The Med-Tech Talent Lab

Mitch Robbins
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Welcome to the Med-Tech Talent Lab the #1 catalyst for advancing careers and building high performing teams. Sponsored by The Anthony Michael Group…helping companies secure in demand talent in Regulatory Affairs, Quality, Clinical, Engineering, R&D and Commercial areas for Medical Device, Digital Health, Diagnostics and other organizations across the US Life Sciences sector.

  1. Navigating Career Transitions in a Tough Market w/ Alina Lisanke-Director of Talent Acquisition-Lexington Medical

    JAN 26

    Navigating Career Transitions in a Tough Market w/ Alina Lisanke-Director of Talent Acquisition-Lexington Medical

    In this episode of The Med-Tech Talent Lab, host Mitch Robbins sits down with Alina Lisanke, Director of Talent Acquisition at Lexington Medical, for an honest conversation about leadership, career transitions, and navigating a challenging hiring market. Alina shares her journey from agency recruiting to leading talent acquisition functions in MedTech, along with the pivotal moments that shaped her career. Most notably, she opens up about her time in transition during a difficult market when senior TA roles were limited, competition was intense, and finding the right next step required patience, resilience, and intention. Rather than rushing into the wrong role, Alina talks about taking contract and individual contributor work to stay sharp, leaning on community for support, and using the time to reassess what kind of role and environment truly fit her strengths. That clarity ultimately led her to Lexington Medical, where she is now building and scaling the TA function during a period of growth. The conversation also explores: The shift of talent acquisition from order-taking to strategic partnershipWhat changes when recruiters move into people leadership rolesHow to balance trust, delegation, and accountability as a TA leaderWhere AI adds real value in hiring, and where human judgment still matters mostWhy strong systems and process create freedom, not frictionThis episode is especially relevant for talent acquisition leaders who are navigating career uncertainty, considering a transition, or feeling stuck in today’s market. Alina’s story is a reminder that career detours are not setbacks, but filters that can lead to the right opportunity.

    42 min
  2. The Uncomfortable Moves That Create MedTech Executives w/ Jahnavi Lokre, COO-Diality

    JAN 16

    The Uncomfortable Moves That Create MedTech Executives w/ Jahnavi Lokre, COO-Diality

    In this episode of The Med-Tech Talent Lab, host Mitch Robbins sits down with Jahnavi Lokre, Chief Operating Officer at Diality, a Series B medical device company focused on transforming kidney care. Jahnavi shares her 25+ year journey from growing up in India in a science-driven household to building a career across software engineering, regulated industries, and executive leadership in MedTech. With experience spanning transportation systems, contract manufacturing, and product ownership at both large organizations and startups, she offers a rare, cross-industry perspective on what it truly takes to build and scale high-performing teams. Listeners will gain practical insight into: How transferable skills from highly regulated industries can unlock MedTech leadership opportunitiesWhy stepping up before you feel “ready” is often the catalyst for executive growthThe mindset shifts required to move from engineering into senior leadershipHiring lessons learned the hard way, including when to act quickly on a mis-hireHow strong leaders balance trust, accountability, and executionWhy bold thinking, persistence, and values-driven leadership matter in fast-moving startupsJahnavi also discusses Diality’s mission to improve outcomes and reduce costs in dialysis care, the realities of innovating in an under-evolved market, and what excites her most about the future of kidney disease treatment. This episode is packed with candid leadership lessons, career-defining insights, and actionable advice for engineers, operators, and aspiring executives looking to grow their impact in MedTech and beyond.

    41 min
  3. Inside the “Made Here” Orthopedic Manufacturing Ecosystem w/ Travis Christman-Priority Medical

    11/21/2025

    Inside the “Made Here” Orthopedic Manufacturing Ecosystem w/ Travis Christman-Priority Medical

