In this edition of our RED Spotlight series, we’re speaking with Kate Mayo, an experienced Project Manager in the Life Sciences industry. Kate’s career journey highlights the importance of perseverance, continuous learning, and leading with integrity. From starting out in GMP production zones to becoming a director of her own company, Kate’s story is a testament to how strategic thinking and genuine relationship building can pave the way for success in Life Sciences tech.

In this interview, Kate shares the pivotal moments that shaped her path, the challenges she’s overcome in a traditionally male-dominated field, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Her insights offer practical advice and inspiration for women aspiring to build meaningful careers in Life Sciences technology.

1. Tell us about your journey. How did you break into Life Sciences tech, and what’s shaped your path so far?

I have always been interested in the Sciences, and after graduating I was drawn to the pharmaceutical industry – there were so many different opportunities to learn. I started working within GMP production zones, making high value blood products whilst having a deep appreciation for the science behind the processes. There were only two females within my team, and we were young, so (whether this was due to stereotyping or not, I don’t know), we were often left to complete the majority of the administrative work. This allowed me to develop a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the process. When an opportunity arose to become a technical specialist for the department, I was well positioned. That role eventually morphed into one of a Project Manager. In this role I was able to use my understanding of the complex processes to lead on a variety of projects, ranging from equipment installation, to new product development.  

2. What’s the toughest challenge you’ve faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?

The main difficulty I’ve come across was early in my career, when I was working within the manufacturing space. I was a young female only recently out of university, and suddenly I was in a fast-paced environment where skilled technicians, who had worked with the process for years, were frustrated because I was in a position where I was holding them accountable for the quality of their paperwork. From their perspective, they knew what they were doing (which they did!) so why did they need to answer to me? I overcame this eventually, with lots of patience and a pleasant but persistent approach.

3. If you could tackle one major challenge in Life Sciences tech, what would it be—and why?

The challenge around drug discovery and development. There is so much work that goes into the process, and rightly so, but the majority of R+D schemes will not make it to market. It is a hugely time-consuming process whereby skilled scientists and professionals can often dedicate large portions of their career only to be met with failure. There are several reasons for the high failure rate, but one key contributing factor is that of changing regulatory guidelines; teams must constantly adapt to evolving regulatory frameworks (which can be a high challenge when the new product development process can take >10 years)! If this could somehow be tackled, perhaps by better bridging between industry and regulators, it may give medical teams the opportunity to provide patients with life changing medicines sooner.  

4. How do you keep your finger on the pulse of the latest tech trends and innovations in Life Sciences?

On top of the usual time for professional development, I talk to people. I talk to scientists; I talk to medics. I listen and take a genuine interest in modern practices. I have been lucky enough in my career to have lasting relationships with likeminded colleagues who are keen to learn and share.  

5. What drives you to push boundaries or take bold risks in your role?

I am actually not a risk taker in my role at all. I am a Project Manager, so I like to plan based on fact and reality. I like to execute in a controlled manner, where everyone knows what they’re doing and where they’re going. It’s actually this approach which has allowed me and the teams I work with to push boundaries to increase the scope without increasing the timeline or budget. When things are clear to the team, work is efficient, thereby allowing the original boundaries to be stretched to bring more value to the business.  

6. Is there a book, podcast, or event that transformed how you approach your work in Life Sciences?

The key event that transformed how I approach my work actually comes from my early experience within manufacturing. When you’re working in a fast-paced environment, if things go wrong, you need to act quickly. It’s essential to put things right without becoming overwhelmed. There were several times where I was working with thousands of litres of highly valuable product and somewhere along the production line, there was a problem. Once it happened right in front of me, where a seal had come loose in a -5-degree cold room. Product spilled everywhere. From all directions. And it kept coming. My natural instinct was to try and locate the leak, to try and stop it. But because of the force that the product was under, that was impossible. The best approach was to take a step back and think for a second. Turn the pressure off, close the inlet valve. Stop the product flow. Whereas this sounds simple now, it wasn’t in the heat of the moment. I still apply this methodology now: when things go wrong, even if they aren’t going wrong, remember to take a step back and assess the bigger picture.  

7. What’s the smartest career move you’ve made, and how did it change your trajectory?

Without doubt, it was to take voluntary redundancy when it was offered to my department. Projects were drying up as the business focused spending elsewhere. It was a very difficult choice at the time, but if I’d stayed, I’d have been severely limited in my development. Taking the voluntary redundancy allowed me the time to take a step back and to explore other options within pharmaceutical project management. Now I am a director of a Ltd company and I’ve never been happier.  

8. In your view, what’s the secret to building a meaningful, successful career in Life Sciences?

For me, there are several things: Be a people person. Be reliable, transparent and trustworthy. Treat others with respect, listen, understand and empathise, without compromising on your own mandate or values. Do not pretend to have skills that you don’t! I admit more frequently than I like that I am not a subject matter expert, I am not technically savvy. But I do want to listen, to learn, and to help.  

9. How do you turn professional connections into genuine, lasting relationships?

See above! Make time for people – successful project management is about teamwork. If you can make time for people and persist in your servant leadership, colleagues value this, and it will allow relationships to have meaning and duration.  

10. What advice would you give to women looking to pivot into Life Sciences tech from other fields?

There are so many transferrable skills that women in particular can bring to the field. When doing so, be assertive. Women can make fantastic leaders; so, if you want this, channel it. Know your worth; ask for more.

More generally, my advice would be to take the time to consider where your interests lie. Where are your skills? How do you like to showcase them? Then, ask yourself what do you enjoy doing? It comes back to taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture. There will be opportunities that arise once you’ve mapped out your skills and how they correlate to your interests. The Life Sciences industry is huge, there are so many potential careers, it’s just about learning where you may sit.  

11. What’s a memorable (or funny!) moment from your career that still sticks with you?

It was actually an error that I made; a case of mistaken identity. I was in the lab, on a phone call with a colleague in another lab. We were good friends, and she had just called to inform me that a part of the process was complete, when suddenly she dropped the phone and the line cut out. Two seconds later, when the line rang again, I picked it up and answered with “well, that was rude. Who do you think you are, hanging up on me?” (perhaps with more colourful language) - but there was just silence, then “Hello, Kate! I’m calling to get a status update on the process” - it was the production director!

12. Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to your younger self starting out?

Find a mentor. Because the Life Sciences industry is so big, having an experienced mentor can be extremely useful in learning, and helping to navigate the landscape and to find a career path that works best for you.  

Kate Mayo’s story is a powerful example of how resilience, strategic thinking, and authentic leadership can shape a successful career in Life Sciences technology. From overcoming early challenges to building lasting professional relationships, her journey highlights the skills and mindset that help women thrive in this evolving field.

Curious about how diverse teams drive innovation and why hiring more women in tech leads to better results? Read our latest blog to learn more.

If you’re a tech professional ready to take the next step in your Life Sciences career, we’d love to support your journey. Register with RED Global today and explore exciting opportunities where you can make a real impact.