High-Flyers in STEM

With the STEM industry experiencing rapid innovation during the global pandemic, and with an historic skills shortage to contend with, the team at HERO Recruitment believes there's no better time to tap into the knowledge and expertise of our industry leaders to discover why a career in STEM is a rewarding experience. In this podcast, we speak to leaders in STEM about their own career journeys in this unique sector, the challenges they’ve faced along the way, and their forecasts for the future. We’ll discover what it takes to manage cutting-edge projects and the teams that help to deliver them in an ever-evolving landscape. Through a series of open exchanges, our guests will share personal anecdotes, market insights and industry predictions. We want to inspire the next generation of STEMtalent by showcasing the success of real people who are already excelling on their leadership journeys.

High-Flyers in STEM S4E5: #GreatnessHasNoGender - Adriana Vindas , Senior Director of Operations, and Mary McGrath, Program Manager, Packaging Sustainability – Coca Cola

In this episode of High-Flyers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math’s) #GreatnessHasNoGender, Deirdre Finnerty sits down with Adriana Vindas, Senior Director of Operations, and Mary McGrath, Program Manager, Packaging Sustainability at Coca Cola, a global leader in beverages, known for its incredible products and commitment to innovation and sustainability. Adriana and Mary share two inspiring stories of leadership and growth that, while very different in path, are d...

11-12
46:05

High-Flyers in STEM S4E4: #GreatnessHasNoGender - Linda Greaney, Operational Excellence & Growtth® Manager, and Síle O’Connell, Production Unit Leader – Freudenberg Medical

In this episode of High-Flyers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math’s) #GreatnessHasNoGender, Deirdre Finnerty sits down with Linda Greaney , Operational Excellence & Growtth® Manager, and Síle O’Connell, Production Unit Leader at Freudenberg Medical, a global innovator in advanced materials and precision engineering, shaping the future of medical technology and sustainable manufacturing. Linda and Síle share their unique journeys into STEM, from early career dec...

11-05
35:12

High-Flyers in STEM S4E3: #GreatnessHasNoGender - Joanna Lynch, Project Quality Manager, and Preeti Aggarwal, R&D Operations Manager – Valeo

In this episode of High-Flyers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math’s) #GreatnessHasNoGender, Deirdre Finnerty sits down with Joanna Lynch, Project Quality Manager, and Preeti Aggarwal, R&D Operations Manager at Valeo, a global leader in automotive technology, driving innovation in safer, cleaner, and smarter mobility. Joanna and Preeti share inspiring stories of curiosity, courage, and pushing boundaries. Joanna reflects on how her love of biology, drug design, and pr...

10-29
36:02

High-Flyers in STEM S4E2: #GreatnessHasNoGender - Brenda Egan, Design Assurance Manager, and Norah O’Brien, R&D Manager- Neurent Medical

In this episode of High-Flyers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math’s) #GreatnessHasNoGender, Deirdre Finnerty sits down with Brenda Egan, Design Assurance Manager, and Norah O’Brien, R&D Manager at Neurent Medical, a company pioneering non-surgical treatments for chronic inflammatory sino-nasal diseases. Brenda and Norah take us through their winding career paths, from early school influences, twists of fate, and leaps into new roles, to their current positions where ...

10-22
01:03:09

High-Flyers in STEM S4E1: #GreatnessHasNoGender - Laura Collins, RD&A Director, and Mollie Mulligan, Assistant Global Marketing Manager – Kerry Group

In this episode of High-Flyers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math’s) #GreatnessHasNoGender, Deirdre Finnerty sits down with Laura Collins, RD&A Director, and Mollie Mulligan, Assistant Global Marketing Manager at Kerry Group a global leader in taste and nutrition, helping create healthier, more sustainable food and beverage solutions for consumers worldwide. Laura and Mollie share two very different but equally inspiring career journeys, Laura from a path through aca...

10-15
43:18

High-Flyers in STEM S3E5: #GreatnessHasNoGender - Catherine Clery, R&D Director, and Anne Grealish, Snr. Strategic Excellence Program Manager - Medtronic

In this episode of High-Flyers in STEM – #GreatnessHasNoGender, Deirdre Finnerty sits down with Catherine Clery, R&D Director, and Anne Grealish, Snr. Strategic Excellence Program Manager at Medtronic, a company driving real change in medical technology and shaping the future of patient care. Catherine and Anne take us inside their world—one where cutting-edge engineering meets real-world impact. They share their career journeys, the moments that shaped them as leaders, and what it ...

04-21
37:23

High-Flyers in STEM S3E3: #GreatnessHasNoGender - Pauline Guinan, Senior Director of Analytical Development, and Aisling Horan, Associate Director of Validation - Novo Nordisk Production Ireland

In Episode 3 of High-Flyers in STEM – #GreatnessHasNoGender, we sit down with two leaders from Novo Nordisk Production Ireland, Pauline Guinan, Senior Director of Analytical Development, and Aisling Horan, Associate Director of Validation. Hosted by Deirdre Finnerty, this conversation explores the power of commitment—and how true growth can come from embracing opportunities before you feel ready, fueled by the belief and trust of those who see your potential even when you don’t. Pauline...

04-08
26:25

High-Flyers in STEM S3E2: #GreatnessHasNoGender - Orlaith Lawler, Vice President of EU Operations and Sarah Keane, Senior Manager of EHS - Beckman Coulter

Join us in this episode of High-Flyers in STEM - #GreatnessHasNoGender, where we sit down with two leaders shaping the future at Beckman Coulter: Orlaith Lawler, Vice President of EU Operations, and Sarah Keane, Senior Manager of EHS. Hosted by Deirdre Finnerty, Director at HERO Recruitment, this conversation delves into what it takes to lead in STEM while ensuring an inclusive, level playing field for all. From navigating their careers without rigid plans to the moments that pushed the...

