Leadership Lab 🔪- Dissecting life science success stories

This episode is a little different.Instead of sitting down with one guest, Maurice looks back at some of the conversations that have stayed with him most — and the lessons that keep coming up again and again.From taking career risks and building your network before you need it, to asking for help, hiring people better than you, seeking feedback and knowing when it’s time to get uncomfortable, this episode brings together some of the strongest moments from leadership lab so far.Featuring insights from Catherine Leduc, Jana Herrmann, Annick Whyte, Armend Håti, Marc Bauer, Michelle Bridenbaker, Tiago Nunes, Veronica Gambillara Fonck, Daniela Marino, Adrian Cuadra Leon and Agata Baranowska.Maurice reacts to each clip, shares his own perspective from nearly 20 years in recruitment, and connects the themes that have appeared across these conversations.A few things worth stealing, indeed.What’s one lesson you’re taking away from this episode?

What does regulatory affairs actually involve, and why does Neila Benabadji describe it as being a “science lawyer”?In this episode of leadership lab, Maurice Thornton speaks with Neila, VP and Head of Regulatory Affairs Europe at Cytokinetics, about the strategy behind bringing medicines to patients.From her early career at Pfizer to leaving big pharma for biotech, Neila shares what she has learned about risk, impact and leadership along the way. They explore how regulatory strategy shapes drug development, the realities of working with health authorities and why scientific expertise alone is not enough to build a successful career in regulatory affairs.🫵🏻 Hiring in life sciences? Get in touch at [email protected].👔Explore life sciences opportunities:https://www.headcount.ch/life-science-jobs#leadershiplab #RegulatoryAffairs #LifeSciences

In this episode of leadership lab, Maurice Thornton speaks with Christopher Hertz, Founder and Managing Director of Piomic, about what it really takes to build a medtech startup.Christopher shares his journey from molecular biology at ETH Zurich to co-founding piomic, a company working in advanced wound care. What started as a nine-month “let’s see if this works” idea became a much longer journey through prototypes, investors, clinical studies, FDA Breakthrough Device Designation, and the reality of trying to bring a medical device to patients.Together, Maurice and Christopher talk about non-healing wounds, the hidden burden of diabetic wound care, why staying close to physicians, nurses and patients matters, and why healthcare innovation cannot happen only from behind a desk.They also discuss the founder side of the story: building the right team, making difficult decisions, raising money, creating a board, almost giving up, travelling endlessly, and learning how to keep going when things get heavy.Need to hire exceptional talent in pharma, biotech, medtech, or digital health? Write to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear what you’re building.Follow leadership lab and share this episode with someone who might find it useful.

In this episode of Leadership Lab, Maurice Thornton speaks with Tiago Nunes, SVP Clinical Development at Mirum Pharmaceuticals, about rare disease, clinical development, patient-centred trials, and the career turns that shaped his path.From Rio de Janeiro to Europe, from medicine and GI research to pharma and biotech, Tiago shares an honest look at finding the right fit, learning from feedback, and building a career with joy and purpose.Together, Maurice and Tiago explore what clinical development really involves, why rare disease trials require creativity, how patient voices can shape better studies, and why the best clinical operations people are often both pragmatic and deeply creative.Need to hire exceptional talent in pharma, biotech, medtech, or digital health? Write to us at [email protected] — we’d love to hear what you’re building.Follow leadership lab and share this episode with someone who might find it useful.

What if the reason you are not standing out is not lack of experience, but lack of clarity?Career coach Catherine Leduc joins Maurice Thornton to explore personal branding, networking, career drift, and what it really takes to stand out in today’s life sciences job market.***In this episode of leadership lab, they discuss why career growth is not just about selling yourself better, but understanding yourself better. From personal branding and networking to career transitions and senior-level job search strategy, this conversation is full of practical insight for professionals looking to grow with more clarity and intention.A smart, grounded conversation for anyone building a career in pharma, biotech, medtech, or digital health.Need hiring support across pharma, biotech, medtech, or digital health? Contact headcount at [email protected] or visit https://www.headcount.chFollow headcount on LinkedIn for more insights, conversations, and leadership content from across the life sciences industry.

