Kathy Anderson has spent her career working with commercial industry in small business, government and healthcare roles. Most recently and for the last 16 years, she held consulting and management roles at Mayo Clinic in Public Affairs, Provider Relations and Supply Chain Management. Her career has consistently focused on law, business and leadership development, technology commercialization, marketing communications and risk management.
As a leader, how has your role changed during COVID-19?
I’m an extrovert, a people person, and the loss of face to face meetings and camaraderie with staff was brutal in the beginning. Connecting daily with each employee was critical and my availability via text, phone, email, and Slack was key. Honing my virtual listening skills was also a necessity and when it seemed too quiet, I’d reach out. I always try to balance one-on-one time with virtual team meetings. Overall, technology was more important than ever and we had to pivot quickly.
How have you pivoted your company to address the needs that have risen since the onset of COVID-19?
The greatest needs that we saw for our employees were: a.) ensuring their safety and well-being (we managed this by keeping staff home and sending care packages for their entire family), b.) giving them flexibility in work hours and sending them daily updates with suggested stay busy activities for their kids, and c.) looking outwardly, effectively communicating with our customers regarding our operating status, assessing the resiliency of our suppliers, and ensuring supply chain security.
What are the big milestones to come in the next few years for Resoundant?
The company continues to expand both its product and service line. A few examples are expanding the availability of MRE, launching MREplus+ (a cloud based service for advanced imaging analysis), the launch of our clinical trial services business, creating staff morale and effectiveness in difficult environments, and designing a solid succession planning model.
What does leadership look like to you?
Leadership is a kaleidoscope of listening, learning, nurturing, empowering, delegating, embracing failures, and dreaming big ideas into reality.
What is the best advice you have received in your career? What is the worst?
The best advice I’ve received is even if it’s your best move/best new idea for the company, have the right person on the team take it forward to leadership (or be with there with you when you do) to share it. Sometimes that will be you, often, it should not be you. The worst advice I’ve ever received is to not show your emotions or speak up until you’ve been with the team for at least a year, ideally two.
What have been the most rewarding moments in your career?
My most rewarding career moments were graduating from law school, writing legislation to establish a simple method for recognition of parentage for children born out of wedlock, attending oral arguments at the US Supreme Court as media relations lead for Mayo Clinic, and more recently, becoming the COO of Resoundant.
What is one personal goal for the upcoming year?
To publish a children’s book.
How do you relax / decompress?
I love to see what’s new in the office supply closet. I value connecting with family and friends, calling a trusted mentor, music, power walks, and cooking.
What do you enjoy most about the Medical Alley community?
Medical Alley helps everyone connect and succeed! Take Resoundant as an example: a startup back in 2009 that won the MA best technology award is now a very successful medical technology company. Large companies with a MN footprint open their doors and expertise to newcomers. We all learn from each other in an open, friendly, and creative environment.
