Drawing women to Medtech

Dr Diana Siew, Strategy & Partnerships - Auckland Bioengineering Institute; Co-founder, Consortium for Medical Device Technologies (CMDT) and Co-lead Te, Titoki Mataora MedTech Research Translator

One of the leading forces in New Zealand’s medtech sector, she has been instrumental in shaping the country’s medtech ecosystem. Dr Diana, has successfully co-founded strategic initiatives to help connect and grow New Zealand's medical devices and digital health sector through collaborative partnerships nationwide. Some of these national initiatives include the Consortium for Medical Device Technologies (CMDT) a national industry-research network (co-lead with Peter Hunter), the MedTech CoRE (as Associate Director), the Trans-Tasman BioBridge, Women in HealthTech and Te Titoki Mataora MedTech Research Translator (co-lead ). Special focus on activities supporting translational research and early-stage startups. She contributes to the medtech community through advisory and governance roles and is on the Return on Science Medical Devices Investment Committee. Her current, most exciting project is the development of Medtech-iQ, a national medical devices and digital health innovation hub led by the University of Auckland and the Auckland Bioengineering Institute in conjunction with the CMDT. “There are some fantastic women leaders in medtech but the sector can do with still more women founders, entrepreneurs, innovators and investors - and certainly more bioengineers and engineers. Having more women in Medtech and other technology fields brings a diversity of perspectives and skills which can only enrich innovations. “Diana is hopeful that the growing awareness and focus on gender diversity will propel more women in the medtech sector. “Men and women have different styles of working and leading and there is no right or wrong. With the growing awareness that diverse thinking is a must for companies and a growing cohort of women leaders in Medtech, I am hopeful that environments will be created to support and women succeed in Medtech.” Her advice to young entrepreneurs; “I’ll reinforce having faith in yourself. If you don't believe in yourself, who will? However, this needs to be part of a bigger picture - add in understanding what you stand for, integrity and decisiveness. Identify your strengths and know where you should bring in expertise. Bring in people who share your vision and passion; build a team around you and the venture. Make sure that people have a shared sense of ownership and pride in the venture as well.”