Vistatec Life Sciences — In Focus Podcast Episode 15 with Angelina Lisandrelli
María Mateos, Life Sciences – In Focus Podcast Host, catches up with Angelina Lisandrelli, Director of Regulatory and Quality at RespirTech (a Philips company), to explore her journey from lab bench to leadership and her commitment to mentorship in the life sciences.
As Director of Regulatory and Quality at RespirTech, Angelina brings technical acumen to the table, as well as people development, mentorship, and purpose-driven leadership in the life sciences.
From First-Gen Roots to Global Impact
Born in Virginia to Sicilian immigrant parents, Angelina’s path was far from typical. She grew up in California, helping out in her family’s restaurant while juggling school, language barriers, and cultural expectations. Her breakthrough came in the form of a dedicated science teacher who saw something in her, a spark that would eventually ignite a lifelong pursuit of scientific discovery and leadership.
«She took me under her wing,» Angelina recalls. «I didn’t even know what the word ‘mentor’ was. But she was my first. And she changed the course of my life.»
That formative experience became a touchstone for how Angelina now gives back, not just through her work in regulatory and quality assurance, but through mentoring the next generation of professionals across the life sciences spectrum.
Angelina Lisandrelli on Curiosity and Courage
After earning her BS in Chemistry from Sonoma State University, Angelina started her career in pharmaceutical R&D, contributing to global household brands like Aquaphor and CeraVe. But her move into medical devices, and later into regulatory affairs at Medtronic, catalyzed a shift in direction.
From stents and drug-coated balloons to software-powered diagnostics like the AI-driven PillCam, her regulatory experience has spanned Class III medical devices, global submissions, and EU MDR implementation.
«It was never just about the rules,» she explains. «It was about solving problems, guiding teams, and helping people understand the ‘why’ behind the process.»
That «why» has since become the foundation of her leadership style: collaborative, strategic, and deeply human.
Mentorship as a Mission
Angelina doesn’t just talk about mentorship; she lives it. With 23 active mentees, structured monthly sessions, and personalized development plans, her approach is as methodical as it is empathetic.
Her secret? Treating mentorship as a holistic journey.
«Your job is not your identity,» she says. «Your passion is your identity.»
Every mentee receives a «2025 Bucket List», a personalized grid encompassing professional goals, personal aspirations, and fun milestones. It’s not about climbing the ladder but building a balanced, fulfilling life.
Through her advocacy with the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS), she’s also helped build tools and infrastructure that connect aspiring professionals with seasoned mentors across the globe.
Championing Women and Minorities in STEM
Angelina’s mentoring centers around empowering women and underrepresented minorities in life sciences. Particularly those grappling with impostor syndrome.
«Women often wait until they’re overqualified to apply for a role,» she notes. «Meanwhile, others apply if they meet 60–80% of the requirements. We need to break that mindset.»
She also stresses the importance of cultural perspective and language as part of her identity (her first language was Sicilian) and as a critical component of effective global regulatory communication.
A Call to Lead and Lifting Others
Angelina issues a powerful invitation: «If you’re in this industry, and you’ve grown, there’s someone out there looking for a beacon, and it could be you. Be the mentor you wish you had.»
About Life Sciences – In Focus
Life Sciences – In Focus Podcast by Visatatec, a fascinating conversation with global life sciences experts. The show has multiple hosts and topics. Follow Life Sciences – In Focus on Spotify for all the latest episodes, or subscribe to the show on YouTube and Apple podcasts. Life Sciences – In Focus is available on many other podcast platforms. To learn more about the podcast, please visit https://vistatec.com/life-sciences-division.
About Vistatec
We have been helping some of the world’s most iconic brands to optimize their global commercial potential since 1997. Vistatec is one of the world’s leading global content solutions providers. HQ in Dublin, Ireland, with offices in Mountain View, California, USA. To learn more about Vistatec, please visit https://www.vistatec.com