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What does it take to turn a scientific discovery into a treatment that changes patients’ lives? In this episode of SpreadLove in Organizations, Naji Gehchan sits down with Richard Ransohoff, neurologist, neuroscientist, and biotech innovator, to explore a career at the intersection of medicine, immunology, neuroscience, and biotechnology. Richard shares his unconventional journey from studying literature and poetry to becoming a physician-scientist and a leading contributor to research on multiple sclerosis (MS), neuroinflammation, and the immune system. His story highlights how curiosity, unexpected opportunities, and a willingness to follow new questions can shape a meaningful career. Richard reflects on the scientific breakthroughs, collaborations, and leadership experiences that helped advance understanding and treatment of multiple sclerosis, including the role of chemokines, animal models of disease, and therapies. Drawing on his experiences in academic research, at the Cleveland Clinic, in biotechnology, and with Third Rock Ventures, he explains how promising scientific discoveries can be translated into new medicines and innovative biotech companies. The conversation explores the importance of identifying genuine unmet medical needs, combining scientific rigor with strategic thinking, building complementary teams, and recognizing the serendipity that often drives medical progress. For scientists, physicians, biotech entrepreneurs, and healthcare leaders, Richard offers valuable perspectives on translational research, innovation, and the challenges of bringing new treatments to patients. At its heart, this episode is about leadership, empathy, resilience, and making a difference for patients. Richard shares his perspective on what makes an effective leader, why authenticity matters, and how to keep moving forward when scientific and professional journeys become difficult. His reflections connect scientific excellence with a deeper sense of purpose: advancing knowledge is meaningful when it ultimately improves human lives. "Day does follow night." MEET OUR GUEST Richard Ransohoff, Venture Partner, Third Rock Ventures. Richard M. Ransohoff is presently (2018-present) Venture Partner at Third Rock Ventures. At Third Rock, Ransohoff works on company creation with particular focus on serious unmet medical need in neurology, immunology and neuropsychiatry. He is a scientific Co-Founder for Abata Therapeutics, where he served for two years as interim Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and member of the Executive Leadership Team. At Abata, he continues as Clinical Advisor. He helped launch Trace Neuroscience, where he serves on the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). From 1984-2014 Ransohoff was Staff Member at Cleveland Clinic where he founded and directed the Neuroinflammation Research Center (2005-2014) in the Lerner Research Institute and served (1984-2014) as Staff Neurologist, Cleveland Clinic Mellen Center for MS Treatment and Research. He lists >460 scientific articles and reviews in PubMed (July 2026 H-index 154; >125,000 citations) and trained >70 students and post-docs who hold positions in science, medicine and industry. Ransohoff serves on the American Brain Foundation (ABF) Board of Trustees and Research Advisory Committee, as well as the Board of Directors for the American Society for Neurotherapeutics (ASENT). He was previously on SABs for the Keystone Symposia, Chemocentryx, Vertex, LeukoSite, German Center for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease (DZNE) and the Gladstone Institute for Neurological Diseases (GIND) at UCSF. Ransohoff served on both NIH and National MS Society study section for many years and continues service on Special Emphasis Panels. He was Associate Editor of Neurology for inflammatory and infectious conditions for 10 years, before becoming founding Editor for Neurology: Neuroimmunology and Neuroinflammation. He continues on editorial boards for Trends in Immunology, Trends in Molecular Medicine (until 2024) and Journal of Neuroimmunology. Dr. Ransohoff is also Adjunct Professor, Molecular Medicine; Genetics and Genome Sciences; and Pathology at the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) School of Medicine and Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. Dr. Ransohoff joined Biogen as Senior Research Fellow in 2014 and moved to Third Rock at the end of 2017. At the time he transitioned, he served as VP, and Research/Early Development (RED) Unit Head for Neuroimmunology & MS/Pain/Acute Neurology. He led a group of >45 scientists and clinicians in identifying and prosecuting neuroinflammatory targets for treatment of neurological disease and pain, bringing those relevant for acute neurology indications through phase II proof of concept (PoC). During this time, he directed the transformation of the neuroinflammation portfolio, successfully bringing 5 compounds (internally developed and externally identified) into the clinic as well as directing activities in blood-brain barrier (BBB) function, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) risk mitigation and novel screening technologies for glial targets, in addition to basic neuroinflammation biology. Among other awards, Ransohoff was named in “Best Doctors” from 1996-2014 for his expertise in patient care for MS. He received the John and Samuel Bard Award in Science or Medicine, Bard College (2002), F.E. Bennet American Neurological Association Lectureship (2009), the John J. Dystel Award for MS Research from the National MS Society and American Academy of Neurology (2012) and the Distinguished Alumni Award, CWRU School of Medicine (2018). He’s a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and member of the Association of American Physicians. Richard is married to Margaret Seidler Ransohoff (1988), has two daughters, Amy (born 1989) and Lena (1994). The family recently greeted Amy’s daughters Madeleine (2022) and Abigail (2025).

