In this episode of the SpreadLove in Organizations podcast, ESCP alumnus Naji Gehchan speaks with Jessica Leygues, General Secretary of the Women’s Cancer Institute and ESCP MSc in Biopharmaceutical Management alum, about her journey from engineering to leading transformative healthcare initiatives. Her experiences span sectors from biotech to nonprofit, with a strong commitment to improving healthcare systems and patient care. Throughout the conversation, Jessica highlights the importance of values-driven leadership, small victories, and how working with small, dedicated teams allows her to focus on creating meaningful change.
General Secretary of the Women’s Cancer Institute and ESCP alumna
Jessica also delves into her mission at the Women’s Cancer Institute, where she is building an organisation from the ground up to address systemic gaps in women’s health, such as the underrepresentation of women in clinical trials. Her leadership philosophy centres on co-creating solutions with patients and teams, fostering inclusivity, and driving personalised care. The conversation also touches on the broader challenges facing women’s health and Jessica’s commitment to shifting cultural narratives to ensure better outcomes.
Fight for what you believe in.
A holistic approach to leadership
One of Jessica’s key leadership principles is her belief in small teams and one-on-one connections. “Where you can have the most impact is not necessarily when there’s 300 people in the room,” she says, emphasising that smaller teams allow for deeper and more profound change. This approach helps her foster an inclusive leadership style that values collaboration and personal connection over size and scale.
Jessica also underscores the importance of values-based leadership and focusing on the needs of individuals. “It’s all about values,” she says. “When I look at CVs, I barely look at the higher education background. I look at what people do in their personal lives, their engagement, and so on.” Her team-building strategy emphasises shared values and the ability to co-create impactful healthcare solutions with patients and team members alike.
