Career Conversations 52: Learn. Unlearn. Repeat

Dr Florence Allouche Aknin (PharmD, Executive MBA HEC Paris) is a pharmaceutical entrepreneur, investor, and academic with over 20 years of experience turning breakthrough science into successful healthcare companies. She is the Founder and CEO of DeltaWave, a DeepTech company reinventing drug discovery through an AI-driven platform, and Co-Founder and General Partner of Sorbonne Venture, a  deeptech healthcare investment fund created with Sorbonne University. She is also the Founder and President of MYRPHARM ADVISORS, a consulting boutique supporting innovative HealthTech companies.

Previously, she co-founded and led SparingVision, a clinical-stage genomic medicines company, where she raised over €60M.
She founded was the director of the technology transfer office of Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, she spinoffed  75 startups that raised €1.5B.

Dr Allouche Aknin is an Adjunct Professor at Université Paris Cité, School of Pharmacy, where she chairs the program in pharmaceutical innovation and entrepreneurship, and an elected member of the French National Academy of Pharmacy. 
She serves on several boards and jurys. She is a Knight of the French Legion of Honour (2023) and has been named Woman of the Year 2017 by La Tribune, winner of the different prices and awards on innovation and entrepreneurship.

With over 18 years at Pfizer, Erin McCool Byrczek brings a wealth of experience, strong leadership and a track record of high performance across multiple portfolios. Currently, Erin is the Vice-President and General Manager for the US PAVE Business Unit (Portfolio Alternative Value Enablement), managing a portfolio of brands that serve patient needs across Primary Care, Specialty Care and Oncology therapeutic areas. Previously, she has successfully led U.S., International and Global teams: innovating with the U.S. Essential Brands portfolio to deliver incremental value for the Peri-LOE/LOE brands, driving pandemic recovery as the U.S. Vaccines Pediatric & Adolescent Lead, launching Prevnar 20 Adult and winning the Pediatric pneumococcal tender for the first time ever as the Poland Vaccines Business Unit Lead, and leading the Global Hospital Marketing team to deliver the breakthrough launch of the novel combination product Emblaveo.

Erin values growing talent within her organizations and champions customer-centric innovation to better serve patient needs. She fosters equity through her work with the Pfizer Women’s Resource Group (PWR) as the enterprise Community Lead. To read more about Erin’s previous roles and career, check out her LinkedIn profile here. Erin lives in NYC with her husband, Tom and children, James and Ella. In her free time, Erin enjoys travel, snowboarding and building her proficiency in French.

Michelle Estonilo is a Lundbeck Senior Biopharmaceutical Account Manager and high performing individual contributor with a proven record in launch excellence, sales effectiveness, and employee development. She has led six successful product launches over her sales career, including four first to market, while building deep expertise to serve the New York City healthcare community. A multi award recipient in product promotion, customer experience, and leadership programming, Michelle is also an experienced executive level panel moderator and producer of high visibility DEI events. A transformative culture leader, she founded Lundbeck’s first ERG and co-launched the inaugural HBA Ambassador Program which has successfully entered its 3rd year. Michelle was humbled to be recognized as 2024 HBA Rising Star, the first Field Sales individual contributor at Lundbeck to earn the prestigious award. Beyond industry, she serves as a nonprofit board member, ESL educator, and global missions leader committed to continued growth and advancement.

Telesia Davis is Vice President of Global Education and Events at the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA), where she shapes global learning experiences, leadership programs, and digital education designed to help professionals across healthcare and life sciences grow their impact. Known for her thoughtful, data-informed approach to leadership development and conference design, Telesia is passionate about creating spaces that foster meaningful connection, practical insight, and purposeful leadership in moments that matter.