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Thriving As A Woman In a Male-Dominated Industry: Pam Roller of Velentium On The Five Things You Need To Thrive and Succeed as a Woman In a Male-Dominated Industry

An Interview With Candice Georgiadis

First and foremost, you need to have a tough skin — no matter the industry, there will always be people who want to see you fail. They will make comments that are intended to lower your confidence, but it is important to be true to yourself and have faith that you do have the abilities required to get the job done.

In the United States in 2022, fields such as Aircraft piloting, Agriculture, Architecture, Construction, Finance, and Information technology, are still male-dominated industries. For a woman who is working in a male-dominated environment, what exactly does it take to thrive and succeed? In this interview series, we are talking to successful women who work in a Male-Dominated Industry who can share their stories and experiences about navigating work and life as strong women in a male-dominated industry. As a part of this series, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Pam Roller.

Pam Roller has more than 25 years of experience in Medical Device Development and in the MedTech industry itself. She is currently a program manager with Velentium, a Houston-based professional engineering firm specializing in the end-to-end design, development, manufacturing, and post-market support of therapeutic and diagnostic active medical devices. Prior to this, Pam was a member of the Global Leadership Team at Medtronic Diabetes and held multiple positions including Director of Program Management. She led several key programs in the pump, CGM and consumables arena as well as several manufacturing transfers and NPI. Prior to Medtronic, Pam had various positions at Sulzer Intermedics, Baxter, and ICI Pharmaceuticals. Pam holds a BS in Biomedical Engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood “backstory”?

As a kid, I grew up on a farm and really loved horses and other animals that we had. This love for animals gave me an interest in biology and science from a young age. Later, this interest turned into a strong affinity for math and science that continued throughout my schooling years and beyond. Eventually, joining together my knowledge and skills in STEM and biology led me to the MedTech industry.

Can you tell us the story about what led you to this particular career path?

Initially, my career launched directly into biomedical engineering. However, my ability to have a strong understanding of each part of the process surrounding projects I was involved in took me into program management. For example, by having knowledge of the difference between the design process and the challenges of regulatory clearance, I was able to touch all different parts of the organization. This ability to see the greater picture led me from development to more project and program management roles.

I now have extensive experience in the MedTech industry, spending two decades working in the areas of product development, project management and facilities management. Specifically, I have spent the past seven years managing teams that develop technology to improve the outcomes for those living with type 1 diabetes.

Currently, I am a project manager at Velentium, a Houston-based professional engineering firm specializing in the end-to-end design, development, manufacturing, and post-market support of therapeutic and diagnostic active medical devices.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?

I had an interesting occurrence that happened while I was working at a pacemaker company in Texas. This particular company has just been acquired by another larger pacemaker company. At the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the company, all the employees were gathered under a large tent where we were having fun and mingling — it was a great atmosphere. Then, without warning, the new leadership made an announcement that they would no longer source their products from the Texas location and were moving operations to Indianapolis and Puerto Rico. The atmosphere immediately changed and the energy in the room became tense and uncomfortable. To this day, it is still one of the worst examples of leadership and communication that I have ever seen, and it could have been done so much better.

You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

No matter what kind of organization you lead, what your colleagues will remember in the long term is how you treated them, what kind of atmosphere you created, and your overarching character. Three traits I think were most instrumental to my success are outlined below.

  1. Communication — this is absolutely number one. Whether communicating with customers, subordinates or peers, if you cannot clearly and appropriately disseminate your goals and desires, the organization will ultimately fail.
  2. Passion — to succeed in any industry, you need to be passionate about what you are working on. I have a lot of experience working on diabetes devices, which is not a coincidence. Both my grandmother and mother had the disease, so based on my family history, the future did not look good for me. Being able to create products that are changing lives for a better world, especially in an area that has directly impacted me, drives me forward to find even better solutions. Also, having the chance to meet people who are being directly impacted by the products my teams develop gives me an even stronger burning desire to pursue the next greatest innovation.
  3. Be true to yourself — have full candor and leave any false bravado at the door. Be honest with yourself and your team about what can realistically be achieved. If you are not truthful with yourself, your team or your clients and commit to a project that is impossible, nobody will win in the end. Ultimately, you are taking away resources from other life-changing, or even-saving, projects. Be realistic upfront.

Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Can you help articulate a few of the biggest obstacles or challenges you’ve had to overcome while working in a male-dominated industry?

Being a female in a mostly male-dominated industry like MedTech does bring with it some interesting albeit surmountable challenges. Of course, the biggest obstacle is that there continues to exist the “old boys’ network” that is difficult to break into if you are new and especially if you are a female. In many instances, more tends to get done on the golf course or at the fishing shack than during actual business hours. Often, not being invited to such occasions can prevent women from moving up in their careers as they are not involved in major business decisions or discussions and thus are not given room to demonstrate their skills and grow.

Although the “boys club” aspect of the business is beginning to shift, it can still be a struggle. However, this is not a direct reflection of Velentium by any means, as the company is one of the most progressive companies in the space that I have been a part of.

Can you share a few of the things you have done to gain acceptance among your male peers and the general work community? What did your female co-workers do? Can you share some stories or examples?

Over the course of my career, I have addressed and successfully combatted this issue in various ways. For example, I attend as many networking events as possible to make connections that might not otherwise happen naturally. I also support and volunteer my time for many philanthropic initiatives that my company and industry support, which is another great way to meet industry leaders. At one of my previous employers, I even took the lead to be the team captain of our Diabetes Association’s Walk and Ride initiative. While organizing and participating in that event, I was able to interact with almost every person of influence across the company.

