Leaders

Leading CEO spearheads support for cancer research & tech

Published

3 years ago

November 15, 2022

In the fight against cancer, funding for early-stage researchers and early-stage biotechnology is critical

Leading CEO of Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, Lance Kawaguchi, is spearheading support for new innovation to beat cancer.

Kawaguchi firmly believes that there must be more support for early-stage researchers and early-stage biotechnology. He knows that solving this problem can ultimately change the way cancer is approached.

“I wanted to make sure we can change the paradigm, so we can get money to treatments and also to researchers as quick as possible.”
lance kawaguchi, ceo, cure brain cancer foundation

Leading experts collaborate on cancer cure mission

Ticker’s Holly Stearnes sat down with Kawaguchi, alongside Professor Webster Cavenee and Dr. Alfred Yung. Together, they spoke about the importance of funding for early-stage researchers and early-stage biotechnology.

Cavenee is the Chairperson of our Scientific Advisory Committee & Director at the Ludwig Cancer Research, San Diego.

He has fundamentally changed the way scientists think about the onset of cancer and its progression.

Yung is an integral part of Neuro-Oncology at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is an expert in clinical research and treatment of glioblastoma multiforme.

Yung is also a 17-year cancer survivor and was recently named to the Blue Ribbon panel of experts selected to advise the Beau Biden Cancer Moonshot.

Investing in early-stage researchers

Researchers are an integral part of the fight against all cancers. They work tirelessly to find a cure or treatment to ensure a better outcome for those who have fallen victim to the disease.

However, far too often, many early-career researchers miss out on critical funding to enhance and enable their remarkable work.

Many early-stage researchers are exposed to discrimination in the industry and frequently denied access to grants. Instead, grants are mostly given to late-career researchers.

The hierarchy in the industry means that up and coming researchers and some of the best minds in the world regularly get overlooked.

However, these minds and fresh ideas are the key to trying new innovations and potentially a cure for a disease that impacts millions of people every day.

The future depends on rising researchers and the innovation they bring.

Cure Brain Cancer Foundation is transforming the way cancer is approached and injecting much-needed awareness. Cancer is more than just a cause, it’s a movement.

“Researchers are the hardest working people. I want to make sure they have stability of funding… There’s a fundamental flaw in how we support early researchers.”
lance kawaguchi

Challenges for early-stage biotechnology

Biotechnology is the key to finding a cure for cancer. However, its innovative ideas don’t always make it to fruition because they face enormous setbacks within the industry.

Early-stage biotechs need funding to begin and continue to operate. The market in general is saturated and extremely hard to eventuate.

“We need to take a different lens… Where we can focus on the return on investment but also on the return on social impact.”
lance kawaguchi

Combatting early stages of a new biotechnology company can be difficult.

However, focusing on quality science, strategic management, securing funding, staffing, and regulatory compliance can increase the chances of success.

“You can think about how cancer is investigated as if it’s a funnel… What we want to do is fill the funnel.
By that I mean new ideas, from multiple fields… We need to make the top of the funnel wider.”
Professor webster cavenee

Cancer knows no boundaries

Yung treated U.S. President Joe Biden’s oldest son, Beau Biden, before his death of brain cancer, aged 46.

Yung has been recognised by the Biden family, for his attempt to save Beau’s life.

The Biden administration launched the ‘Cancer Moonshot’ initiative in a bid to halve the rate of cancer deaths by 2047. The President made mention of Yung when launching the initiative.

“See that doctor on the end there?
That’s the man who spent 18 months trying to save our son’s life. Doctor, I love you. The whole family loves you.”
Joe biden, u.s. President

Trusting in CBCF

Lead by Kawaguchi, Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, is adding urgency to the fight against cancer.

They’re putting processes in place to give funding to early-stage researchers and early-stage biotechs, who have the ability to innovate the way cancer is approached.

Both Yung and Cavenee are highly respected in cancer research and have chosen to partner with Kawaguchi in his mission to find a cure for brain cancer.

“His keen interest on innovation and out of the box thinking… He is a move and shaker and it is a privilege to partner with him in this endeavour.”
Dr. Alfred yung

“Lance is on a mission for cancer patients, and that’s why I partnered with him.”
Professor webster cavenee

Leaders

Why confident leadership is the missing link in safe AI adoption

Caroline Brewin highlights confidence’s vital role in leadership amid AI’s rise and its impact on organisational transformation

Published

1 week ago

February 3, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Caroline Brewin highlights confidence’s vital role in leadership amid AI’s rise and its impact on organisational transformation

In Short:
– Caroline Brewin highlights the importance of confidence and emotional intelligence in leadership and AI adoption.
– Over-reliance on AI can diminish human judgment and confidence, risking poor decision-making.