As part of our Podcasthon initiative, we sat down with Mathias Terheggen, Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy at ETH Foundation, to talk about a question many people ask before giving: does my contribution really make a difference?In this conversation, Mathias shares how donations help create real opportunities for future scientific talent, why every contribution matters, and how support can help shape the environment where curiosity, research, and innovation grow.If you’ve ever wondered whether your support can have a real impact, this episode is for you.You can donate any amount here: https://ethz-foundation.ch/en/online-giving-polyfonds/

AI is making CVs look better than ever — but is it actually making hiring easier? In this episode of leadership lab, Maurice sits down with Jana Herman, Chapter Lead for Integrated Workforce Strategies at Roche (Basel), to break down what’s changing in recruitment right now — and what isn’t.Jana shares why candidates are currently the biggest winners from AI, how hiring teams handle huge application volumes, and why human experts are still doing the screening in many organisations. They also unpack video interviews, internal talent marketplaces, and the long-promised shift to skills-based hiring.Along the way, Jana walks us through her career journey — from growing up in Brazil to studying in Geneva, working as a flight attendant, moving into HR and executive search, and ultimately shaping a global workforce strategy function inside Roche.In this episode:AI, CV screening, and why “perfect” applications can slow hiring downHow recruiters manage high volumes without losing candidate experienceVideo interviews: when they help, when they frustrateCulture fit vs the “perfect CV”Internal gigs and talent marketplaces (and the guard rails they need)Skills-based hiring: big promise, hard executionCareer advice: impact, networks, comfort zones, and why “the right time” is a mythIf you enjoyed this conversation, follow leadership lab and share the episode with someone hiring — or job hunting — right now.

Hiring people who are better than you isn’t just good leadership — it’s the point. In this Season 2 opener of Leadership Lab, Maurice sits down with Annick Whyte, Commercial Delivery and Adoption Lead, to unpack what leadership looks like when the pace is fast, the stakes are high, and AI is changing the rules.Annick shares why the real unlock isn’t “better prompts” — it’s vibe coding: building small, fast apps and workflows that prove value quickly, then bringing the business along for the ride.In this episode, we talk about:Why the best leaders hire people who are better than them (and how to stay secure while doing it)What “delivery and adoption” actually looks like day-to-dayAI in pharma: where it’s already accelerating work (and where it still gets stuck)“AI wars”: OpenAI vs Gemini vs Copilot — what shows up when you compare outputsMoving from commercial to R&D, and why AI drug discovery is the next frontierResilience as a leadership advantage (inner compass, clarity, and doing the work)👉🏻 If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show and rate leadership lab — it genuinely helps more people find it.Need to hire? [email protected]

Meet Armend Håti — Kosovo-born, Norway-raised bioengineer who turned an early patent into ClexBio. We talk about being a “young” biotech founder, the US spark that flipped his mindset, why his first industry role was (surprise) in krill, paying patent bills out of pocket, fundraising nerves, and the big move from Oslo to Zurich to surround the science with the right talent. We finish with a compact masterclass for PhDs and first-time founders on validating ideas and actually asking for the money.ClexBio in one line | Enabling cells as therapy — first with delivery systems for stem-cell assets, then toward engineered, vascularised tissues.www.clexbio.comMentorship Minute | Validate the need with uncomfortable conversations, filter the feedback, refine or kill fast. And if you can, co-found with legal firepower.Chapters00:00 Meet Armend — origin & identity02:10 From Kosovo to Norway — values & education06:40 Nerd energy → bioengineering (dyslexia as edge)10:50 US spark — Santa Barbara & Boston shift to building24:55 Why krill? First industry role & learning to pitch31:40 From IP to startup — buying the patent & fundraising52:10 Landing in Zurich — talent, scale, next chapter56:50 ClexBio in one line — enabling cells as therapy1:02:50 Mentorship Minute — advice for PhDs & founders👍 Follow the show on Spotify, and subscribe on YouTube for new episodes. ➡️ For the latest life sciences roles, follow us on LinkedIn or visit our website!

