EPISODE · Feb 9, 2026 · 30 MIN
Ep 51. High-Stakes Biotech Leadership: Innovation, Failure, & Redemption with CEO David Esposito
from Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD · host Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC
In this powerful conversation, Dr. Amna Shabbir speaks with David Esposito, healthcare executive, combat veteran and CEO of ONL Therapeutics, about what it truly means to lead with purpose in high growth, mission driven environments. David shares how his definition of leadership has evolved from rallying teams toward big goals to understanding the deeply personal side of helping individuals feel they matter. He opens up about a major failure early in his career when he failed to pivot quickly enough on a disinfectant technology that was not the right fit for the hospital market, and how that taught him the importance of courageous decision making and moving beyond the sunk cost fallacy.David redefines success through the lens of redemption, sharing how witnessing personal transformation in others and overcoming his own mistakes has become the true measure of meaningful achievement. From his mother's simple yet profound advice to keep your chin up, to building teams that thrive on belonging and mattering, this episode is a reminder that leadership is as much about the human side as it is about strategy and results.Episode TakeawaysHow to build high performance teams by helping individuals feel they matterWhy ego and sunk cost fallacy prevent leaders from making courageous pivot decisionsHow to redefine success through personal redemption and transformation instead of titlesWhy understanding the full human behind each team member drives sustainable leadershipThe leadership lesson that keeps you resilient through failure: keep your chin upAbout Our Guest:David Esposito is a seasoned healthcare executive and combat veteran who has built and scaled multiple healthcare companies that accelerated innovation to help patients across a wide range of unmet needs.David is currently the CEO of ONL Therapeutics, a clinical stage biotech company focused on developing therapeutics to protect the vision of patients with retinal disease.In addition to his leadership on the forward edge of healthcare innovation, David is a published author and creator of patented, award-winning conversation games designed to help parents and educators open the door to more effective communication with children and teenagers.David is a combat veteran having served as a US Army Infantry officer with the 101st Airborne Division in theFirst Gulf War during Operation Desert Shield & Storm (1990-1991).David has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an MBA from Syracuse University.Connect with David Esposito LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidesposito2/ ONL Therapeutics: www.onltherapeutics.com Harvest Time Partners: www.harvesttimepartners.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HarvestTimePartners 👩⚕️ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir is a TEDx Speaker, Top Podcast Host, and Dual Board-Certified Physician with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks and consults on Modern Perfectionism, Behavior change, and the Well-being of High achievers. Her passion lies in helping high performers curate no-BS sustainable well-being at the intersection of ambition and wellness. Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message of resilience and purpose.P.S. Thank you for all your support! Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD is a WINNER at Doctor Podcast Awards -held at Podfest 2026 - the world’s largest in-person podcasting conference.
What this episode covers
In this powerful conversation, Dr. Amna Shabbir speaks with David Esposito, healthcare executive, combat veteran and CEO of ONL Therapeutics, about what it truly means to lead with purpose in high growth, mission driven environments. David shares how his definition of leadership has evolved from rallying teams toward big goals to understanding the deeply personal side of helping individuals feel they matter. He opens up about a major failure early in his career when he failed to pivot quickly enough on a disinfectant technology that was not the right fit for the hospital market, and how that taught him the importance of courageous decision making and moving beyond the sunk cost fallacy.David redefines success through the lens of redemption, sharing how witnessing personal transformation in others and overcoming his own mistakes has become the true measure of meaningful achievement. From his mother's simple yet profound advice to keep your chin up, to building teams that thrive on belonging and mattering, this episode is a reminder that leadership is as much about the human side as it is about strategy and results.Episode TakeawaysHow to build high performance teams by helping individuals feel they matterWhy ego and sunk cost fallacy prevent leaders from making courageous pivot decisionsHow to redefine success through personal redemption and transformation instead of titlesWhy understanding the full human behind each team member drives sustainable leadershipThe leadership lesson that keeps you resilient through failure: keep your chin upAbout Our Guest:David Esposito is a seasoned healthcare executive and combat veteran who has built and scaled multiple healthcare companies that accelerated innovation to help patients across a wide range of unmet needs.David is currently the CEO of ONL Therapeutics, a clinical stage biotech company focused on developing therapeutics to protect the vision of patients with retinal disease.In addition to his leadership on the forward edge of healthcare innovation, David is a published author and creator of patented, award-winning conversation games designed to help parents and educators open the door to more effective communication with children and teenagers.David is a combat veteran having served as a US Army Infantry officer with the 101st Airborne Division in theFirst Gulf War during Operation Desert Shield & Storm (1990-1991).David has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an MBA from Syracuse University.Connect with David Esposito LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidesposito2/ ONL Therapeutics: www.onltherapeutics.com Harvest Time Partners: www.harvesttimepartners.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HarvestTimePartners 👩⚕️ About the HostDr. Amna Shabbir is a TEDx Speaker, Top Podcast Host, and Dual Board-Certified Physician with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks and consults on Modern Perfectionism, Behavior change, and the Well-being of High achievers. Her passion lies in helping high performers curate no-BS sustainable well-being at the intersection of ambition and wellness. Connect with Dr. Shabbir📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking📹 Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx TalkPerfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s❌ DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.❤️ Enjoyed This Episode?Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share it with a colleague, peer, or friend who needs this message of resilience and purpose.P.S. Thank you for all your support! Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD is a WINNER at Doctor Podcast Awards -held at Podfest 2026 - the world’s largest in-person podcasting conference.
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Ep 51. High-Stakes Biotech Leadership: Innovation, Failure, & Redemption with CEO David Esposito
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