S4 E21, Ivana Muncie-Vasic - CEO & Founder of Vitra Labs

S4 E21, Ivana Muncie-Vasic - CEO & Founder of Vitra Labs

Rethinking IVF with Ivana Muncie-Vasic In this episode of She Leads Biotech, we’re joined by Ivana Muncie-Vasic, CEO & Founder of Vitra Labs, for a conversation about fertility innovation, bioengineering, and building a biotech company from the ground up. Ivana shares how her work in stem cell biology led to the development of hormone-free IVF technology designed to reduce the physical and financial burden of fertility treatment for patients. We also talk about the realities of becoming a first-time founder, navigating imposter syndrome, building resilience as a CEO, and how becoming a new mother has deepened her connection to the mission behind Vitra Labs. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Finding Bioengineering & Stem Cell Research 07:00 Why Patient Impact Became the Focus 10:00 From Academic Research to Founding Vitra Labs 14:00 The Science Behind Hormone-Free IVF 19:00 Why Traditional IVF Is So Difficult on Women 23:00 Becoming a First-Time CEO 27:00 Panic Attacks, Pressure & Founder Reality 31:00 The Importance of Support & Coaching 34:00 Becoming a Mother While Building a Startup 37:00 Advice for Future Founders #SheLeadsBiotech #WomensHealth #FertilityInnovation #IVF #WomenInBiotech #CNAUSAExecutiveSearch

S4 E20, Saundra Pelletier & Mitch Rosen from EvoFem Biosciences

Changing the Conversation Around Women’s Health with Saundra Pelletier & Mitch Rosen In this episode of She Leads Biotech, we’re joined by Saundra Pelletier and Mitch Rosen from Evofem Biosciences for a candid conversation about women’s health, education, intimacy, and the importance of normalizing these discussions. We explore why women deserve more options, why men need to be part of the conversation too, and how a new generation is changing the way people think about sexual health and communication. From access and advocacy to stigma, healthcare gaps, and the power of education, this episode is honest, insightful, and surprisingly fun. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:00 Evofem, Phexxi & Women’s Choice 07:00 The “Say Vagina” Campaign 12:00 Why Men Need to Join the Conversation 16:00 How Mitch Found Women’s Health 21:00 What’s Changing in Women’s Healthcare 26:00 Shared Responsibility & Communication 31:00 Generational Shifts Around Intimacy 35:00 Myths & Misconceptions in Women’s Health 40:00 AI, Access & The Future of Care 45:00 What Real Progress Looks Like 49:00 Final Advice & Takeaways #SheLeadsBiotech #WomensHealth #HealthcareInnovation #WomenInBiotech #CNAUSAExecutiveSearch

S4 E19, Anna Polak-Andersen, CEO of AnRes Clinical

Trusting Your Judgement in Biotech with Anna Polak-Andersen In this episode of She Leads Biotech, we’re joined by Anna Polak-Andersen, CEO of AnRes Clinical, for a thoughtful conversation about clinical development, leadership, and navigating the biotech industry across Europe. Anna shares her journey from studying pharmacy in Poland to leading a clinical development consultancy supporting biotech companies and rare disease programs across the industry. We talk about the realities of clinical research, the importance of strategic thinking in development, the current European biotech landscape, and why learning to trust your own judgement is one of the most important leadership lessons of all. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:00 Why Anna Chose Clinical Development 08:00 Early Career at Pfizer 11:00 Staying Connected to Patient Impact 15:00 What Makes AnRes Clinical Different 20:00 Choosing the Right Clients & Partnerships 24:00 European Biotech & Funding Challenges 28:00 Women in Leadership & Self-Doubt 32:00 Trusting Your Own Judgement 35:00 Advice for the Next Generation #SheLeadsBiotech #ClinicalDevelopment #WomenInBiotech #BiotechLeadership #CNAUSAExecutiveSearch

S4 E18 - Dr Stella Vnook, Chief Executive Officer of AVIVA VENTURES

Building a biotech company takes more than science. In this episode of She Leads Biotech, Dr. Stella Vnook, CEO of Aviva Ventures, shares her journey from arriving in the US with nothing to leading multiple biotech ventures and supporting the next generation of founders. We explore the realities of building in biotech, from self-doubt and uncertainty to navigating the business side of science, and why so many great ideas never get started. A practical and honest conversation about resilience, leadership, and what it really takes to turn science into impact. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:30 Stella’s Early Journey 05:00 Building a Career in Life Sciences 09:00 Self-Doubt and Leadership 13:00 From Pharma to Entrepreneurship 18:00 Starting Without Knowing How 23:00 Common Mistakes Founders Make 27:00 Building Multiple Companies 32:00 The Story Behind Caerra 36:00 Aviva Ventures and Supporting Founders 40:00 Advice for Early-Stage Founders 44:00 What Success Looks Like #SheLeadsBiotech #WomenInBiotech #BiotechLeadership #LifeSciences #CNAUSAExecutiveSearch

S4 E17, Adrienne Mendoza - Chief Operating Officer of BBG Advanced Therapies

Solving More Than Science with Adrienne Mendoza Cell and gene therapy is advancing rapidly, but science alone isn’t enough. In this episode of She Leads Biotech, Adrienne Mendoza, Chief Operating Officer of BBG Advanced Therapies, shares what’s really needed to move the field forward, from improving access and infrastructure to rethinking how these therapies reach patients. We also explore her journey over the past year, building a stronger presence in the industry, translating complex science for broader audiences, and the realities of leading through a challenging and evolving market. A practical and honest look at where the field is today, and what it will take to get to the next stage. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Stepping into a New Role at BBG Advanced Therapies 05:00 How the Role of a COO Evolves 08:30 Building Presence and Community in CGT 12:00 Making Complex Science Understandable 16:00 The Mobile Leukapheresis Bus 21:00 Access Challenges in Cell & Gene Therapy 27:00 What Needs to Change in the System 33:00 Industry Challenges and Optimism 38:00 What the Next 5 Years Could Look Like 41:00 Life Outside of Biotech #SheLeadsBiotech #CellAndGeneTherapy #BiotechLeadership #LifeSciences #CNAUSAExecutiveSearch