On this episode of The Sea Captain Leadership Podcast, Phil Bender sits down with Eric Doherty, President & CEO of DPE International, a global AI and healthcare consulting firm. Eric’s career has spanned pharmaceutical leadership, medical device commercialization, global business development, and now the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.

Rooted in a childhood surrounded by science and medicine — with a pharmacist father and microbiologist mother — Eric has dedicated his work to helping organizations harness data, technology, and innovation to drive better decisions and improve lives.

This conversation explores how AI is reshaping entire industries, what leaders must understand about navigating disruption, and the mindset shifts required to move from reaction to vision.

What We Discuss

From Healthcare Foundations to Global Strategy

Eric shares how his upbringing and early career in healthcare shaped his understanding of how systems function — and why change often requires rethinking those systems from the ground up.

Founding DPE International

Eric explains the problem his firm set out to solve: helping organizations not just adopt technology, but integrate it strategically. The role of AI has dramatically expanded in that mission.

AI as a Catalyst — Not a Replacement

We explore how AI is currently impacting healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and digital health — including which applications matter now and which are still emerging.

Leadership in an Era of Disruption

Industries are shifting fast. Jobs are changing. Efficiency is increasing — sometimes painfully.

Eric and Phil discuss:

• Why adaptability is now the defining leadership skill
• How transparency and communication shape trust during change
• How to ensure transformation is human-centered, not just cost-driven

Navigating Change Without Losing Culture

From COVID diagnostic systems to AI-enabled workflow design, Eric reflects on lessons in resilience, clarity, and guiding organizations through uncertainty.

Preparing for the Next Decade

Eric offers grounded, strategic guidance for leaders who want to remain relevant:

• Stay curious
• Invest in systems, not just tools
• Lead from values, not fear

Key Insights

• AI is not about replacing people — it’s about elevating human intelligence with better data and better systems.
• Leadership during disruption requires clarity of mission, not just efficiency.
• The organizations that thrive are the ones willing to rethink how they work — not just what they do.

About The Sea Captain Leadership Podcast

Hosted by Phil Bender, Founder & CEO of Sea Captain Coaching, this podcast explores the systems, habits, and decisions that empower leaders to build alignment, grow intentionally, and create lasting impact.

SeaCaptainCoaching.com

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