CEO Cornerstone

Applications Open For Upcoming Cohort

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About

A peer-to-peer leadership development program uniquely tailored to the needs of today’s life science CEO. The program features monthly sessions, sophisticated content, guest experts and seasoned facilitators from The Leadership Edge. The program is designed to start powerful conversations among industry CEOs.

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Why CEO Cornerstone

Customized Programming for Life Science CEOs

Exclusive, research-guided and highly relevant content that will enable CEOs to reach their full potential and navigate the industry’s unique challenges.

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Access and Insights from Guest Experts

C-level executives, bankers and board members with relevant experience in the session topics are invited to share their insights and enrich the discussion.

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A Forum Facilitated by Life Science Executive Coaches

Leveraging their industry knowledge, these coaches excel at facilitating meaningful conversations with life science CEOs.

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Forming Meaningful Connections

This is beyond networking. CEOs can forge a confidential inner circle of advisors. The power of connecting with peers who are experiencing similar challenges opens the door to future partnerships.

Find the Right Cohort for You

The program is structured into cohorts of no more than 15 CEOs each. Each cohort is designed to ensure participants find the interactions meaningful and that they are among peers from companies at similar stages of development.

While many factors are considered for selection criteria and placement in each cohort, below are some general guidelines for participants.

Startup Stage

  • First-time life science CEOs

  • Pre-Series A

  • Privately held companies

  • Monthly sessions


Rolling applications. Each cohort is limited to 15 participants.

*Dates to be confirmed

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Venture Stage

  • First-time life science CEOs

  • VC funded: Series A-C

  • Privately held companies

  • Monthly sessions


Rolling applications. Each cohort is limited to 15 participants.

Now accepting applications for Q1 2025.

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Growth Stage

  • Life science CEOs

  • VC funded: Series D+

  • Public and privately held companies

  • Monthly sessions


Rolling applications. Each cohort is limited to 15 participants.

*Dates to be confirmed

Express Interest

experts

Guest Experts

Jim Birchenough
Chairman and Global Co-Head, Barclays Biopharmaceutical Investment Banking

Raising Capital

Karin Blair
President, Evoking Insights

Strategy and Goal Setting

Steve Holtzman
Former CEO, Decibel Therapeutics

Building a Culture of Engagement, Innovation and Success

Magda Marquet
Co-Founder, Alma Life Sciences


Building and Partnering with Your Board

Neil McFarlane
CEO, Zevra Therapeutics


Reimagine Your Company

Diane West
President, 2Connect


Present with Clarity and Deliver with Confidence

Gaylene Xanthopoulos
Founder and President,
The Leadership Edge

Facilitator

program-outline

Program Outline

Get to Know Your Cohort

Share your experiences, vision, and goals.

Vision, Mission and Values

Harnessing these powerful and underutilized leadership tools.

Strategy and Goal Setting

Strategy formulation and assuring it is aligned with your board

Presentation Skills for Financial Success

Present with clarity and deliver with confidence.

Developing a High-Performing Team

Proven strategies to unlock your team’s full potential.

Raising Capital


Insights from a leading investment banker.

Building Your Board


Understand and leverage the talent of your board to build your company.

Open Session


Based on cohort participant feedback.

Inspiring Innovation and Creativity

Bring out the talents of your team.

Management Philosophy

Explore the pros and cons of different approaches to performance management.

Partnering with The Leadership Edge

For the past three decades, The Leadership Edge has had the distinct privilege of working exclusively within the Life Science industry. Our experience in developing over 7,500 scientific leaders in over 1,000 companies has resulted in an extensive knowledge of the industry, its people, processes, and markets. It’s been greatly rewarding to improve the pace, performance, and culture of the most innovative companies in the world.

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