In today’s episode, Nora Lacey—former biotech CEO and founder of the Assyrian Arts Institute—shares her extraordinary journey from the cutting edge of cancer research to bringing ancient Mesopotamian culture to life on the opera stage.
After selling her company in 2014, Nora shifted her focus to philanthropy and heritage preservation.
“I did a gap analysis to see where I could help my people,” she explains. “I realized art could be our voice.”
That realization led to the creation of an opera based on The Epic of Gilgamesh, the world’s oldest known story.
The opera, premiering in 2026, is designed to spark a cultural revival that brings ancient Assyrian values, stories, and beauty into modern consciousness.
“We’re a stateless nation,” she says. “Art makes us visible.”
Nora also reflects on her biotech career, the challenges of being a female executive in a male-dominated industry, and how faith, legacy, and human connection continue to shape her work. “Whether in science or art, it’s always about the human spirit,” she says.
Join us for a powerful conversation about culture, creativity, and one woman’s mission to preserve identity through beauty.
