SpreadLove In Organizations Naji Gehchan

This episode is in collaboration with MIT Sloan Healthcare and BioInnovations Conference, an event that brings the healthcare ecosystem together. On today's episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Britt Wahlin, a passionate advocate for gender equity and reproductive justice. Britt shared her insights on the progress we've made in these areas, highlighting the development of more inclusive frameworks for discussing these crucial issues. She emphasized the importance of reproductive justice, a framework created by Black women that goes beyond just abortion rights to encompass broader issues like the right to have children, not to have children, and to raise children in safe communities. While acknowledging the progress made, Britt also discussed the setbacks we're facing in reproductive health and rights due to policies and politicians threatening bodily autonomy.



We delved into Britt's work with Free the Pill, a coalition-driven campaign advocating for over-the-counter access to birth control. She explained how, after two decades of advocacy, the FDA approved the first over-the-counter birth control pill last year. However, Britt emphasized that the work is far from over, as they now focus on ensuring the product is accessible and affordable to all who need it.



Britt also shared her leadership philosophy, emphasizing the importance of leading with values, collaboration, and principled partnerships. She discussed her approach to effective leadership, which prioritizes collaboration and empowerment. Finally, she offered valuable advice to healthcare leaders, encouraging them to prioritize innovation, listen to communities, and work towards expanding access to care. Britt's insights offer valuable lessons for anyone passionate about social impact and healthcare equity.




"Leading with values, collaboration, and principled partnerships is key to making impactful and sustainable change"





MEET OUR GUEST Britt Wahlin Vice President for Development and Public Affairs at Ibis Reproductive Health.




Britt Wahlin is the Vice President for Development and Public Affairs at Ibis Reproductive Health, a global nonprofit research organization working to advance sexual and reproductive autonomy, choices, and health. She leads fund development, communications, and policy and advocacy initiatives and serves on the senior management team.



Britt is proud to be part of the leadership of Free the Pill, a coalition-driven campaign operated by Ibis that aims to move birth control pills over the counter in the United States and ensure they are affordable, covered by insurance, and available to people of all ages without a prescription. Before Ibis, Britt created public engagement campaigns for social justice-themed films and worked in women’s and girls’ philanthropy.



Britt obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Modern Thought and Literature and Master of Arts in Humanities from Stanford University. She lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, with her husband and two daughters.

This episode is in collaboration with MIT Sloan Healthcare and BioInnovations Conference, an event that brings the healthcare ecosystem together. In this episode, I sat with Michael McKeown Head of Research at Bullseye Biosciences. We discussed his journey from academia to entrepreneurship and his leadership experience in biotech. Michael highlights the importance of mentorship, learning from others, and the need for humility in leadership. He emphasizes the significance of reducing mistakes in scientific endeavors and adapting to new technologies and methodologies. We also discuss the future of clinical trials, focusing on the importance of biomarkers, decentralization, and innovation. Michael advocates for leveraging biomarkers to match the right patients with the right drugs, as well as embracing decentralized trials to increase diversity and accessibility.




"Science is hard. We've got to reduce our incidents of mistakes that we could have prevented."





MEET OUR GUEST Michael McKeown Head of Research at Bullseye Biosciences.




Michael McKeown is CSO/head of research for a stealth start-up at the Pagliuca Harvard Life Labs. Michael started out in California getting his BS in Chemistry at UCSD and working in the Nobel Prize winning Tsien lab on fluorescent proteins. He then moved to Boston, earning a PhD in Chemical Biology from Harvard while working on novel cancer therapeutics at the DFCI. During this time, Michael contributed to several start-ups spun out the the lab, ultimately joining Syros Pharmaceuticals.



As part of this work, he developed novel patient biomarker and pharmacodynamic markers to enable selection of the right patients and kinetic monitoring of response. With 10 years of industry drug discovery and development experience in the Boston area, Michael has contributed and led multiple successful programs.



Most recently, he led pharmacology at Kronos Bio supporting combinations, biomarkers, and PD assays for the clinical programs as well as leading biology for their most advanced pre-clinical program generating an asset currently in IND enabling studies.

This episode is in collaboration with MIT Sloan Healthcare and BioInnovations Conference, an event that brings the healthcare ecosystem together. In this episode, I sat with JR Clark, whose story is a testament to adaptability and recognizing opportunities for growth and change, from consulting to addressing the crucial issue of access and healthcare affordability. We discussed the imperative of addressing financial toxicity and ensuring equitable access to care. JR underscores the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including health insurers, employers, and technology innovators, in advancing solutions to mitigate barriers to healthcare. He emphasizes the pivotal role of leadership in achieving those goals by promoting compassion, empathy, and inclusivity within healthcare organizations, ultimately striving for better patient outcomes and societal well-being.




"People shouldn't have to make different decisions based upon whether or not they can pay for care"





MEET OUR GUEST JR Clark Senior Vice President at Paytient.




J.R. Clark is the Senior Vice President of Health Plan Product and Strategy at Paytient Technologies, where he partners with thoughtful employers, insurers, and health systems to help people better access and afford healthcare. J.R. is a former Director and Actuary of Anthem (Elevance), where he was known for his public exchange marketplace strategies and creation of alternative products in the Individual and Small Employer segments.



Prior to that, he was an actuarial consultant with Watson Wyatt Worldwide (now known as Willis Towers Watson). He began his career as a nuclear engineer with Florida Power and Light in Juno Beach, Florida, where he developed optimization strategies for spent nuclear fuel. J.R. obtained a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Mechanical Engineering and completed graduate coursework in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is an Associate of the Society of Actuaries and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries. J.R. resides in St. Louis, Missouri with his wife, son, daughter, and cat.

