S4 E5, Kate Skrable, VP of Strategic Partnerships at Pfizer
Fri Feb 06 2026
Kate Skrable didn’t plan on a career in biotech. But when med school doors didn’t open, she built a different path — one that’s led her to Pfizer, where she now serves as VP of Strategic Partnerships, leading global deals across multiple therapeutic areas.
In this episode of She Leads Biotech, Kate joins Sharron for a candid, funny, and deeply insightful conversation about owning your story, leading with purpose, and preparing for board service.
They talk about:
What “fail forward” really means
Growing up with grit and staying grounded in purpose
Servant leadership and hiring A-players
The power of Women in Bio’s Boardroom Ready program
What smaller companies really need from a commercial advisor
🎙 Chapters / Timestamps00:00 – Meet Kate Skrable03:00 – Med school rejections and a new path into biotech06:30 – Building resilience and finding purpose through pivots10:45 – Why scarcity shaped her approach to leadership14:20 – The power of servant leadership and hiring strong teams17:35 – Making the leap into strategic partnerships at Pfizer22:15 – Joining Women in Bio’s Boardroom Ready program26:00 – What early-stage boards really need from commercial voices30:00 – Advice to women: Don’t play small — say yes and figure it out later33:10 – What’s next for Kate Skrable
Whether you’re navigating your own career pivot or building your board CV, this episode will leave you energized and empowered.
🎁 Follow for more episodes celebrating women in science, strategy, and leadership.🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube.
#SheLeadsBiotech | Hosted by Sharron Cox | CNA USA Executive Search
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Kate Skrable didn’t plan on a career in biotech. But when med school doors didn’t open, she built a different path — one that’s led her to Pfizer, where she now serves as VP of Strategic Partnerships, leading global deals across multiple therapeutic areas. In this episode of She Leads Biotech, Kate joins Sharron for a candid, funny, and deeply insightful conversation about owning your story, leading with purpose, and preparing for board service. They talk about: What “fail forward” really means Growing up with grit and staying grounded in purpose Servant leadership and hiring A-players The power of Women in Bio’s Boardroom Ready program What smaller companies really need from a commercial advisor 🎙 Chapters / Timestamps00:00 – Meet Kate Skrable03:00 – Med school rejections and a new path into biotech06:30 – Building resilience and finding purpose through pivots10:45 – Why scarcity shaped her approach to leadership14:20 – The power of servant leadership and hiring strong teams17:35 – Making the leap into strategic partnerships at Pfizer22:15 – Joining Women in Bio’s Boardroom Ready program26:00 – What early-stage boards really need from commercial voices30:00 – Advice to women: Don’t play small — say yes and figure it out later33:10 – What’s next for Kate Skrable Whether you’re navigating your own career pivot or building your board CV, this episode will leave you energized and empowered. 🎁 Follow for more episodes celebrating women in science, strategy, and leadership.🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube. #SheLeadsBiotech | Hosted by Sharron Cox | CNA USA Executive Search