Birth of a Leader in Laboratory Diagnostics: From Bench to Boardroom

Birth of a Leader in Laboratory Diagnostics: From Bench to Boardroom explores the evolution of scientific experts into influential organizational leaders. This session examines the critical gap that often exists between technical leadership and executive responsibilities. Attendees will learn practical approaches for translating clinical and laboratory data into language that resonates with C-suite leaders and investors. The webinar will also address the realities of leading multidisciplinary teams through periods of restructuring, innovation, and rapid expansion.

Designed for laboratory professionals interested in leadership, strategy, and career advancement, this session highlights how laboratory expertise can evolve into impactful executive leadership.

This webinar is presented in collaboration with COLA.

This webinar is approved for 1.0 P.A.C.E. contact hours. Level of Instruction: Basic. MediaLab by Vastian is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E. ® Program.

Objectives:

• Identify the strategic gap between scientific leadership (assay validation) and executive leadership (P&L, fundraising, and strategy).

• Learn to build influence with C-Suites and investors by translating clinical data into valuation and margin growth.

• Recognize the challenges of leading diverse teams through operational restructuring and high-growth phases.

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About the Speaker

Dr. Lesley E. Northrop, PhD, FACMG, is the founder and managing partner of Laboratory Diagnostics & Genomics Innovation, LLC, and the founder and host of the podcast, Diagnostic Guru. Voted as a Top 100 Innovator in 2025 by the Top 100 Magazine by Redwood Media Group. Dr. Northrop is an expert at helping companies take their diagnostic products from ideation to implementation, leveraging her clinical and scientific expertise as well as her business acumen to drive commercial success.

As the former Chief Diagnostic Officer at Everly Health, she oversaw the diagnostic complexities of their product platform for at-home testing general wellness, heart health, sexual health, and hormonal testing. Most notably, Dr. Northrop was the Chief Scientific Officer at Aspira Women’s Health, where she was responsible for the totality of the company’s innovation pipeline, overseeing R&D, clinical research and validation, and product launch for tests designed to detect ovarian cancer and endometriosis.

Dr. Northrop completed her ABMGG fellowship in Clinical Molecular Genetics at Columbia University Medical Center and earned a PhD in Neuroendocrinology and Reproduction from Boston University. Her work has been featured in multiple peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and at several prestigious scientific meetings. Dr. Northrop is also certified in financial analysis models and has deep expertise in the Venture Capital and Private Equity sectors, having completed a year-long Executive Business program at Columbia University.

Dr. Northrop believes in mentoring the next generation of young women scientists, which was part of the inspiration for her to start the Diagnostic Guru podcast. This interview series normalizes the good, the bad, and the ugly of women’s careers in science with the goal of helping young scientists find their voice earlier in their careers and learn that it’s okay to lead with kindness.

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