In this podcast interview, Joubin Hatamzadeh shares his journey from studying biomedical engineering in Iran to becoming a leader in sustainability. He emphasizes his diverse work experiences, from medical devices to quality control in manufacturing, which shaped his entrepreneurial mindset and problem-solving skills. Joubin stresses the importance of adaptability, drawn from his upbringing during the Iranian Revolution and wartime uncertainties.



Discussing his role at Greentown Labs, a climate tech incubator, Joubin highlights the need for genuine leadership and intentionality in driving impactful change. He emphasizes empathy and human connection, as crucial for organizational success. Joubin's optimism stems from the growth of climate tech startups and evolving corporate attitudes toward environmental responsibility. He underscores the importance of innovation and collaboration for a more sustainable future, advocating for spreading love and empathy within organizations to drive meaningful progress.




"As long as you work with humans, have empathy"





MEET OUR GUEST Joubin Hatamzadeh Chief Operating Officer at Greentown Labs.




Joubin Hatamzadeh Chief Operating Officer at Greentown Labs, a community on a mission to solve the climate crisis through entrepreneurship and collaboration. Prior to joining Greetown Labs, Joubin served as the Head of Operations and Administrative Services at French Tech Hub, where he led a team that helped international technology companies expand and succeed in the US market. He has also worked at MDL Corporation and NeuroRx Research.

In this episode, Moktar Diallo, a seasoned leader in healthcare, shared his remarkable journey from a rebel student to a passionate advocate for data optimization in healthcare. Moktar's trajectory into the pharmaceutical realm was serendipitous, stemming from an early knack for computing and various interim jobs. Throughout his career spanning various companies like BMS and Sanofi, Moktar was struck by the inefficiencies in managing data, driving him to harness his talent for data management to generate savings and improve practices.



Moktar's journey elucidates the critical role of data in revolutionizing healthcare. His insights underscore the pressing need for organizations to transcend data silos and embrace a unified data ecosystem. He advocates for transparency and shared knowledge, emphasizing that transparent data sharing facilitates better decision-making and fosters healthier, more equitable outcomes. Moktar's leadership philosophy revolves around embracing change, valuing transparency, and leveraging data to drive impactful decisions.




"Data transparently shared becomes a tool of performance, empowering individuals and fostering healthier, more equitable outcomes"





MEET OUR GUEST Moktar Diallo Chief Executive Officer at Mangabey.




Moktar Diallo founded Mangabey in 2022 and brings over two decades of expertise in creating cutting-edge business intelligence systems. Dedicated to transforming global pharma data interactions, Moktar is a leading authority on international change management and transformative data architecture for multinational commercial operations.



Having spent the past 20 years shaping the business intelligence landscape, Moktar has consistently been at the forefront of innovation. At Mangabey, he leads a team of data and analytics experts, driving commercial data operations focusing on lean, open, and unified data ecosystems. Moktar’s impact extends beyond technology and operations; he is passionate about helping top-level business leaders navigate enterprise-wide change.



Prior to Mangabey, Moktar’s transformative leadership at Sanofi revolutionized the company's Business Intelligence capabilities, contributing to substantial sales growth across a global footprint. His strategic initiatives included successful acquisitions and operational optimizations that led to significant cost savings. During his impactful tenure at Bristol Myers Squibb, Moktar centralized and automated performance management, created a fully integrated information system, and led a team of high-performing analysts, earning recognition for his contributions.



Moktar Diallo is not just a CEO; he is a seasoned expert, guiding businesses toward success through innovation, strategic vision, and a passion for transformative change.

Adam Castano, a renowned figure in the fields of cardiology and biotechnology, shared his compelling journey from a childhood influenced by his parents' professions—his mother, a Freudian psychoanalyst, and his father, a cardiologist—to his current role in the biotech world. Growing up in an international setting, he developed a passion for science and medicine, leading him to pursue studies in molecular biology and medicine.



During his medical training, Adam discovered his interest in cardiology, particularly in rare diseases like cardiac amyloidosis. Motivated by a desire to make a global impact, he transitioned from academia to the biopharmaceutical industry, joining Pfizer and later Bridge Bio. Throughout his career, Adam emphasizes the importance of humility, purpose, and patient-centered care. He encourages leaders to maintain a focus on health equity, uphold ethical standards, and foster a culture of love and passion within their organizations.



Reflecting on his experiences, Castano underscores the interconnectedness of heart and mind in leadership, advocating for a holistic approach that prioritizes patient well-being, intellectual rigor, and emotional commitment. He concludes with a call for healthcare leaders worldwide to prioritize purpose, intellectual excellence, and compassionate leadership to drive meaningful change in healthcare.




"Character is at the heart of leadership. People follow those who display ethical and moral character."





MEET OUR GUEST Adam Castano Senior Medical Director in Global Clinical Development at Merck & Co.




Adam Castaño, MD MS is a Senior Medical Director in Global Clinical Development at Merck & Co. He is a board-certified cardiologist and industry professional dedicated to the singular unifying purpose of bringing about innovative therapies and breakthroughs that improve patients’ lives. Previously he led development programs in cardiac amyloidosis at BridgeBio and Pfizer Inc. He also served as Assistant Professor and Co-Director of the Center for Cardiac Amyloidosis at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons.



Personally, Adam enjoys living in New York City’s Upper East Side with his wife Maria, son Marty, and Norwich Terrier, Buzz Aldrin. He enjoys nature, Legos, tennis, traveling the world, and the cultivation of great conversations with friends over wine and good food.



This episode is in partnership with Jill Donahue. Jill published her third book recently A Dose of Inspiration: 100 Purpose Stories From Pharma Leaders and we partnered together to bring to light those incredible stories. You can find here or wherever you podcast more episodes with some of those executives.



Download the ebook now for a free dose of inspiration here: excellerate.ca/freebook/