When Lauren McKean joined Intuitive, she already knew the company’s impact—her husband worked there first. What she didn’t know was how much it would change her life, both professionally and personally.
“I used to joke that I was Intuitive’s biggest cheerleader from afar,” she says. “I was in orthopedic trauma sales—the only female rep in Northern California at the time—and my husband was an associate at Intuitive. I’d watch how his manager poured into him, how they set clear development goals and built a culture of growth. I didn’t have that where I was. When a position opened in Napa, I jumped.”
That leap set Lauren on a path that would transform her career—and, in many ways, how she defines leadership.
A company that invests in growth
Over the past several years, Lauren has moved into management, now serving as a da Vinci clinical sales manager leading nine sales professionals across six territories.
She credits her growth to what she calls a culture of self-led development, supported by structure.
“We’re a company of self-led developers, but all the programs and resources are in place to help you grow,” she explains. “I always knew I wanted to be a manager, so I leaned into every opportunity to get better—and I’ve had amazing leaders who mentored and sponsored me along the way.”
One pivotal moment came through Intuitive’s Management Development Program and StrengthsFinder assessment.
“It helped me see not just what I was good at, but where I might have blind spots. Intuitive gives you tools to keep getting better, and that’s something I really value here.”
Leading with empathy and trust
Now that she’s leading her own team, Lauren’s philosophy is simple: people first.
“We’re tough on the business and easy on the people,” she says. “Everyone here comes with the best intentions. My job is to make sure my team feels supported, developed, and trusted to do what they do best.”
That trust runs both ways. “I’ve had managers who led from afar and managers who were fully invested,” Lauren explains. “The best leaders are the ones who would never ask you to do something they wouldn’t do themselves. That’s how I lead—by example and by believing in my people.”
It’s an approach that’s paid off. Since becoming a manager two years ago, Lauren has built a team defined by performance and culture. “It’s fun to come to work,” she says. “We know the impact we’re making because we have the best mission in the world.”
Balancing ambition, motherhood, and meaning
Lauren’s honesty about the challenges of leadership is as inspiring as her success.
“I’m a mom, and I love this job,” she says. “But with that comes mom guilt and imposter syndrome—especially in a company full of incredibly talented people. At our Women in Leadership event, I really leaned into that conversation. As women, we often recognize our faults more than our strengths. Learning to own your value is part of the growth.”
What helps most, she says, is Intuitive’s supportive environment. “Some of my hardest personal moments, it’s been my colleagues who showed up for me.” Lauren shows up for others, too: She is a founding member of the New Parent Community of Practice, part of the Women Intuitive Network (WIN) Employee Resource Group.
Where mission meets personal impact
For Lauren, Intuitive’s mission isn’t abstract—it’s personal.
“My father-in-law had a da Vinci surgery two years ago,” she shares. “Seeing the technology’s impact on someone I love—it was life-changing. He felt so good after surgery that he offered to climb into our attic to fix the wiring just four days later.”
That experience reframed how she sees her work. “Every day, I think about it like it’s a family member on the table,” Lauren says. “Each surgeon we support touches hundreds of patient lives a year. Knowing that what we do helps make those outcomes possible—it’s everything.”
Looking ahead
When Lauren thinks about her future, it’s not about climbing to the next title—it’s about staying with a company where she feels challenged, supported, and proud.
“This is the company I’m going to retire with,” she says. “The innovation, the people, the mission—if this doesn’t make you excited, check your pulse.” 
Join Us
Are you a driven sales professional who thrives on meaningful relationships, continuous learning, and making a difference in patients’ lives? Join Intuitive’s commercial team in California, Atlanta, or across the U.S., and help shape the future of minimally invasive care.
👉 Explore Clinical Sales Careers: https://careers.intuitive.com
