Belinda Nilsson-Rodrigues is the Senior Director of Global Operations and Strategy for IDEXX BioAnalytics, where she is responsible for overseeing Global Lab Operations, IT, and Strategy for the BioAnalytics business. Since joining IDEXX in June 2015, she has held a range of leadership positions, including IBA Global Operations, PMO, and Marketing, as well as IT Commercial and Marketing, and IT Strategy and Portfolio Management. In each of these roles, Belinda has demonstrated a strong track record of driving operational excellence, strategic growth, and effective use of technology across the organization.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with Digital First Magazine, Belinda shared her professional trajectory, insights on diversity and inclusion in the life sciences industry, the secret mantra behind her success, her favorite quote, future plans, words of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
Hi Belinda. Can you walk us through your background and what you’re most passionate about in your work?
This is a great question to start. I have a diverse and enriching journey that has shaped my career. I was born and raised in Sweden, where my interest in technology and science began. For my undergraduate studies, I moved to California, after graduating, I found myself in the dynamic environment of the San Francisco Bay Area, working for and surrounded by innovative companies and cutting-edge technology. My career has taken me across the globe. I spent some time living and working in Switzerland, this broadened my perspective and exposed me to different approaches in technology and business strategies. For the past decade, I’ve been based in Maine, where I’ve continued to grow professionally.
A significant milestone in my career was pursuing an MBA at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This experience was transformative, providing me with valuable insights and skills that have been instrumental in my professional development.
Throughout my career, I’ve primarily worked in IT, for the past three years, I’ve had the opportunity to expand my leadership role to include science and lab operations. I have a passion for the intersection and combination of technology, data, and science. I appreciate leveraging technology to solve complex problems, drive innovation, and make a meaningful impact.
What aspects of your current role bring you the most joy and fulfillment?
There are numerous aspects of my role that bring me immense joy and fulfillment. I truly appreciate the diversity and scope of my responsibilities. As the leader of Global Operations and Strategy for BioAnalytics, I oversee our operations across four different locations worldwide. I am fortunate to work with an exceptional technology team that develops software and digital platforms for both our internal teams and our customers.
One of the most exciting parts of my job is leading our strategic initiatives. I enjoy anticipating the future needs of our customers and devising plans to support their needs and drive research forward. It is incredibly rewarding to lay out these strategies and see them come to fruition.
Additionally, I thoroughly value collaborating with my peers. We have a strong team with complementary skill sets, and working together allows us to achieve great things. The mutual support within our team makes every challenge an opportunity to create success.
What impact do you believe increased diversity and inclusion would have on innovation, creativity, and progress in your industry?
Increased diversity and inclusion have a profound impact on innovation, creativity, and progress in our industry. By fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, we unlock several key benefits, including enhanced employee engagement, greater innovation, broader market insights, and improved problem-solving capabilities.
Recently, I’ve had the privilege of participating as a judge in our Innovate IDEXX event, which takes place twice a year. It’s incredibly invigorating to witness these cross-functional and diverse teams that come together for a hackathon, generating remarkable innovations. The creativity and ideas that emerge from these teams are truly inspiring. The event is open to all employees. This fosters a collaborative environment that fuels innovation and progress. I witness so much potential to advance our industry, and events like these play a crucial role in driving that forward.
What leadership qualities and skills do you believe are essential for driving growth and transformation, and how do you embody those qualities in your own leadership style?
A few years ago, I realized the critical importance of resilience. Resilience for myself, as well as for members on my team. We often encounter challenges and roadblocks, and resilience is what enables the team to move forward effectively. Courage and Strategic thinking are other essential leadership qualities for driving growth and transformation. Change is inherently difficult, but having the courage to embark on a transformation, envision doubling the business. I am a strong advocate of “futurespective” exercises, where we visualize the future and outline the plans and steps needed to achieve a successful outcome.
You were recently recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Maine for 2024. Our readers would love to know the secret mantra behind your success.
I am always open to new opportunities and challenges, embracing the potential for continuous development and growth. I find great joy in seeing my teams grow, develop, and consistently raise the bar by tackling seemingly impossible challenges. My default response is “Yes” when asked to take on new tasks. With my experience in improv, I strongly believe in the “Yes, and” approach. This approach encourages building on ideas and fostering a collaborative and positive environment.
Who has been a personal role model or mentor to you throughout your career, and what qualities or characteristics have you admired or emulated?
Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to have several role models and mentors who have significantly influenced my professional journey. Ken Grady, who was a long-time boss, consistently challenged me and pushed me beyond my comfort zone. This experience taught me the value of resilience and the importance of embracing challenges as opportunities for growth.
During my MBA at MIT, I met many inspiring individuals who I deeply admire. Kristina Masson and Stuti Bhargava to name a few. Their impressive achievements and dedication continue to inspire me to strive for more. These mentors and peers have shown me the importance of continuous learning and the power of diverse perspectives.
The qualities I admire include, Resilience, Empathy, Negotiations, Courage, and Commitment to Growth.
How do you keep your mind healthy and stay resilient? And how do you motivate your team?
I find that exercising and spending time outdoors are essential for maintaining my resilience. Skipping my workout negatively impacts my mood and patience. To keep my mind healthy, I enjoy learning new things. Over the past year, I’ve been learning to play the piano, which has been a rewarding challenge. In the last six months, I’ve also been practicing mindfulness, including meditation, which I find very enjoyable.
To answer the second part of your question, when it comes to motivating my team, I emphasize the importance of taking breaks to recharge. Recently, one of my direct reports had a particularly challenging day. I recommended that she take some time to go to the gym and recharge before returning to work with a fresh perspective. This break allowed her to step away from the stressful situation, think differently about it, and come back with new ideas for moving forward.
I also believe in supporting my team’s professional development. I actively nominate them for leadership development programs and support their growth journey. Lastly, I ensure that the team understands our vision and goals. This alignment helps everyone see the bigger picture and understand their role in achieving it.
What is your favorite quote?
So hard to pick just one. I am a big fan of Alex Toussaint and he has lots of great quotes, and one of them that resonates with me currently is “If you find your gratitude, and fix your attitude, that will help you reach your greatest altitude.” Another quote that I was introduced to by a coworker recently was by Theodore Roosevelt “Comparison is the thief of joy”.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I am ardent about learning and growing in my career, particularly within the realms of science and technology. Over the next few years, I aspire to deepen my expertise through further education and take on more challenging projects that push the boundaries of innovation.
In addition to personal growth, I hope to make a significant impact through my work. Whether it’s developing cutting-edge technologies, improving existing systems, or contributing to groundbreaking research, I want my efforts to drive positive change and solve real-world problems.
What advice would you give to aspiring women in technology?
Technology is such a fascinating space, an ever-evolving field that offers endless opportunities. My advice to aspiring women in tech is to embrace continuous learning and adaptability. Not to become too attached on a single technology or method; instead, be open to exploring new tools and approaches. Success often comes from being a strong collaborator. Keep a growth mindset and being willing to work with diverse teams. Cultivate confidence in your skills and trust your abilities. Seek validation from within rather than waiting for external approval.