Heidi Herrick
Executive Talent Director
- Based in
- San Diego, CA
- At FloodGate since
- 2004
- Years in MedTech
- 22
On the client side, I'm passionate about helping my clients with workforce planning, and making sure we're getting the right people into the right seats.
On the candidate side, there are few things more rewarding than playing an instrumental role in helping someone level up in their career.
Long-standing clients would describe working with me as trustworthy, insightful, relevant, accountable and honest.
The path here
Fills most often
- Sales leadership (RSM, director, VP)
- Marketing and product management
- Executive and C-suite
Executive Talent DirectorNow
2004 to presentFloodGate Medical
FloodGate was my first career role out of college. I've spent 22 years here recruiting exclusively in MedTech, with more than 500 placements, most often in sales leadership, marketing and product management, and executive roles.
A CFO search in the middle of a turnaround
A small, publicly traded MedTech company needed a Chief Financial Officer at the hardest possible moment. It was close to bankruptcy, carrying legacy debt and cap-table problems from years of thin capitalization, and a new CEO had just replaced nearly the entire C-suite, so any candidate would be joining a leadership team with little history together.
The company was also mid-transaction: negotiating debt extensions and entering a merger meant to take it to a Nasdaq listing. That raised the bar to SEC reporting, investor relations and capital markets experience well beyond what a company its size usually asks for, while the compensation and equity carried real uncertainty. Every candidate had to be convinced the turnaround was real and durable, not a stopgap.
Heidi’s corner of MedTech.
- Which hires companies tend to get wrong, and when
- How to build a talent bench within your organization
- How to hire for culture and attitude
Trained, and certified for it.
- Certificate
PRECISE Selling
- Certified
Hiring for Attitude
- Certificate
Admired Leadership
- Degree
Bachelor's degree
What most people get wrong
The belief
What candidates say they've done is enough to hire on.
The reality
Have them show you what they've done, not just tell you.
The belief
The safest hire has experience with the same product or device.
The reality
Companies lean too heavily on same-product experience. It's one signal, not the whole picture.
Where to hear more
Clients who come back
- A VP of Sales I've placed twice.
- Dozens of clients who have come back to me for more searches.
Away from work
Born and raised in Clearwater, rooted in San Diego. Raising three kids and serving on the school board. Outside work: surfing, swimming, history, reading, cooking and gardening.
Last reviewed by Heidi Herrick on .
The effectiveness of a talent program can be measured, tracked, improved and deliberately managed.