Podcast
ELEVATE: Women Leading the Way in Pharma
Hosted by Vector Talent · EN
Elevate is the podcast from Vector Talent bringing you honest conversations with women leading the way in pharma services.
Each episode goes beyond the CV. We talk to senior figures across CDMOs, CROs, Biotech and the wider pharma services sector about how they've built their careers, the challenges they've navigated, and what it really takes to lead in this industry.
No generic career advice. Just candid, experience-led conversations from women who are shaping one of the most complex sectors in the world.
24episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Elevate: Demetria Johnson on Future-Proofing Your Career
Jun 3, 202500:42:09Tap to summarizeFuture-Proofing Your Career: Navigating Career Disruptions with Resilience with Demetria Johnson, DE&I and Talent Expert in the BioPharma and Legal IndustriesIn this episode, Demetria Johnson, DE&I and Talent Expert in the BioPharma and Legal industries, shares what it means to lead with resilience and build your personal and professional confidence during times of change. A DEI and talent leader, Demetria offers guidance on navigating layoffs, managing burnout, and finding your voice—even when the path forward is uncertain.What You’ll Learn:- How to bounce back from career disruptions with clarity and purpose- The role of community and your “personal board” in long-term growth- Ways to upskill and stay market-ready in uncertain times- Tips for maintaining mental health and emotional intelligence under pressure- How to advocate for yourself while staying aligned with your valuesTop Quote:“Let your discomfort be your guide. It’s often pointing you toward your next opportunity.”About Demetria:Demetria Johnson has extensive experience as a hands-on expert in the field of Diversity & Inclusion and Talent Strategy. She counsels clients on innovative methods to maximise their workplace environment through training in talent management, integration, cultural awareness, mindful listening and inclusion. Ms. Johnson is a frequent speaker at conferences focused on women’s initiatives, inclusive leadership, and professional development. Ms. Johnson has held numerous leadership and Board positions on both the national and regional level at HR and legal professional organisations.About Elevate:About the Elevate Series"Elevate: Women Leading the Way in Pharma Outsourcing" is a speaker series designed to empower women professionals in the pharmaceutical outsourcing industry. Featuring candid conversations with accomplished women leaders, the series offers insights, strategies, and inspiration to help you advance your career and navigate challenges in this dynamic field.If you'd like to share your insights on the Elevate series or learn more about Vector Talent, get in touch.
Transcribe →Elevate: Debra Bruneau on The Art of Managing Up
Jun 3, 202500:50:15Tap to summarizeThe Art of Managing Up with Debra Bruneau, EVP of HR at JSR Life SciencesDebra Bruneau, Executive Vice-President of Human Resources at JSR Life Sciences, shares practical tools and real-world insights for mastering the art of managing up and influencing leadership. Drawing on 20+ years of HR experience, Debra reveals how to communicate effectively, build trust with senior leaders, and ensure your voice is heard—whether in a one-on-one, a boardroom, or a virtual meeting.What You’ll Learn:- What “managing up” really means—and why it’s essential at every level- How to tailor communication styles to different leadership personalities- Strategies for increasing visibility and self-advocacy without self-promotion- How to align your goals with broader business objectives- Tips for resilience and assertiveness in high-pressure conversationsTop Quote:“Respond, don’t react. Whether it’s an email or a meeting, taking a pause can change the whole tone of your communication.”About Debra:Debra Bruneau is a global Human Resources executive with over 20 years of comprehensive experience partnering with C-suite leaders. Proven transformative and innovative leader with demonstrated success building high performing culture, business transformation, and talent strategies. Highly successful in analyzing existing practices and identifying opportunities to address gaps and enhance employee engagement and retention. A trusted advisor, able to influence executive decision making, facilitate change, and strengthen global cross-functional productivity. Key contributor to the business strategy by creating value through people. Industry experience in life sciences, semi-conductor, consumer products, high-tech, manufacturing, and non-profit with a proven track record of success building best-in-class enterprise-scale programs in both public and private companies.About the Elevate Series:"Elevate: Women Leading the Way in Pharma Outsourcing" is a speaker series designed to empower women professionals in the pharmaceutical outsourcing industry. Featuring candid conversations with accomplished women leaders, the series offers insights, strategies, and inspiration to help you advance your career and navigate challenges in this dynamic field.If you'd like to share your insights on the Elevate series or learn more about Vector Talent, get in touch.