From Red Bull to Swiss MedTech — Adrian Hunn on leadership, curiosity, and building Swiss innovation.From marketing energy drinks to leading the Swiss MedTech association — Adrian Hunn’s career proves that leadership lessons can come from anywhere.In this episode of leadership lab, host Maurice Thornton dives into Adrian’s story — from his early love of team sports and military service, to a decade at Sonova, a CEO role in dental implants, and now shaping Switzerland’s medtech ecosystem.You’ll hear:How teamwork and curiosity shaped his leadership styleLessons from Red Bull, Sonova, and the “Hear the World” campaignWhy culture can make or break a career moveSwiss MedTech’s mission: networking, knowledge & impactThe realities behind the 39% US tariff and what it means for medtechHis Mentorship Minute on goals, curiosity, and knowing yourselfFollow Leadership Lab for more stories of ambition, resilience, and leadership from across pharma, biotech, medtech & digital health.#leadershiplab #medtech #careergrowth #headcountag

From law to biotech CEO — Franz-Werner Haas shares how vision shaped his career and leadership journey.From rural Germany to biotech boardrooms — Franz-Werner Haas’s career is anything but linear. A law graduate who started out in the fishing industry, he went on to lead CureVac during COVID and today serves as CEO of LimmaTech Biologics.In this Leadership Lab conversation with Maurice Thornton, Franz shares how vision shaped every step of his journey — and why titles matter far less than ambition, resilience, and timing.You’ll hear:Why vision was his fuel from law school to biotech leadershipThe unexpected lessons from the fishing industryLeading through CureVac’s COVID-19 crisisBuilding teams and trust in biotechHis mentorship advice on resilience, safe spaces & networkingFollow Leadership Lab for more real leadership stories from pharma, biotech, medtech & digital health.

From table tennis to VP HR — Agata Baranowska's bold journey through global pharma leadership.Agata shares how a childhood of constant moves built her adaptability — and how she turned early opportunities into a global HR leadership career.Maurice Thornton explores Agata’s path from PwC to senior roles at Amgen, Alexion & Takeda, and her decision to join Galderma’s mission to become the #1 company in dermatology.In this episode:Lessons from a performance-driven upbringingTurning assistant roles into leadership opportunitiesNavigating high-performance cultures in pharmaMaking bold career jumps — and thrivingPractical advice for aspiring HR leadersFollow Leadership Lab for more real-life leadership stories from pharma, biotech, medtech & digital health.

From figure skates in Boston to biotech boardrooms in Basel—Sarah Holmes-Klotz never took the obvious route. Now Head of Global HR at Santhera Pharmaceuticals, she joins host Maurice Thornton to talk about long-distance love, career pivots, resilience, and what it really takes to lead HR at a publicly traded life sciences company.Expect honest insights on relocation, rejection, reinvention—and why the scenic route might be the smartest career move of all.

How do you turn legal into a true business leadership function?In this episode of Leadership Lab, we follow the journey of Marc Bauer, Head of Legal, EMEA at argenx.From his first exposure to law in a small German firm, to building legal teams that drive strategy at Europe’s largest biotech, Marc has made legal his constant—even as his career evolved into broader leadership roles.He shares practical insights on:✅ Building legal as a business partner, not a compliance bottleneck✅ Making smart career pivots—and knowing when to take risks✅ The cultural differences between European and US biotech leadership✅ How to own your career development, at every stage✅ Lessons from moving between big pharma, law firms, and biotech startupsIf you’re building your leadership journey in legal, life sciences—or anywhere in between—you’ll find plenty to reflect on here.👉 Follow Leadership Lab on Spotify so you never miss an episode.👉 Explore new life sciences opportunities at headcount.ch#LeadershipLab #LifeSciencesLeadership #LegalCareers #BiotechLeadership #headcountag

Daniela Marino on bioengineered skin, bold leadership & skin in spaceThis week on The Leadership Lab, we meet Daniela Marino, CEO and co-founder of Zurich-based CUTISS — a pioneering techbio company growing personalized human skin to transform burn care and reconstructive medicine.She shares:Her early love of science - thanks to a surprise anatomy bookHow a research project evolved into a clinical breakthroughWhat it really takes to go from postdoc to startup CEOThe rollercoaster of scaling a biotech businessAnd yes… why CUTISS launched skin into space 🚀A story of resilience, vision, and science that heals.Don’t miss it.🌐 More on CUTISS: cutiss.com#LeadershipLab #BiotechFounders #RegenerativeMedicine #WomenInLeadership #Entrepreneurship #SwissTech #LifeSciences #headcountag