    In this episode, Mitch sits down with Travis Christman, a respected operations, regulatory, and quality leader in the orthopedic manufacturing world. Travis has spent his career across Zimmer, Medartis, Nextremity, and now Priority Medical, an end-to-end engineering services organization operating from the orthopedic capital of the world — Warsaw, Indiana. Travis shares details on a major industry event launching December 18th: The “Made Here” Manufacturing Showcase — a first-of-its-kind, hands-on demonstration of the full orthopedic supply chain ecosystem that exists in northern Indiana. You'll hear: Why Warsaw remains the global epicenter of orthopedic innovationWhat OEMs don’t see — but need to know — about today’s supply chain pressuresHow contract manufacturers can accelerate lead times, nearshoring, and production readinessWhere the biggest growth trends are emerging (AI, robotics, navigation, additive, pre-op planning, and more)How Priority Medical is serving as a connector across surgeons, OEMs, contract manufacturers, and local talentThis is a must-listen if you’re involved in: orthopedic product development, contract manufacturing, supply chain, engineering services, regulatory/quality, or OEM commercialization planning. Guest Bio — Who is Travis Christman? Operations & Quality Leader at Priority MedicalFormer leader at Zimmer, Medartis, and Nextremity SolutionsU.S. Army National Guard Captain (10+ years of service)Board member at KEDCO (Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation)Deep expertise in engineering services, supply chain partnerships, regulatory/quality systems, and commercialization for orthopedic productsWhat We Cover The vision behind the Made Here Manufacturing ShowcaseWhy OEMs are struggling with today’s longer lead timesHow Warsaw’s supply chain ecosystem drives speed, cost, and qualityNearshoring trends and why U.S. manufacturing is surgingThe rise of robotics, navigation, pre-op planning, and AI in orthopedicsWhat contract manufacturers must do to stay competitiveThe new economy emerging around CDMOs and orthopedic innovation hubsHow Priority Medical is helping OEMs innovate faster and more efficiently

    18 min
  4. From Faxed Resumes to AI-How Recruiting Really Works w/ Jim Belmonte-Sr Talent Acquisition Manager-Cirtec Medical

    09/10/2025

    From Faxed Resumes to AI-How Recruiting Really Works w/ Jim Belmonte-Sr Talent Acquisition Manager-Cirtec Medical

    In this episode of The Med-Tech Talent Lab, host Mitch Robbins sits down with Jim Belmonte, Senior Talent Acquisition Manager at Cirtec Medical, who brings more than 25 years of experience in recruiting and TA leadership. Jim shares his journey from agency recruiter to leading internal talent acquisition teams at organizations like Cardiovascular Systems (later acquired by Abbott) and now in the fast-paced world of contract manufacturing. Together, Mitch and Jim explore: ✅ How chance encounters and curiosity can launch lifelong careers in recruiting ✅ The evolution of talent acquisition from faxed resumes to AI-driven tools—and why the fundamentals haven’t changed ✅ The impact (and pitfalls) of candidates relying too heavily on AI for resumes, cover letters, and even interviews ✅ Why authentic human connection and probing conversations still set great recruiters apart ✅ The importance of intake meetings, setting expectations with hiring managers, and creating safe space for recruiters to push back ✅ What junior recruiters should develop if they aspire to lead TA teams ✅ How talent acquisition shapes company culture more than most realize Jim also gives an inside look at why he’s energized by the contract manufacturing space and the exciting opportunities at Cirtec Medical, where innovation and growth are constant. Whether you’re a recruiter, TA leader, hiring manager, or candidate navigating today’s job market, this conversation offers sharp insights into the realities, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of talent acquisition. Jim Belmonte on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimbelmonte/ Cirtec Medical on the web: https://www.cirtecmed.com/

    43 min
  5. Building w/ Heart-Caleb Polley, Founder & CEO-Cubby Beds

    07/22/2025

    Building w/ Heart-Caleb Polley, Founder & CEO-Cubby Beds

    In this episode of The Med-Tech Talent Lab, I sat down with Caleb Polley, founder & CEO of Cubby Beds, to talk about how he's bringing empathy and engineering together to create safer, smarter sleep solutions for kids with special needs. We covered: The personal journey that sparked the Cubby Beds missionHow to build products that truly serve underrepresented populationsBalancing speed, scale, and regulatory rigor as a MedTech startupWhat it means to lead with empathy and how it shapes hiring and cultureKey lessons for any founder building mission-first, market-ready solutionsIf you're a founder, product leader, or operator in MedTech (or beyond) looking for perspective on how to build with both precision and purpose Caleb delivers the blueprint. Caleb Polley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calebpolley/ Cubby Beds on the web: https://cubbybeds.com/

    47 min
  6. The AI Tool Making Med-Tech Audit Ready 24/7 w/ Adam Foresman, CEO Ryden.ai

