Name and how long you have been in the industry
My name is Sydney Humes, and it’s incredible how much my career in HTM has become such a defining part of my life and identity, even though I only entered the industry about eight years ago!
How did you get into the industry? Anything that drew you in?
Although my formal education focused on my passion for social work, I transitioned into sales full time nearly a decade ago after spending my teens and early 20s in retail management and human services roles. As a young mother with two children to support, I needed a career where I could be in control my own income through hard work, so I turned to sales. At 24, shortly after moving from Rhode Island to California, I landed my first B2B sales role outside of HTM. However, eager to combine my skills with my passion for helping people, I soon shifted to healthcare sales.
I first discovered Healthcare Technology Management while researching a sales position at a repair depot and device manufacturer in Orange County, California where I was living at the time. After an interview, I was offered a role as a regional outside sales representative. Over the next three years, I fell in love with the Biomed industry and the incredible, dedicated people within it—many of whom have since become some of my closest friends.
What milestones or contributing factors helped elevate you to where you are today?
Supporting my family and helping others have always been my primary motivations, but the passion within the Biomed community inspired me to go beyond simply selling HTM solutions—I wanted to contribute to advancing the HTM field itself. After a few years of immersing myself in the industry and connecting with biomeds across the Western U.S., I joined the board of the California Medical Instrumentation Association (CMIA) in Los Angeles, where I served in various roles over five years. During this time, I transitioned to Director of Business Development at ZRG Medical, working closely not only with biomed teams but also with supply chain professionals and healthcare executives all over the country. This experience further solidified my commitment to improving healthcare on a larger scale.
My authenticity and genuine passion for the industry have been essential in building trust within the healthcare community. I never compromised long-term credibility for short-term gains, and I only offered solutions I believed would genuinely benefit my customers. Continuous learning has also been a cornerstone of my career. Without formal education in healthcare operations, sales, or marketing, I sought out knowledge through the incredible people around me, as well as through articles, books, YouTube, LinkedIn Learning—anything I could find to sharpen my skills. Additionally, I attended every networking event and training opportunity available, engaging with as many people as possible to stay informed and connected. Early on, I began sharing insights on LinkedIn and building relationships with industry professionals, even before the platform became the networking hub it is today. Over time, my personal network has grown to include over 14,500 healthcare professionals, most of whom are in the HTM field.
This combination of authenticity, continuous learning, and proactive networking has been essential to my career growth, ultimately leading to my current role as a Business Development Executive at PartsSource. In 2024, I was also honored to be asked to join the California Association of Healthcare Purchasing and Materials Managers (CAHPMM) board as the Vendor Chair and have also started supporting the CMIA again on the Social Media committee. I truly love what I do, as it allows me to merge my passion for improving healthcare operations in HTM and supply chain with my drive to make a meaningful and lasting impact.
What roadblocks did you have to overcome?
While I’ve loved my journey and wouldn’t change it for the world, proving my value early on as a young woman and mother came with its share of challenges, as I am sure it has for many young professionals. Facing, doubt, discouragement, harassment, discrimination in the early stages of my career was tough. However, I am fiercely persistent and anyone that knows me well knows I have no problem speaking up and I don’t shy away from a challenge, so each roadblock fueled my determination even more and every instance of doubt or discouragement only motivated me to show just how much I could achieve. From being a teen mom to excelling my career a male dominated industry, proving myself in the face of doubt and adversity has been an integral part of my growth and success and it has shaped me into the professional and mother I am today.
Above all, balancing my passion for my career with my family life has always been, and continues to be, my greatest challenge. I have three wonderful children, ages 2 to 17, an amazing husband, and over the last 5 years, we’ve also had the joy of fostering 5 children. I’m grateful to have a strong support system both inside and outside of the industry, and I feel especially proud knowing that my passion for HTM has inspired my oldest son, who is now a senior in high school, to pursue a career in the field after he graduates. It’s incredibly fulfilling to contribute to the growth of the HTM community, both professionally and personally.
What do you feel makes a great leader in this industry?
Leadership isn’t defined by a title—it’s about inspiring, empowering, and uplifting those around you while celebrating the growth and achievements of your industry colleagues. While I’ve encountered some not so great managers over the years, I’ve been incredibly fortunate in my HTM career to be surrounded by so many inspiring women who have served as role models and mentors. Their guidance has helped to shape the leader I am today, and I feel truly privileged to pay it forward by supporting and encouraging new professionals entering the field.
What advice to you have for the other women in HTM?
My advice is not just for women but for anyone in HTM: Work hard and follow your passion. If you’re not passionate about what you’re doing, find something that excites you. Never let anyone else define your worth, and don’t be afraid to use your voice. Success won’t come easily, and you’ll face obstacles, but overcoming them will make you stronger. Keep learning and networking—knowledge and connections will accelerate your growth. Be authentic, stay true to yourself, and build genuine relationships. Support and uplift those around you and avoid burning bridges—it’s a small industry.