In this episode of SpreadLove in Organizations, we sit down with Hala Hanna, Executive Director of MIT Solve, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology initiative that identifies and supports social entrepreneurs developing solutions to global challenges. Hala shares her personal journey growing up in Lebanon during wartime, the role of resilience, family, opportunity, and chance in shaping her life, and how those experiences ultimately led her to a career focused on social impact, innovation, and inclusive leadership. Hala explains how MIT Solve identifies, supports, and scales social impact solutions, sharing lessons from more than 600 innovators and the importance of lived experience, human-centered design, technology, partnerships, mentorship, and community. She discusses what separates promising ideas from solutions that achieve meaningful scale, including the role of networks and strategic partnerships in helping entrepreneurs reach millions of people. She also reflects on her experiences across international development and global leadership and what they taught her about creating change in complex organizations and systems. At the heart of the conversation is Hala's philosophy that leadership is an expression of love. She explores how humility, listening, trust, transparency, values alignment, and genuine care for people can create stronger teams and enable greater impact. Naji and Hala connect these ideas to Spread Love in Organizations and discuss a leadership philosophy centered on love, discipline, less noise, and more impact - focusing time and energy on what truly matters, whether that means helping patients, empowering entrepreneurs, or creating meaningful change in organizations and communities. "You’re not what happens to you. You’re what you become out of it." MEET OUR GUEST Hala Hanna, Executive Director, MIT Solve. Hala Hanna is the Executive Director of MIT Solve, an initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a marketplace for social impact innovation. Solve finds and supports tech-based entrepreneurs from around the globe whose solutions tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from climate change and economic prosperity to health equity and education. Solve has selected over 600 innovators, with more than 60% based in the Global South. Their solutions, ranging from Indigenous food sovereignty in North America to global Artificial Intelligence for good, have impacted over 370 million lives worldwide. Solve’s ecosystem of nearly 1,000 partners has mobilized $80 million in funding for these ventures. Prior to MIT Solve, Hala was a member of the Leadership Team at the World Economic Forum, where she was Director of Strategy and Impact. She served as chief of staff to the Managing Director, a former vice-chancellor of Germany, shaping the Forum’s global engagement. In her prior role as Program Lead for the Middle East & North Africa, she curated economic and political discussions at Davos and regional summits, managing relationships with heads of governments and business leaders. During that time, she set up a public-private initiative for employment with the largest business employers in the region based on findings of a study she co-led, training 100,000 youth. The work has since been replicated globally.  Hala brings two decades of experience in international development, global leadership, and strategic partnerships. Hala’s earlier career was spent at the World Bank and the United Nations, advising senior officials on public sector reform, aid effectiveness, and donor engagement in countries as diverse as Jamaica, Kuwait, Morocco, Senegal, and Yemen. Her experience spans from post-revolution Tunisia, where she contributed to enhancing private sector investment and tourism competitiveness, to Liberia, where she advised the Minister of Planning and Economic Affairs on aid effectiveness and economic strategy. At the World Bank, she set up a network of Francophone African anticorruption activists. She also co-founded a policy platform that counted over 100 thousand subscribers, offering data-driven content and insights to drive public policy reform in the MENA region. An avid advocate for women in leadership, Hala has held advisory roles with UN Women She Innovates, the UN Global Innovation Coalition for Change, and the Brussels based global network of Women Political Leaders. She has coached women candidates for public office and lectured on gender and policy at universities. Recognized by the Women in Public Service program created by Madeleine Albright and Hillary Clinton, Hala remains a vocal proponent of gender equity in governance and leadership. Hala holds a Master in Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, with a concentration in Political and Economic Development, and a Master in International Development from American University, where she focused on development economics. She is also a graduate of the Global Leadership program at the World Economic Forum, a fast-track executive program with training at leading academic institutions across Paris, London, New York and Beijing. A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Hala regularly addresses global forums on tech for good, climate justice, the future of work, inclusive leadership, and social entrepreneurship, including SXSW, Forbes, World Economic Forum in Davos, UN Women, and more. Her insights and writings have been featured in publications in over 5 languages, including: TechCrunch, Fast Company, Project Syndicate, MIT News, World Economic Forum, Arab Weekly, the Hill, Boston Globe and more. Fluent in English, Arabic, and French with a dash of Spanish, Hala has lived and worked across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Her global perspective, strategic leadership and ability to bridge sectors, drive her commitment to building inclusive, sustainable solutions that improve lives worldwide.

What happens when a scientist’s career leads from the laboratory to Wall Street? In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, Johanna Grossman, Head of Healthcare and Life Sciences Capital Markets at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Group, shares her unconventional journey from aspiring physician and organic chemist to Yale PhD, healthcare leader at GLG, and NYSE executive. Her story highlights the power of mentorship, curiosity, and staying open to unexpected opportunities—and how scientific training can become a foundation for leadership far beyond the lab. Johanna brings a unique perspective on biotech leadership, healthcare innovation, and the life sciences capital markets, drawing on years of experience working with investors, founders, and hundreds of healthcare companies. She discusses what she sees in biotech leaders who successfully turn scientific breakthroughs into companies and medicines: fearlessness, passion, courage, persistence, and the ability to tell a compelling story. She also explores the evolving biotech IPO market, what investors are looking for in emerging companies, the importance of human clinical data and de-risked assets, and how founders can prepare strategically for going public. Looking ahead, Johanna sees AI, data, and digital transformation reshaping drug discovery and development, from identifying new targets and designing medicines to optimizing clinical trials and accelerating the path to patients. But her most enduring leadership lesson is simpler: keep an open mind. Say what you are thinking, have the conversation, seek out mentors, and remain open to where the next opportunity may lead. For Johanna, leadership is ultimately about helping people and companies connect the right ideas, people, and capital to move innovation forward and make a difference for patients. "Science is not enough. You need to be able to communicate, tell your story, and bring people along with you." MEET OUR GUEST Johanna Grossman, Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences Capital Markets at NYSE. Johanna Grossman, PhD, is Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences Capital Markets at NYSE Group, part of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE). In this role, she leads efforts to attract healthcare and life sciences companies to the exchange, advising businesses, private equity and venture capital firms, and other key stakeholders on the IPO landscape, NYSE initiatives, and listing venue selection. Prior to NYSE, Johanna served as Head of Healthcare at GLG, where she oversaw the strategic and operational direction of the firm's U.S. healthcare practice. She led a team of content and client service professionals who organized executive meetings and managed client diligence engagements across all healthcare sectors. Johanna holds a PhD and master's degree in Organic Chemistry from Yale University and a BS in Chemistry from Florida International University.

