Michael Valelly- Open Heart, Open Mind
Building a portfolio career through openness- in surgery, medtech, and beyond
Building a portfolio career through openness- in surgery, medtech, and beyond
What happens when you stay open to new people, new ideas, and unexpected doors? For Professor Michael Vallely—Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Clinical Professor, Med-Tech Investor, and Entrepreneur—openness has led to a career that spans continents, innovations, and industries.
With more than two decades and thousands of complex cardiac cases in Australia and the U.S., Michael has pioneered “first-in-man” procedures and helped shape the future of heart surgery. He’s held senior roles at The Ohio State University and Mount Sinai Hospitals, is currently Professor at Macquarie University, and practices cardiothoracic surgery in the public and private sector across Sydney.
As founder and Chief Medical Officer of Sydney Heart Valve, Michael is leading the development of next-generation transcatheter heart valve technologies—delivering minimally invasive options for patients with structural heart disease. He is also a founding partner and Chair of the Medical Advisory Panel at Cordis Asset Management, a boutique fund manager investing in innovative medical technology companies that are transforming the treatment of chronic disease.
In this episode, Michael shares his journey to building a dynamic portfolio career. Together, we explore:
How openness to people and opportunities transformed his journey How serendipity and “the company we keep” matter more than any single destination The pivotal moments, mentors, and mindset shifts that shaped his career On resilience: truly knowing your strength comes when tested Mentor advice and book recommendations that shaped his leadership
Whether you’re a clinician, innovator, or simply curious about the intersection of medicine, technology, and personal growth, this conversation is for you.
After each episode, our Mentors give an additional hour of their time to mentor a listener. We do this because we believe real growth happens through connection, learning, and paying it forward.
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