Loud, Proud and Authentic Leadership with Audrey Greenberg

In this episode of the Active Ingredients podcast, host Thomas Dove interviews Audrey Greenberg, CEO at AG Capital.

Audrey shares her remarkable journey from investment banking and real estate to founding a cell and gene therapy CDMO that scaled to a billion-dollar valuation. This conversation explores how C-suite authenticity, executive flexibility, and people-first leadership have powered her success across pharmaceutical, biotech, and MedTech industries.

Key Takeaways

• Learn how C-suite authenticity breeds trust and respect in pharmaceutical and biotech leadership by being genuine rather than following corporate norms, especially when handling high-stakes patient programs.
• Discover the power of executive flexibility in today's dynamic life sciences market, where political changes, biotech funding shifts, and pharmaceutical disruptions require senior leaders to pivot quickly.
• Understand why putting people first drives success in MedTech and biopharma, from hiring exceptional talent in pharmaceutical companies to respecting and learning from life sciences clients.
• Explore how curiosity and connection accelerate career growth for biotech executives by genuinely wanting to help others, taking cold calls, and building authentic relationships.
• Take away practical methods for making bold career transitions within biopharma by combining thorough research with gut instinct, ensuring the right people and aligned investors are part of your journey.
• Apply the "GSD" (get things done) hiring philosophy for biotech talent acquisition by screening for grit, positive attitude, and the ability to move multiple pharmaceutical initiatives forward.
• Uncover strategies for transitioning from corporate pharmaceutical roles to private equity advisory by marketing operational excellence to investors and packaging your track record for life sciences-focused funds.

Snippets

• "Authenticity. It matters because people know you're not faking it. A lot of people can spot a fake from a mile away."
• "Playing safe being a sheep doesn't work. You get average returns and average results when you play it. Safe opportunities come from saying yes to high-risk, high-potential moves."
• "If I'm the smartest person in the room, I need to leave that room. I want everybody around me to be smarter than me."
• "I come from a perspective of abundance instead of scarcity. People generally want to help other people. So reach out to people. Don't be afraid. People will help you."
• "Don't be afraid. Make bold moves. Leadership is taken, not given."

Timestamps & Topics

• 00:14:49 -- Three Key Leadership Ingredients: Authenticity, flexibility, and people first
• 00:24:55 -- The GSK Building Story: How real estate led to cell and gene therapy CDMO
• 00:30:24 -- Becoming a Leader: Being "loud, proud and ready" in life sciences
• 00:32:08 -- Boardroom Authenticity: Communicating transparently with investors
• 00:41:12 -- Fixing the Broken, Growing the Bold: Helping investors spot opportunities
• 00:47:23 -- Leading as the Only Woman: Using visibility as an advantage
• 00:51:40 -- Transitioning to Private Equity: Marketing operational excellence to investors
• 00:56:00 -- Future of Leadership: Convergence of digital biotech and personalised medicine

Resources

• Follow Audrey Greenberg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreygreenberg/

• Follow Thomas Dove on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lifesciencesexecutivesearch/

Don't Miss an Episode

Remember to tune into our next episode for more inspiring leadership insights from preeminent leaders in the life sciences. You can also subscribe to the Active Ingredients podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other leading podcast platforms.

Feedback?

Have questions or feedback about the podcast or want to feature as a guest? Email us at activeingredients@fraserdove.com