What does it take to lead in biotech when science, business, uncertainty, and patient needs all collide? In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, Naji Gehchan sits down with Bradford (Brad) Zakes, Former Senior Vice President of Emerging Companies and Economic Affairs at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), for a candid conversation about biotech leadership, drug development, entrepreneurship, innovation, and putting patients at the center of healthcare. Brad shares his journey from serving as a U.S. Army officer to working in pharmaceutical drug development, becoming a biotech CEO and entrepreneur, and ultimately helping emerging biotechnology companies navigate the challenges of building and financing the next generation of medicines. Brad’s story becomes deeply personal as he reflects on losing his son, Ethan, to adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a rare genetic disease. That experience transformed his understanding of the purpose of biotechnology and inspired his family’s work to advance ALD awareness, research, and newborn screening. Brad explains why keeping patients and families at the heart of biotech requires more than words, sharing a powerful example from his leadership experience: bringing patients directly into the workplace so teams could hear firsthand what it means to live with disease. His message is simple yet profound: “Behind every disease is a family. Behind every therapy is a patient. And behind every scientific breakthrough is the possibility of changing a life.” The conversation also explores the future of biotechnology and healthcare innovation, including gene editing and CRISPR, cell and gene therapy, CAR-T, mRNA, AI-driven drug discovery, regenerative medicine, and the convergence of emerging technologies. Brad discusses the challenge of making breakthrough therapies accessible to patients while maintaining the capital and incentives necessary to sustain biotech innovation. He also shares lessons on leadership, integrity, team building, risk-taking, resilience, and entrepreneurship, before offering a powerful message to healthcare leaders: “We’re not in the business of molecules; we’re in the business of patients.” This episode is a reminder that successful biotech leadership is ultimately about combining scientific ambition with purpose, discipline, and a relentless focus on the people whose lives we are trying to change. "Biotech is far more than molecules, clinical trials, or balance sheets. At its core, it’s about patients and families, hope and time." MEET OUR GUEST Bradford (Brad) Zakes, Former Senior Vice President of Emerging Companies and Economic Affairs at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). Bradford (Brad) Zakes serves as Senior Vice President of Emerging Companies and Economic Affairs at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). In this position, he leads BIO’s efforts to support early-stage and emerging biotech companies, foster innovative ecosystems, and drive economic growth across the biotechnology sector. Brad joined BIO’s senior executive team in 2025 following years of service on BIO’s Board of Directors and as Treasurer. He brings more than 30 years of experience in biotechnology, spanning executive leadership, clinical development, and strategic business growth. Before joining BIO in an executive capacity, he was President and CEO of Cerevast Medical, a company he co-founded in 2009 to develop novel therapeutics for stroke and vascular diseases. He also served as President and CEO of ImaRx Therapeutics, a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company focused on microsphere technology and biotherapeutics. Earlier in his career, Brad held roles at Hazleton Laboratories, Glaxo (now GSK), and ICOS Corporation. He also served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army. Brad holds a B.S. in Biology from Oregon State University, an M.S. in Toxicology from American University, and an M.B.A. from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.

In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, Naji Gehchan sits down with Christian Stegmann, Chief Scientific Officer of Evlabio, to explore the intersection of science, innovation, and leadership in biopharma. Christian shares his personal journey from growing up in his father’s pharmacy in southern Germany to training at the Max Planck Institute and building a career across pharma and biotech. He reflects on formative experiences working in an intensive care unit, where he witnessed firsthand the impact of teamwork, leadership, and unmet medical needs. These experiences ultimately shaped his passion for translating scientific discoveries into medicines that can make a meaningful difference for patients. Christian also shares a powerful leadership lesson from a drug discovery program that was ultimately discontinued—not because of its science, safety, or biology, but because the commercial case was insufficient. The experience taught him that “amazing science does not necessarily defend itself” and that scientific expertise alone is not enough to advance innovation. He discusses the importance of becoming an integrator who can bridge science and business, communicate with decision-makers, understand stakeholders, and build the support needed to bring promising discoveries to patients. He also reflects on his evolving leadership philosophy, which he describes as “challenge and support,” emphasizing the importance of rigor while creating an environment where people feel safe enough to tell leaders when they are wrong. The conversation also explores the transformative potential—and limitations—of generative AI in drug discovery and development. Drawing on his experience advancing AI-enabled biologics into first-in-human trials, Christian explains how AI can accelerate hypothesis generation and help tackle previously difficult targets, while emphasizing that human judgment remains essential to validate those hypotheses and decide what truly matters. He shares his vision for connecting large, well-curated healthcare datasets to improve clinical trial design, patient recruitment, and development timelines. The episode closes with reflections on passion, truth-telling, lifelong learning, and what it means to “spread love” in organizations: creating cultures where people are taken seriously enough to be honest, because in drug development, the truth ultimately protects patients. "I’d rather have a team that tells me the truth than a team that tells me I’m right." MEET OUR GUEST Christian Stegmann, Chief Scientific Officer of EvlaBio. Christian Stegmann is Chief Scientific Officer of EvlaBio AG, where he drives scientific strategy and the EVLA-101 program, a first-in-class anti-FGFR4 monoclonal antibody targeting FGF23-driven left ventricular hypertrophy in chronic kidney disease. He was previously Chief Scientific Officer at Absci, where he advanced the company's first clinical-stage biologics from AI-enabled design to first-in-human trials. Earlier, as VP Global Head of Research and Non-clinical Development at CSL Vifor, he built and ran drug discovery in nephrology and hematology. At Bayer, he served as Senior Director and Head of Precision Cardiology Laboratory, co-founding a collaboration with the Broad Institute to generate single-cell atlases of heart disease. Across his career, Christian has a track record of leading teams, inventing novel molecules, and advancing them from research into clinical development. He holds a PhD from the Max Planck Institute in Göttingen and an MBA from MIT Sloan.

