Session 147: Leadership

Moderators: Dr. Michael Baker and Prof. Deirdre Zander-Fox

Presenters:
Colonel Jordon Swain: The IVF Clinic: Fertile Ground for Leader Development
Dr Dean Morbeck: Cultivating Emotional Intelligence for Effective Laboratory Leadership

Q and A

Synopsis

The **Leadership in IVF** webinar brought together industry experts to explore the critical role of leadership in the field of assisted reproduction. Moderated by **Dr. Michael Baker** and **Prof. Deirdre Zander-Fox**, both esteemed leaders in the industry, the session provided a deep dive into the nuances of effective leadership, emotional intelligence, and the impact of toxic workplaces on professional and patient outcomes.  

**Colonel Jordon Swain**, a leadership expert with a military background, opened the session with *The IVF Clinic: Fertile Ground for Leader Development*, drawing fascinating parallels between leadership in high-stakes environments and the IVF laboratory. He highlighted how leadership is not just about authority but about fostering trust, setting clear expectations, and developing the next generation of professionals. Drawing insights from *Leaders Eat Last* by Simon Sinek and *The Culture Code* by Daniel Coyle, he underscored the need for strong mentorship and an environment where embryologists can thrive, not just survive.  

**Dr. Dean Morbeck** followed with *Cultivating Emotional Intelligence for Effective Laboratory Leadership*, emphasizing that great leaders in IVF are not just technically skilled but also emotionally intelligent. Referencing *Emotional Intelligence 2.0* by Travis Bradberry and *Dare to Lead* by Brené Brown, he discussed how self-awareness, empathy, and communication shape a lab’s success. He also tackled the issue of **toxic leadership**, where poor management and a lack of emotional intelligence can create high-stress environments that ultimately impact patient care and staff retention.  

The webinar concluded with a **Q&A session**, allowing the audience to engage with the speakers on real-world challenges. From handling difficult conversations to fostering psychological safety in the workplace, the discussion reinforced that leadership is a continuous journey, one that requires learning, adaptability, and reflection.  

This webinar served as an invaluable guide to navigating the complexities of leadership in IVF, offering practical tools and insightful book recommendations to cultivate a culture of success.

 

Dr. Michael Baker

Dr. Michael Baker is a seasoned expert in reproductive biology with over a decade of experience in embryology and laboratory leadership. As a Laboratory Director for Inception Fertility, Dr. Baker oversees operations at Aspire Fertility, Pacific Fertility Center, and Main Line Fertility, ensuring exceptional outcomes through adherence to benchmark quality standards and interdepartmental collaboration. He is recognized for his expertise in regulatory compliance, laboratory optimization, and staff development. Dr. Baker has chaired initiatives on EMR standardization and recruitment and retention strategies. He also serves in the board of the College of Reproductive Biologists and the Southwest Embryology Summit. His collaborative approach has fostered a culture of excellence, making him a trusted leader in advancing the field of reproductive medicine.

Prof. Deirdre Zander-Fox

A/Prof Deirdre Zander-Fox has worked in ART since 2004. She completed a BSc followed by an Honours degree (First Class) in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Adelaide. In 2010, she graduated with a PhD in Reproductive Medicine in which she undertook novel research into the impact of in-vitro stress on preimplantation embryo development, viability, and metabolism.
She is currently the Monash IVF Group Chief Scientific Officer as well as being Regional Scientific Director overseeing Monash IVF Victoria, Albury and Malaysia. She is currently responsible for the scientific directorship, operations and provision of clinical Embryology, Andrology, Endocrinology, and Genetic Testing services within these clinics.
In addition to her clinical roles, A/Prof Zander-Fox also holds multiple academic positions including Adjunct Associate Professor positions at two major Australian Universities (Monash University and University of Adelaide) as well as holding National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) research funding. Through these university affiliations she is involved in multiple collaborative research projects as well as supervision of PhD and honors students.

Jordon Swain is a Colonel in the United States Army and Associate Professor at the United States Military Academy where he teaches management and leadership courses and serves as an Associate Dean. He has over 25 years of organizational leadership experience in the military, having served in various command and staff positions both overseas and in the United States during both peacetime and war. Colonel Swain graduated from West Point with honors, holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, and earned a Ph.D. in Organizations and Management from Yale University. Jordon is also a graduate of the Army’s Command and General Staff College, Army Airborne School, Army Assault School, and US Navy Dive School. He has earned a number of awards including the Bronze Star medal. He has published numerous papers and book chapters focused on leadership and leader development.