Women In Medtech: Beth Vonasek

Careers for for the head and heart

Meet women who are changing lives at LivaNova

Beth Vonasek is a Manufacturing Engineer II at LivaNova. She is responsible for supporting manufacturing activities for the Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) product line, including process development and improvements. She’s been with the company since June 2019.

Q: What made you pursue engineering as a career choice?

A: I didn't always want to be an engineer, but I wanted to work in the medical field. I heard about biomedical engineering and enjoyed math and science, so I earned my bachelor’s in that field and pursued it as a career path. A few months before graduation from Texas A&M University, I got a Customer Quality Engineering position at LivaNova and I’ve been here ever since. I worked in Customer Quality for three years, and I switched to Operations a few months ago.

Q: Is there a woman who mentored or inspired you throughout your career?

A: I've been fortunate to work with many great relatable women at LivaNova. All of my direct managers so far have been women. There were multiple women on my team in Customer Quality, and they were all very talented and helped me a lot during my first few years here. In my current position, Sara Dubuque is my manager. She's been a great mentor in getting me up to speed on operations and new product lines.

Q: If you were asked by another female engineer, who was considering applying for a role at LivaNova, how would you describe your experience at the company?

A: It's intimidating to start a new job right out of college. But, the great team at LivaNova always made me feel comfortable. I can relate to all of the women around me. I've never personally felt any bias or undervalued in my career here. It's been a good experience overall.

Q: What inspires you to do this work?

Q: What is the best or most helpful benefit that LivaNova offers its employees?

A: The opportunities for growth at LivaNova are a great benefit. I had a great time in my first role. But, when I was ready to shift, a lot of people helped me find something more suitable within the company. My manager immediately escalated my request to the rest of the management team within my department to see if other positions would be available soon. When the OSA Operations position opened, everyone thought it would be a good fit for me. I was fortunate that the timing worked out, and the team took the time to seek opportunities for me.

Q: What advice would you give to women engineers who are entering the workforce?

A: When interviewing for jobs, get a feel of the team dynamic and ensure it aligns with what you want for yourself. Also, make sure they respect you. The people you work with are as important as the job itself.

Q: Why would you encourage other women in medtech to come work at LivaNova?

A: LivaNova is diverse. There are a lot of great people and opportunities for women to grow and succeed. It's a great place to work and our unique therapy products make a difference in people's lives.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.