Zahra Timsah’s journey spans biomedical research, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and healthcare innovation. In this episode, Zahra shares how her curiosity and passion for experimentation led her from medical school to PhDs in biochemistry and cancer biology, academic research, and eventually entrepreneurship. Her desire to move beyond generating scientific knowledge toward creating tangible impact for patients pushed her to develop new skills in business, finance, and technology. As early as 2016, she was pioneering the use of AI in drug discovery and disease modeling at a time when the technology was still considered futuristic by many. Zahra argues that the future of healthcare AI is not about replacing human expertise, but amplifying it through what she calls “collective intelligence.” She explains why specialized, expert-guided AI will be increasingly important in healthcare and why trustworthy data, transparency, auditability, observability, and human oversight are essential to responsible AI governance. Through her company iGentic, Zahra is working to turn complex regulatory knowledge, internal expertise, and organizational workflows into AI-enabled systems that can help healthcare and life sciences teams move from drafting to submission more efficiently. For leaders, her message is clear: educate yourself about AI, understand what good looks like, measure the value it creates, and start with focused pilots rather than following technology trends blindly. The conversation also explores Zahra’s personal definition of leadership and legacy. She sees leadership as inspiring others and creating impact that resonates beyond personal visibility, while emphasizing the importance of continually reinventing yourself in response to changing needs. She reflects on inspiring the next generation of her family, supporting talent in Lebanon, and the power of the BioLink community to connect Lebanese leaders around collaboration and action. Her final advice to healthcare leaders captures the spirit of the conversation: don’t follow trends, focus on what helps you achieve your mission and vision, and learn from the mistakes of those who went before you. "It’s not artificial intelligence. It’s collective intelligence." MEET OUR GUEST Zahra Timsah, Co-Founder & CEO of i-GENTIC AI. Dr. Zahra Timsah, PhD, MBA, MSc, is a scientist, entrepreneur, and AI governance leader with more than 18 years of experience across biotechnology, pharma, MedTech, healthcare, financial services, and regulated AI. Her career started at the bench, where she worked on biomedical research, published scientific work, contributed to patented innovation, and was affiliated with leading institutions including Cancer Research UK and the Royal Society. That foundation gave her deep exposure to the full bench-to-bedside pathway: discovery, translational research, clinical development, IND and BLA readiness, regulatory strategy, commercialization, and market adoption. She later moved from science into enterprise transformation, building and scaling AI-driven platforms and data businesses across healthcare, pharma, MedTech, and financial services. She has held leadership roles across organizations including IQVIA, GSK, and MassMutual, and has helped build AI and Data Analytics Centers of Excellence that brought together data governance, regulatory intelligence, AI strategy, operating models, and enterprise adoption. Zahra has founded and exited multiple companies, including one IPO, and has worked with Fortune 500 organizations on AI deployment, precision medicine, regulatory intelligence, compliance, and digital transformation. Her work bridges science, product, regulation, and commercialization, giving her a rare end-to-end view of how innovation moves from research into real-world clinical, enterprise, and market settings. She has also contributed to policy and advisory initiatives connected to the FDA, U.S. Senate, World Economic Forum, and broader regulatory ecosystems, with a focus on safe AI adoption, data compliance, Software as a Medical Device, and responsible deployment of emerging technologies. Today, Zahra is applying that same bench-to-bedside discipline to AI. Her focus is on making governance operational, not theoretical, by turning complex regulations, SOPs, clinical requirements, and enterprise policies into real-time controls that can govern AI systems, data workflows, MedTech submissions, healthcare operations, and enterprise decisions before risk becomes failure. This episode is in partnership with BIOLINK.org, For more episode with Biolinkers click here.

