Women in STEM at Medtronic: Catherine Clery and Anne Grealish

Watch the Medtronic Podcast Episode

Catherine and Anne followed different routes through engineering and leadership.

Catherine discusses how an engineering background and interest in technical problem-solving contributed to her progression into R&D leadership. Anne reflects on moving from hands-on engineering into broader programme and strategic responsibility. Their conversation explores the changes that happen when a technical professional becomes responsible for teams, programmes and longer-term organisational priorities. It also considers mentoring, confidence and the importance of accepting opportunities that may initially feel outside your comfort zone.

Listen through the Spotify and Apple Podcasts players below.

Meet Catherine Clery and Anne Grealish

Catherine Clery: Engineering and R&D Leadership

Catherine was R&D Director at Medtronic at the time of recording. Her career developed through engineering and research and development, where technical knowledge must be combined with collaboration, project delivery and an understanding of how ideas progress towards practical healthcare technologies. As her responsibilities grew, Catherine moved beyond solving individual engineering problems and into leading technical teams. In the episode, she discusses the importance of creating an environment where people can contribute, develop and work effectively together.

She also considers the visibility of women in technical leadership. Seeing women progress into senior engineering and R&D roles can help early-career professionals recognise that similar routes are available to them. A longer account of Catherine’s journey is available in HERO’s supporting article, Empowering Women in STEM: Catherine and Anne’s Impact at Medtronic. The existing article contains several direct quotations that should be checked against the recording before they are republished as exact statements.

Anne Grealish: From Engineering to Strategic Excellence

Anne was Senior Strategic Excellence Program Manager at Medtronic at the time of recording. Her career began in engineering before developing into work involving broader programme delivery, organisational priorities and strategic improvement. This kind of transition does not mean leaving technical experience behind. Engineering can provide a strong foundation for strategic roles because it develops structured problem-solving, data analysis, risk awareness and an understanding of how complex systems operate.

Anne discusses the uncertainty that can accompany a move into greater responsibility. She also reflects on the value of colleagues, mentors and managers who encourage people to consider opportunities they might otherwise dismiss. Professionals considering a related career move can read HERO’s guide on how to move from engineering into project management.

What You Will Hear in This Episode

Catherine and Anne discuss how technical careers can develop into different forms of leadership. The conversation covers Catherine’s progression through engineering and R&D, Anne’s move from engineering into strategic excellence, the transition from individual contribution to team responsibility, and the role of professional support during career change.

They also explore how confidence develops through experience, why mentors and visible role models matter, and how women can approach opportunities before feeling completely certain that they are ready. The episode is based on the guests’ own experiences. It should not be presented as suggesting that every engineering or MedTech career follows the same route.

About Medtronic in Galway

Medtronic is a healthcare-technology company whose principal executive office is located at Parkmore Business Park West in Galway. Its engineering career areas include hardware, software, quality, manufacturing, systems and research and development.

This company context helps explain the range of disciplines represented in Catherine and Anne’s careers. MedTech organisations require technical specialists, but they also need people who can coordinate programmes, lead teams and connect work across engineering, quality, regulatory, manufacturing and business functions.

Medtronic Galway Update

In May 2026, Medtronic announced a European software-development hub in Galway for its Patient Care Systems function. The hub was established as a centre of excellence for cardiac digital health, with recruitment beginning for 85 roles across areas including software engineering, leadership and systems reliability.

Explore More Women-in-STEM Episodes

Continue the series with:

Women in STEM at Boston Scientific: Aoife Carter and Claire O’Brien

Women in STEM at Hollister: Honora Egan and Vivienne McNulty

Women in STEM at TE Connectivity: Marilyn Bane, Deirdre Hardiman and Colleen Markland

Women in STEM at West: Aine Brennan and Samantha Murphy

Every season is available through HERO’s Greatness Has No Gender podcast hub.

Episode Sponsor

This episode was sponsored by Fenero, which provides financial and administrative services for contractors, freelancers and independent professionals.

For more updates follow HERO on LinkedIn, reach out to hello@hero.ie, or explore exciting opportunities in STEM: Permanent Careers, Contracting Careers.