Additionally, and this goes for anyone trying to get a leg up at a company, there are always aspects of jobs that people simply do not want to do. No matter how difficult or mundane those less glamorous tasks are, you will soon be noticed as a team player by jumping in and completing them with a smile. Be careful not to be taken advantage of, but every additional moment of interaction will only build your credibility. Be willing to dig in and do that hard work!

What do you think male-oriented organizations can do to enhance their recruiting efforts to attract more women?

Lead by example, of course! If you look at an organization’s structure and all you see are one type of individuals represented (white males for example), that is the first aspect that needs to be addressed. It’s not scary to bring women and/or minorities into the fold, many of whom will bring new perspectives and ideas to the organization and industry. While the MedTech industry is constantly trying to innovate and evolve on the technical front, why are so many reluctant to advance when it comes to the face of the company on the leadership front?

Specifically, when it comes to women, and this is an area where Velentium excels, it is crucial for companies to cultivate a culture that is amenable to a strong work-life balance. I tend to think women do better in this area. It is also important to have policies in place, for both men and women, that allows young professionals to start and grow their families, without having to sacrifice career advancement.

For example, Velentium does not pay lip service to Velentonians being “family,” as each person already has one, and the staff is encouraged to prioritize those most important people. That encouragement is exemplified through continuous reminders and various mediums, compensation packages, and benefits including generous physical and mental healthcare coverage, paid time off, and retirement plans. The company manages results, not personal methods (unless the methods violate contractual or regulatory obligations or interfere with the results). Our team cares about productivity and keeping commitments through proactive communication habits, not “clock-punching.” Crucially, managing results gives staff the freedom to pursue wellness across all five dimensions, including taking advantage of resources available through benefits and programs.

Ok thank you for all of that. Here is the main question of our interview. Based on your opinion and experience, what are the “Five Things You Need To Thrive and Succeed as a Woman In a Male-Dominated Industry?” (Please share a story or example for each.)

I have an unbridled passion for this topic and could provide countless ideas, however, below are my top five strategies for how to thrive:

  1. First and foremost, you need to have a tough skin — no matter the industry, there will always be people who want to see you fail. They will make comments that are intended to lower your confidence, but it is important to be true to yourself and have faith that you do have the abilities required to get the job done.
  2. Secondly, find something you are passionate about — a way to bolster your tough skin is to use your passion as a defense to deflect the efforts of your detractors. You will be able to overcome any obstacle with your sheer dedication, determination, and commitment. Your passion will allow you to overcome any adversity.
  3. Next, it is key to have a strong and trusted mentor — it is crucial to find a person, whether within your company/industry or not, who you can confide in, relate to, and take guidance from. This person should be someone you have the utmost respect for and who embodies the characteristics you aspire to incorporate into your own work and life. When times get the toughest or monumental decisions arrive at your desk, this is the person you can turn to for reassurance.
  4. You will also need to prove yourself early — it is the unfortunate truth, but this is especially key for women who are entering a male-dominated industry. If you join a company worth their salt, such as Velentium, your colleague will already know your worth to the team. However, some environments may require an extra reminder that you belong in the position. Don’t be afraid to show off your expertise and skillset early on to earn the respect you deserve. From there, continually develop your career and take every opportunity to grow your capabilities — that’s good advice for every professional in all professions.
  5. Finally, understand that times/perspectives continue to change — although this is not true across the board, know that you have more allies than enemies when it comes to the need to diversify the leadership of various industries. The more diverse visions and voices that are allowed to enter the conversation, the more people will realize the power and value multiple points of view can bring to the workplace. If you don’t see the change, be the catalyst for the change. Be your best advocate and advance your industry!

If you had a close woman friend who came to you with a choice of entering a field that is male-dominated or female-dominated, what would you advise her? Would you advise a woman friend to start a career in a field or industry that’s traditionally been mostly men? Can you explain what you mean?

I would absolutely advise any woman to launch a career that has traditionally been male-oriented! The only requirement for entry is that you are truly passionate about the field you are going into. Know your “why.” Why do you come to work every day? What are you trying to achieve? Who are you trying to impact? What is your ultimate goal? You will be able to overcome any obstacle with your sheer dedication, determination, and commitment. Your work will reflect your passion and you will not be denied. So, if my friend’s passion fell within an industry that was typically male-dominated, I would 100% tell her to go for it. As long as you have the passion and drive, everything else will fall into place, male-dominated or not!

Have you seen things change for women working in male-dominated industries, over the past ten years? How do you anticipate that it might improve in the future? Can you please explain what you mean?

Overall, when looking at organizational structure charts, the percentage of women in leadership roles and positions of influence has increased over the past 10 years. More women now sit at the C-Level or are in other positions of high power. Additionally, with more women in STEM-type movements, we are seeing more women in roles that focus on math, science, engineering, and other traditionally male specialties.

When you look around at meetings or gatherings of decision-makers, more women have a seat at the table (or a time on the tee box). The progress that has been made is nowhere near enough, however. As we move forward, diversity in general will be crucial to advance the industry and continue changing lives for a better world. Perspectives are changing (though not all), and smart people recognize the value of having different points of view at the top.

We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.

I would absolutely love to have a private meal with John Oliver! I know it seems like a weird choice, but I think he is one of the funniest people on earth. You can tell that he is an extremely clever person, who put aside his comedic personality, truly has tremendous insight into everything happening around the world. Not to mention, I love his British accent!

Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.

Thriving As A Woman In a Male-Dominated Industry: Pam Roller of Velentium On The Five Things You… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.