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Meeting highlights:
- Strategic Priorities: Focus on equal access to advanced diagnostic technologies and early detection of women’s health conditions across Spain, Portugal, and France.
- Women’s Health as Core Mission: The company aims to place women’s health at the center of healthcare programs and policies, promoting awareness and preventive care.
- Leadership & Team Culture: Leadership emphasizes purpose-driven, empathetic, and transparent practices that prioritize team development and problem-solving.
- Technology & Innovation: AI is leveraged as a supportive tool to improve diagnostic efficiency and accuracy, complementing medical expertise.
- Legacy & Vision: Hologic aspires to be recognized as a leader in driving dedicated healthcare initiatives for women across regions.
EF: Can you elaborate on the priorities you are currently working on and the role of the Iberia and France region within Hologic's European and global strategy?
EA: Our priorities as a company in women’s health are to give access to as many women as possible to top technology in the market and to ensure equal access across regions. My role is to drive these priorities in Spain, Portugal, and France.
Depending on where you live, access to diagnostic tools can be very different. Our goal is to create a standard where top technology is available in every region. This will allow for earlier detection of potential pathologies and will help doctors build a strategy to tackle related diseases. We believe early diagnostics are key to a healthy life.
At Hologic, we have three business units: Breast and skeletal health, specializing in breast cancer detection; Diagnostics; and Gynecological Solutions. We see ourselves as the first door to finding solutions for women. In Spain, for example, we have worked alongside health authorities and parliamentary commissions to put women’s cancer screening challenges on the public agenda, contributing expert recommendations and strategic input for more equitable access and age expansion in screening programs.
EF: How would you rate awareness of early detection in Spain?
EA: Our work as a women’s healthcare company begins with conversations that reach the ultimate patient, women, and their families. As the managing director for the region, a fundamental part of my role is to raise awareness.
I consistently stress the importance of women dedicating time to their own well-being. Women often embrace the role of caregiver, focusing on their families and sometimes neglecting their own health needs. It is crucial for women to understand that an annual or biennial visit to their doctor for routine screenings can be a life-saving measure. The purpose is not to assume illness but to facilitate early detection, which vastly improves the chances of finding a solution.
We have deployed tailored strategies across France, Portugal, and Spain, as these different markets require unique approaches. While our campaigns do build brand awareness, my focus is on conveying our central purpose, our leitmotif. The purpose is to ensure all women recognize the necessity of scheduling their health screenings, making it an essential item on their agenda despite numerous other responsibilities.
We collaborate closely with governments, medical professionals, and patient advocacy groups, who are invaluable partners in advancing this conversation. Recent initiatives include national forums and media coverage that have reinforced our position as a partner to renowned health authorities and highlighted the importance of technological innovation and equitable access to cervical cancer screening. I feel privileged to be in a position to facilitate these vital conversations that have a measurable public health impact..
EF: From your perspective, what are the pressing gaps in women’s health that still exist in Spain, and how is Hologic working to address them?
EA: Historically, medical innovation has not always prioritized the distinct biological needs of women. Today, there is a growing recognition in the healthcare community that female biology requires dedicated approaches. Hologic is proud to be part of this positive shift, investing in tailored solutions for women’s health.
Our gynecological solutions division, for example, pioneers minimally invasive options for conditions such as acute bleeding and fibroids. This stands in contrast to historical approaches, which often defaulted to more aggressive first-line treatments like hormonal therapy or major surgery. We are dedicated to transforming this paradigm by providing solutions that are not only less invasive but also respectful of female biology.
Creating a healthier society is a collaborative endeavor, requiring a strong partnership between medical professionals, the technology innovators who empower them, and the policymakers who facilitate meaningful change. While physicians are central to patient care, their effectiveness is greatly amplified by advanced technology and support. We are committed to supporting this ecosystem through innovation, partnership, and public policy engagement. Our team is proud to contribute to this ecosystem, as technology—especially advanced diagnostics—has become indispensable in modern medicine.
