In medical devices and pharmaceuticals, we talk a lot about quality systems, CAPAs, and regulatory compliance. But after thirty-five years in this industry, from the clinical lab to the boardroom, I’ve realized that the most important lessons in leadership didn’t come from a Master’s degree or an FDA audit. They started with my mom.
Moms are often giving us lessons in achieving success in our lives and careers without even knowing it. And the first thing she taught me? The impact of hard work and sticking with it. I watched her handle lots of responsibilities, overcome challenges, and never give up. It may have taken her a long time to perfect that cinnamon dumpling recipe, but she did. Don’t give up. I heard her saying that during my first Warning Letter remediation, through complex M&A integrations, and while launching greenfield labs from nothing. When the pressure is highest, perseverance is what separates a broken system from a resilient one.
My mom also lived by a strong moral compass. She showed me that the end doesn’t always justify the means. Pushing your little sister down during the race to cross the finish line first didn’t win her approval. Get there honestly. In quality leadership, that lesson is everything. It’s the foundation of patient safety and organizational trust. When you’re navigating Notified Body audits or FDA inspections, you quickly learn that integrity isn’t optional—it’s the only path to compliance. Shortcuts might feel efficient in the moment, but they always catch up with you. Mom knew that. So do the best quality leaders.
When my sister fell at the playground and scraped her knee, Mom didn’t just hand her a bandage. She stopped, gave a hug, and cared. Care about people. Empathy has been an asset in leading teams. Understanding the pressure on the manufacturing floor, the challenges of the clinical team, and the goals of commercial teams allows me to design processes people want to follow (kind of, lol), not just ones they have to comply with. Empathy drives real compliance. It turns “checking a box” into “doing the right thing for the patient.” And that’s where real quality lives.
Finally, my mom taught me about continuous learning. I can remember myself asking, “How do I do this?” and her responding, “You’ll figure it out.” Not the answer I wanted, but it piqued my curiosity, which is one of the reasons I pursued my Master’s in Organizational Leadership and adopted Situational Leadership early in my career. There is no single “right” way to lead. One minute, you might be directing a team through a Warning Letter remediation, giving specific instructions under intense pressure. Next, you’re coaching a new manager through their first recall submission. Or maybe you’re supporting an experienced team as they problem-solve a complex CAPA. Mom taught me that being able to adapt isn’t a weakness. It’s the very heart of effective leadership. It’s what turns a quality system from a static set of documents into a dynamic, flexible process.
To the women following their own leadership path in Quality, Regulatory, or Clinical fields: your individual perspective is a powerful asset. Use your strengths. Find mentors and mentees. Understand that our skill to adjust and connect is at the very heart of effective leadership. And remember—the first quality leader many of us ever had is the one who kissed our boo-boos, taught us not to push our siblings down, and showed us that success comes from integrity, kindness, and never stopping the questions.
Take a minute to thank your mom this weekend. Whether she’s still here or not. Even if you didn’t know it, she was helping you all along.
Jackie Torfin, Master of Arts in Leadership | 35+ Years in Pharma/MedTech Quality & Regulatory Executive | Consultant, Advisor & Mentor