Lisa DiPaolo of Karyopharm Therapeutics: Qualities of a Senior Leader

Lisa DiPaolo of Karyopharm Therapeutics: Qualities of a Senior Leader

Author: Dr. Laura Sicola August 1, 2023 Duration: 30:57

This week, Lisa DiPaolo shares with us the qualities that she looks for when hiring someone for a senior leadership role.

In this episode you will learn:

  • How her company is on a mission to defeat cancer.
  • The importance of connecting with the audience and stepping back when you see that your message is not resonating.
  • Understanding that not everyone wants to be in the spotlight.
  • When to demonstrate active listening skills especially when it’s difficult to do so.
  • Ways to communicate with your team when your performance didn’t match your expectations.

About Lisa DiPaolo:

Ms. DiPaolo was appointed as Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer in September of 2022. She brings more than 20 years of pharmaceutical and biotech experience to her new role.

Most recently, Ms. DiPaolo served as Senior Vice President, Human Resources, at Ipsen where she led the Human Resources function for the North America business as well as global R&D and Business Development where she successfully led broad organization transformation to scale the business. During her tenure, she was also responsible for building and leading compensation and benefits, talent management and talent acquisition globally. Previously, Ms. DiPaolo spent 8 years at Biogen in several leadership roles and in her last role served as Vice President, Global Therapeutic Operations, Global Medical and Executive search. Earlier in her career, she led North America Human Resources at Smiths Medical and prior to that, she spent a decade at Novartis in various leadership roles both in the U.S. and globally.

Ms. DiPaolo holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Montclair State University and a Masters of Human Resource Management from Rutgers University.

 

You can connect with LIsa in the following ways:

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:


Speaking to Influence features conversations about the tangible mechanics of leadership communication, moving beyond theory into practical application. Host Dr. Laura Sicola, an expert in linguistic influence, guides discussions that dissect how language, tone, and presence directly impact credibility and outcomes. Each episode brings a perspective from seasoned executives and industry figures who share their real-world experiences-not just their successes, but the nuanced moments where a single conversation changed a trajectory. The focus here is on the actionable: how to structure a message for a skeptical board, modulate your voice to convey authority without arrogance, and read a room to pivot your approach in real time. This isn't about generic public speaking tips; it's a deep exploration of the strategic choices behind influential speech. Listeners gain access to a toolkit for building confidence, commanding attention, and achieving specific professional results through more intentional communication. The podcast operates at the intersection of business strategy, personal development, and the often-overlooked technical art of persuasion, making it relevant for anyone whose role requires them to lead, sell, or inspire through spoken word. Dr. Sicola's background provides a unique lens, ensuring every conversation yields insights you can use immediately to refine your own impact.
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