Editors Insights
Ashealthcare,education,andleadershipcontinueto
advanceatanextraordinarypace,thetrue visionariesarethosewhonotonlyembracechange butredefineitsdirection.Inthisspecialedition,Top10 VisionaryWomenDrivingChangein2025,weareproudto highlightonesuchtrailblazingleader:Dr.ElaineM. Wallace,CEOandDeanofNovaSoutheasternUniversity's Dr.KiranC.PatelCollegeofOsteopathicMedicine.
Dr.Wallace'sremarkablestoryexemplifieswhatitmeansto leadwithpurpose,compassion,andunwaveringdedication. Fromherchildhooddreamofbecomingadoctortoher distinguishedcareerinosteopathicmedicine,herjourney reflectstheprofoundimpactofembracingopportunitywith courageanddetermination.Underherleadership,KPCOM hasredefinedmodernmedicaleducationstrengthening interprofessionalcollaboration,expandingpathwaysfor diverseandunderrepresentedstudents,andchampioning globalserviceinitiativesthatupliftunderserved communitiesaroundtheworld.
WhattrulydistinguishesDr Wallaceisnotonlyher professionalexcellencebuthersteadfastbeliefthat humanitymustremainatthecenterofhealing.Whilethe healthcarelandscapeaccelerateswithtechnological innovation,shecontinuestoremindthenextgenerationof physiciansthatthemostmeaningfulcomfortoftencomes fromagentletouch,anattentiveear,andsincerewords. Thisphilosophyrootedinempathyandauthenticityhas becomeaguidingforceforherstudentsandcolleagues alike.
Herinfluenceextendsfarbeyondthecampus.Throughher commitmenttoglobaloutreach,educationalinnovation, andpatient-centeredcare,Dr.Wallaceembodiesresilience, vision,andintegrity.Herworkchallengesustolook beyondtitlesandaccomplishmentsandinsteadrecognize thelastingimpactonecancreatethroughservicetoothers.
WeproudlypresentthiseditionincelebrationofDr.Elaine M.Wallaceandtheextraordinarywomenshapingamore compassionate,inclusive,andinnovativefuture.Their leadershipnotonlytransformsindustriesandinstitutions butinspiresusalltoimaginewhatispossiblewhenpurpose meetspassion.
Editor-in-Chief
The Fortune Leader
Cover Story
Cl ra Ly-Le Kelly
Augspurger
Intheworldofmedicineandeducation,fewleadersembody
resilience,vision,andcompassionquitelikeDr.ElaineM.Wallace, DeanofNovaSoutheasternUniversity'sDr.KiranC.PatelCollege ofOsteopathicMedicine(KPCOM).Herstoryisnotmerelyabout ascendingtheranksofacademia;itisaboutalifelongcommitmentto service,innovation,andseizingeveryopportunitythatlifepresents.From herchildhooddreamofbecomingadoctortoleadingoneofthemost dynamicosteopathicmedicalcollegesinthenation,Dr Wallace'sjourney reflectsoneofherguidingmantras:“Onemustalwayspayattentionto opportunity.”
AJourneyGuidedbyOpportunity
Dr.Wallace'spathtobecomingaleadingfigureinosteopathicmedicine beganwithasimpledreamattheageofsix,shewantedtobeadoctor. Thatdream,however,tookonanewdimensionwhenshediscovered osteopathicmedicine.InitiallypreparingforatraditionalMDprogramin Mississippi,shestumbleduponanopportunitythatwouldredefineher careerandphilosophy.
“Beforethat,Iknewnothingofaprofessionthatcould givemethetrainingofanMD,butalsothetrainingin neuromusculoskeletalmedicine,”sherecalls. “Opportunity:IbecameawareofOsteopathicMedicine.”
Aftermedicalschool,sheopenedaprivatepracticein KansasCity,Missouri,butonceagain,opportunity calledheralmamaterinvitedherbacktochairthe DepartmentofNeuromusculoskeletalMedicine.That decisionsetoffachainofeventsthatwouldshapeher life'swork.
ReimaginingtheFutureofOsteopathicMedicine
UnderDr Wallace'sleadership,KPCOMhasevolved intoadynamichubforinterprofessionalmedical education.Sherecognizesthatmodernmedicineisnot staticitisconstantlychanging,increasinglyinclusive, anddeeplyinterconnected.