In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, Sophie Kornowski reflects on a remarkable leadership journey spanning global pharmaceutical companies, biotech, investing, and entrepreneurship. From her early days in diagnostics during the AIDS epidemic to leading Boston Pharmaceuticals through its successful transformation and acquisition, she shares how both inspiring mentors and difficult setbacks shaped her leadership philosophy. Sophie explains why great leadership is built through continuous learning, self-awareness, and staying close to the people doing the work, while creating an environment where teams feel supported, challenged, and accountable. The conversation explores what it takes to build and lead successful biotech organizations in today's demanding environment. Sophie shares the principles that guided Boston Pharmaceuticals: identifying where true value lies, committing to a clear strategy without drifting, and remaining flexible in execution without losing sight of the mission. She discusses balancing empowerment with accountability, making courageous decisions amid uncertainty, and why exceptional companies combine a differentiated scientific vision with outstanding execution, commercial thinking, and teams that are willing to question assumptions and keep learning. Looking ahead, Sophie offers an optimistic perspective on the future of healthcare innovation, highlighting major opportunities in metabolic disease, oncology, and immunology while emphasizing that improving patient health remains the industry's ultimate purpose. In a memorable reflection on leadership, she describes leadership as "friendship," explaining that trust, psychological safety, and genuine human connection give people the courage to speak up, innovate, and achieve extraordinary results. She closes with a powerful reminder for leaders navigating uncertainty: stay the course, keep learning, and maintain open, honest dialogue with your teams and boards. "If people feel they are not in danger, they will have courage. They will be creative. They will speak up." MEET OUR GUEST Sophie Kornowski, CEO Sophiekor Insights. Sophie Kornowski is a long-time biotech and pharmaceutical executive and now the CEO of Sophiekor Insights. Prior to this role, Sophie served as Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board of Boston Pharmaceuticals, where she led a remarkable transformation of the company, culminating in its successful acquisition by GSK in 2025 for up to 2 billion dollars. Before that, Sophie was a Partner at Gurnet Point Capital, a private investment firm focused on healthcare, where she was a successful investor in several innovative start-ups and high-growth businesses developing and commercializing products across areas including ADHD, cancer, and food allergy. Earlier in her career, Sophie was Executive Vice President of Partnering at Roche and a member of the Extended Corporate Executive Committee of F. Hoffmann-La Roche, as well as a board member of Chugai Pharmaceutical. In that role, working closely with the R&D and commercial teams at Roche and Genentech, she led global partnering and M&A strategy across biotech, pharma, health tech, and research institutions worldwide. Previously, Sophie also led Roche’s largest affiliate outside the United States, based in France, for many years.

In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, Kristina Masson, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of Business Operations at Acrivon Therapeutics, shares her journey from scientist to entrepreneur and biotech executive. She reflects on how a passion for cancer research, combined with the right timing, technology, and partnerships, led to the creation of Acrivon and its pioneering precision proteomics platform. Kristina also discusses the challenges of building a company from the ground up, taking it public, and translating cutting-edge science into therapies that have the potential to transform patients' lives. The conversation explores the future of precision medicine and how Acrivon's AP3 platform is helping reshape oncology drug development by identifying predictive biomarkers, understanding resistance mechanisms, and enabling smarter clinical trial design. Kristina explains how integrating diagnostics, drug discovery, and therapeutics within one organization accelerates innovation while increasing the likelihood of delivering the right treatment to the right patient. She also shares insights into leading teams across the United States and Sweden and building a collaborative culture that fuels scientific excellence. Beyond science and business, the discussion turns to leadership. Kristina reflects on the importance of accountability, authenticity, kindness, and integrity in building high-performing organizations. She explains why love and high performance are not mutually exclusive and why leaders have a responsibility to remain focused on the ultimate goal: improving patients' lives. This episode offers an inspiring perspective on purpose-driven leadership, entrepreneurship, and creating lasting impact in healthcare. "When we have good science, good people, and good options for patients, it's our obligation to make it work." MEET OUR GUEST Kristina Masson, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of Business Operations at Acrivon Therapeutics. Kristina Masson, Ph.D., MBA is a global biotech executive, entrepreneur, and scientist with extensive experience in company building, translational drug development, and operational leadership. She is Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of Business Operations at Acrivon Therapeutics (NASDAQ: ACRV), where she leads key business operations and works closely with the CEO and executive team to scale the organization and support corporate execution. Since co-founding Acrivon, she has helped grow the company from an early-stage startup into a public biotechnology company with more than 80 employees, building high-performing teams and an integrated U.S.–Scandinavian organizational culture. In parallel, Dr. Masson serves as President and CEO of Acrivon AB, the company’s wholly owned Swedish research subsidiary, where she oversees European operations and scientific infrastructure. Dividing her time between Boston and Lund, she plays an important role in aligning strategy, talent, and operations across the company’s U.S. and European teams. Prior to her current roles, Dr. Masson founded OncoSignature AB, a biotechnology company focused on biomarker discovery, which was later acquired by Acrivon Therapeutics and became foundational to the company’s proprietary technology platform. Earlier in her career, she was a Principal Scientist at Merrimack Pharmaceuticals and completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, where she conducted research at the intersection of molecular biology and systems science. Dr. Masson holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Signaling and an M.Sc. in Biomedicine from Lund University, as well as an Executive MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management. She also serves as a mentor with the Termeer Institute. Click here for more episodes in partnership with The Termeer Institute.

In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, Naji is joined by Amy Simon, Chief Medical Officer of Beam, for a conversation about leadership, scientific innovation, humility, and the human side of healthcare. Amy shares her remarkable journey from physician-scientist and academic researcher at Tufts University to biotech executive leading the development of transformative medicines. She reflects on what drew her to medicine, her passion for solving complex problems, and how curiosity and a desire to bring scientific discoveries closer to patients shaped her career. Amy opens up about one of the most important transitions in her career: moving from academia, where she had built expertise and recognition, into biotech, where she had to relearn how to lead in a different environment. She shares the humility that came with realizing that technical expertise alone is not enough — effective leadership requires influence without authority, continuous learning, curiosity, and the ability to create environments where people feel safe to speak up. We discuss psychological safety, trust, healthy conflict, feedback, and the importance of building cultures where diverse perspectives can help teams make better decisions. We also explore the future of medicine and the promise of precision therapies, including how new technologies could transform the way we prevent and treat disease. Amy shares her hope for the next generation of leaders: people who are mission-driven, willing to challenge conventional thinking, and courageous enough to innovate beyond what has been done before. A powerful conversation on leadership as a never-ending journey, the responsibility we have to patients, and why bringing humanity, care, and even love into organizations can help us achieve extraordinary things together. "We never stop growing or needing to grow." MEET OUR GUEST Amy Simon, M.D. is Chief Medical Officer of Beam. Amy Simon, M.D. is Chief Medical Officer of Beam. Dr. Simon brings more than 20 years of clinical experience to Beam, serving in roles as a physician-scientist in academia and the biotechnology industry. Dr. Simon joins Beam from Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, where she spent over a decade in various roles with increasing responsibility for the clinical development of RNAi-based medicines, most recently serving as Vice President, Clinical Development. During her tenure at Alnylam, she led the successful execution of clinical programs from natural history studies to Phase 1 through Phase 4 studies, regulatory interactions with both U.S. and ex-U.S. authorities, and drug approvals in the U.S. and EU. Dr. Simon was the lead clinician developing GIVLAARI® (givosiran) for patients with acute hepatic porphyria, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2019. Prior to entering the biotech industry, Dr. Simon worked in academia at Tufts University, serving as a professor and a director of the Asthma Center in the Pulmonary and Critical Care Division at Tufts University School of Medicine and as a professor at Tufts Graduate School of Biomedical Science where her laboratory conducted basic science research on asthma. She began her career in clinical practice, training as a resident in internal medicine and as a fellow in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Tufts Medical Center. Dr. Simon holds a B.A. in History and Science from Harvard University, and an M.D. from Tufts University School of Medicine.

