…Celebrate small victories: It’s easy to become fixated on the end goal and overlook the significance of small victories along the way. I recognize the importance of celebrating milestones, no matter how minor they may seem. Whether it’s securing a new partnership or overcoming a technical hurdle, acknowledging and celebrating these achievements fosters a culture of positivity and motivation within the team…
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Zhenya Lindgardt.
Zhenya Lindgardt is the CEO of Sera Prognostics, a maternal health biotech firm that’s championing first-of-its-kind diagnostics to improve maternal health outcomes. Sera’s most recent innovation includes the first-of-its-kind diagnostic that measures risk for premature birth using a woman’s blood proteins as opposed to genetic-based testing, which delivers more accurate results and considers each woman’s unique experience beyond inherited risk. She previously held executive leadership roles, including at Uber and Boston Consulting Group.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
It is as an executive at Uber and Boston Consulting Group where I caught the bug for building new businesses, but when I started asking myself “what do I want to build next,” it was a personal experience that ultimately redirected my path. In a conversation with a Y incubator partner, he asked me a question: “what context would bring about top 3% of your performance as a CEO?” While taken aback by the suggestion that I wouldn’t be on top of my game in any situation ☺, I realized that it was the company’s mission I would find personally compelling. During my first pregnancy, I encountered the unexpected onset of early labor. Despite not being identified as at-risk during checkups, the reality of facing this surprise challenge firsthand left me with clarity of how deep the unmet need is for expectant mothers to get informed.
When Sera called me and shared how transformative their diagnostic tests can be in providing critical information to moms and their doctors- I was ready to join the team! The statistics of rising preterm birth rates and maternal mortality rates underscored the urgency of addressing maternal and neonatal health disparities.
I am honored to be leading a company dedicated to providing expectant mothers with knowledge about their personal birth experiences and empowering them to plan with their healthcare providers.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
One particularly moving experience was when our Chief Medical Officer’s daughter’s PreTRM test came back positive for higher risk of preterm birth. Upon receiving it, he himself treated her with the interventions our studies have proven to be effective in extending gestational age. Week after week he got on a call with her and in week 38 he told me how proud he was of getting her to term for his third granddaughter. It was the greatest endorsement I could see- the dedication of our staff and the belief of our team in our product!
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Certainly! In the early stages of my career, I was tasked with leading a restructuring of a 10,000+ strong sales force for a pharmaceutical manufacturer to make a step change increase in productivity. I was 25. When the time came to present recommendations to the leadership, I met with the Senior Vice President of Sales, a venerable deeply respected ex-military septuagenarian. He loved the recommendations and said: “come present it at my leadership meeting tomorrow.” When I asked, if the team will accept such bold, unconventional recommendations, he just shrugged and said not to worry, he will give a good conclusion to my recommendations.
As I enthusiastically presented my meticulously crafted plan during the leadership team meeting, I was met with tense glances and hesitant feedback. It became apparent that I should not have overlooked the importance of testing the recommendations with the leaders and took the time to socialize all of the proposed changes.
The humor in the situation came when I was done. The Sales leader got up and put up a slide with 5 words: “Buy in or get out.” While initially embarrassing, this moment served as a valuable wake-up call.
From that experience, I learned the invaluable lesson of the importance of stakeholder input, most importantly the voices of the team, in any project or initiative. I realized that effective leadership requires not only vision and initiative but also humility and collaboration. By actively involving stakeholders and incorporating their feedback into decision-making processes, we can ensure that our efforts are aligned with the needs and objectives of the organization, ultimately leading to more successful outcomes.
Can you describe how you or your organization is making a significant social impact?
Through our company’s innovative diagnostics, we’re not only providing women with valuable information about their unique risks but also advocating for broader systemic changes to address underlying disparities. By empowering women and their healthcare providers with improved diagnostics and working to improve access to quality healthcare, particularly for marginalized communities, we’re contributing to a significant social impact in maternal and neonatal health.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
I vividly recall a woman who, upon receiving her test results indicating a high risk of preterm birth, was able to collaborate closely with her healthcare provider to develop a comprehensive plan. Despite initial fear stemming from a previous preterm birth experience, she successfully delivered her baby at full term. Her story exemplifies the tangible difference our work can make in the lives of individuals facing the daunting prospect of preterm birth.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
1. Addressing disparities: Acknowledge and actively work to address racial, economic, and geographic disparities that disproportionately affect maternal and neonatal health outcomes, particularly for women of color and marginalized communities.
2. Expanding medical coverage and support for maternal healthcare: Comprehensive healthcare policies that prioritize maternal health for all moms, including access to prenatal care, screenings, and interventions to prevent preterm birth. Expanding medical coverage and support for maternal healthcare services can ensure that all women have access to quality care throughout their pregnancy journey.