“Medicineiseverchanging.Oneneedstobefacileand willingtoventureintonewthings,”sheemphasizes.“It isinterprofessional;oneneedstobeinclusive.Medicine needstohaveapurposeandavision.”
AttheheartofthatvisionliesKPCOM'scommitmentto servingthemedicallyunderserved.Everyyear,students andfacultyparticipateinoutreachmissionsacrossthe globefromtheGalapagosandIndiatoJamaica,Ecuador, andAmazonianPerubringinghealthcaretosomeofthe mostisolatedcommunitiesonEarth.
ButDr.Wallace'sdefinitionofinterprofessionalextends farbeyondgeography.Shehasdeliberatelystructured KPCOMasaninclusiveecosystemwherestudentsin nutrition,healthinformatics,publichealth,physicaland occupationaltherapy,audiology,speech-language pathology,andfamilytherapylearnsidebyside.“Our studentsliveinaninterprofessionalcollege,”shesays proudly,fosteringaspiritofcollaborationthatmirrors real-worldhealthcarepractice.
PioneeringPathwaysandInnovationinEducation
OneofDr Wallace'smostimpactfulcontributionsto KPCOMhasbeenhervisionaryapproachtoadmissions andcurriculumdevelopment.“Tenorfifteenyearsago,
everyapplicanttomedicalschoolhadabiologyor chemistrybackground.NotsoatKPCOManymore,”she explains.
Byintroducingbachelor'sprogramsinpublichealth, nutrition,healthandwellnesscoaching,health informatics,andhumanperformance,Dr.Wallacehas openeddoorsforamorediverserangeofstudentsto pursueosteopathicmedicine.Theseprogramsserveas directpathwaystothemedicalschool,ensuringfuture doctorsbringabroaderandmoreholisticunderstanding ofhealthcare.
BreakingBarriersandLeadingwithExcellence
WhenDr Wallaceenteredmedicalschoolinthe1970s, medicinewasstilllargelyaman'sworld.Facinggender
biasandskepticism,shediscoveredthatexcellencewas themostpowerfulantidotetoprejudice.“Theonlything thatbattledprejudicewasexcellence,”shesays.“This challengeledmetostrivealwaystobethebest.”
Thatpursuitofexcellencegroundedinhumilityand servicehasdefinedhercareer Today,sheleadswith quietstrengthandanunwaveringbeliefthatleadershipis aboutteamwork.“Idonotthinkofmyselfasavisionary womanleader,”sheadmits.“Ithinkofmyselfasone memberofateam,allofwhomarededicatedtoacause andamovementinthesamedirection.”
EmpoweringCommunities,LocallyandGlobally
ForDr.Wallace,themissiontoserveisnotconfinedto classroomsorhospitalsitextendsintocommunitiesboth localandglobal.AtKPCOM,communityengagementis agraduationrequirement.Everyfirst-andsecond-year medicalstudentmustcompleteatleast40hoursof communityservice,providingcareatlocalclinics, participatinginhealthfairs,andaddressingissuessuch ashomelessnessandhealthcareaccess.
“Ourcollegeisdrivenbyamissiontoservethe underserved,”sheexplains.“Ourcurriculuminallfour yearsaddresseshomelessissues,andourfacultyhold grantstargetingservicetothehomelesscommunity.”
KPCOM'sinternationalcollaborationsalsocontinueto expand,withpartnershipsinCzechoslovakia,Argentina, Austria,andPortugalofferinggloballearning opportunities.Over250studentstravelabroadeachyear, embodyingthecollege'smissionofcompassionate, globalhealthcareservice.
BalancingTechnologywithHumanity
Inarapidlydigitizingmedicallandscape,Dr Wallace championsthethoughtfulintegrationoftechnologywith thetimelessartofhealing.FromDaVincisurgical systemsandaugmentedrealityhistologytoholographic anatomy,KPCOMstudentsareexposedtocutting-edge tools.Yet,shecautionsagainstlosingsightofthehuman element.
“Theart,however,isrememberingthattheuseofone's handsinbothdiagnosisandtreatmentandtheuseof one'skindandhonestwordsmustunderpintheusageof alltechnology,”shesays.“Inthemiddleofthenight,the scaredpatientwantsyourhandontheirsandyourwords toreassure.”
