Instructor Q&A: Mary Nash, Medical Device Marketing Instructor

Spring 2020

Mary has over 20 years of medical device marketing leadership, product management, and product launch experience. She has worked for large global companies such as Medtronic and Covidien. She was most recently Sr. Vice President, Marketing for DenMat Holdings, a dental products manufacturer. Mary recently launched her own marketing consulting business to assist medical device businesses in reaching their goals. Her employment and engagement in the industry enables her to provide guidance, advice, and resources to those interested in learning more about medical device marketing.

“I encourage and facilitate dialogue between students because that is where some of the best learning takes place.”

Q. Why did you decide to become an instructor?

A. I had a wonderful experience obtaining both my B.A. in Psychology and my MBA from UCI. I have always had an interest in sharing the knowledge that I've gained through my years of experience in the business world and have greatly enjoyed the mentoring and development opportunities I've had as a manager. The opportunity to teach what I've learned to interested students at UCI is the perfect opportunity to bring together all of these things.

Q. What's unique about your teaching style?

A. In continuing education, students have a variety of differing objectives. I try to understand these up front and teach with the perspective in mind of what each student is trying to achieve in his or her career. I speak to the class as a whole, but also customize discussion responses to the individual student. We typically have such a varied group and everyone brings different strengths to the course. I encourage and facilitate dialogue between students because that is where some of the best learning takes place.

Q. What's your favorite lesson to teach and why?

A. I really enjoy teaching the core of marketing, which is positioning and messaging. It is much more difficult than most people think to develop a strong, unique position in the customer's mind. If you get this right, every other strategy and tactic falls into place.

Q. What do you find most rewarding about being an instructor?

A. It's very rewarding when I'm able to help a student to understand a new concept and I see their growth throughout the course.