilia emphasizes the value of bravery and risk-taking in entrepreneurship, particularly for women, and underscores the importance of keeping patients at the forefront of healthcare innovation.

"Nobody has all the answers. You've just got to throw yourself in and do the best you can."

MEET OUR GUEST Emilia McLaughlin, Founder and CEO at Kyron Bio.

Emilia McLaughlin is founder and CEO of kyron.bio, a startup based in Paris dedicated to pioneering tomorrow’s therapeutics. Originally from London, Emilia moved to Paris in 2017 to pursue a PhD in parasite molecular biology at the Institut Pasteur. Upon completing her PhD, she founded kyron.bio with the aim of enhancing the efficacy of protein therapeutics through innovative glycan modifications. Since its inception, Emilia has successfully recruited a world-class scientific team, established a state-of-the-art laboratory, secured core technology IP, and garnered over €1.2M in competitive grants from the French government and the EU. Additionally, she has raised €1.1M in equity funding. Currently, the company is testing its first therapeutic in human serum and has developed a robust pipeline of innovative products.

In 2024, Emilia was recognized as a Woman in Leadership by the European Innovation Commission. She is passionate about empowering women to take on leadership roles and supports academics who aspire to transition into entrepreneurship.