Therese Hellström

Q: Can you briefly introduce yourself and a bit about your background? 

I am driven by a positive mindset and inspired by challenges, especially seeing a team come together to overcome them. I grew up in a small village in southern Sweden, and at university, I studied Mechanical Engineering with focus on Product Development and Design. In addition, I completed studies in Project Management and Project Methodology. 

During my time as a student, I worked extra in healthcare and observed a need for product improvement for certain aids we used. It was already then that I decided I wanted to work with the development of medical devices, to support healthcare personnel in their often heavy and stressful work. 

Q: What motivates you most in your daily work? 

The feeling of moving forward, of creating things together as a team, and knowing that these efforts help others develop in their profession and make their daily work more efficient are all strong motivators for me. I deeply believe that successful product development requires more than responding to user requests. 

As Orson Welles once said: ‘Don’t give them what you think they want. Give them what they never thought was possible.’ To achieve this, it is essential to listen between the lines, understand the real problem behind a user’s wish, and collaborate closely with both users and internal teams to develop solutions that exceed expectations.

Ultimately, what inspires me both professionally and personally is seeing how collaboration and thoughtful work can make a tangible difference for others. My short-term goal is to continue delivering high-quality, user-centric products in my current setting, while my long-term goal is to extend this impact in a broader healthcare context. 

My advice to anyone starting a similar journey is simple: you were given the job because someone believes in you. Believe in yourself, embrace challenges, and do your thing.

Q: What values or goals do you feel are important for you in your work environment? 

Our values at CellaVision; ‘We Innovate, We Collaborate, We Care’ summarize what is important for me in a workplace. By listening to potential users, establishing clear project goals with the product development team, and motivating cooperation both internally and externally, I contribute directly to our Mission and Vision. I have built strong collaborations with expert users worldwide, and these partnerships are essential to ensure that the products we develop truly meet user needs and make their work easier.

Q: How would you describe your current role and main responsibilities? 

As a Product Manager, I define what should be developed within my product portfolio, including both new products and continuous improvements of existing ones. I clarify and prioritize these needs for the development team and lead the work together with the Development Manager. One project I am particularly proud of is the Bone Marrow Aspirate Application. 

Throughout the development, we continuously learned from bone marrow experts worldwide and incorporated their feedback. The product received CE-marking as a Class C IVDR at the end of 2025 and has been praised for its user-friendliness and pre-classified results, demonstrating how effective collaboration and attention to real user needs can create meaningful impact.

Q: What hobbies, interests or passions do you have that shape who you are? 

Outside of work, my family, my husband and three children, and the horse I share with my daughter are central to my life. I enjoy spending time together, whether playing basketball on a weekday evening, riding mountain bikes through the forest, or galloping along the beach. These activities teach patience, resilience, and the joy of shared experiences.

Earlier in life, I also realized a childhood dream of owning a sailboat, which taught me independence and the courage to pursue long-held goals. Today, owning a horse with my daughter brings the same sense of fulfilment, showing the importance of following your dreams whenever possible.