Rod Cotton on Overcoming Cancer and Career Setbacks, Healthcare Leadership at Roche, GlaxoSmithKline, and Baxter, and Driving Impact in the Boardroom

How do you transition from a South Central bus program to the C-suite of a global healthcare giant, then survive a major health battle to find a new purpose? In this episode of No Boxes, Just Verses, I sit down with my dear friend Rod Cotton. Rod shares his path of grit and strategy as he moves from the back alley to the boardroom. We discuss the reality of career setbacks, the power of a clear identity, and how he now builds a legacy of impact in Indiana and across the healthcare industry.Rod Cotton is a dynamic leader, board member, and venture partner, serving as the CEO of Cotton Ventures, LLC. With over four decades of executive experience, Rod has empowered startups and established organizations to scale, transform culture, and meet investor expectations. His expertise spans healthcare delivery, innovation, equity, and leadership, and he is a frequent keynote speaker for Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and universities. Rod’s board and advisory roles include Castle Biosciences (Nasdaq: CSTL), Eisai Pharmaceuticals, Moleculera Biosciences, General Genomics, and Community Health Network, where he champions strategic growth and governance in biotech and health tech sectors.Rod’s career is distinguished by leadership roles at Roche Diagnostics, GlaxoSmithKline, and Baxter International, and he continues to advise CEOs and executive teams in VC-backed healthcare startups. Recognized with honors such as The Sagamore of the Wabash and named among the Most Influential Corporate Directors and Black Executives by Savoy Magazine, Rod is committed to advancing innovation, diversity, and excellence in healthcare. He holds an M.B.A. from California State University, Dominguez Hills, an M.S. in Strategic Management from USC, dual B.A. degrees from UC Santa Barbara, with additional executive training from Harvard and Stanford.Key Takeaways: The Chameleon Effect: Rod reflects on his youth and how a busing program taught him to move between different social environments with confidence. The Power of No: He explains why he rejected a family legacy in medicine to find the golden time of his own career in business. The Respect Standard: Rod shares his experience as a young VP and his method to command respect when skeptical colleagues challenge his presence. The Strategic Rebuild: He details his two-year layoff during the dot-com burst and the grit he used to transform from a sales leader into a world-class strategist. The Choice for Impact: We discuss his cancer survival and his commitment to philanthropy, board service, and the mentorship of the next generation.Rod’s story provides a vivid example that your start does not dictate your finish. If you face a mountain in your career or health, this episode offers a blueprint to look up and get up. Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast!CONNECT WITH ROD COTTON:WebsiteLinkedInPlaylistCONNECT WITH SHANNON:FacebookInstagramLinkedIn Shannon | LinkedIn NBJVTheme Song: No Boxes Just Verses by Thane Kreiner (Suno)