OnPoint: The Mentor Sessions

Olivia Kager, Global Commercial Lead, Hemato-Oncology at Kyowa Kirin, joins Linda Traylor on OnPoint: The Mentor Sessions to talk about a career built on crossing between medical affairs and commercial leadership — and what it taught her about strategic partnership, accountability, and the future of the medical affairs function.
In this conversation, Olivia unpacks why "stay in your lane" is the worst career advice she's heard, why success in medical affairs should be measured in outcomes rather than activity, and why AI will only make teams faster at staying the same unless it's paired with clear purpose and human judgment.
In this episode:
Olivia's "story of accidents" — from aspiring artist to physician to a career weaving between medical affairs and commercial leadership across oncology, rare disease, and immunologyThe mindset shift from medical affairs as a "supporting function" to a strategic partner, and the accountability that comes with itWhy the biggest misstep of her career, leaving medical for commercial, became the bridge that shaped her leadershipRedefining success in medical affairs: moving from activity metrics to measurable outcomes, and why the first six months after launch matter mostWhy "hybrid intelligence," not AI alone, will define the next decade of medical affairs
Books and Resources Mentioned
Recommended by Olivia Kager: 
How Women Rise — a practical, honest look at habits that hold talented women back, such as underclaiming achievements and hesitating to take up space (title named on air; author not stated)Dare to Lead by Brené Brown — makes the case that courage and vulnerability are the foundation of strong leadership, not its oppositeEmotional Agility by Susan David — the source of the phrase "courage is fear walking," which Olivia references directly in the episode
Recommended by Linda Traylor: 
The Curiosity Shop, a podcast hosted by Brené Brown and Adam Grant — Linda named it as a current favorite; Olivia agreed it's one she loves too
About Olivia Kager: 
Olivia Kager is Global Commercial Lead, Hemato-Oncology at Kyowa Kirin. A physician by training, her career has moved between medical affairs and commercial leadership across oncology, rare disease, and immunology, including a prior role leading medical affairs for the DACH region. She is also active in mentoring and gender equity work within the life sciences industry.
Connect with Olivia Kager on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-kager-0158a55b/
OnPoint: The Mentor Sessions Podcast delivers engaging conversations with Medical Affairs and Field Medical leaders on the power of mentorship and coaching. Hosted by Linda Traylor, each podcast uncovers practical strategies, personal stories, and lessons to inspire and prepare the next generation of medical leaders. OnPoint is available on several podcast platforms, including the Acceleration Point YouTube channel.
Subscribe to the Acceleration Point YouTube channel for more episodes and other content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJvTQahyDapOdbhyQVhiNyQ
Episode Chapters:
[00:00] Meet Olivia Kager: A Career Built on "Accidents"
[07:23] From Supporting Function to Strategic Partner
[11:15] The Misstep That Became a Bridge
[16:32] What Separates Exceptional Leaders From Good Ones
[22:00] Redefining Success and the Worst Advice in Medical Affairs
[34:02] AI, Hybrid Intelligence, and the Medical Affairs Decade
[42:22] Personal Reflections and the Billboard Message

Sarah Cross, PhD, Senior Health Value Translation Lead at Sanofi, joins OnPoint: The Mentor Sessions to talk about her path into medical affairs, the mindset shifts that shaped her leadership, and why bringing the patient voice into R&D is the natural next step for the field. 
From a Google search that led her to the MSL role, to a career-defining lesson in failing fast, to her current work co-creating drug development with patient communities at Sanofi, Sarah shares hard-won lessons for medical affairs professionals at every stage of their career.
In this episode:
Sarah's path into medical affairs — a Google search, an unfamiliar job title, and a mentor conversation in a Colorado coffee shop
The mindset shift from strong individual contributor to effective medical affairs leader
A PhD-era calculation error and the lesson in failing fast that followed • How the definition of success in medical affairs has evolved, and why the patient voice belongs earlier in R&D
Why navigating constant change is now a core medical affairs skill, and her billboard message for the field: future forward
Books and Resources Recommended by Sarah Cross, PhD:
Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg — on finding sponsors and mentors, and why career paths are "a jungle gym, not a ladder"
Radical Candor by Kim Scott — on giving direct, caring feedback to build high-performing teams Note: Only titles and authors explicitly named on air are included above.
