According to a well-quoted statistic, women are less likely to apply for jobs than men unless they meet 100% of the qualifications, whilst men apply for a role if they meet 60% of the criteria.1
This is one of many gender discrepancies thought to be responsible for fewer women applying for senior leadership positions and ultimately contributing to a persistent gender leadership gap, which many companies are actively trying to address. An extensive LinkedIn survey from 2023 suggests that although women make up 42% of the global workforce, they hold only a quarter of executive roles.1 Surveys of the medtech industry suggest similar trends.2
“As women, we can sometimes be our own worst enemy, in not trusting our ability or putting ourselves forward for leadership opportunities, as we don’t believe we are good enough,” explains Astrid Monteau, vice president Endoscopy EMEA. “That’s why, in 2022, we launched the WELead programme in EMEA to challenge this mindset and give high-performing women who may not have been previously identified as rising talent the opportunity to become the next generation of Boston Scientific leaders.”
Monteau is passionate about accelerating the potential of women in medtech. She was instrumental in establishing the eight-month programme that consists of a series of self-reflective and development-led modules, to enable participants to build their leadership skills, boost their confidence and to address challenges that may be gender specific. Participants also interact with a network of senior leaders across the businesses to increase their visibility and receive peer-to-peer mentoring support.
From talent to leadership: the impact of the WELead programme
Since its launch, 48 women across the business in EMEA have now graduated from the WELead programme, resulting in 30 promotions and numerous job changes within Boston Scientific. A further 24 women were selected to join cohort three of the programme in early 2025.
As well as supporting the professional development of participants, the WELead programme is also adding value for line managers such as Dorota Oviedo, Commercial & Customer Engagement Excellence director, who has witnessed first-hand the impact of the WELead programme on her employees’ confidence and self-belief. “I’m a strong believer in empowering women to thrive and the results from WELead truly deliver upon that vision,” says Oviedo. “The programme has been a catalyst for my employees’ leadership journey, bringing benefits not only to everyone involved but to the business as a whole.”
What do WELead graduates say about their leadership journeys?
Elke Davis, associate director Marketing EMEA, Peripheral Interventions
"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom"
Eike Davis is a professional medical marketer based in the UK, with seven years at Boston Scientific. She joined the company as she was seeking an organisation that aligned with her values and prioritised professional development.
“It was a such a relief to realise that I was not the only woman to experience imposter syndrome and a fear of failure. Having a safe space to explore these topics with other women was incredibly empowering,” says Davis. “The programme taught me that confidence and resilience are not qualities you are born with. They build up over time by being regularly challenged. I now embrace every unexpected opportunity that comes my way. I am also much more mindful of setting boundaries and saying no without feeling guilty.”
“But one of the most transformative lessons was the value of authentic leadership and bringing my true self to work,” explains Davis. “As women, we often feel pressure to conform to outdated notions of how leaders should behave. There is a beautiful quote by Aristotle that says ‘knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom’. I have now adapted my leadership style to align more strongly with who I am and what I stand for.”
Davis was promoted during the course of the programme, demonstrating the potential value that WELead has for both the participants and for the business.
Eunice Mosete, principal account manager, Coronary Therapies, South Africa
"You don't have to be a superwoman to succeed"
Eunice Mosete has been at Boston Scientific for 10 years and wants to advance her career in sales. She was the first participant from South Africa to attend WELead. Since her graduation from the programme in 2024, her line manager has commented that Mosete is more pro-active in making strategic decisions in team meetings and is more confident and resilient in managing challenging situations.
“I felt privileged to have been nominated for the WELead programme as it meant that my potential had been recognised and valued,” explains Mosete. “I have always struggled with self-confidence and speaking at meetings for example, but this programme has helped me to understand what life factors may have influenced this response.”
“It was amazing to be able to network with senior leaders across the businesses to raise my profile, and I particularly valued the peer-to-peer mentoring. I am now much more self-assured and confident and have the knowledge and tools to be able to communicate decisively with authority and empathy,” says Mosete, adding, “One bit of advice I have taken from the programme is that you don’t have to be a superwoman to succeed.”
WELead has already had a positive impact for Mosete. After she graduated from the programme, she applied for an internal senior sales position, something she says she would never have had the confidence to do before.
At Boston Scientific we are committed to developing the potential of all our employees and advancing their career pathways to ensure they succeed and thrive. Discover our open positions here.
In 2025 Boston Scientific was recognised as one of Europe’s Best Employers by the Financial Times.
References
- Baskin, K. (2024). Breaking through the self-doubt that keeps talented women from leading. Harvard Business School
- Kirsh, D. (2023). Diversity in medtech: Women hold less than a quarter of executive roles in medtech. Medical Design & Outsourcing