In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, Naji Gehchan sits down with Pedro Coelho, Founder and CEO of Biorce, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the future of clinical research. Pedro shares the deeply personal story that inspired his mission: the loss of his father to melanoma despite gaining access to an innovative clinical trial. That experience led him to question the inefficiencies of the clinical research ecosystem and ultimately fueled his determination to build technology that could help bring life-saving therapies to patients faster. Pedro discusses how Biorce is reimagining clinical development through an AI-powered operating system designed to support every stage of the process—from asset strategy and protocol design to site selection, patient matching, and study execution. He explains how AI can identify avoidable protocol amendments, optimize trial design, and help organizations make smarter decisions with greater speed and precision. The conversation offers a fascinating look at how AI is evolving from a productivity tool into a strategic partner for drug development teams. Beyond technology, Pedro reflects on leadership, culture, and the importance of keeping patients at the center of innovation. He shares why great leadership requires adaptability, humility, and a willingness to challenge conventional thinking. Together, Naji and Pedro explore a future where AI accelerates medical breakthroughs while human judgment, purpose, and compassion remain essential. It is an inspiring discussion about innovation, resilience, and the opportunity to transform healthcare for millions of patients around the world. "If you don't have a great culture, you will not succeed in the age of AI." MEET OUR GUEST Pedro Coelho Founder & CEO of Biorce. Pedro Coelho is Founder & CEO of Biorce, an AI-native company transforming how clinical trials are designed, optimized, and executed. After years advising pharma and biotech companies as a strategy consultant in the life sciences sector, Pedro saw firsthand how inefficiencies in the clinical research process were slowing access to life-saving treatments. The consequences weren’t just operational; they were human. Drugs were too expensive. Timelines too long. And too many patients were left behind. In 2024, he founded Biorce to change that. Biorce, short for “Biology’s Force,” is building the world’s first true AI assistant for clinical trials. Pedro is passionate about the intersection of technology, data, and human impact, and believes AI has a central role to play in reshaping how treatments reach those who need them most.

In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, Naji Gehchan sits down with Greg Tietjen, Co-Founder and CEO of Revalia Bio, for a fascinating conversation that bridges science, technology, leadership, and humanity. Greg shares his unconventional journey—from studying English literature and pursuing a career in jazz guitar to becoming a physicist, scientist, Yale professor, and biotech entrepreneur. Along the way, he reflects on the life experiences, setbacks, and moments of reinvention that shaped his approach to learning, leadership, and purpose. At the heart of the discussion is Revalia Bio’s mission to transform the way medicines are developed by creating human-centered data platforms built around donated organs and advanced perfusion technologies. Greg explains how the industry’s biggest challenge is not a lack of innovation, but the gap between promising discoveries and successful patient outcomes. He shares his vision for “Human Data Trials,” a new approach designed to generate more predictive human data earlier in development, helping researchers make better decisions, reduce risk, and ultimately bring more effective therapies to patients. Beyond the science, Greg offers a thoughtful perspective on leadership, culture, and trust. He discusses the importance of stewardship, vulnerability, collaboration, and creating environments where people from different backgrounds can work together toward a shared mission. Drawing on lessons from music, academia, and entrepreneurship, he explores why the future of innovation depends not only on technology, but also on our ability to build trust, embrace discomfort, and transform challenges into enduring impact. This episode is a powerful reflection on purpose-driven leadership and the human side of scientific progress. "We transform loss into enduring impact." MEET OUR GUEST Greg Tietjen Co-Founder and CEO at Revalia Bio. Greg Tietjen is the CEO and co-founder of Revalia Bio, where he leads the team pioneering Revalia’s Human Data Trials™ — a new class of preclinical and clinical companion studies that generate human-relevant data before a drug ever reaches a patient. These trials are powered by Revalia’s Human Data Stack™: an integrated platform that connects perfused non-transplantable human organs, de-identified patient records, biopsy data, organ-on-chip systems, and advanced AI/ML analytics into a unified model of human biology. Greg and the team’s founding insight was that non-transplantable human organs — often discarded due to conditions like cancer or fibrosis — could serve as the Rosetta Stone of the Human Data Stack™. These organs provide unmatched physiological relevance and enable the integration of otherwise siloed human data sources. This approach gives new purpose to donated organs that would otherwise go unused, transforming the tragic loss of one person into a platform capable of enabling others to develop breakthrough therapies that may save countless lives. It’s a system built on honoring donor gifts while bringing together care teams, biotech innovators, and regulators as One Team, moving at lightning speed to transform the future of medicine together. Greg’s path to biotech was anything but conventional. After earning a degree in Literature and training to be a musician, a severe elbow injury forced him to change course. He went on to complete a PhD in Biophysics at the University of Chicago and postdoctoral training in Biomedical Engineering at Yale. As a faculty member at the Yale School of Medicine, his lab became internationally recognized for advancing the frontiers of human organ research. In 2023, Greg left his tenure-track role at Yale to build Revalia full-time. Today, he’s focused on laying the foundation for a new era of biomedical innovation — one that is ethically grounded, operationally scalable, and powered by real human data.

