Mahwish Ahmed is a certified professional from Irvine, California with several years of experience in regulated industries, health tech, and medical solutions. She is an excellent communicator; she can talk to young professionals who are beginning their careers to executive leaders. She has led teams to drive operational excellence. Mahwish has influenced teams to adopt compliant practices and efficient solutions. She is a great problem solver as well as a mentor to young professionals and future leaders.
Since her childhood, she has always wanted to be in the healthcare industry. While growing up, she used to play with her toy stethoscope and treat her family members who used to be her fake patients. This aspiration led her to pursue her degrees in engineering of medical technology and treatment solutions. She has had great mentors both within organizations and outside organizations helping her throughout her professional career and is currently mentoring young professionals herself.
How did you get started in this business? What inspired you to start this business?
While pursuing my undergraduate degree and specifically during my senior year, there were opportunities to do clinical rotations in hospitals. It was there that I saw how important medical technology is on extending and/or saving patient lives. This inspired me to continue pursuing my graduate degree and my research studies in engineering.
How do you make money?
I have always earned my living and hope to continue to earn my living working for companies that impact and change people’s lives by innovating medical technology.
When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?
When I started out I came across situations where I doubted myself in providing potential solutions to problems as I may not have had the experience or knowledge. As part of learning, I did as much pre-work as I could to get familiar with the issue and impact potential solutions can have before providing any recommendations to the broader group.
How did you get your first job?
My first job was working in a research lab at the University of Florida. As an undergraduate, I was looking for internship opportunities and visited the university’s career center multiple times but nothing was of interest to me.
I started giving up on internship opportunities but one day during class, one of the professors announced a new research study which was very interesting to me as it was for the regeneration of heart tissue. Like other students in the department, I interviewed for a position in the research study and was selected as the research assistant for the study.
I later developed my thesis at FIU.
What is one strategy that you’re using that works really well to retain talent in your company?
Employees are one of the greatest assets to any company. I believe in encouraging employees to make the right decisions as well as recognizing them for their hard work. My direct reports have development plans with goals identified to help them with career progression. We meet on a regular basis to discuss the progress on those goals helping them get to the next level in their career within the organization.
What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in the last few months?
I strongly believe that people are the backbone to growth and success of a department or a business. And when decisions involve letting go of one of your team members, I find those decisions to be tough as those decisions not only have an impact on the person but also their families and loved ones.
What do you think it is that makes you successful?
I have been told by many colleagues that I am persistent and determined to get the job done. Recently, one of my projects was not being supported by top management due to resource constraints in the organization. I knew that this project was important to improve new developments, so I met one on one with the members of decision making to highlight the importance of this project. The project was approved in a few months and is currently on track for completion.
What has been your most satisfying moment at work?
I have mentored young professionals who are starting off their careers. When I am able to support them with their career aspirations and provide them with the tools and resources they need to grow, I not only feel satisfied but energetic to learn more so I can influence and mentor the young professionals.
Currently, in my area of work, I am exposed to failures of products. So, when I learn of moments when the device saved someone’s life, I feel satisfied and inspired to provide the essential data from the failed product to improve the next generation of products.
What does the future hold for your business? What are you most excited about?
I am in the health tech industry to improve and save lives. I am excited about the wearable technology where vitals, as well as other necessary information, will be readily available to people at all times. I am looking forward to the days where invasive surgeries will be replaced with automated and less invasive surgeries.
What business books have inspired you?
I would say that Lean In and 7 Habits of Highly Effective People have inspired me. These days I listen to Ted Talks which is very motivational.
What is a recent purchase you have made that’s helped with your business?
I make constant purchases for my team to have training and development opportunities. These opportunities are not only job specific but also tailored for their personal development. In the next few months, my team will be participating in workshops on Effective Listening and Communication Skills , Influencing and Persuading Others, and Presenting with Impact. I anticipate their self development and growth will not only help our team influence others and deliver the right message but will lead the way in development of company’s future leaders.
What is your biggest fear and how did you overcome it?
I was very shy growing up and even during college years in Irvine, Ca. I was uncomfortable speaking in large groups and presenting my ideas. I have had to overcome this fear during my professional career and now feel comfortable speaking in large group settings to present ideas, data, and solutions to problems.
If it is a planned presentation, I reflect to understand what message I would like to convey and practice key points during my ride to work or before the presentation. Gathering my thoughts and practicing always helps me in communicating effectively during presentations and meetings.