Heidi Woods, AAEI Board Member
Heidi Woods of Medtronic began her term as a member of the AAEI Board of Governors in July 2024. Heidi’s path to AAEI leadership began more than 4 years ago when she became co-chair of the AAEI Healthcare Industries Committee (HIC). Over the course of her time as HIC co-chair, Heidi helped AAEI established quarterly meetings with the Food and Drug Administration, created working groups within the HIC to establish committee-specific initiatives, and helped raise the profile of the HIC through industry outreach and annual conference program development.
AAEI interviewed Heidi to highlight AAEI’s role in her professional development.
Q: How has your leadership at AAEI helped you grow in your career?
A: Being plugged in with others in your industry is absolutely invaluable. AAEI has given me the platform to connect with others in my industry.
During the COVID pandemic, everyone was scrambling to move PPE for their companies. We huddled together as the Healthcare Industries Committee (HIC) team and brainstormed, helped others understand what we were seeing, and worked through the complexities of uncharted territory.
It was helpful to leverage each other and our shared knowledge to get the best outcomes for our companies.
Q: In your 4 years as HIC co-chair, what was a key lesson?
A: Get involved. Be vocal, ask questions, even if you’re worried that you’ll look dumb. Everyone else has the same question. Put yourself out there and ask about the things you don’t understand. It’s super helpful. Don’t be afraid to admit “I don’t get it” or ask about how issues affect your company.
Q: What resources helped you grow your knowledge in your trade practice?
A: I’ve been able to open doors in my career by attending conferences, speaking on panels, and making connections with others who are established in the trade community.
I’ve become a more valuable asset for my company by expanding my network. I can get answers quickly from industry peers and SMEs in other industry areas.
When faced with new challenges, I can call on my network, brainstorm with peers, and find a solution.
Q: What more would you like to do for your professional development this year?
A: Get to know more people, whether they are industry colleagues or government officials. A strong network opens doors and helps me start new conversations.
Just like the brokers’ exam, you don’t have to know the answer to everything. You just need to know how to find it.
AAEI helps me identify who to know and how to get the answers.
