S3 E18, Angela Vollstedt, Director of Global Cell & Gene Therapies Portfolio at Novartis

In this episode of She Leads Biotech, Sharron Cox sits down with Angela Vollstedt, Director of Global Cell & Gene Therapies Portfolio at Novartis, for a conversation that blends operational grit with visionary thinking.Angela’s career spans two decades in pharma — from legacy manufacturing to advanced therapies — and she’s now at the forefront of shaping how personalized medicine can become scalable, accessible, and sustainable.We talk about:Her unexpected start in a male-dominated manufacturing environmentThe creative shift from operations to product developmentRethinking biotech leadership in uncharted territoryThe “bus” model that could transform patient access in CGTThe mindset young biotech professionals need to succeed todayWhether you’re scaling a CGT company or just starting out in life sciences, Angela’s story offers grounded insights and bold ideas about what it means to lead at the edge of innovation. Listen now and share with a leader navigating the new frontier of biotech.📌 Chapters / Timestamps:00:00 – Meet Angela Vollstedt01:00 – Her entry into pharma & manufacturing05:00 – Being one of the only women in the room07:00 – Lessons that shaped her leadership style11:00 – Transitioning into product development14:00 – Entering advanced therapies16:00 – Balancing excellence with innovation18:00 – A "bus" that could change patient access23:00 – Why patient awareness matters26:00 – What keeps her passionate about the work28:00 – Advice for the next generation of biotech leaders