In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, Naji Gehchan sits down with Justin McKay, co-founder of Radiological Care Services (RCS), to explore how a personal healthcare experience sparked a mission-driven company focused on patient and staff safety. After contracting an infection from contaminated X-ray garments while working in hospitals, Justin realized a major gap existed in infection prevention practices. What began as frustration turned into purpose, leading him to build RCS from the ground up despite years of uncertainty, financial struggle, and skepticism from the industry. Justin shares his deeply personal journey growing up in rural Indiana, raised by a single mother who instilled in him the values of service, humility, and generosity. Those early lessons shaped not only his entrepreneurial resilience but also the culture he intentionally built at RCS. Today, the company has grown into a national organization rooted in servant leadership, where employees are encouraged to serve their communities, care for one another, and bring humanity back into the workplace. The conversation also dives into the broader challenges facing healthcare today, from patient safety and infection prevention to leadership and organizational culture. Justin speaks candidly about why he believes healthcare still has work to do, while remaining hopeful about innovation and positive change. Above all, this episode is a powerful reminder that businesses thrive when people feel valued, seen, and loved - and that spreading love in organizations is not optional, but essential to meaningful leadership. "People over profits. Every single time." MEET OUR GUEST Justin McKay, Co-Founder, RadCare Services. Justin McKay is the Co-Founder of Radiological Care Services (RCS), a leading provider of X-ray garment cleaning and sanitization solutions. With over 15 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Justin is passionate about patient and staff safety. Driven by a personal experience with a hospital-acquired infection linked to contaminated X-ray garments in 2012, Justin co-founded RCS in 2013. Since then, he has spearheaded the company’s growth, transforming it from a cleaning service to a comprehensive solutions platform. Prior to RCS, Justin held leadership positions in national sales at Ferris Mfg. Corp., a manufacturer of medical textiles. Justin is a recognized expert in X-ray garment care and infection prevention. He leverages his expertise to collaborate with healthcare departments, developing customized programs that deliver value, consistency, and measurable outcomes.

In this episode, Naji welcomes Elisabetta Vitali, Executive Director of the Giovanni Armenise Harvard Foundation, to explore her unique journey from high-level finance to leading a mission-driven organization at the intersection of science and philanthropy. After a successful career in investment banking and infrastructure funds, Elisabetta made a deeply personal and values-driven transition into the nonprofit world, motivated by her own health experiences, her family background in science, and a desire to contribute meaningfully to both scientific progress and her home country of Italy. Elisabetta shares the powerful story behind the Foundation, born from a personal tragedy that highlighted the urgent need for deeper investment in basic science. Today, the organization supports early-stage, high-risk research and fosters collaboration between Italy and the United States, with a strong focus on developing scientific talent. Through initiatives like career development awards, the Foundation not only funds research but invests in people, helping scientists build labs, grow careers, and create long-term impact across borders. Their work demonstrates how sustained commitment to fundamental science can generate ripple effects in innovation, education, and global collaboration. Throughout the conversation, Elisabetta reflects on leadership, legacy, and the importance of humanity in science. She emphasizes motivation, respect, and long-term vision as key drivers of impactful leadership, especially in fields where results may take years to materialize. Her perspective highlights a powerful truth: advancing science is not just about discoveries, but about nurturing communities, empowering individuals, and building systems that allow knowledge - and people - to thrive. "Without investing in basic science, we’re basically trying to build the skyscraper starting from the roof." MEET OUR GUEST Elisabetta Vitali, Executive Director of the Giovanni Armenise Harvard Foundation. Elisabetta Vitali is the Executive Director of the Giovanni Armenise Harvard Foundation, a role she has held since February 2025, after more than a decade of leading the Foundation’s Italian Programs. With over 25 years of international experience across philanthropy, finance, and strategic management, she brings a distinctive combination of analytical depth, leadership, and cross-sector vision to advancing the Foundation’s mission of supporting world-class scientific research and fostering collaboration between Italy and the United States. Before joining the Foundation in 2014, Elisabetta built a successful career in investment banking and infrastructure finance. She served as Vice President at Lazard & Co., where she advised leading European corporations on mergers, acquisitions, and complex cross-border transactions totaling more than €3.5 billion. She later joined AEDES SpA, supporting the firm’s international expansion and fund management strategy, and became one of the investment partners at F2i SGR, Italy’s largest infrastructure fund, where she oversaw major transactions in energy, transportation, and utilities, contributing to a portfolio exceeding €2 billion. Drawing on her financial and strategic background, Elisabetta transitioned to the nonprofit sector, where she has since applied the same rigor and long-term vision to advancing scientific excellence and collaboration across the Boston and Italy. At the Armenise Harvard Foundation, she has launched several key initiatives—including the Armenise Harvard Airalzh and INF-ACT Mid-Career Awards—and strengthened partnerships between Italian institutions, Harvard Medical School, and global research organizations. A graduate of Bocconi University with full honors in Economics and Social Disciplines, Elisabetta is known for her ability to connect people and ideas across sectors and borders, and commitment to translating strategy into lasting impact for science and society.

