Inside Pharma Leadership

Ep9 - The Hidden Cause of Veteran Suicide: Why Community Is the Real Cure with Marshall Spring

In this episode, I’m joined by Marshall Spring to discuss the realities behind veteran suicide, the impact of isolation after service, and why rebuilding purpose and community is critical to recovery. Marshall shares how the Combat Recovery Foundation is helping veterans reconnect through service, resilience training, mentorship, and community-driven missions. Meet the Guest Marshall Spring is a combat Marine Corps Explosive Detection Dog Handler, former police officer, and founder of the Combat Recovery Foundation. After losing his business partner, a fellow Marine, to suicide in 2019, Marshall dedicated his life to suicide prevention, resilience coaching, and helping veterans navigate life after service. Key Takeaways * Isolation is one of the biggest drivers of veteran suicidality * Community, belonging, and purpose are essential to recovery * Veterans often struggle more with asking for help than offering help * Service-based missions can help veterans reconnect and heal * Peer mentorship and one-on-one coaching can bridge the gap before group support * Families and friends should watch for changes in behavior, mood, and increased isolation * Suicide rates among veterans may be significantly higher than officially reported Connect with Marshall Spring * Website: https://combatrecoveryfoundation.org?utm_source=chatgpt.comcombatrecoveryfoundation.org [http://combatrecoveryfoundation.org] * YouTube: Combat Recovery Foundation  * Instagram: @combatrecoveryfoundation * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshallspring/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshallspring/] Connect with Keith Willis * Instagram: @coachtoachieve * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/]  * Email: kwillis@coremanagementtraining.com [kwillis@coremanagementtraining.com]

Ep8 - From Compliance to Capability: Rethinking Quality Leadership with Chris Hayden

In this episode, I’m joined by Christopher Hayden to explore how AI is reshaping quality and compliance in life sciences. From smarter SOPs to human-first tech adoption, they unpack what’s changing—and what still matters most. Meet the Guest Christopher Hayden is a Partner Manager at Scilife, where he works at the intersection of technology, quality, and compliance. With a background spanning science, tech (including Google), and regulated industries, Chris helps life sciences organizations adopt smarter, more intuitive quality systems. Key Takeaways * AI isn’t replacing jobs—it’s reshaping how work gets done * The real opportunity: automate repetition, not experience * SOPs are evolving from static text to interactive, visual, and even AR-based tools * Human-first adoption (communication, trust, culture) is critical for successful tech implementation * Change management—not technology—is the biggest barrier to execution * The future of quality lies in smarter, more intuitive systems that empower people, not replace them Connect with Christopher Hayden * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisliamhayden/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisliamhayden/] * Email: christopher.hayden@scilife.io [christopher.hayden@scilife.io] Connect with Keith * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/] * Email: kwillis@coremanagementtraining.com [kwillis@coremanagementtraining.com]

Ep7 - Magic at Your Fingertips: How Maria Uses AI and UX to Disrupt Digital Design with Maria DeBuen