04-01
33:36

High-Flyers in STEM S3E1: #GreatnessHasNoGender - Antoinette Curtin, Quality Assurance Director and Sinead Finn, Staff Process Engineer - Dexcom

We’re launching a new season of High-Flyers in STEM - #GreatnessHasNoGender, the podcast by HERO Recruitment that spotlights the leaders shaping the future of STEM. In this first episode, Deirdre Finnerty sits down with Antoinette Curtin, Quality Assurance Director, and Sinéad Finn, Staff Process Engineer at Dexcom. From Dexcom’s state-of-the-art facility in Athenry, they’re not just advancing continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology—they’re setting new standards in diabetes care and re...

03-24
41:16

High-Flyers in STEM S3E4: #GreatnessHasNoGender - Anastasija Ponomarjova, Production Unit Manager and Michelle Martin, Senior Quality Engineer - MGS Healthcare Manufacturing

In this episode of High-Flyers in STEM #GreatnessHasNoGender, host Deirdre Finnerty sits down with Anastasija Ponomarjova, Production Unit Manager, and Michelle Martin, Senior Quality Engineer at MGS Healthcare Manufacturing, to talk about what it really takes to thrive in the world of high-precision manufacturing. This episode proves that you don’t always have to start with a perfect plan. Through a mix of curiosity, resilience, and straight-up determination, Anastasija and Michelle ca...

04-15
20:52

High-Flyers in STEM S2E6: #GreatnessHasNoGender - Samantha Murphy, Business Unit Manager, and Aine Brennan, Value Stream Lead - West

Join us for the final episode of High-Flyers in STEM #GreatnessHasNoGender, hosted by Deirdre Finnerty, Director at HERO Recruitment, as we welcome Samantha Murphy, Business Unit Manager, and Aine Brennan, Value Stream Lead at West. Together, they share their phenomenal journeys, offering insight into what it takes to lead and inspire in STEM. Samantha’s transition from a Bachelor of Arts to engineering wasn’t just a career shift—it was a bold leap into a world where her passion for pro...

01-21
26:43

High-Flyers in STEM S2E5: #GreatnessHasNoGender - Maria Noonan Shanahan, Operations Lead for Ireland and Deirdre Drennan, Quality Manager - MCC Label

Join us for a fresh new episode of High-Flyers in STEM #GreatnessHasNoGender, hosted by Deirdre Finnerty, Director at HERO Recruitment. This week, we welcome two pioneering women from MCC Label: Maria Noonan Shanahan, Operations Lead for Ireland, and Deirdre Drennan, Quality Manager. They're redefining what's possible in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math’s), leading with purpose, resilience, and a dedication to driving meaningful change. In this episode, Maria and Deirdr...

01-07
46:36

High-Flyers in STEM S2E4: #GreatnessHasNoGender - Marilyn Bane, Production Supervisor, Deirdre Hardiman, R&D Product Development Engineering Manager and Colleen Markland, PMO Leader EMEA - TE Connectivity

In this impactful episode, host Deirdre Finnerty, Director of HERO Recruitment sits down with three dynamic leaders from TE Connectivity—a global innovator in engineering solutions with a steadfast dedication to diversity and inclusion. Joining us are Marilyn Bane, Production Supervisor, Deirdre Hardiman, R&D Product Development Engineering Manager, and Colleen Markland, PMO Leader for EMEA. These remarkable women share the defining moments of their journeys, from boldly pursuing unexpect...

12-02
35:09

High-Flyers in STEM S2E3: #GreatnessHasNoGender - Fiona King, Senior Manager, Research and Development and Annemarie Beglin, QA Director - Cook Medical

Join us in this episode of #GreatnessHasNoGender, hosted by Deirdre Finnerty, Director at HERO Recruitment, as we meet two amazing leaders from Cook Medical: Fiona King, Senior Manager, Research and Development, and Annemarie Beglin, QA Director. In this episode, we explore how Fiona and Annemarie are making an impact, from advocating for gender diversity in engineering to empowering the next generation through mentorship and community outreach. With women holding 55% of management rol...

11-26
51:18

High-Flyers in STEM S2E2: #GreatnessHasNoGender - Vivienne McNulty and Honora Egan, Innovation Managers - Hollister Incorporated

Join us in this episode of High-Flyers in STEM #GreatnessHasNoGender hosted by Deirdre Finnerty, Director at HERO Recruitment, as we celebrate Vivienne McNulty and Honora Egan, Innovation Managers at Hollister Incorporated, who are driving change and inspiring the next generation in STEM! In this episode, Deirdre Finnerty sits down with two remarkable women leading innovation at Hollister Incorporated—a global medical device company that's committed to driving equity at every leve...

11-19
35:15

High-Flyers in STEM S2E1: #GreatnessHasNoGender - Aoife Carter, Senior Manufacturing Engineering Manager and Claire O'Brien, Director of Regulatory Affairs - Boston Scientific

Join us in this episode of High-Flyers in STEM #GreatnessHasNoGender hosted by Deirdre Finnerty, Director at HERO Recruitment, as we explore how Boston Scientific is reshaping the landscape for women in STEM! Featuring the incredible journeys of Aoife Carter, Senior Manufacturing Engineering Manager, and Claire O’Brien, Director of Regulatory Affairs, we dive into their two decades of experience and the impactful initiatives driving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) at Boston ...

11-11
45:27

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