In this episode, host Jasmeet Sawhney sits down with Dr. Alexandra Goncalves, VP and Head of Digital Health at Bristol Myers Squibb, to explore how a lifelong learner thrives at the intersection of clinical medicine, technology, and innovation. From leveraging AI in clinical trials to championing personalized medicine and remote patient monitoring, Alexandra shares her bold career moves, her approach to leadership, and how she creates space for continuous growth, even in the busiest of schedules.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• [03:15] Explains shift from academia to pharma, driven by a love for problem-solving
• [06:00] Pioneering analytics in market access, empowering data-driven decisions
• [11:42] External data trends in the pharma industry, emphasizing the need to ingest and analyze data
• [15:48] Discussion of commercial organizations evolving and of the utilization of AI
• [22:17] Importance of change management and Agile methodology
• [26:18] Knowing team strengths and advising upcoming and senior leadership
• [32:51] How to continue learning and balance both personal and professional time
• [39:22] Jasmeet asks Anindita rapid-fire questions

Key Takeaways:

• Align to a Common Truth: Ani emphasizes the importance of aligning teams across commercial operations, including analytics, market research, and field operations, to a shared, data-driven truth. Doing so enhances cohesion and drives effective strategy in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.
• Leverage AI as a Tool: AI and technology should be used to solve specific problems, improving efficiency and insights in commercial functions, but only after clearly defining the goal. This ensures transformation is purposeful and impactful.
• Foster Curiosity and Drive Change: Building a culture of curiosity and effective change management helps teams adopt new data methods and leadership approaches. Nurturing this mindset prepares them for the evolving pharmaceutical landscape.