Exclusive Interviews with the New SPOT Nordic Team: Ana Catarina Silva
- SPOT Nordic
- May 1
- 4 min read
From Lisbon to Stockholm, all while keeping her Italian soul. Today, we’re excited to introduce Ana Catarina Silva, a passionate leader in process optimization and strategic development. As Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Cell2Bio, she blends strategic vision with efficient execution to turn challenges into opportunities. 🚀
In this conversation, she shares her journey, cultural differences between Portugal and the Nordic countries, and the importance of collaboration between science and industry. 👇
▶️ Who are you? I’m originally from Lisbon, but I have an Italian soul—two cultures that influence how I approach life and work in complementary ways. Personally, I’m passionate about event planning and helping others grow through coaching and advising. 💡✨
This combination allows me to bring together organization and team inspiration, fostering growth and collaboration. 🤝
Looking to the future, I want to keep inspiring people and creating dynamic, collaborative, and fun workplaces. 🎯🎉 I believe excellence and results can be achieved in a positive environment where everyone feels valued and motivated. 💪😊
▶️ What do you do? As COO at Cell2Bio, my job is to ensure that the company’s day-to-day operations run smoothly and align with strategic goals. 🚀
In practice, that means working closely with teams and leadership to optimize processes, ensure compliance with industry regulations, and identify market expansion opportunities. 📈💼
It’s about being the link between the company’s strategic vision and its operational implementation, ensuring everything works harmoniously and efficiently. 🔗⚙️
▶️ What’s a typical day like? A typical day starts with reviewing team and project priorities. ✅📅 For example, I might begin with meetings across departments to ensure we’re aligned on deadlines and goals. Throughout the day, I might analyze internal processes, resolve specific challenges—like adjusting production planning for a new order—or make sure we’re meeting all applicable regulations. 📊🔍
I also set time aside for one-on-one conversations, as I believe listening to each individual’s ideas and concerns is essential for a collaborative work environment. 🗣️💡 A practical example might be working with the research team on a new product or meeting external partners to explore strategic collaborations. 🔬🤝 It’s a dynamic role, but my daily goal is to make sure the company operates effectively and that the team has the resources and support to succeed. 🎯🏆
▶️ What do you value most about living in your city and country? I deeply value the quality of life and work-life balance in Stockholm, Sweden. 🇸🇪💙 It’s amazing to live in such a vibrant urban environment filled with innovation and initiatives, low bureaucracy, and less rigid hierarchies. 📊🔝 I truly admire the organization and respect for people and the environment. 🌍✨
▶️ What do you value in Portugal now that you live abroad? As an expat, I value the warmth of human interaction and the ease of striking up a conversation over a coffee on a street corner. ☕💬 Hospitality, spontaneity in relationships, and a strong sense of community are unique in Portugal—and they’ve become even more meaningful since living in a different cultural setting. 💖🌍
▶️ In your opinion, what are the priority areas for collaboration between Portugal and the Nordic countries? I believe top priorities include:
Promoting scientific diplomacy, with a focus on research and knowledge exchange—strengthening ties between academic and scientific communities in both regions. 🔬🌍
Fostering the transfer of knowledge from science to industry, applying academic advances to real-world business challenges, and encouraging partnerships between researchers and companies. 🏭📚
Improving access for Portuguese researchers to Nordic networks, supporting their visibility and integration while boosting joint research and innovation projects. 🤝💡
▶️ Why did you decide to join SPOT Nordic? I joined SPOT Nordic because I believe in the transformative power of connecting science and industry, aligning with the association’s mission to promote knowledge transfer and strengthen ties between the Portuguese community in the Nordics and Portugal. 🇵🇹🇳🇴 The association plays a key role in bringing together highly skilled communities, encouraging integration, visibility, and collaboration among researchers, professionals, and institutions. 📢👩🔬 With my background in entrepreneurship and healthcare product development, I see SPOT Nordic as a platform to contribute impactful initiatives that transform ideas into applied innovations—while giving back to the community. 🚀💡
▶️ How can you contribute to the SPOT Nordic team? With experience in strategic leadership, project management, and product development in highly regulated sectors, I can contribute with practical, results-driven support. 🎯📈 I can help with initiatives like From Science to Industry, by designing collaboration platforms, mentoring programs for researchers, and establishing strategic partnerships with academia and industry. 🎓🏭 My network in the Nordic entrepreneurship ecosystem is also a valuable resource for identifying opportunities, promoting knowledge transfer, and amplifying the association’s impact. 🌍🤝
Above all, I bring a collaborative spirit and strong commitment to shared goals—supporting SPOT Nordic’s expansion and the role of science and innovation. 🔬🚀
▶️ Which SPOT Nordic projects interest you the most? Annual Events and From Science to Industry. 🎤🔬
▶️ A final message you'd like to share with the world? I believe that success is born from a balance of vision, collaboration, and persistence. 💡🤝 When we work with purpose and value people, we achieve results that not only impact our organizations but also leave a positive legacy in the world. 🌍✨
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