Opening the Aperture in Women’s Healthcare Leadership

Today, the MedTech World Malta event, held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, hosted a powerful and inspiring luncheon focused on bringing women in tech and healthcare together to explore resilience, adaptability, and leadership. With a theme of “Opening the Aperture,” the event aimed to empower women to expand their horizons, embrace inner strengths, and support one another through professional and personal obstacles. Julie Adrian, Managing Partner of FINN Partners, guided proceedings. At FINN Partners, Adrian champions strategic initiatives that bridge healthcare innovations with impactful communications, empowering organisations to connect meaningfully with patients and healthcare professionals alike. The panel featured Mary McGovern, CEO of Adtec Healthcare Limited, and Umaima Malik Ahmad, CEO & Co-Founder of 52North. Together, they shared stories of grit, mentorship, and overcoming barriers in traditionally male-dominated spaces, setting an empowering tone for all in attendance.

An Exercise in Perspective

To set the stage, Adrian guided attendees through a brief, impactful exercise designed to expand their mental “aperture.” She encouraged everyone to practice a soft-focus gaze, looking at a fixed point on the wall and gradually broadening their awareness to take in peripheral surroundings. The exercise, inspired by mindfulness studies, aimed to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, fostering calm and focus. This set a mindful tone, symbolising the idea of expanding one’s horizons, inviting each woman to view her career, relationships, and personal development with renewed perspective.

Champions of Change and Resilience

After the opening exercise, Adrian introduced the panellists, each a trailblazer in her own right. First up was Mary McGovern, CEO of Adtec Healthcare Limited, a company at the forefront of healthcare innovation through pioneering cold plasma technology. Adtec Healthcare is dedicated to advancing medical treatments, focusing on safe, effective solutions that harness plasma’s potential to improve patient outcomes in wound care and infection control. A biotech veteran with experience spanning business development and manufacturing, McGovern shared her journey of rising through male-dominated fields. Her advice? “Persevere, seek advice, and never underestimate the power of an excellent mentor. If a path isn’t working, have the courage to change direction.” McGovern’s candour and resilience struck a chord, resonating with women who have faced the often-lonely road of leadership.

Next, Umaima Malik Ahmad, CEO & Co-Founder of 52North, spoke about her work leading a UK-based medical technology company dedicated to transforming healthcare through affordable, patient-centred solutions. At 52North, the mission is to reinvent the healthcare journey by creating innovative, accessible technologies that bring care closer to patients, enhancing outcomes and streamlining healthcare operations. She acknowledged the difficulties women often face, particularly in boardrooms where scepticism toward female leaders can be palpable. Ahmad’s narrative was a testament to the strength women bring when they stand firm. Her empowering message celebrated resilience and the value of fostering supportive networks, encouraging attendees to pursue growth despite setbacks.

Balancing Strength, Vulnerability, and Seeking Support

As the discussion unfolded, three major themes emerged:

• Resilience and adaptability
• Balancing strength and vulnerability
• Mentorship and support networks

The panellists’ experiences highlighted the value of resilience in navigating the unpredictable world of healthcare. All stressed that adaptability is not just a skill but a necessity. They spoke of the multiple roles they’ve held over the years and how important it is to evolve within each role to meet new challenges. The panellists explored the challenge of balancing strength with vulnerability in leadership. While resilience is critical, they emphasised that vulnerability fosters connection and trust. A takeaway was that vulnerability does not undermine leadership; rather, it humanises it, making leaders more approachable and authentic.

Seeking support and building strong networks was another powerful message. The panellists encouraged attendees to be active in seeking mentors and open to guidance. This emphasis on mentorship underscored its value in gaining industry knowledge and offering personal support during challenging periods.

Challenging Stereotypes and Imposter Syndrome

One of the luncheon’s most compelling moments came as the panellists’ discussed stereotypes, imposter syndrome, and navigating complex dynamics within leadership roles. They reflected on challenges not only from male colleagues but also from female managers, acknowledging that some of the toughest professional relationships they had encountered were with other women. This candid reflection added depth to the conversation, recognising that biases and competitive dynamics can exist even among women in leadership, complicating the journey to resilience and growth.

A key strategy shared by the panellists was style flexing—the ability to adjust one’s leadership style according to the personalities and situations at hand while maintaining authenticity. By practising style flexing, they found they could stay adaptable without compromising their values. For Umaima Malik Ahmad, this meant remaining true to her leadership style even in boardrooms where scepticism about women’s authority may be palpable. Adrian highlighted the power of “knowing what you don’t know,” drawing from Adam Grant’s Think Again, which underscores the value of self-awareness in staying adaptable. Style flexing, they noted, was an essential tool for navigating these layered dynamics, helping women lead with both strength and authenticity.

The panellists spoke openly about imposter syndrome, a struggle familiar to many women in the room. They encouraged attendees to own their achievements and take pride in their unique leadership styles. For McGovern and Ahmad, overcoming imposter syndrome was not about denying self-doubt but about recognising it and pressing on, regardless.

Embrace Flexibility and Seek Growth

The conversation concluded with a call to action: women must embrace flexibility in their leadership styles and commit to ongoing growth. Flexibility, they noted, allows women to navigate diverse personalities and organisational cultures effectively, helping foster inclusive and supportive workplaces. They also encouraged women to welcome life’s twists and turns as opportunities for development, a lesson Ahmad learned during her own career transition from finance to healthcare.

To close, Adrian expressed her hope for a future where such gatherings celebrate equal leadership across genders, not just address disparities. But until then, she commended the women present for their resilience, courage, and commitment to breaking barriers.

This luncheon served not only as an empowering gathering for women in tech and healthcare but also as a reminder of the power of connection and support. Through shared stories of resilience, vulnerability, and growth, McGovern, Ahmad, and Adrian delivered an inspiring message: women in healthcare are stronger together. The path may be challenging, but with an open mind and supportive network, each woman can continue to push the boundaries, transforming the future of healthcare.

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