Key Takeaways

• Discover how C-suite leadership is shifting from command and control to connect and coach, requiring executives to become sense makers rather than simply decision makers in pharmaceutical and biotech organisations.
• Learn why emotional intelligence drives 31% better innovation and 37% stronger retention, making EQ a critical differentiator for life science leaders navigating organisational transformation and uncertainty.
• Understand the importance of enterprise-wide thinking over functional expertise, recognising that modern C-suite roles demand a cross-functional perspective and strategic positioning of organisational decisions.
• Explore how coaching relationships built on trust can accelerate leadership development at any career stage, rather than waiting until VP or SVP levels to invest in professional growth.
• Gain practical insight from Maria on developing essential qualities for tomorrow’s leaders: curiosity about the business, holistic accountability, and mentalisation, the ability to understand different perspectives.
• Take away Oxana’s framework for addressing the leadership pipeline gap, focusing on supporting women in their early to mid-thirties, making first managerial role decisions where dropout rates peak.
• Apply Prachi’s approach to executive composure and strategic storytelling, staying calm when situations become challenging while translating talent decisions into clear business impact that creates momentum.

Snippets

• “Today, we’re moving so fast that by the time you’ve cascaded your strategy down, the world is changing. You need to do it again.” (2025, Maria Ebro Andreasen)
• “When you’re moving to the C-suite, it’s no longer about your function. It’s about the company.” (2025, Oxana Pastushenko)
• “Women bring two skill sets to the table, which is empathy and collaboration. The problem is that when we are talking about these two skills, we name them not as strategic skills, but soft skills.” (2025, Prachi Sharma)

Timestamps & Topics

• 00:15:59 — Intro: Welcome and guest introductions from three C-suite leaders across strategy, marketing, and people functions
• 00:23:44 — The Evolving C-Suite: How leadership roles are changing beyond revenue focus to culture, people, and enterprise-wide impact
• 00:28:24 — Essential Qualities: Core skills for tomorrow’s leaders, including curiosity, adaptability, emotional agility, and mentalization
• 00:38:12 — Coaching & Development: The role of EQ, trust-based coaching relationships, and accelerating readiness for senior leadership
• 01:02:47 — Final Wisdom: Advice to younger selves on asking for help, taking risks, and embracing uncomfortable growth moments

Resources

• Follow Maria Ebro Andreasen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaebroandreasen/
• Follow Oxana Pastushenko on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oxanaconsumerhealthpresident/
• Follow Prachi Sharma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prachi-sharma-cpo/
• Follow Louise Williams on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lifesciencesexecutivesearchretainedstaffingtalentsolutionsmanagingdirector/
• Join Lift Up: https://fraserdove.com/lift-up-women-life-sciences/
• Follow Lift Up: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/lift-up-women-in-life-sciences/

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Feedback?

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