Rhonda Brandon, SVP and Chief Human Resources Officer at Duke University Health System, champions the power of purpose, resilience, and values-driven leadership in fostering a workplace where everyone feels seen and valued.

In this episode, Rhonda shares her transformative journey, from her formative years at Hampton University to her early career challenges at IBM. Rhonda highlights the nurturing environment of her HBCU alma mater and how it instilled in her a sense of purpose, resilience, and self-worth.

As Rhonda advanced in her career, she confronted burnout and realigned her values to prioritize faith, family, and fulfillment. She emphasizes leading with love, kindness, and humanity while acknowledging the importance of self-work to build self-worth. Lastly, Rhonda offers insights on overcoming imposter syndrome and the significance of seeing oneself and others for their true value.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Lead with love and toughness to balance care and accountability, creating a valued and resilient team
• Recognize every individual by fostering kindness and inclusion in daily interactions
• Reject imposter syndrome to build confidence and approach challenges authentically

Things to listen for:
(00:00) Intro

(01:00) How Hampton University ignites ambition

(04:47) Using setbacks as stepping stones

(09:15) Balancing career and family

(17:03) Leading with love and kindness

(25:47) Imposter syndrome and self-worth

Dennis Pullin, President and CEO of Virtua Health, emphasizes the critical role of health literacy and community-focused care in cutting costs and improving health outcomes.

In this episode, Rebecca speaks with Dennis, whose career in healthcare leadership highlights the power of informed consumers and the need for continuous learning. Dennis shares insights from his experiences, including Virtua's development of "navigators" to guide patients through complex healthcare systems.

Dennis also highlights innovative projects like Virtua's mobile grocery store, which tackles food deserts with the help of employee-driven solutions. His leadership approach is grounded in community engagement, teamwork, and being a supportive, approachable presence for both staff and patients.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Empower through education by creating informed healthcare consumers, like Virtua’s "Healthy Schools, Healthy Families," to lower costs and improve care quality
• Be a change agent by advocating for health equity, learning from experiences, and surrounding yourself with a dependable team
• Promote community-centric care by addressing social determinants of health, like food insecurity and health literacy

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(01:04) How to raise future leaders

(06:32) The importance of continuous learning

(10:40) Creating a culture of service

(19:32) Health literacy and community wellness

(25:09) Innovative approaches to health equity

(29:31) From doubt to impact

Jeremy Segall, Assistant Vice President and Chief Wellness Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals, exemplifies the power of small actions and authentic leadership in transforming healthcare.

In this episode, Rebecca speaks with Jeremy, whose path weaves through New York's vibrant musical theater scene, hospitality, and life coaching, ultimately leading to a deeply meaningful career in healthcare. Jeremy shares the lessons he’s learned from his unique experiences, emphasizing the importance of embracing diverse perspectives and fostering genuine connections within teams.

Jeremy also reflects on the seismic shifts brought by COVID-19, revealing how the pandemic exposed healthcare workers' struggles and spurred crucial conversations around trauma and resilience. His focus on mental health, kindness, and self-care has reshaped workplace culture, reducing burnout and fostering a sense of purpose among healthcare staff.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Embrace diverse perspectives to foster innovative problem-solving and stronger team dynamics
• Lead with empathy and kindness by practicing active listening and building personal connections with your team
• Promote psychological safety by encouraging transparency, admitting mistakes, and focusing on recovery and growth

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Intro

(00:57) The impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers

(01:27) Jeremy Segall, from life coach to drama therapist

(03:42) Innovating healthcare with creative arts therapies

(10:13) How to navigate change and build relationships

(13:59) The power of authenticity and vulnerability

(30:01) How to lead with compassion and integrity

(34:25) The importance of recovery and empathy