Bridging Silos and Strategy in Pharma Research with Shawn McKenna

Episode notes

What does it really take to lead successful pharma insights today? In this episode of The Curiosity Current: A Market Research Podcast , hosts Stephanie Vance and Matt Mahan talk with Shawn McKenna, Senior Director of Analytics at Currax Pharmaceuticals. Drawing from experience across the supplier and client side, Shawn dives into the critical junction of data science, primary and secondary research, and business strategy. From overcoming siloed teams to navigating AI’s promises and pitfalls, this episode is a masterclass in thoughtful leadership. Shawn discusses what agile really means in pharma, how to structure integrated teams, and why creativity and curiosity are the most underrated tools in modern analytics. If you work in life sciences, lead an insights team, or are rethinking your relationship with AI—this one’s for you.