Nancy Singer is president of Compliance-Alliance, LLC. She is also a tireless regulatory advocate, warning medtech firms of the dangers lurking in e-mails, post-it notes, and other seemingly benign documents. Singer teaches a course on these dangerous documents and has talked about it with MD+DI. She is also a long-time member of MD+DI's editorial advisory board.

MD+DI: How did you get your start in the medical device and technology industry?
 

My first job was as a prosecutor for the U.S Department of Justice where I performed litigation for the Food and Drug Administration. My next job was to defend drug and device companies who were being prosecuted. Today I teach companies how to comply with FDA requirements.
 

MD+DI:  What important challenges does the medtech industry face in the next 5 years?
 

In the next five years medtech companies will face increased government regulation, higher user fees, more taxes, and increased labor costs. These factors will impede companies from producing cost-effective, innovative, safe and effective medical device technology. I predict that companies will continue to open more facilities in other countries, and they will focus on selling their products to new markets outside of the United States.
 

MD+DI:  How can more women get involved in the medtech industry?
 

Women are highly represented in the quality, regulatory, legal and sales professions. We need to encourage women to concentrate in the science and engineering professions. We also need to groom more women for positions in upper management, so, when they are qualified, they can be selected to actively lead companies as the president or CEO or participate in the management of companies by being on the board of directors. As more women are given the opportunity to serve in these roles and are successful, other companies will provide similar opportunities to women.
 

MD+DI:  Are there barriers for women in medtech?
 

A barrier for women is a perception that women, during their child bearing years, will drop out of the work place to raise children and the investment in that individual will be wasted. As more women refrain from having children or successfully combine the roles of raising children with being a dedicated dependable professional, more women will get the opportunity be in these leadership positions.
 

MD+DI: What advice for women would you give for pursuing a medtech career?
 

Get as much formal education as possible. Attend seminars and stay current in the profession. Get an understanding of finance, engineering, accounting, marketing and sales. Become an effective communicator. Cultivate an image of being a competent, reliable, and cooperative professional who solves problems with grace under pressure. Volunteer for high visibility projects. Continue to meet people inside and outside of the company. Take chances and conquer the fear of the unknown. Get a mentor and be a mentor. Have a passion for your current job or find a job for which you have a passion. And most importantly, have a good time. Remember that life is short and time is precious.