Rising Star Award Winner 2024: Medical

Asha Parekh
CEO & Co-Founder
Front Line Medical Technologies
Ontario, Canada

EXPERIENCE

Dr. Asha Parekh is a Ph.D. biomedical engineer and the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Front Line Medical Technologies Inc., a key player in innovative medical devices for bleeding control and resuscitation. Her career began with the distinct desire to improve the lives of those in need, which drove her to explore engineering and medical device innovation, with the ultimate goal of translating new technologies into the real world to create impact.

What’s the most exciting part of your work?

The most exciting part of my work is the true realization of the impact that we make. That is my passion and it’s what keeps me motivated to keep doing what we’re doing with the team. Hearing patient and family stories is always so meaningful and it’s quite breathtaking to be a part of those stories. The more we advance, the more patients we help save, so it’s truly a compounding effect — that is super exciting to me!

What is one major challenge you’ve faced in your career and how did you overcome it?

I’ve had a lot of tremendous support along my journey, but not from everyone and not always. Being doubted for the ability to successfully start and run a med tech company was a major challenge, and I’m not sure a male counterpart would have faced the same scrutiny. I overcame it by standing up for myself and rising to the challenge. Our reaction is everything — and actions scream over words, so I did what I had to do and continue to do so.

What advice do you have for young women engineers aspiring to be leaders?

Be passionate about what you do and be disgustingly true to yourself while doing it. By doing so you’ll shine your true light so bright that it will attract the right people with the same values as you, and that will catapult your growth.
Find good partner(s) that you work well with and a couple of reliable advisors who have been where you are.
Every experience may not be positive but turn it into a positive and keep going on your path.

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