Transcribe →Elevate: Audrey Greenberg on Pivoting with Purpose
Jun 2, 202500:37:11Tap to summarizePivoting with Purpose: Redefining the Career Path with Audrey Greenberg, Executive, Entrepreneur and Founder of the Center for Breakthrough Medicines (now SK pharmteco)Audrey Greenberg, Executive, Entrepreneur and Founder of the Center for Breakthrough Medicines, joins Marianne Gissane to explore how to recognise and navigate career pivots with purpose and confidence. Audrey shares her personal journey through financial services, real estate, and biotech, highlighting the decisions, risks, and resilience required along the way.What You’ll Learn:How to approach big career changes with a mission-driven mindsetWays to evaluate opportunities across different industriesThe importance of due diligence—from culture to compensationHow to build resilience during uncertain transitionsWhy mentorship and transferable skills are essential for growthTop Quote:“Action causes clarity. Take calculated risks—small steps can open doors you didn’t even know existed.”About AudreyAudrey Greenberg, a visionary leader with nearly three decades of senior executive experience, has excelled in roles as CEO, CFO, CBO, and CMO across biotech, real estate, investment management, and technology. As the Founder of the Center for Breakthrough Medicines (CBM), Audrey spearheaded the company’s rapid growth, raising over $500 million, scaling operations, and closing a landmark joint venture with the University of Pennsylvania’s Gene Therapy Program, leading to CBM’s acquisition by SK pharmteco.A skilled entrepreneur, Audrey has founded three startups exceeding $1 billion in valuation and serves as a director on multiple boards. Recognised with numerous honours, including Philly Power 100 and Titan 100 Hall of Fame, she is also an advocate for women’s leadership and a mentor to rising talent. Audrey holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.About the Elevate Series"Elevate: Women Leading the Way in Pharma Outsourcing" is a speaker series designed to empower women professionals in the pharmaceutical outsourcing industry. Featuring candid conversations with accomplished women leaders, the series offers insights, strategies, and inspiration to help you advance your career and navigate challenges in this dynamic field.If you'd like to share your insights on the Elevate series or learn more about Vector Talent, get in touch.
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Evelyne Van Vosselen - Leveraging Learning & Development as an Enabler of Talent Acquisition
Feb 6, 202500:28:37Tap to summarizeThis episode was recorded under our previous name of Talent Sandbox In this episode of the Talent Sandbox podcast, join us as we delve into the transformative power of learning and development in talent acquisition. Our guest, Evelyne Van Vosselen, an esteemed HR, and organisational development expert who we are very fortunate to have working with Talent Sandbox, will shed light on how learning and development can serve as a strategic enabler of talent acquisition initiatives. Discover the vital role of onboarding, personalised training solutions, and captivating learner experiences in attracting and nurturing top talent. Gain practical insights and actionable strategies to optimise your organisation's learning and development programs, ensuring they become a driving force for talent acquisition success. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation that will empower you to unleash the full potential of learning as a catalyst for talent acquisition excellence.