About Sarah Cross, PhD:
Sarah Cross, PhD is Senior Health Value Translation Lead at Sanofi, where she partners with patient communities to bring the patient voice directly into R&D and drug development decisions. Her career spans MSL and headquarters medical affairs roles at AbbVie and medical affairs leadership on the CRO side of the industry. She holds a PhD from UCLA.
Connect with Sarah Cross, PhD on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcross/
About Sarah Cross, PhD:
OnPoint: The Mentor Sessions Podcast delivers engaging conversations with Medical Affairs and Field Medical leaders on the power of mentorship and coaching. Hosted by Linda Traylor, each podcast uncovers practical strategies, personal stories, and lessons to inspire and prepare the next generation of medical leaders.
OnPoint is available on several podcast platforms, including the Acceleration Point YouTube channel. Subscribe to the Acceleration Point YouTube channel for more episodes and other content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJvTQahyDapOdbhyQVhiNyQ 
Episode Chapters:
00:00 — Welcome and Introducing Sarah Cross
01:25 — Her Path Into Medical Affairs
06:37 — Mindset Shifts, Missteps, and What Makes a Leader Exceptional
15:55 — Redefining Success and the Future of Patient Engagement
21:55 — Navigating Change and Where Medical Affairs Is Headed
29:35 — Advice to Her Younger Self and the Mentor Who Shaped Her Career
36:39 — Books, Habits, and a Future-Forward Send-Off

In this episode of OnPoint: The Mentor Sessions, host Linda Traylor sits down with Lee Gervitz, Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs at Xenon Pharmaceuticals, a neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company. Lee shares the mindset shift that reshaped his leadership — what he calls metacognition, or "thinking about your thinking" — and unpacks how it changed the way he leads teams, frames decisions, and develops talent.
Across the conversation, Lee draws on more than two decades in pharma to explore what separates a good Medical Affairs leader from an exceptional one, why "stay in your lane" is the worst advice rising MSLs receive, and how the COM-B behavior model is reshaping how Medical Affairs thinks about clinical impact. He closes with a personal philosophy that runs through every chapter of his career: family first, individuals first, and the discipline of making time for what matters.
In this episode:- The mindset shift from being right to being useful — and why metacognition is leadership leverage- What separates good Medical Affairs leaders from exceptional ones- Why "stay in your lane" is the worst advice given to rising MA professionals- How the COM-B model reframes evidence, behavior, and clinical adoption- Two very different futures for the Medical Affairs profession — and the choice ahead
Books and Resources Mentioned:
Recommended by Lee Gervitz:- First, Break All the Rules by Marcus Buckingham — the foundation for Gallup's StrengthsFinder and most modern engagement surveys- Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman — essential for early- to mid-career professionals building decision-making fluency- Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely — an entry point into behavioral economics and human behavior- The Molecule of More by Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long — how dopamine shapes near-term gratification and long-term satisfaction- How Emotions Are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett — a deeper scientific understanding of how human emotions are actively constructed
Lee also references the COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation → Behavior) as a core framework for understanding behavior change in clinical care, and credits a Suno AI Pro subscription as the under-$100 purchase that became a meaningful creative outlet over the past year.
Connect with Lee Gervitz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-gervitz-phd-mba-b853844/
OnPoint: The Mentor Sessions Podcast delivers engaging conversations with Medical Affairs and Field Medical leaders on the power of mentorship and coaching. Hosted by Linda Traylor, each podcast uncovers practical strategies, personal stories, and lessons to inspire and prepare the next generation of medical leaders. OnPoint is available on several podcast platforms, including the Acceleration Point YouTube channel.
Listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTXapuvAJzWZdDrMJFj-3FDz42Z3uJYAuApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/onpoint-the-mentor-sessions/id1884316384Spotify: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/8cquOM3Mg1b
Episode Chapters:
00:00 — Welcome02:13 — Falling Into Pharma08:52 — Stop Trying to Be Right17:07 — When the Misstep Becomes the Lesson23:53 — What Makes a Medical Affairs Leader Exceptional30:27 — Why "Stay in Your Lane" Is the Worst Advice39:05 — Become a Student of Behavior46:45 — Two Futures for Medical Affairs1:18:00 — Family First. Individuals First. Always.
About Lee Gervitz:Lee Gervitz is Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs at Xenon Pharmaceuticals, a neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company. With a PhD in physiology and an MBA in health organization management, he has held roles spanning Medical Affairs, commercial, and enterprise leadership across the pharmaceutical industry. He is recognized for pairing scientific depth with enterprise-level strategic thinking and for his focus on the behavioral dimensions of clinical practice.
Subscribe to the Acceleration Point YouTube channel for more episodes and other content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJvTQahyDapOdbhyQVhiNyQ
#MedicalAffairs #MSL #OnPointMentorSessions #AccelerationPoint #LeeGervitz #Xenon #Metacognition #COMBModel #MedicalAffairsLeadership #FieldMedical #LeadershipDevelopment

Paul Ward has spent thirty years in Medical Affairs — from selling antibiotics at Beecham Laboratories to leading field medical oncology, hematology, medical value, and access at BeOne Medicines. He has attended the American Society of Hematology for twenty-three consecutive years. His point of view is earned in the arena, and in this episode, he shares it.
In this conversation with Linda Traylor, Paul covers the mindset shift that transformed his MSL career, what he learned leading a team through a drug withdrawal, why the worst career advice in field medical is to rush to the next title, and what he would put on a billboard for every Medical Affairs professional in the world.
In this episode:
The pivot that changed everything: from trying to know every answer to becoming a better student
Leading through the Iressa withdrawal — the 6:30 AM call, the KOL conversations, and the decision to stay
What Dr. Steven Paul said about molecules vs. people — and why Paul still thinks about it thirty years later
Why MSLs shouldn't rush the gears — and what gets lost when they do
AI in Medical Affairs: embrace it, but don't lose the human connection that makes this role irreplaceable
Books and Resources Mentioned:
Recommended by Linda Traylor:
A Message to Garcia by Elbert Hubbard — a short, classic read on dependability and getting things done without being told how. Linda gifts it frequently and calls it one of the best books she's ever received. Paul hadn't heard of it — and wrote it down.
Recommended by Paul Ward:
MSL Talk (podcast) — hosted by Tom Caravela, Managing Partner of The Carolan Group. Paul recommends it to everyone in field medical. Nearly 200 episodes, 30–40 minutes each, built around inspiring Medical Affairs leaders.  Listen Now: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS7XTUuk1XF5Tm5InADY6cA
PharmaVerse (podcast) — hosted by Michael Pietrack. Broader than Medical Affairs alone — guests have included CEOs, R&D leaders, and figures like Mark Cuban on PBMs. Paul listens regularly.  Listen Now: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePharmaversePodcast
About Paul Ward:Paul Ward is Head of Field Medical Oncology, Hematology, Medical Value and Access at BeOne Medicines. With thirty years in Medical Affairs, his career spans field medical, regional and national director roles at companies including Lilly Oncology, AstraZeneca, and Astellas. He is a longtime member of the MSL Society Advisory Board and has attended twenty-three consecutive years of the American Society of Hematology.
Connect with Paul Ward on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ward-95302b15/
About OnPoint: The Mentor Sessions:OnPoint: The Mentor Sessions is a podcast series hosted by Linda Traylor, VP of Medical Excellence at Acceleration Point. Each episode is a candid conversation with an unsung hero in Medical Affairs or Field Medical — surfacing the mindset shifts, defining moments, and hard-won lessons that shape the leaders moving this field forward.
