Susan Feindt is a globally recognised semiconductor leader whose career has spanned technology innovation, corporate strategy and ecosystem development across industry, academia and government. She is widely respected for her contributions to semiconductor innovation and the development of the global technology ecosystem.
During more than thirty-six years at Analog Devices, Susan served as an executive and Senior Technical Fellow, leading technology strategy and innovation across advanced process and device development. Her leadership, mentorship, and technical innovations there resulted in the commercialisation of numerous technologies.
More recently, as Senior Vice President of Ecosystem Development, Susan played a key role to advance U.S. semiconductor capabilities through her leadership at Natcast, the operator of the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC), a cornerstone initiative of the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act. Her experience building global partnerships provides a valuable perspective as Tyndall advances its Tyndall 2030 ambition to strengthen Ireland’s semiconductor capability and global competitiveness.
She currently is an advisor to SiCatalyst, a Fellow Emeritus at Analog Devices and a Visiting Research Scientist at MIT. Susan has also served on numerous industry and academic advisory boards, including as Vice-Chair of the U.S. Department of Commerce CHIPS Industrial Advisory Committee, and was instrumental in the formation of the Northeast Microelectronics Coalition (NEMC).
As a member of the Tyndall Board, Susan brings valuable insight into how semiconductor ecosystems are built, connected and scaled to support long-term innovation and competitiveness.
In this Q&A, Susan reflects on what it takes to build world-leading semiconductor capability, the importance of collaboration across research, industry and government, and the opportunities for Tyndall to play a leading role in Ireland’s semiconductor future.
What does it take to build a strong national semiconductor ecosystem, and what role can Tyndall play in building national capability for the future?
Throughout my career, I have worked across many different parts of the semiconductor ecosystem, from technology development and commercialisation to industry strategy and national-scale innovation initiatives. One lesson has remained constant: long-term success depends on collaboration.
The world’s most successful semiconductor regions are built on strong global partnerships and it is collaboration across industry, research, government and international partners that creates the foundation for long-term competitiveness and innovation. Strategic collaborations keep the semiconductor ecosystem aligned and focused on the challenges that matter most – strengthening competitiveness and accelerating innovation across the value chain.
As a national convenor, Tyndall is bringing together researchers, industry, government and international partners around shared semiconductor ambitions and priorities. The Tyndall 2030 strategy charts a clear and ambitious path for strengthening Ireland’s national semiconductor ecosystem capability. By fostering the partnerships, talent, infrastructure and technology capacity the sector needs, Tyndall is orchestrating a more connected and resilient semiconductor ecosystem, while strengthening Ireland’s long-term influence within the global semiconductor landscape.
What opportunities do you see for Tyndall over the next decade?
The global semiconductor industry is entering a period of unprecedented strategic importance. Semiconductors are now recognised as critical to economic growth, technological sovereignty, sustainability, healthcare, communications and national resilience. Around the world, governments, industry and research organisations are making significant investments to strengthen semiconductor capabilities and secure long-term competitiveness. For Tyndall, this presents a significant opportunity.
Ireland already has many of the ingredients needed for success: a strong multinational semiconductor base, a growing indigenous technology sector, world-class research capability and a highly skilled workforce. The opportunity now is to build even stronger connections across the ecosystem, bringing together research, industry, government, entrepreneurs and investors around shared national priorities. Tyndall is therefore uniquely positioned to play a leadership role and act as a national translation engine, bridging research, industry and commercial deployment while strengthening Ireland’s ability to compete in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
I also believe there is a significant opportunity for Tyndall to expand its influence through deeper engagement with European and international semiconductor initiatives. The institutions that can connect capabilities, infrastructure and expertise across borders will be those that create the greatest impact.
Most importantly, Tyndall has the opportunity to build Ireland’s semiconductor capability at scale. By combining research leadership with industry collaboration, talent development and strategic partnerships, it can play a central role in strengthening the national ecosystem and positioning Ireland as a globally recognised hub for semiconductor research and innovation. That ambition aligns strongly with Tyndall 2030 and with the growing importance of semiconductors as a driver of future economic and societal progress.
Download Tyndall Strategic Plan 2030
Tyndall is a partnership between the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and University College Cork.
