Leading with Faith honoree — Stephanie Waite

Executive administrative assistant at Medtronic

Minneapolis
Age: 64
Parish: St. John the Baptist, New Brighton
Spouse: The late Mark Waite
Children: Jennifer Smith, 51; Jeannie Groom, 49; Sueann Coan, 47; Melanie Dowell, 39; Melissa Heiserman, 37; Ronald Wachter 36
Education: Bethel University
Number of years with company: 19

Stephanie Waite prays for co-workers’ needs, believes her job helps change lives and gives thanks to God in all things. She is a sacristan at her parish, a member of the Altar Guild, chairs the annual golf tournament and turkey dinner, is a Reach More group facilitator and core team member of a devoted women’s group. She also is co-chair of her parish’s efforts this fall regarding the Archdiocesan Synod.

Q Describe your business.

A At Medtronic, we believe in the power of medical technology to improve lives. Seven decades ago, our co-founder, Earl Bakken, invented the battery-powered pacemaker. Today, we are among the largest medical device companies in the world. With operations in 150 countries, our products treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, cranial and spine robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems and more. Our therapies help 72 million people a year and support our Mission to alleviate pain, restore health and extend life.

Q Describe your position and role.

A I support the US West Area Vice President of Sales, the Regional Vice President for the Midwest and their teams for the Cardiac Rhythm Business.

Q What does “leading with faith” mean to you?

A Leading with faith means to always find Christ in the work you do whether you are at home, work or at play. We take for granted daily what gifts have been given to us from God, but I would always try and see opportunities by asking the Holy Spirit every morning through my prayer and most appropriately the Morning Offering — “you are the source of every grace and blessing, … I offer you my prayers, works, joys and suffering of this day …” and that trust always placed me at the right time to share the Good News.

Q How do you concretely apply your faith and Catholic values at work?

A As an administrative assistant, I have the ability to make arrangements for meeting space so we could gather at our lunch hour to share the Gospel. As a coworker, I feel that (in) helping people to achieve their work responsibilities, we must help each other get things done and especially when someone doesn’t know where to go or what process to use to get the job accomplished.

Q Please tell a story about a time when living out your faith at work really made a difference.

A One of my coworkers was struggling with a personal problem and I would offer prayer and consolation but most of all I would continue to remind her that prayer will provide the answers and allow God to help you make difficult decisions; we often would pray by my cube because I had my tiny shrine there with my Catholic calendar (with the saint(s) of the day to intercede), prayer cards and a rosary to use if needed. It offered a visual place to remind us of who is actually in charge.

Q Who or what has inspired you to bring your faith to the “marketplace?”

A Believe that for everything we must give thanks to God, and that includes our day at work. On my first pilgrimage, we learned so much about the great teachers of our faith so deeply because we went to where they prayed, built and lived — and every moment was for God and this struck me so deeply and I began to form my own need to remember every day is a gift, to be thankful and allow him to give me abounding compassion to do my best work.

Q What achievement at work are you most proud of?

A My ability to be inclusive, I never want anyone to feel left out or unloved.

Q In what specific ways have you experienced God’s presence in your workplace?

A At Medtronic, we have a mission that speaks volumes for people with a range of health issues, and their testimonies are proof that every day you are helping people achieve a better tomorrow. During our annual company holiday party, we actually have patients come in and tell their story and there is never a dry eye — this helps drive each of our employees to understand that you don’t need to be the surgeon or doctor, but you can be anyone that helped provide in ANY way through the work you do to save and improve their lives.

Q What advice do you have for others who want to lead with faith?

A Always pray to start your day asking God to give you what you need to do HIS Will in your day, and always thank God at the end of your day for the successes and the things you learned from. “Pray, hope, and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.” St. Pio of Pietrelcina.