Medtronic is recognized among Canada’s Top Employers for 2022 for its flexible work arrangements, emergency leave policy, and investment in education.
Following this well-deserved recognition, marketing manager Melissa Louis shares her experience at Medtronic Canada.
Growing professionally and doing meaningful work
For diabetes marketing manager Melissa, working with Medtronic Canada ULC is a win-win. She has made good use of opportunities to grow professionally at the medical technology company while doing work that’s personally meaningful to her.
“When I was a teenager, my younger brother Aaron was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and started to use an insulin pump,” she says. “I saw how important a medical device can be and that’s helped me further connect with the Medtronic mission to alleviate pain, restore health and extend life.”
Making a difference in people's lives through healthcare
Wanting to make a difference in people’s lives through healthcare is what typically motivates people to join the company, says Medtronic Canada president Neil Fraser.
“Contributing to human welfare is inspirational,” he says. “All our employees, whether they’re in a support role or launching the latest innovation, can feel positive about their daily efforts to help us drive the transformation of health care.”
Adopting a mandatory work-from-home policy
With the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, Medtronic transformed its operations virtually overnight. While some employees continued to work on-site to supply and maintain crucial life-saving equipment like ventilators, Medtronic Canada adopted a mandatory work-from-home policy that applied to more than 90 per cent of its workforce.
With that, Melissa began working remotely from her home in Oakville, Ont., instead of making the daily commute to the Canadian headquarters in Brampton. While working conditions have changed, Melissa says, Medtronic’s focus on its core goals and philosophies hasn't wavered.
“For me, it’s important to have open team communication and stay connected to ensure I’m meeting my team where they are,” says Melissa, who speaks from the vantage point of both pre- and post-pandemic experience. “We have a very strong mission that guides us, including knowing the impact we make to our customers every day.”
Leading her own team
Having joined Medtronic in 2006 as a new university graduate, she has had several promotions and now heads her own team. Taking advantage of the resources Medtronic provides for professional development and advancement has played a key role in Melissa's success.
With Medtronic’s support, she has participated in several internal leadership and mentorship programs and has earned an executive MBA and specialist certificates in integrated branding.
Peer-to-peer learning and networking
Employees also have opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and networking. As an active member of the Medtronic Women’s Network (MWN), Louis connects with colleagues worldwide with different backgrounds and mindsets to share their unique perspectives. Like other employee resource groups at Medtronic, MWN champions a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace culture where everyone can thrive.
Learning from senior mentors
With her promotion to marketing manager in July 2020, Melissa has continued to move forward, pandemic notwithstanding. She’s adopted, for instance, how to onboard and begin training the two members of her team who were hired during the pandemic.
There are lots of online resources that can help her hone her skill sets, Melissa says. But she also learned a lot from the managers over the years who mentored and encouraged her to explore her potential and now she wants to pay it forward. “I want to help develop my team’s careers the same way my managers supported me,” she says.
Work for a leading employer
By embracing everything employees have to offer — their unique perspectives, talents and contributions — Medtronic is living up to the promise of its Mission.
Improve lives and access to healthcare via a purposeful job with Medtronic.
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Disclosure: Where Women Work researches and publishes insightful evidence about how its paid member organizations support women's equality.