In this episode of Virtually Anything Goes, we dive deep into the remarkable leadership journey of Chris Knerr, VP of Strategy (MedTech) at Veeva Systems, Chris is a leader whose path spans entrepreneurship, Fortune 500 executive roles, and a lifelong love of philosophy.
Chris shares how his early academic pursuit of philosophy shaped his thinking, his leadership style, and his ability to navigate complex human dynamics inside some of the world’s largest organizations. From his 14-year rise at Johnson & Johnson to building and exiting his own company to guiding digital transformation for global medtech leaders, Chris opens up about the turning points that defined his professional identity.
You’ll hear candid stories from inside high-stakes transformation programs, including the pivotal moments where mentors challenged him, encouraged him, or changed the course of his career with a single sentence. Chris reflects on the transition we all face when moving from individual contributor to leader: the moment you stop “knowing everything” and start empowering others who may know more than you. His honesty about fear, confidence, and learning to “lighten up” makes this one of the most relatable leadership conversations in the series.
We also explore the political realities of leadership, how to spot the difference between visionaries and survivors at senior levels, and the underestimated role of luck and timing in every success story. Chris brings a rare blend of philosophical depth and practical experience as he unpacks what leaders really need to understand about influence, organizational behavior, and decision-making under pressure.
Finally, the conversation shifts into AI, autonomy, and the future of leadership. Chris shares thoughtful, and sometimes provocative, insights on how algorithms shape human choice, what worries him most about invisible automation, and how leaders should prepare for a world where AI is embedded in every workflow.
If you’re a leader, aspiring leader, or simply fascinated by how people grow, decide, and influence at scale, this episode is a must-listen. Subscribe for more conversations that go beyond the surface.
Chris Knerr is the VP Technology Strategy (MedTech) at Veeva Systems.
He is a 20+ year multi-disciplinary Life Sciences industry veteran (Med Device, Pharma, Consumer OTC) driving change and key results in growth, operating leverage, differentiation and competitive position at enterprise scale; Chris is a former J&J VP, has founded and exited his own company, and his experience spans Fortune 50, management consulting, portfolio company, and tech start-ups.
Chris is also an industry thought leader and writer; Cornell MBA; frequent guest lecturer at Cornell MBA program in Digital Strategy & Strategic Brand/Product Immersions
Connect with Chris Knerr on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisknerr/
Lev Cribb is the Founder and Managing Director of Made To See, a UK-based Video and Livestreaming Agency, specialising in the strategic and tactical use of video across B2B organisations. Lev is also the host of the Virtually Anything Goes podcast.
Made To See: https://madetosee.com/
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