    07/15/2025

    The AI Tool Making Med-Tech Audit Ready 24/7 w/ Adam Foresman, CEO Ryden.ai

    In this episode we sit down with Adam Foresman, co-founder and CEO of Ryden.ai, a groundbreaking startup that’s redefining how MedTech companies approach compliance. After nearly two decades in quality and regulatory leadership—including roles at Dentsply, Midmark, and Vidya Health—Adam saw firsthand how overwhelming it had become to stay audit-ready across constantly shifting global regulations. So he built the tool he wished he had. Ryden.ai leverages AI to continuously scan a company’s QMS, identify compliance gaps, and recommend updates based on global regulatory standards (FDA, ISO, EUMDR, Health Canada, and more). And it doesn’t stop there—it’s expanding to assess records, not just procedures, ensuring companies can demonstrate execution, not just intention. In this conversation, Adam shares: Why AI won’t replace quality pros—but will make their jobs a lot easier The biggest concerns companies have about using AI in GxP environments (and how Ryden addresses them) What the FDA’s own shift to AI tools means for regulatory strategy How both startups and enterprise MedTech teams are using Ryden to stay ahead A real-world win preparing a company for Health Canada with zero major findings Whether you're a startup with limited resources or an enterprise with global sites to manage, Adam makes a compelling case: AI won’t take your job—but it might save your sanity. Adam Foresman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamforesman/ Ryden.ai on the web: ryden.ai

    26 min
  7. From Engineer to Operations Executive with Eric Steuben-SVP Ops-Calyxo

    07/14/2025

    From Engineer to Operations Executive with Eric Steuben-SVP Ops-Calyxo

    In this episode of The Med-Tech Talent Lab, we sit down with Eric Steuben, Senior Vice President of Operations at Calyxo, a fast-growing company disrupting the treatment of kidney stones with its proprietary C-VAC system. Eric brings over 30 years of experience in MedTech, having held leadership roles at Varian, Align Technology, Procept BioRobotics, and more. He shares his journey from early career rotations in engineering to scaling operations from 13 employees to over 1,500 across five countries. Together, Mitch and Eric dive into: How a strong foundation in people and culture shaped Eric’s leadership approachThe leap from individual contributor to first-time manager—and how to get it rightLessons from scaling Align Technology during its hypergrowth phaseWhy he believes no one should stay in a role longer than 3–4 yearsHow to hire for where you’re going, not just what you need todayThe critical role of mentorship and choosing the right people to followWhat makes Calyxo’s stone removal technology a potential game-changer in urologyWhether you're building a team, scaling a startup, or aiming for executive leadership, Eric’s wisdom and experience offer valuable insights for professionals across the MedTech ecosystem. Eric Steuben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esteuben/ Calyxo on the web: calyxoinc.com

    46 min
  8. From Aerospace to Oncology: Building Teams, Products, and Purpose w/Gary Thomas-SVP Manufacturing Onkos Surgical

    07/08/2025

    From Aerospace to Oncology: Building Teams, Products, and Purpose w/Gary Thomas-SVP Manufacturing Onkos Surgical

    In this episode, we sit down with Gary Thomas, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing and Product Development at Onkos Surgical, a company delivering breakthrough innovations for musculoskeletal oncology. With over 30 years of experience in MedTech—much of it in the ortho-spine space—Gary shares his remarkable leadership journey, beginning in aerospace and culminating in the fight against cancer-related infections. We cover: How discipline, fitness, and early morning rituals drive high performanceHis transition from aerospace into MedTech—and why he still recruits from that worldLessons from launching high-stakes products under pressureThe moment his career accelerated and the mindset that got him thereThe key differences between directors and VPs—and why some don’t make the leapHow he evaluates leadership potential in technical professionalsWhy culture isn’t just a buzzword—and how high-performing teams self-correctWhat makes Onkos Surgical’s NanoSap™ technology a game-changer for infection preventionGary’s practical insights on leadership, talent development, and execution make this a can’t-miss episode for anyone aspiring to lead at the highest levels in MedTech. Gary on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-thomas-00a8a533/ Onkos Surgical on the web: https://onkossurgical.com/

    42 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Med-Tech Talent Lab the #1 catalyst for advancing careers and building high performing teams. Sponsored by The Anthony Michael Group…helping companies secure in demand talent in Regulatory Affairs, Quality, Clinical, Engineering, R&D and Commercial areas for Medical Device, Digital Health, Diagnostics and other organizations across the US Life Sciences sector.

Information

  • Creator
    Mitch Robbins
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    134
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Anthony Michael Group 2021
  • Show Website
    The Med-Tech Talent Lab

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