Employee Spotlight: Rachael Kopeck

Rachael Kopeck | Director, Compliance & Ethics | Joined Penumbra in 2010 

Q. What is your current role at Penumbra?

As the director of compliance and ethics, I lead the operations of our global compliance program, ensuring all interactions with healthcare professionals and organizations follow company policies and global laws & regulations.

Q. What drew you to Penumbra?

The mission truly resonated with me on a personal level. In 2003, my mother suffered from a brain aneurysm. Thanks to the wonderful medical staff at Beaumont Hospital and a life-saving medical device, she survived. When I learned of the innovative neurovascular technologies that Penumbra had developed, I wanted to be a part of the team to help future patients.

Q. What aspects of your job do you enjoy most?

Compliance is always evolving, and keeping up with the continually evolving legal and regulatory landscape is a stimulating challenge. I am always learning something new, and I love trying to figure out how to integrate those rules into our company policies. I also love the collaboration. When it comes to working through new projects and plans that arise, educating teams on healthcare compliance and working together to increase efficiency in our processes is key to our collective success. It is refreshing to work with kind, collaborative people on a regular basis. I’m lucky to be surrounded by a rockstar team, and being able to work with great colleagues from all over the world.

Q. If you did not pursue your current career, what do you see yourself doing professionally?

I would most likely be an event organizer. I love planning and organizing, and currently get my fix through planning birthday parties for my daughters.

Q.  Describe yourself at age 10. What career aspirations did you have at that age?

I was a quiet but determined kid who really loved all things pop culture. I loved MTV, watching movies, journaling, and swimming. The sky was the limit, and I wanted to become an attorney or a physician.

Q. Describe a travel adventure that you’ll never forget.

I was lucky enough to spend time in Cannes, France during the Cannes Film Festival as an intern for three weeks. It was a great opportunity to immerse myself in the language and the culture, and learn firsthand about the film industry.

Q. What are three career lessons you’ve learned thus far?

1. It’s ok to fail. You’re not going to get it right 100% of the time, and you have to give yourself a little grace when those moments occur. True growth comes from learning from your mistakes, course correcting those errors and taking accountability for your actions.
2. Teamwork is essential for success. You have to be able to work well with others and utilize everyone’s strengths in order to accomplish the tasks at hand.
3. Be kind and empathetic. Everyone has different challenges in their lives, and you never know when a small act of kindness will reach someone when they need it the most. We spend so much time at work that we need to treat others as we would like to be treated. It’s such a simple thing that truly helps not only you but the people around you.

Q. Before working at Penumbra, describe the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had.

Prior to Penumbra, I worked in the entertainment industry for a few years. My favorite position by far was working as a production assistant on a television pilot show. We worked very long hours especially for shoot days, but it was a masterclass in collaboration. I enjoyed seeing how a television show came together from script to an edited show. I also loved working on a studio lot. It was always buzzing with energy, and there was always something filming on the outside sets that you would be able to witness.