Career advancement on her own terms: Meet Dr. Helen Harrington 

Solving problems has always fascinated Helen Harrington, PhD, Director of Product Management at Phenomenex, a Danaher business. In fact, after schooling, it wasn’t long before those problem-solving skills helped her find her career home in the Danaher ecosystem, where she can grow at the pace of her own aspirations—while advancing her career on her own terms.

Did you always believe you’d end up working in the science field?

I’ve loved clinical and forensic science for as long as I can remember. While science was interesting to me as a child, solving problems was always my main passion—either mathematically, scientifically or through some form of detective investigation. After completing my post-doctoral research at the University of Illinois researching treatments for Ebola, I started work at Phenomenex in a technical sales role in 2007. 

As Director of Product Management, what does your day-to-day work look like?

Today, I lead a team responsible for new product development across all market verticals. My role is multi-faceted, offering insights into various departments and fostering collaboration across functional teams. I focus on innovation strategy and execution, working closely with R&D and marketing teams. Additionally, managing a team means reviewing objectives, supporting their projects, and fostering associate development. 

What do you love most about the Danaher culture and why?

Danaher’s culture is deeply committed to addressing some of the most critical challenges in healthcare, driven by a genuine passion for improving lives. This mission is underpinned by a strong adherence to process and operational excellence. Personally, I find the centralized focus on making a meaningful impact incredibly fulfilling.

Working in a highly process-oriented environment enhances our ability to execute effectively and aligns perfectly with my own process-driven mindset. Being part of a culture where the Danaher Business System (DBS) is at the core makes even the most ambitious goals feel achievable. 

Why do you think other people in your field would enjoy a job at Phenomenex or any other Danaher company?

Danaher and Phenomenex offer a very inclusive and welcoming culture. “Winning as a team” is one of our core values, and it’s demonstrated in everything we do. Throughout my 18 years with Phenomenex, I have never felt isolated or without someone to mentor and support me through even the most challenging situations. Yes, we have ambitious goals, but also a framework in place to ensure that we all achieve success as a team. 

Additionally, while my children were younger, Phenomenex offered the work flexibility I needed to balance my career and growing family.

What brings you the most career satisfaction? 

The development and growth of our team. I love to set ambitious goals both for myself and the team, but what really drives me is watching my team succeed and grow into new roles, knowing that I’ve been able to fuel their ambition.  

While product management is a demanding role, I enjoy every element of my job and have never not looked forward to coming to work. To see this mirrored in others gives me a lot of satisfaction that we are achieving our mutual goals as a team. 

What advice would you give young women interested in STEM careers?

If you’re in the UK, many organizations offer STEM days to provide unique insights into different elements of STEM. I would strongly recommend looking for opportunities within the industry as early as you can, as the valuable work experience you gain will shape the direction you take.  

Also, really try to understand what motivates and excites you. Don’t be afraid to follow a non-traditional pathway or career ladder. If a career path doesn’t feel right for you it probably isn’t, and it’s okay to wait until you find what’s right. 

What have you learned from your professional experience thus far?

My professional journey has taught me a great deal about patience and perspective. I learned that everyone’s career pace and trajectory looks different—and that’s okay. At times, it was challenging to see other people progress, especially those I had trained and mentored. However, I remained true to my personal and professional aspirations, allowing me to advance at my own pace.