EF: What would be your advice for other women in leadership positions, or those wanting to move into leadership, given that this has always been a bit of an issue?
EA: I balance being a mother to a young daughter with my role as a general manager, which requires constant determination and a strong sense of purpose. My advice to other women is to ensure your career truly aligns with your values and aspirations. Motivation and excellence will follow when your work is meaningful to you. Leadership is fundamentally about responsibility for people. You must genuinely enjoy working with others, supporting their growth, and driving positive change—not only within your team but also across the organization. This calls for consistent time, attention, and effort.
Another key principle is honesty. Credibility can be lost in a single moment if honesty is compromised. A leader must be transparent, explain decisions, listen to feedback, and create an atmosphere of trust and openness.
I encourage aspiring leaders to focus on problem-solving and responsibility over titles. Leadership is not about status. True leadership is about service—supporting and empowering your team, leading by example, and making a lasting difference. A true leader works harder for their team than anyone else, setting the example and solving challenges alongside them. Titles fade, but people will always remember how you led, how you supported them, and how you made a difference.
EF: On the other side of the coin, what skill sets do you think your future employees will need?
EA: While it varies per role, the most important skill across all roles is collaboration. To foster this, I personally interview every new hire. People are our greatest asset, so my involvement is essential. Managers also interview candidates, and we have a rule: a unanimous 'yes' is required for hiring.
In terms of skill sets, honesty is fundamental. If you are part of a team, you have to stand with the team. You support one another, you discuss strategies together, and if adjustments are needed, those conversations happen in private. It is about managing conversations in the right way while staying united.
Another key skill is being oriented to objectives. This helps measure progress and clarify next steps for both operations and career growth. Our culture is about exceeding expectations, which has driven our teams’ extraordinary performance for six years. Our fast-paced environment encourages personal and professional growth, and we ensure individuals are supported along the way. We have created a philosophy of going beyond expectations. This means our environment is fast-paced. It is not for everyone, and that is fine.
Empathy is critical, especially in healthcare. Our employees are not just selling technology—they’re helping solve real challenges for hospitals and patients. I look for individuals who take ownership of problems and are committed to finding solutions, even when it’s difficult. Adaptability and a willingness to continuously learn will also be essential as technology and healthcare evolve rapidly.
EF: How are you approaching AI in Spain, and how do you see it impacting the region?
EA: We are at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence in diagnostics, particularly for breast and skeletal health. AI is revolutionizing efficiency by helping clinicians focus on critical medical data, resulting in faster, more accurate diagnoses.
Our strategy is to embed AI thoughtfully throughout all our technological offerings. We regularly publish expert content and position papers on AI in health, reinforcing Hologic as a leading voice in the field.
The primary goal is to ensure that AI enhances the work of clinicians, enabling faster and more precise diagnoses and directly benefiting patients, particularly women, through timely and accurate health insights. The expertise and decision-making ability of doctors are irreplaceable; AI is designed to support and optimize their clinical judgment, not supplant it. Whenever advanced AI tools are available, they should be carefully implemented in supporting ways to elevate the standards of healthcare.
EF: What legacy would you like Hologic to create for women, especially in Iberia, over the next years?
ED: I would love to see, in a few years, Hologic perceived as the company that puts women’s health at the center of healthcare programs. By collaborating with health authorities, scientific societies, and patient associations, and leveraging media, Hologic aims to drive dedicated women’s health programs focused on challenges like heavy menstrual bleeding and cancer screening. Our aspiration is to advance early detection, increase awareness, and promote equity—empowering women in both healthcare and the workplace. Our legacy is not only in technology, but in driving systemic change—empowering women, shaping policy, and elevating healthcare standards across Europe.
Ultimately, we hope Hologic’s legacy will be measured by lasting improvements in women’s health outcomes and a more equitable healthcare landscape in Iberia.