Caroline Brewin from Brain Powered Coaching, discussed the importance of confidence in leadership and its growing impact on AI adoption and organisational change. While job displacement is often the focus of AI debates, Brewin highlighted a less visible risk: the erosion of human judgement. She compared over reliance on AI to blindly following a GPS, where unquestioned directions can lead to poor or harmful outcomes.

Over time, this dependence can weaken individual decision making and self confidence. Brewin stressed that confidence, alongside emotional intelligence, is critical for both personal and professional success. The World Health Organization identifies these as essential future skills. Confident leaders are more likely to set ambitious goals, adapt under pressure and make informed decisions, while emotionally intelligent leadership creates psychologically safe environments where people feel able to speak openly.

Critical thinking

In technology driven organisations, fear-based cultures can intensify the challenges of AI integration. Brewin emphasised the need for open discussions around ethics and accountability, noting that AI ultimately relies on human oversight. Drawing parallels with aviation’s reliance on automation, she warned leaders to ensure teams retain strong critical thinking and judgement.

To reduce over dependence on AI, Brewin advocated configuring systems as tools that support thinking rather than replacing it. Her book, Confident, available on Amazon, examines how confidence can be developed through neuroscience, focusing on strengthening belief in one’s ability to navigate uncertainty and complexity.

For more information, please visit Brain Powered Coaching

Leaders

SMEs struggle in global supply chains: Building national trade resilience

Bronwyn Reid highlights challenges for SMEs in global supply chains and the need for national trade resilience

Published

3 weeks ago

January 21, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Bronwyn Reid highlights challenges for SMEs in global supply chains and the need for national trade resilience

In Short:
– Bronwyn Reid highlights challenges SMEs face in global supply chains, including unclear requirements and limited capacity.
– Trust and ESG compliance are critical for SMEs, requiring large companies to simplify their demands for better relationships.

Bronwyn Reid from Small Company, Big Business highlights the challenges that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face within global supply chains and emphasizes the importance of building national trade resilience.

Reid identifies a “gap effect” in the relationship between large firms and SMEs, consisting of three key disconnects. Large companies often impose stringent requirements on SMEs, which may lack the resources to meet them, resulting in unclear expectations and frequent changes. Many SMEs struggle to keep up due to limited capacity and staffing constraints.

Significant potential

She stresses that national trade resilience depends on the depth of supply chains, not just cost efficiency. Shallow supply chains are vulnerable, as demonstrated during the disruptions caused by COVID-19. In Australia, the economic relationship between large companies and SMEs is valued at around $500 billion, highlighting significant potential to strengthen these partnerships.

Trust has become a critical factor in supply chain relationships, alongside delivery times and pricing. According to the Edelman Trust Barometer, 78% of people trust their employers, while only 64% trust businesses more broadly. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance has also become essential, but SMEs face challenges navigating complex and shifting requirements. Reid advises SME owners to simplify their approach to ESG, while urging large companies to adjust their expectations to better support smaller partners.

For more information, visit Bronwyn Reid.

Leaders

Co-Living: A modern solution to Australia’s housing crunch

Published

3 weeks ago

January 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Yannick Ieko highlights co-living as an evolved, secure housing solution for mature renters in Australia’s tight market

In Short:
– Co-living is an upgraded rooming house offering safe, shared accommodation for mature tenants needing housing.
– Properties accommodate up to nine households and feature hotel-like suites alongside shared living spaces.

Co-living is emerging as a smart, modern alternative to traditional housing, offering safe and high-quality shared living spaces.

Unlike student accommodations focused on socializing or parties, this model is designed for mature individuals navigating Australia’s tight housing market and seeking affordable, comfortable homes.

A typical co-living property accommodates up to nine households while retaining the exterior of a standard home. Interiors are thoughtfully designed to balance privacy and community living, featuring five to nine hotel-quality suites, each with a spacious bedroom, en-suite bathroom, and kitchenette. Common areas include a main kitchen, living room, and outdoor space, creating a welcoming environment for residents to connect.

High demand

According to Yannick Ieko from The Harmony Group, co-living offers cost-effective housing solutions for tenants, with room prices averaging around $200,000 in desirable locations. Investors also benefit, as properties in prime areas tend to appreciate over time. Multiple households renting simultaneously generate strong cash flow, while the model’s low vacancy risk makes it a relatively safe investment. High demand and limited supply further enhance its appeal to property buyers.

Regulatory requirements classify co-living houses as 1B residential dwellings, ensuring safety standards are met while streamlining construction and approval processes. One of the main challenges for expanding co-living is the limited availability of specialized funding from lenders.

For more information, visit theharmonygroup