3. Government investment in innovation for maternal healthcare: Advocate for increased government funding and support for research and innovation in maternal healthcare. By investing in innovative technologies, treatments, and preventive measures, governments can significantly advance maternal health outcomes, including reducing the incidence of preterm birth and improving overall maternal and neonatal health.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Inspiring people to see and be energized by what’s possible even when going gets tough and sharp focus on each step of the way. As a woman and mother leading a biotech health firm and advocating for improved maternal health outcomes, leadership takes on a multifaceted role. It involves not only guiding the direction of the company but also prioritizing initiatives that directly impact the well-being of mothers and infants.
In this context, leadership means actively fostering a corporate culture that supports working parents and values diversity and inclusion. It involves implementing policies such as flexible work hours, parental leave, and childcare support to empower employees to thrive both personally and professionally. By leading by example and demonstrating that it’s possible to excel in leadership roles while prioritizing family, I aim to inspire other women to pursue their career aspirations while nurturing their familial relationships.
An example of leadership in this context is spearheading research and development efforts aimed at addressing maternal health challenges. By leveraging my passion for innovation and healthcare, I actively champion initiatives that aim to improve prenatal care, prevent preterm birth, and enhance maternal healthcare outcomes. Through collaborative partnerships with healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers, I strive to drive meaningful change and make a positive impact on the lives of mothers and infants worldwide.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
1. Embrace uncertainty: Starting a venture in the healthcare industry can be unpredictable, and I wish I had understood earlier the importance of embracing uncertainty. One instance that highlighted this was during the initial development phase of our test when unexpected challenges arose. Instead of being deterred, we embraced the uncertainty and adapted our approach, ultimately leading to innovative solutions.
2. Put your users first, in my case, mothers: Over the course of my career from tech to healthcare, I have learned that prioritizing your customers is paramount; in Sera’s case, this is putting mothers first in every design and decision. One significant lesson came when we received feedback from an expectant mother and her provider asking if there was a way to streamline the diagnostic lab testing and results. By actively listening to their concerns and implementing user-centered design principles, we were able to refine our product to better meet their needs, resulting in faster results, and in pregnancy, each and every day matters.
3. Seek mentorship: While I had ample experience in the corporate world, transitioning to entrepreneurship presented unique challenges. One memorable mentorship experience was connecting with fellow executives who provided invaluable guidance on overcoming obstacles and seizing opportunities in the healthcare industry.
4. Prioritize self-care: The demands of leading a startup can be overwhelming, and I wish I had prioritized self-care from the outset. Incorporating regular self-care practices, such as exercise and mindfulness, has since become a non-negotiable aspect of my routine.
5. Celebrate small victories: It’s easy to become fixated on the end goal and overlook the significance of small victories along the way. I recognize the importance of celebrating milestones, no matter how minor they may seem. Whether it’s securing a new partnership or overcoming a technical hurdle, acknowledging and celebrating these achievements fosters a culture of positivity and motivation within the team.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
If I could inspire a movement, it would be to accelerate the global shift that is happening across the world to provide access to cutting edge healthcare for all from the comfort of their own smartphone device.
So much of our lives today already get facilitated through smartphones, while healthcare deserts are persistently present. Innovators like Sera have the opportunity to amplify and strengthen the existing movement focused on transforming maternal health outcomes for all mothers by combining biomarker solutions for physicians and mothers with smartphone tools.
We need to concentrate our collective energy as a society on addressing systemic barriers and disparities in maternal healthcare to ensure that every mother, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or geographic location, receives the care and support she deserves — and technology can help. By mobilizing resources, advocating for policy change, and fostering community engagement, we can make significant strides in promoting healthier outcomes for both mothers and babies, ultimately creating a more equitable and inclusive society for all.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Hard to pick one- let me share two. “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass… It’s about learning to dance in the rain” by Vivian Greene. Creativity and perseverance are my two great mottos in life. As we go through our life’s journeys, it is the positive perspective on a situation, which sets apart one’s ability to drive to a positive outcome in any context.
“Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and feeling with the heart of another.” This quote resonates deeply with me as it emphasizes the importance of understanding mothers’ pregnancy journeys every day in my work. In my journey as a leader, cultivating empathy has been instrumental in building meaningful products for users, whether at Uber or now at Sera Prognostics. By truly listening to the needs and experiences of others, we can drive positive change.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
I would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with Dr. Leana Wen, a prominent public health advocate and former Baltimore Commissioner for Health. Dr. Wen’s dedication to advancing healthcare access and women’s health aligns closely with my own values and mission. I admire her commitment to advocating for equitable healthcare policies and her ability to effectively communicate complex public health issues to diverse audiences. A conversation with Dr. Wen would undoubtedly be enlightening and inspiring, offering valuable insights into addressing the challenges facing maternal and neonatal health globally.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Readers can follow our company’s updates and initiatives on our website and social media channels. Additionally, I frequently share insights and perspectives on maternal and neonatal health and leadership through my personal social media accounts and speaking engagements. Stay tuned for upcoming events, publications, and collaborations aimed at improving healthcare outcomes for women and infants worldwide.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Zhenya Lindgardt of Sera Prognostics Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.