Transcribe →Rachel Davis - Unlocking Recruitment Success with Talent Intelligence
Feb 5, 202500:32:21Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we’re joined by Rachel Davis, CEO of Armstrong Craven, who discusses the role of talent intelligence and data in the recruitment process. Founded 30 years ago, Armstrong Craven is a global talent research firm, providing data-driven solutions to talent acquisition, talent intelligence and HR teams. Rachel begins by discussing the current landscape for talent intelligence and its growing significance in organisations. She emphasises how data and insights are meeting the increasing appetite for information in talent acquisition. To illustrate the value of talent intelligence, Rachel shares an example involving a US-based Biotech firm. Through talent insights, the firm was able to design a recruitment strategy that attracted specialist technology skills into the organisation. For the organisation they were able to reduce their time-to-hire by 18 months, ultimately accelerating how quickly they could bring lifesaving treatments to market. Talent intelligence has the potential to positively impact diversity and inclusion. Rachel highlights the common tendency of organisations to focus solely on their own environment or limit diversity measures to just a few metrics. Whilst talent intelligence and mapping provide the external data to show where the talent you need is located, it’s critically important that organisations understand the barriers and lived experiences of people from diverse backgrounds. She advises talent leaders to present a strong business case for talent intelligence, highlighting the cost of poor decision-making, the urgency of the organisational context and the broader applicability of the data to drive growth plans. The episode wraps up with an exploration of the skills required for a career in talent intelligence. Intellectual curiosity, proficiency with data, and the ability to translate findings into meaningful insights for the business are crucial components of success in this field. Key Takeaways: It’s important to understand the in-house capacity and capability of your team to determine whether you need a specialist partner to deliver the expertise you need. Data and insights play a critical role in improving diversity and inclusion outcomes. To secure investment, talent leaders must present a strong business case for talent intelligence, highlighting its direct impact on decision-making and organisational growth. Proficiency in data analysis and adeptness with AI are skills that professionals in all fields should strive to develop.
Transcribe →Martyn Redstone - AI in Recruitment: Hype or Hero?
Feb 5, 202500:30:25Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Talent Talkbox, we talk to Martyn Redstone, expert in recruitment technology, conversational and generative AI. He shares valuable insights about integrating AI into Talent Acquisition, encouraging us all to think critically about how and where it can be used to drive hiring outcomes. Martyn emphasises the importance for TA leaders to develop AI-focused skill sets. and prepare for managing AI recruitment agents in the future. To stay ahead, he suggests implementing natural language interfaces and conversational tools as co-pilots, enhancing both productivity and candidate experience. Lastly, in terms of skills, Martyn stresses the significance of communication and problem-solving abilities in the industry - two crucial soft skills essential for becoming a strategic TA partner. Key Takeaways Optimise existing technology and processes before investing in new AI solutions. Governance – be clear about regulation and develop a policy that’s transparent and clearly communicated to the business. Run safe experiments to run a proof of concept with before and after measures. Develop AI-focused skill sets to manage AI recruitment agents. Implement natural language interfaces and conversational tools to improve productivity and candidate experience. Embrace STEM education and develop communication and problem-solving skills.
Transcribe →Kirstie Kelly - Unlocking the Value of Technology in Talent Acquisition
Feb 5, 202500:30:51Tap to summarizeIn this podcast episode, we are joined by Kirstie Kelly, founder, investor and renowned expert in HR technology. Neil and Kirstie take a critical look at the role of technology in talent acquisition, strategies for successful adoption and how to make the right decisions given the overwhelming choices in the market. Kirstie provides valuable guidance for TA leaders, emphasising the importance of diagnosing the specific problems you are seeking to address, the desired outcomes and appetite for change in the organisation in relation to TA technology. Key topics include understanding the challenge, defining success measures, involving vendors in building a strong business case, and measuring success based on the language and goals of the organisation, rather than solely on cost savings. Kirstie and Neil also talk about the need for consistency and standards in TA, accelerated particularly by global talent mobility. Delivering fair, ethical and consistent ways of operating is not only good practice, it future-proofs your business. Furthermore, Kirstie highlights the importance of developing essential skills such as data interpretation, problem-solving, and resilience, to stay ahead in the rapidly changing TA landscape. Key takeaways: TA leaders should focus on their specific problems and desired outcomes before identifying a technology solution. Be open to involving vendors when building a business case for technology adoption. Articulate the ongoing value to the business, not just year one. Success in TA should be measured based on the language and goals of the organisation, not the language of TA. Consistency and standards play a vital role in supporting global talent mobility. Future-proof skills in TA include data interpretation, problem-solving, and resilience.