Before leading the Swiss Biotech Association, Michael Altorfer was a kid who struggled to focus and avoided making big decisions.What changed?A 7-month solo trip that reshaped how he saw the world—and himself.In this episode of Leadership Lab, Michael opens up about how traveling helped him find direction, build confidence, and develop a leadership style rooted in curiosity, perspective, and purpose.🎙️ With Maurice Thornton, they explore:Why slowing down sometimes helps you move forwardHow personal growth feeds professional leadershipThe path from indecision to impact in the world of biotechThis is a story about exploration—geographically and personally—and how getting lost can be exactly what leads you where you need to go.

🎙️Michelle Bridenbaker began her journey as a biologist with a double major in science and theatre set design. After moving into the medtech industry as a Surgical Sales Rep, she felt something was missing.Driven by empathy and purpose, she made a bold move—going back to school to become a nurse. That experience continues to shape every leadership role she holds today.Now, Michelle is:🌍 Global Medical Information Lead @ Recordati🇪🇺 VP @Medical Information Leaders in Europe🧠 COO @Unbiased ScienceIn this episode, Michelle shares how her diverse background—from lab to sales to the bedside—fueled a mission-driven career in global medical information.🎧 Tune in as Maurice explores:The role of empathy in leadershipWhy nursing remains central to her journeyHow science and communication drive impact👉🏻 Learn more about Unbiased Science, visit unbiasedscience.com👍🏻 Follow headcount for more from the life sciences world — industry insights, market news, and the hottest positions across biotech, pharma, medtech and digital health onLinkedin 🔗 and YouTube 📺

Daniel J. Muller took an unconventional approach to success—he followed what came naturally to him and mastered it. What started as a simple strategy to avoid distractions in school led him to a fun-filled thesis project, a PhD, and ultimately, a career dedicated to enabling others.Throughout his academic journey at the ETH Zurich, Daniel founded multiple organisations and collaborated with various companies, always driven by curiosity and a desire to make an impact.Tune in asMaurice Thornton dives into Daniel’s story—one that proves that sometimes, the best career path is the one that feels effortless.

Who says you need a plan to succeed? Certainly not Adrian Cuadra. Starting as an HR Coordinator with no clear roadmap, Adrian let curiosity take the wheel—and it worked. In less than 10 years, he moved from an entry-level role to becoming Alexion's Swiss and Austria Country Director, crossing paths with marketing, commercial, and more along the way. His secret? A fearless approach to asking, “What can I learn from this opportunity?” and saying yes to challenges most would shy away from. Join Maurice as he explores Adrian’s unconventional rise, proving that sometimes, not having a plan is the best plan of all. 👉 Follow the podcast to hear more personal stories and career-defining insights from today’s life science leaders. #headcountag #leadershiplab #lifesciences #careerjourney #leadership

From dreaming of a career in sports to leading biotech companies like LimmaTech and GlycoEra, and now excelling as a Partner at Pureos Bioventures, Veronica Gambillara Fonck’s journey showcases instinct, courage, and remarkable success. In this episode of Leadership Lab, Maurice dives into the personal moments and professional milestones that shaped Veronica’s inspiring path. Learn how she navigated challenges, embraced opportunities, and developed the mindset that propelled her to leadership in life sciences. 👉 Follow the podcast to hear more personal stories and career-defining insights from today’s life science leaders. #headcountag #leadershiplab #lifesciences #biotech #leadership

🎙️ Step into the Leadership Lab with Maurice, where we uncover the personal stories shaping today’s life science leaders. In each episode, leaders from biotech, pharma, medtech, and digital health share the moments that defined their careers. By exploring their personal journeys, we gain deeper insights into the mindsets, challenges, and life lessons that drive their professional success. 👉🏻 Curious about the humans behind the breakthroughs? Subscribe now and discover how personal stories inspire professional impact. #headcountag #leadershiplab #lifesciences #medtech #biotech #digitalhealth #pharma #leadership