Sean Smith, Vice President and Head of Quality at KSQ Therapeutics, shares his journey from working in big biotech to transitioning into small biotech and the challenges and opportunities that come with it.

He emphasizes the importance of being willing to challenge the status quo, having an openness to learning, and practicing empathy as a quality leader.

Smith also discusses the need for quality to be seen as an asset and the importance of building empowered and diverse teams. He encourages aspiring quality leaders to become experts in one or two areas to differentiate themselves.

Takeaways: 

• Be willing to challenge the status quo and ask why things are done a certain way.
• Have an openness to learning and constantly strive to improve.
• Practice empathy and build relationships to create a positive quality culture.
• View quality as an asset and strive to integrate it early in the product realization process.
• Differentiate yourself as a quality leader by becoming an expert in one or two areas.