In this episode of the Healthy Enterprise podcast, Patti Aha shares her journey from research scientist to project manager and consultant in the biotech and diagnostics space. She discusses the importance of collaboration, innovation, and mentorship in driving drug development, while exploring the challenges and opportunities within the industry. Patti reflects on the potential of AI to accelerate discovery and the critical role of effective leadership, communication, organization, and emotional intelligence in managing scientific teams. The conversation also covers navigating project management challenges, building strong relationships, knowing when to pivot or stop a project, and transitioning from corporate roles to entrepreneurship, offering practical advice for aspiring biotech leaders.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Biotech Leadership
03:12 Patti Aha's Journey in Biotech
06:02 The Role of Project Management in Drug Development
09:02 Understanding Drug Targets and Assays
11:55 The Importance of Collaboration in Biotech
14:50 Navigating the Drug Development Pipeline
17:51 The Future of AI in Biotech
21:04 Consultancy and Leadership in Biotech
23:50 The Philosophy of Project Management
28:33 Essential Qualities of a Project Manager
31:46 Building Relationships in Project Management
34:49 Navigating Challenges in Biotech Projects
39:34 Advice for Aspiring Project Managers
42:51 Dream Projects and Future Aspirations

Guest Information:

• Guest's Name: Patti Aha
• Guest's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patti-aha-6a20114/
• Company / Affiliation: Robin Hill Group LLC
• Guest's Bio: Patti Aha is the CEO of the Robin Hill Group and a seasoned project management and business leader with a strong scientific foundation. With deep experience across operations, portfolio management, and process development, she excels at bringing structure, efficiency, and clarity to complex initiatives. Patti is passionate about effective leadership, transparent communication, and building collaborative teams that consistently deliver results. Her unique blend of scientific rigor and business acumen allows her to bridge the gap between technical and strategic domains, making her a trusted partner for organizations seeking operational excellence and sustainable growth.

Takeaways:

• Patti Aha has a long career in biotech and academia.
• She emphasizes the importance of project management in drug development.
• Collaboration between academia and industry is crucial for innovation.
• Understanding drug targets and assays is fundamental in biotech.
• The drug development process is lengthy and complex.
• AI has the potential to significantly speed up drug discovery.
• Effective leadership is essential for managing scientific teams.
• Mentoring future leaders is a passion for Patti.
• Not-for-profit biotech models face unique challenges.
• Continuous improvement is necessary for growing biotech companies.
• Project management serves the work and helps people communicate.
• There is a fine line between necessary process and over-processing.
• Good communication is essential for project managers.
• Emotional intelligence is crucial in managing team dynamics.
• Building relationships is a cornerstone of effective project management.
• Conflict resolution is a key skill for project managers.
• Defining success at the beginning of a project is vital.
• Knowing when to stop a project can be a significant win.
• Continuous education and networking are important for career growth.
• The biotech field offers exciting opportunities for innovation.