CPO PLAYBOOK with Felicia Shakiba cover art

CPO PLAYBOOK with Felicia Shakiba

CPO PLAYBOOK with Felicia Shakiba

By: WRKdefined Podcast Network
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About this listen

 CPO PLAYBOOK isn’t your typical business podcast. Hosted by Felicia Shakiba—Korn Ferry executive coach and fixer of high-stakes people problems—we tackle the stuff that keeps founders, investors, and execs up at night. From leadership blind spots to messy M&As, scaling headaches to culture chaos—we don’t just talk about business, we solve it. Guests? Think PepsiCo, SoftBank, Harvard, Reddit, Valentino, Adidas, Stanford, and MCM Capital—aka the folks shaping global markets and billion-dollar bets. If you like your insights bold, your leadership sharper, and your strategy with a side of “why didn’t anyone tell me this sooner?”—hit subscribe. This is your competitive edge, one episode at a time.417554 Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • 92 How a CEO Biotech Founder Scaled to IPO Without Silicon Valley

    92 How a CEO Biotech Founder Scaled to IPO Without Silicon Valley
    Dec 16 2025
    What does it take to build a biotech company without burning billions—or losing your conviction? In this episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, Felicia Shakiba sits down with Dr. Shalabh Gupta, Founder & CEO of Unicycive Therapeutics, a physician-turned-Wall-Street-analyst who built and took a biotech company public in a way few ever do. Dr. Gupta shares how he raised $150M+ in public markets, went public with just one employee, and scaled to FDA submission readiness with only 22 people—all without relying on traditional Silicon Valley venture capital. This conversation unpacks what real CEO discipline looks like in one of the most unforgiving industries in the world—and what leaders in any industry can learn from it. You’ll learn: • Why great CEOs start with the problem—not the product • How to scale a capital-intensive business with radical focus • Why FDA alignment is a leadership skill, not a regulatory hurdle • How public-market thinking changes founder decision-making • What investors actually look for in CEO credibility and trust Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Unisysive Therapeutics 04:27 Innovative Approach to Biotech 07:55 Understanding the Biotech Landscape 10:39 Transition from Medicine to Wall Street 14:08 Lessons from Genentech 19:46 Building a Company Alone 22:47 The Importance of Networking 27:00 Engaging with the FDA 30:57 Raising Capital in Biotech 41:58 Navigating Investor Relationships This episode is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership, capital discipline, and building companies that last. — Subscribe to CPO PLAYBOOK for more conversations at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and capital strategy: https://www.cpoplaybook.com/newsletter Need support scaling leadership or culture? Let’s talk: https://www.cpoplaybook.com/contact-us
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    45 mins
  • 91 From Athlete to Investor: How to Build Wealth & Scales Startups

    91 From Athlete to Investor: How to Build Wealth & Scales Startups
    Dec 9 2025
    Can financial education turn athletes into powerful investors? In this episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, Danny Cortenraede shares his journey from entrepreneur to investor and mentor, helping athletes and early-stage startups build long-term wealth. Drawing from his background scaling multiple companies, Danny now leads initiatives that teach athletes how to make smart investment decisions, build their financial literacy, and take control of their legacy beyond the field. We explore how his work at LEAD is shaping a new generation of athlete-entrepreneurs—through hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world exposure to capital strategy. You’ll learn: • Why 80% of startups fail—and how to avoid it • How athletes can transition from endorsements to equity • What startup founders should know about scaling to Series A • Why real estate is a powerful entry point for investing • How LEAD is building an ecosystem of athlete-driven innovation Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Danny Cortenraede 01:16 Danny's Entrepreneurial Journey 04:28 Transitioning to Investment and Education 10:00 The Importance of Financial Literacy for Athletes 19:36 Building the Athlete Council and Educational Initiatives 26:51 Success Stories and Impact of Education 31:33 Changing Perspectives on Investment Among Athletes 34:14 Mindset for Lasting Legacy Whether you’re a founder, investor, or someone looking to build lasting value, this episode is packed with strategy, insight, and inspiration. — Subscribe to CPO PLAYBOOK for more conversations at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and capital strategy: https://www.cpoplaybook.com/newsletter Need support scaling leadership or culture? Let’s talk: https://www.cpoplaybook.com/contact-us
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    36 mins
  • 90 What Makes a Great CEO in Healthcare Entrepreneurship Today?

    90 What Makes a Great CEO in Healthcare Entrepreneurship Today?
    Dec 2 2025
    How do you take a healthcare innovation from lab to market—without losing your shot at impact? In this episode of CPO PLAYBOOK, Sasha Schrode, CEO of FEMSelect, shares her founder journey from licensing IP out of the University of Pennsylvania to raising venture capital, securing FDA approval, and selling her first company. Now leading FEMSelect, Sasha reveals the hard-won lessons from navigating regulatory hurdles, reimbursement pathways, and clinical validation. She also explains how a personal cancer diagnosis in her 30s reshaped her purpose—and why falling in love with the problem, not the solution, is what separates great CEOs from the rest. You’ll learn: • Why less than 1% of healthcare innovation reaches patients • The 3 filters every founder must apply before building a company • How to test product-market fit with real clinicians • How to think like an investor—and what VCs get wrong • Why the most successful CEOs start as learners Chapters 00:00 The Journey from Diagnosis to Innovation 13:18 Understanding Market Viability and Clinical Need 22:43 The Iteration Process in Med Tech 24:20 Insights on Raising Capital and Exiting 27:24 Common Mistakes in Commercialization 32:00 First Steps for Aspiring Innovators This is your masterclass on building medtech with purpose, discipline, and market-ready strategy. — Subscribe to CPO PLAYBOOK for more conversations at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and capital strategy: https://www.cpoplaybook.com/newsletter Need support scaling leadership or culture? Let’s talk: https://www.cpoplaybook.com/contact-us
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    34 mins
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