OnPoint is available on several podcast platforms, including the Acceleration Point YouTube channel. Watch Now: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTXapuvAJzWZdDrMJFj-3FDz42Z3uJYAu
00:00 — Thirty Years in the Arena: How Paul Ward Found Medical Affairs05:15 — The Mindset Shift Every MSL Needs: From Expert to Student07:51 — When the Drug Fails: Leading Through the Iressa Withdrawal14:12 — What Makes an Exceptional Leader: Molecules vs. People20:49 — Don't Rush the Gears: Career Advice for Rising Field Medical Professionals29:26 — The Future of Medical Affairs: AI, Human Connection, and What's Coming Next37:30 — The Man in the Arena: Mentors, Mindfulness, and the Billboard

Tom Caravela has placed leaders across some of the most recognized Medical Affairs organizations in the industry. After 20+ years, he knows what elite looks like — and what holds people back. In this conversation with Linda Traylor, he doesn't hold back.
This episode covers the evolution of the MSL role, what exceptional Medical Affairs leaders actually have in common, why adaptability is no longer optional, and where the profession is headed. Tom also shares the mindset shift that changed everything for him — and the habits he wishes he had built sooner.
Whether you lead a field medical team, are building toward a leadership role, or are just entering Medical Affairs, this conversation has something for you.
About Tom Caravela:Tom Caravela is the Managing Partner of The Carolan Group, a search firm dedicated to the Medical Affairs and MSL industry. He is also the host of the MSL Mastery podcast and the author of Job Search Mastery: How to Win Your Dream Job.  
You can connect with Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomcaravela-executiverecruiter
About OnPoint: The Mentor Sessions:OnPoint: The Mentor Sessions is hosted by Linda Traylor, VP of Medical Excellence at Acceleration Point. Each episode surfaces the unsung heroes of Medical Affairs — leaders whose work and wisdom deserve a wider audience. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe so you don't miss one.
00:00 Chapter 1: The Accidental Recruiter — Tom's Origin Story06:25 Chapter 2: Growth Mindset, Failure & Resilience12:41 Chapter 3: What Elite Medical Affairs Leadership Actually Looks Like20:58 Chapter 4: The MSL Role Has Changed — Are You Keeping Up?25:43 Chapter 5: Adaptability, AI & the Future of Medical Affairs32:03 Chapter 6: Habits, Mentors & the Legacy You're Building

In our inaugural episode of OnPoint: The Mentor Sessions, Linda Traylor, VP of Medical Excellence at Acceleration Point, begins a new podcast series designed to uncover the mindsets, habits, and behaviors that define exceptional leaders in Medical Affairs.
Inspired by The Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferriss, each episode follows a consistent set of reflective questions that reveal how accomplished mentors think, lead, and develop others. This series shines a light on the people behind the titles by talking to those who elevate teams through authenticity, curiosity, and purpose-driven leadership.
To open the series, Linda welcomed Dr. Davida J. White, M.D., Head of CVM Field Medical Affairs (National Team, Strategy & Ops, Training & Development) at Johnson & Johnson. Together, they explore how mentorship, empowerment, and gratitude shape enduring leadership in Medical Affairs.
Connect with Davida on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davida-j-white-m-d/
OnPoint: The Mentor Sessions Podcast delivers engaging conversations with Medical Affairs and Field Medical leaders on the power of mentorship and coaching. Hosted by Linda Traylor, each podcast uncovers practical strategies, personal stories, and lessons to inspire and prepare the next generation of medical leaders.
OnPoint is available on several podcast platforms, including the Acceleration Point YouTube channel.
Davida’s Recommended Book:  Mindset: Changing the Way You Think to Fulfill Your Potential by Dr. Carol S. Dweck
[00:00]  Welcome to The Mentor Sessions: Why This Podcast Exists [04:20]  Meet Dr. Davida White: A Leader with Purpose[10:15]  The Mindset Shift: Scaling Impact from One Patient to Many[17:40]  What Exceptional Leadership Looks Like in Medical Affairs[26:55]  Career Growth, Networking, and Lessons Learned[36:10]  Future-Ready Skills: AI, Agility, and the Power of Continuous Learning[44:50]  Habits, Mentors, and the Leadership Mindset[54:20]  What We Do Matters: Davida’s Message to Medical Affairs