Title: Director of Operations

Company: Abbott Medical Optics

Location: Uppsala, Sweden

Celebrating nine years with the vision care company Abbott Medical Optics, Maria Jernelid continues as their director of operations with specific company knowledge that very few can ascertain. As an expert in design and people and project management, she provides Abbott Medical Optics with fluid operations between the innovators of medical devices, their manufacturers, and ultimately the customers. Throughout her work-week, she oversees all departments, ensures fluid product development, coordinates the information technology and automation departments, manages facilities, and develops the clinical side of business. In five years, Ms. Jernelid plans to move towards a site director role.

Initially, Ms. Jernelid became involved in her profession because she has always had an interest in biology and how the body works. She has a degree in medical science and decided to pursue a career involving medical devices, giving her a better opportunity to have an impact on more people through science. Then she received an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology, and has built upon her professional character since. Ms. Jernelid attributes her success to always having a positive attitude toward life, and being able to share and grow her knowledge with others.

Ms. Jernelid completed En Svensk Klassiker (‘The Swedish Classic’) in 2007. To qualify for this diploma, one must finish a race in each of four disciplines: 90 km cross-country skiing, 300 km cycling, 30 km running and 3km swimming outdoors within the space of 12 months. The circuit diploma had been awarded to 4959 women to date since 2010. Additionally, Ms. Jernelid earned an AMO High Potential nomination in 2007 and 2009. She was also nominated into and completed the Abbott Emerging Leadership Program in 2012 and became the director of the Abbot Foundation Program in 2014.