In this episode of Inside Pharma Leadership, I sit down with Maria De Buen, founder of BluePixel, a premier international UX/UI design and software development firm. Maria shares her journey from starting a business straight out of college to leading a 60-person remote team that works with global giants like Office Depot and Philip Morris. The conversation dives deep into the evolution of digital design, the critical role of user experience in healthcare, and how generative AI is democratizing software development. ---------------------------------------- MEET THE GUEST Maria De Buen is the founder of BluePixel, a premier international UX/UI design and custom software development firm. Originally trained as an industrial designer, Maria pivoted into the technology sector after identifying a significant gap in the Mexican market for specialized boutique firms that prioritize user experience.  Over the last decade, she has successfully transitioned from a solo freelancer to a business leader, scaling her company into the #1 ranked UX/UI firm in Mexico. An expert in systemizing creative growth and integrating generative AI into design workflows, Maria is widely recognized for her ability to bridge the gap between complex engineering and intuitive, human-centric design for global brands. ---------------------------------------- KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. THE FREELANCER VS. ENTREPRENEUR MINDSET Maria highlights the difficult transition from being a "do-it-all" freelancer to a business leader. Scaling required her to stop expecting employees to be clones of herself and instead focus on systemization, delegation, and specialized roles. 2. UX/UI: THE "BRAIN" OF DIGITAL PRODUCTS Maria explains that technology fails if it isn't intuitive. * UX (User Experience): The research-heavy logic, information architecture, and psychological understanding of the user journey. * UI (User Interface): The creative, visual layer that makes the product accessible. * Healthcare Application: In life sciences, design isn't just about "looks"—it's about accessibility (e.g., font size and button placement for elderly patients) and reducing errors in high-stakes environments. 3. AI AS A "MAGIC" FORCE MULTIPLIER Rather than fearing AI as a job-killer, Maria views it as an operating system for the brain. * Speed: Tasks that once took months (like market research or initial prototyping) can now be compressed into a single week. * Democratization: Tools are allowing non-technical leaders to build "decent" functional apps, though professional firms are still needed for high-level security, scalability, and complex databases. ---------------------------------------- CONNECT WITH MARIA AND BLUEPIXEL Stay updated on the latest in UX/UI and digital innovation: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.comMaria De Buen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-de-buen/] Instagram: Maria De Buen [https://www.instagram.com/mariadebuen/?hl=en] Tiktok: Maria De Buen [https://www.tiktok.com/@mariadebuen] Website: BluePixel [https://www.bluepixel.mx] Connect with Keith LinkedIn: Keith Willis [https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/] Email: kwillis@coremanagementtraining.com [kwillis@coremanagementtraining.com]

Ep6 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Finance with Karthik Sriram

Karthik Sriram joins me to share how biotech finance leaders balance science, strategy, and capital to drive innovation. From his journey into the industry to raising over $800M, we unpack what it really takes to fund and scale life sciences companies—and why emotional intelligence is just as critical as financial expertise. ---------------------------------------- MEET THE GUEST Karthik Sriram is a biotech finance executive currently leading Financial Planning & Analysis at Parabilis Medicines. With a background in biomedical engineering and an MBA from Wharton, he brings a unique ability to translate complex science into business strategy. He has helped secure more than $800M in capital, supporting clinical development, extending cash runway, and positioning companies for growth and partnerships. ---------------------------------------- KEY TAKEAWAYS * Career paths aren’t linear—unexpected experiences often shape long-term direction * Emotional intelligence is critical in finance, especially when influencing decisions and budgets * Strong relationships and trust are essential to doing the job effectively * OPEX vs. CAPEX decisions are foundational in biotech and directly impact scalability * Raising capital requires honesty, clarity, and deep knowledge of your numbers * Understanding the science—even at a high level—builds credibility with investors * AI is accelerating drug development, especially in chemistry and early modeling * The future of finance teams in biotech may be smaller, more automated, and AI-driven * Early-stage companies face real barriers in adopting tools due to cost structures * Flexibility—not fully remote or fully in-office—is the most effective operating model ---------------------------------------- CONNECT WITH KARTHIK LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karthiksriram [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karthiksriram]X (Twitter): https://x.com/KarthikSriram_ [https://x.com/KarthikSriram_] Email: ksriram@parabilismed.com [ksriram@parabilismed.com] Connect with Keith LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/] Email: kwillis@coremanagementtraining.com [kwillis@coremanagementtraining.com]

Ep5 - Why Most Companies Struggle (And How the Best Win) with Kevin Stealey

Kevin Stealey joins me to break down what separates companies that consistently win from those that struggle—and why clarity and alignment are at the core of execution. We also dive into the importance of simplifying complexity in today’s data-heavy, fast-moving organizations. ---------------------------------------- Meet the Guest Kevin Stealey is a seasoned executive with a track record of accelerating profitable growth across consumer packaged goods and life sciences. He’s the CEO of RTR Technovation Corporation and author of Winning Bets: Leadership Lessons from a Father’s Football Pool, where he shares practical leadership insights rooted in real-life experiences. ---------------------------------------- Key Takeaways * Clarity + alignment = execution. Without both, progress stalls. * Simplicity is a competitive advantage—especially in complex industries like pharma. * More data doesn’t equal better communication—focus on what truly matters. * Great leaders empower teams with clear direction and defined guardrails. * As organizations grow, misalignment increases—intentional communication becomes critical. * The higher you go in leadership, the simpler communication needs to be. ---------------------------------------- Connect with Kevin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstealey/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstealey/] Instagram: @kevinstealey Connect with Keith LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithawillis/]