Transcribe →Hugh Fordham - Value Creation in Talent Acquisition
Feb 5, 202500:28:14Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Neil interviews Hugh Fordham, CEO of Hollaroo - the talent community platform for pipelining, onboarding and internal mobility - about value creation in talent acquisition. Together they explore how organisations should define ‘value’ for their talent function and the opportunities for delivering and retaining value through people. They discuss the importance of managing networks of talent and connections, strategies for sustainable technology investments, and advice for different types of organisations. Hugh emphasizes the need to focus on the value delivered by talent acquisition and the importance of data and analytical skills in articulating that value. The episode concludes with a discussion on keeping knowledge up to date in the complex talent landscape. Takeaways Organisations should define value for their talent function by understanding their fundamental objectives and how talent contributes to achieving that goal. Common opportunities within organisations include retaining value by building long-term relationships with internal talent, understanding the goals and aspirations of its employees. Managing talent networks and connections, both internally and externally, is crucial for talent acquisition and talent management. When making technology investments, organisations should start with the problem they are trying to solve and focus on delivering value to the organisation, rather than the technology solution. The advice for different types of organisations, such as SMEs and larger PLCs, may vary in terms of timelines and strategic thinking. To keep knowledge up to date, it is beneficial to look outside of the specialist domain and explore concepts from other fields, such as economics. Developing data and analytical skills is essential for talent acquisition professionals to understand and articulate the value they deliver to the organisation.
Transcribe →Lynn Kealey - Adapting Talent Acquisition Strategies: Navigating the Changing Landscape and Candidate Expectations
Feb 5, 202500:25:27Tap to summarizeIn this wide-ranging conversation, Lynn Kealey, a highly experienced global talent acquisition leader in the pharmaceutical industry, discusses her early career in recruitment, the impact of the economic environment on talent acquisition, and the opportunities of attracting and retaining Generation Z. Lynn also explores the use of technology and AI in recruitment and emphasizes the importance of candidate experience. Overall, the conversation highlights the dynamic nature of talent acquisition and the need for TA leaders to adapt quickly to changing market conditions and candidate expectations. Takeaways The economic environment continues to have a significant impact on talent acquisition, with shifts in demand for different skill sets and the need for organisations to have a long-term talent strategy. Attracting and retaining Generation Z requires organisations to align with their values, such as providing work-life balance, strong purpose, and career development opportunities. Technology and AI can enhance recruitment processes by automating administrative tasks and improving efficiency, but the human element and candidate experience remain crucial. TA leaders need to understand the business strategy, collaborate with stakeholders, and use data and market insights to guide effective talent acquisition strategies. Candidate experience should be a priority, with a focus on authentic employer branding, streamlined application processes, and continuous engagement throughout the recruitment journey.
Transcribe →Alyssa Byczek - Maximising Success in Talent Acquisition: Thrivingwith Limited Resources
Feb 5, 202500:29:55Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we talk to Alyssa Byczek, Director, Global Talent Acquisition at Premier Research. Premier Research is a global clinical research, product development and consulting company that is dedicated to helping patients worldwide by transforming life-changing ideas and breakthrough science into new medical treatments. Alyssa shares her background in recruiting and the challenges faced in the industry. She emphasises the importance of balancing high delivery standards with lean resources and managing a team effectively. Alyssa also highlights the significance of creating a positive candidate experience and the role of empathy in recruitment. She discusses the need for talent acquisition professionals to stay agile and adapt to the changing industry landscape. Additionally, Alyssa explores the opportunities in talent acquisition, including the potential for remote work and the importance of skill-based hiring. Takeaways Balancing high delivery standards and lean resources is a challenge in talent acquisition. Creating a positive candidate experience is crucial for building lasting relationships and attracting top talent. Talent acquisition professionals need to stay agile and adapt to the changing industry landscape. Opportunities in talent acquisition include remote work, skill-based hiring, and developing business acumen.
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