Barb Gosenheimer
Director, Program Management - Fresenius Kabi
“It’s important to give back to your community, and serving others is a passion of mine.”
Read Barb’s full profile below
Where did you grow up?
Small town in southeastern WI: Mukwonago
Who was your favorite teacher, and why?
Mr. Helm, my AP History teacher. He understood that reading and memorizing is not the only or best way to learn; he challenged us through games and experiences while other teachers were relying on lectures.
What inspired you to pursue a career in STEM/Healthcare?
My sister-in-law was an engineer, and she had a lot of opportunities right out of school: she traveled, managed a team, worked in a hands-on environment and was paid well. This encouraged me to return to school for a second Bachelor’s degree, this time in Biomedical Engineering.
What were your moments of fear/challenges in your career?
While I’m an engineer, I am not a strong technical engineer, and I was concerned this would limit my capability to find roles that fit me. Turns out, there are many other options out there for engineers that fit my personality, work style, and areas of interest.
What are some of the innovations in science that you are most excited about?
Working on medical devices, I would have to say it’s the regular progression to develop more user-friendly and safe devices, which involves the improved use of data combined with healthcare practices.
What’s next for you?/What would you like to do when you “grow up’? (retire, etc.)/ what is something you hope to accomplish in the future?
As I’m working through my 50’s I’m starting to consider what retirement will look like. A few years ago I envisioned I would work until I was 70. Now I’d like to keep my brain sharp through volunteer work with non-profit organizations in my 60’s instead of full-time work. It’s important to give back to your community, and serving others is a passion of mine.
Personal style/fashion tip?
I’m actually a bit disappointed that people are in the office less and work attire has become more casual. I always enjoyed wearing heels to the office with suit jackets, pants, and floral shirts, and looking ‘different’ than my male counterparts. I still dress a bit nicer, albeit from the waist up, than most of my colleagues because I enjoy it. You have to be yourself.
Current book/book you love?
The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni; this introduced me to the concept of Organizational Health, and I have been able to use these practices across several organizations and I see the benefits of this leadership style.
