In a recent interview with Medical Device Business, Luann Pendy, senior vice president of global quality at Medtronic, discussed diversity in the medical field and executive positions.
Here's what you need to know.
1. In a 2016 survey of 24 female medtech executives, approximately 14 percent of their executive peers were women. The survey also indicated that 54 percent of female medtech executives above the director level did not receive the same pay as their male colleagues.
2. In pharmaceutical and biotech companies, women hold 17 percent of senior management positions. And in another study by Catalyst, 25.1 percent of executive positions in the S&P 500 are filled by women.
3. At Medtronic, 49 percent of employees are female. At the management level, 33 percent of positions are filled by women.
4. Medtronic developed Careers 2.0 in part of their Women in Science and Engineering initiative. Careers 2.0 allows women who have taken time away from their careers to refresh their technical skills, participate in professional development and take advantage of mentoring opportunities while looking for a
permanent position at Medtronic.
5. Currently there are over 8,000 members across 25 hubs participating in Medtronic's women's network. This network brings women together to give them the tools, techniques and networking opportunities.
6. Medtronic also rolled out the resource group Men Advocating Change. This group brings awareness to diversity, asking questions about why having women leaders is important.
7. In order to bring change and create knowledge of the medical device business to women, Medtronic created a program called Sharpen Your Business Acumen. This program is a lecture series where female leaders present on their subject expertise.