From mastering regulations to maximizing business potential, Lena Hagman‘s journey as the Chief Operating Officer can be summed up in three words: expert, business, and people. With expertise in Quality and Regulatory Affairs, she recognizes the critical role of regulations in the MedTech industry, where ensuring patient safety is of utmost importance. However, driven by a thirst for challenges and opportunities, Lena has never limited herself to being an expert in her field. A passionate business leader who navigates challenges and identifies opportunities to maximize potential. In the fast-paced world of MedTech, she embraces pragmatism, change, and problem-solving. Her motto is to create value in everything she does, or it’s not worth doing. As a result, she is a role model for those seeking to make a positive impact in the MedTech industry. 

Early in her career, Lena managed large Quality & Regulatory Affairs projects, always prioritizing the company’s business strategy as the guiding star. Her approach caught the attention of senior management, propelling her on a journey that has made her a prominent figure in the MedTech industry. 

Success requires more than just business acumen. Lena believes that trust is essential, and places her faith in the people she works with. Recognizing that everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and her top priority is to build on those strengths, placing colleagues in positions where they can thrive and make a real difference.  

A remarkable path has brought Lena to the forefront of XVIVO as the COO. With 12 years of experience as a business executive, coupled with an extensive background in Quality & Regulatory Affairs, she is poised to make a significant impact at XVIVO. 

Embarking on a fresh chapter, Lena sees this as a significant achievement in her professional journey. Her extensive know-how in business operations, coupled with a fervent dedication to fostering a culture of excellence and nurturing strong partnerships, positions her as an indispensable asset to the XVIVO family. 

Having this extensive knowledge and experience make her an ideal candidate to serve as the COO and contribute towards driving XVIVO’s growth and success. Lena’s strong leadership skills will guide the company towards new levels of success. As a forefront leader in the role of COO, XVIVO is undoubtedly poised for a future that is full of promise and excitement. 

The Company 

XVIVO, a company with headquarters in Sweden, is a worldwide MedTech company committed to extending the life of all major organs, such as the heart, liver, kidney, and lungs. The company develops and promotes effective, innovative technologies that preserve, transport, and assess organs outside the body while waiting for transplantation. Additionally, XVIVO facilitates the transplant process by providing organ recovery and perfusion services. Since its inception in 1998, the company has established offices and research centers in Europe and the United States, which serve as its primary markets. 

Focusing on the Big Picture 

Proactivity is Lena’s forte, and she understands that organizational structures are ever-evolving. She consistently seeks ways to optimize management structures and achieve better outcomes, acknowledging that change is often necessary. She places great value on the organization’s people, actively listening to their concerns and staying attuned to external developments, responding promptly when required. Focusing on the broader perspective, she ensures the right people hold the right positions, paving the way for success. 

Devoted to Achieving Organizational Objectives  

Lena has a keen understanding of balancing short-term objectives with long-term strategic goals. She believes in breaking down the company’s strategy into a plan, which enables the organization to make informed short-term decisions that align with long-term objectives. Acknowledging the crucial role of external factors in influencing business outcomes and is willing to modify decisions accordingly to ensure the organization’s success. Nonetheless, the entire executive management team, in which she holds a significant position, collectively determines any changes made to the company’s overall strategy. Lena also values the development of people within the organization, and takes steps to ensure that they feel confident and equipped to handle new situations that arise as a result of changes in the external environment. 

Leading by Example  

With a profound appreciation for the stringent regulatory environment of the MedTech industry, Lena regards it as a robust underpinning for the company’s sustainability report. As a member of the executive management team, she shoulders her responsibility in implementing the report. Lena believes that setting an example is a powerful way to ensure that the organization adheres to the report’s principles and values. At XVIVO, the vision of ‘nobody should die waiting for a new organ’ is a compelling and imperative aspiration. Lena underscores the need for the organization to uphold its ethical and social standards and take a resolute stance to attain this objective. She stresses the importance of all departments and groups collaborating harmoniously to achieve the organization’s objectives. 

Key to Getting Ahead in the Competition  

Lena has come to the realization that the best way to stay ahead of industry developments and trends is by relying on her organization. She believes in giving individuals specific responsibilities to follow certain areas or subjects closely. Once something of significance or relevance to the business occurs in those areas, Lena allows the responsible individuals to educate and inspire the rest of the organization. This approach not only enables everyone to develop their knowledge and skills but also creates a learning organization. By encouraging collaboration and knowledge-sharing, she believes that the organization can stay on top of industry trends and continuously improve its operations. 

Leadership Insights 

Noticing a prevalent “what’s in it for me” mentality among individuals, Lena stresses the significance of realizing that working as a team can yield significantly greater accomplishments than individual endeavors. Lena maintains that while anyone can become a manager, only a few can become genuine leaders. The distinction lies in the leader’s underlying motivation – whether it’s rooted in the collective or solely on oneself. Leadership entails caring for others, inspiring and motivating them to achieve their objectives and the organization’s goals, and prioritizing the collective good over personal gains. 

Overcoming Challenges by Adapting the Environment  

As a business leader, Lena has always found communication to be a significant challenge. With so many different personalities within a company, ranging from marketing to research and development, it’s not surprising. As an expert in Quality & Regulatory Affairs, where patient safety is critical, her language can be somewhat dry and difficult to understand. However, she has found success by empathizing with the other person’s situation and seeing things from their perspective. This allows for more effective communication using language and terminology that the other person is used to, leading to better collaboration and outcomes. Lena’s strength lies in her ability to adapt her communication style to suit the needs of her audience. 

Creating Work-Life Balance  

Lena recognizes the importance of work-life balance for both the employees and herself at XVIVO. Understanding that employees have personal commitments and interests, such as attending their children’s soccer games or participating in school performance reviews, which are crucial to them. Hence, it is her responsibility to create a conducive environment that allows employees to balance their personal and professional lives. Lena believes that when individuals have a good balance between their personal and professional lives, they perform better at work and are more focused. She has experienced the difficulty of balancing her career and personal life, but has managed to achieve it, and is proud of it. Being a mother of three sons, the most important aspect of her life is her family. Recognizing the significance of family support in her career success and realizes that, without this balance, she wouldn’t have reached where she is today.  

A Source of Energy and Inspiration 

To replenish her energy levels, Lena indulges in her passion for running, which has been an integral part of her life. Running allows her to refresh and rejuvenate herself. She is fortunate to live near the sea and surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, allowing her to experience the changing seasons while running, which gives an extra boost. During her runs, Lena engages in introspection and self-reflection, allowing her to sort through thoughts and ideas. Starting a run with a cluttered mind, Lena usually concludes a run with a clear plan, all thanks to the therapeutic influence of the power of nature.  

A Transformative Approach Toward the Future  

XVIVO has progressed through its first two phases of innovation, clinical trials, and developing the commercial structure, respectively. Now, as the company enters its third phase of industrialization, its focus is on meeting the global demand for new organs in a sustainable way. As the COO, Lena’s main focus in the coming years will be on achieving this goal. 

Additionally, the company will continue to focus on building its presence in the US market. Lena has extensive experience in the US MedTech market and has worked closely with the American FDA through her own actions or leading teams based in the US. 

XVIVO’s current strategy, which extends until 2027, aligns with Lena’s aspiration to contribute to the formulation of the subsequent strategic plan and elevate XVIVO to new heights, bringing the company even closer to realizing its vision that ‘nobody should die waiting for a new organ’. 

Website: https://www.xvivoperfusion.com/