In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, Naji Gehchan sits down with Mona Flores, a physician, former Global Head of Medical AI at NVIDIA, and a leader at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and impact. Mona shares her unconventional journey from investment banking to cardiac surgery and ultimately to pioneering work in artificial intelligence. She reflects on the power of reinvention, the importance of following purpose over plan, and how her experiences shaped a vision of scaling healthcare impact from one patient to millions through AI-driven innovation. The conversation explores both the present and future of AI in healthcare - from improving workflows today to enabling entirely new, AI-native approaches to drug discovery, diagnostics, and disease prevention. Mona also highlights her humanitarian work through the “Your Turn” campaign, mobilizing global tech talent to support Lebanon. Grounded in a deep sense of purpose, she challenges healthcare leaders to embrace AI without fear, focus on real-world impact, and use their “one life” to create meaningful change at scale. "Don’t be afraid of AI, be afraid of not using it to make the world better." MEET OUR GUEST Mona Flores, physician and healthcare innovator with a passion for advancing medicine and science through artificial intelligence, former Global Head of Medical AI at NVIDIA. Mona Flores is a physician and healthcare innovator with a passion for advancing medicine and science through artificial intelligence. As the former Global Head of Medical AI at NVIDIA, she helped build and lead a global ecosystem bringing AI technologies into healthcare. She completed her medical training at OHSU, UC San Diego, Stanford, and Columbia, and also holds an MBA and a Master's in Biology. With experience spanning cardiothoracic surgery, digital health, and investment banking, Mona brings a multidisciplinary perspective to solving healthcare's most complex challenges. She continues to work at the forefront of AI, science, and medicine, focused on scalable innovation that improves patient care and drives meaningful impact. To learn more, go to the Campaign site yourturnlebanon.com and you can also follow here. More about BIOLINK.org here, and for more episodes with BioLinkers click here.

In this episode of Spread Love in Organizations, Naji Gehchan welcomes Catharine Smith and Jason Cordeiro for a conversation on leadership, ecosystem building, and the future of biotech. Catharine Smith, an experienced healthcare and nonprofit leader, shares her journey from clinical and health system roles to leading the Tremier Institute, where she focuses on developing the next generation of biotech leaders. Jason Cordeiro, Chief Operating and Innovation Officer at MassBio, reflects on his path from scientific research to ecosystem leadership, emphasizing his passion for connecting innovators and enabling the development of new therapies for patients. The discussion highlights the strategic partnership between the Tremier Institute and MassBio, including the creation of the Founder Link initiative. Both guests explain how this collaboration emerged from shared goals and parallel strategic planning processes, ultimately aiming to strengthen the early-stage biotech ecosystem in Boston and beyond. By combining MassBio’s extensive industry network with the Tremier Institute’s leadership development expertise, the partnership provides founders and executives with a structured space for connection, learning, and peer support. The conversation also explores the evolving definition of leadership in healthcare and biotech. Catharine and Jason emphasize that leadership is not only a skill that can be learned but one rooted in empathy, human-centered thinking, and purpose. They stress the importance of community, resilience, and aligning innovation with patient impact. The episode closes with reflections on “spreading love in organizations,” underscoring the belief that kindness, authenticity, and strong relationships are essential to building meaningful, high-impact healthcare organizations. "In biotech, progress happens when leadership, community, and science come together to improve humanity." MEET OUR GUESTS Catharine Smith CEO of the Termeer Institute, & Jason Cordeiro Chief Operating & Innovation Officer, MassBio. Catharine Smith is a mission-driven executive leader with more than 15 years of experience scaling high-impact organizations at the intersection of healthcare, innovation, and equity. As the inaugural CEO of the Termeer Institute, she has built an international leadership organization from the ground up, launching global partnerships and scaling programs that expand access and opportunity for emerging leaders across the biotechnology ecosystem. Prior to the Termeer Institute, Catharine served as the CEO of the Clinton Health Matters Initiative at the Clinton Foundation where she led a team focused on stigma reduction and overdose prevention related to the opioid epidemic.  Known for her inclusive leadership and ability to bridge sectors, Catharine is a trusted voice on leadership, health equity, and innovation, regularly teaching and speaking at international forums. Catharine’s leadership is grounded in a deep commitment to advancing women and underrepresented leaders, supporting emerging talent, and building ecosystems where diverse voices shape the future of leadership.  Catharine is a Fulbright Scholar and holds a master’s degree in business administration from the Massachusetts Institute.  Jason Cordeiro is the Chief Operating & Innovation Officer. He joined MassBio in September of 2018 as the Vice President of Consortium Operations. In his current role, Jason is responsible for helping drive MassBio’s strategic vision and ensuring the organization is always positioned to support the industry. He is responsible for leading the membership organization and focuses on industry partnering and early-stage company support through our Partnering programs and Edge services. In his tenure at MassBio, Jason has overseen the launch of several new programs, including MassBioDrive, Align Summit, and the MassBioHub. Jason received a B.S. in Biology from Emmanuel College. He had worked at BIDMC researching the effects of NSAIDS on ovarian, prostate, and breast cancers and had spent nine years with Thermo Fisher Scientific in various commercial roles. Jason combines his professional talents and love for the outdoors as he sits on the board of Elevate Youth, a local organization. He currently resides on the South Shore with his wife and two children. More Episode in partnership with the Termeer Institute can be found here. Give them a listen!