Mentorship,Leadership,andLegacy
Dr Wallacebelievesthebestwaytocultivateleadersis tomodelthevaluesonehopestoinspire.“Youhire currentmedicalprofessionalswhoupholdthesevalues,” shesays.“Onemaytalkatstudentsallday,butlivingthe valuesoneespousesistrulythekeytostudent emulation.”
Herleadershiphasinspiredcountlessstudents particularlywomenandminoritiestobelieveintheir potential.“Idobelievewomenwilllookatmeasadean andthink,Icandothat,”shereflects.“IhopethatwhenI amgone,Iwillbemissedforkindness,honesty, listening,asenseofhumor,andbeingagoodcaptainof atightandmutuallyrespectfulteam.”
InnovationwithHeart:TheKapillaNourishing FamiliesClinic
AmongDr.Wallace'slatestinitiativesistheKapilla NourishingFamiliesClinic,apediatricfeedingclinic thatepitomizesherphilosophyofinterprofessional, patient-centeredcare.Theclinicbringstogether professionalsfromosteopathicmedicine,pediatrics, speech-languagepathology,nutrition,coupleandfamily therapy,andoccupationaltherapytocreateholistic treatmentplansforchildrenwithfeedingchallenges.
“Theclinicisateamapproach,builtonmutualrespectof theknowledgethateachofusbringstothetable,”she explains.Similarinterprofessionalclinicsarein developmentforobesitycareandrehabilitation,further strengtheningKPCOM'sreputationasapioneerin integratedhealthcareeducation.
ALegacyofCompassionandVision
Dr.ElaineWallace'sstoryismorethananaccountof professionalsuccessitisatestamenttoperseverance, empathy,andfaithinthepowerofopportunity.Her journeyfromadeterminedyounggirlwithadreamto thedeanofoneofthenation'sleadingosteopathic collegesexemplifieswhatitmeanstoleadwithboth heartandvision.
AsshecontinuestosteerKPCOMintoafuturedefined byinnovation,inclusion,andcompassion,Dr.Wallace's legacyisalreadysecure.Shehasnotonlyshapeda generationofphysiciansbutalsoredefinedwhatitmeans topracticemedicineasscienceguidedbyhands,heart, andhumanity.
Andthroughitall,oneofhermainguidingprinciples remainsthesame:“Onemustalwayspayattentionto opportunity.”
Clāra Ly-Le
Founder and Managing Director of EloQ Communications
ClāraLy-Le,FounderandManagingDirector
ofEloQCommunications,aleadingPRand marketingagencyinVietnam,hasoveradecade ofexperienceblendingsharpbusinessinsightwitha bold,innovativeapproachthatchallengesindustry norms.AlongsideherleadershipatEloQ,sheservesas ViceDeanoftheFacultyofPublicRelationsand CommunicationsatVanLangUniversity,whereshe bridgesacademiaandindustrybyequippingstudents withreal-worldskillsanddrivingtheprofessional growthofVietnam'sPRsector.Respectedasbothan industryleaderandaneducator,Clāraisdedicatedto nurturingtalentandshapingthefutureof communications.
Herearethekeyhighlightsfromtheinterview:
Brieftheinceptionstoryofyourorganization?What inspiredyoutoestablishELoQCommunications?
IamClāraLy-Le.EloQCommunicationswasbornout ofmyvisiontobridgeglobalbestpracticesinpublic relationswiththeuniqueculturalandmarketdynamics ofVietnamandtheASEANregion.Isawacleargap that,whileVietnam'scommunicationsindustrywas vibrantandfullofpotential,manybrands,bothlocaland international,struggledtoconnectauthenticallywith Vietnameseaudiences,andlocalagenciesoftenlackeda trulyglobaloutlook.
In2018,IfoundedEloQCommunicationstoaddressthis need.Fromdayone,ourmissionhasbeentocombine strategicinsight,creativity,andculturalsensitivityto
helpclientstelltheirstoriesinwaysthatresonateboth locallyandglobally Today,EloQisamulti-awardwinningagencyservingclientsfromstartupstoFortune 500sacrossASEAN,helpingbrandstelltheirstories withclarity,creativity,andculturalintelligence.
Whataretheinitialchallengesthatyoufacedduring theinceptionandhowdidyouovercomethose challenges?
Atthestart,thechallengewasshiftingmindsetsin Vietnam'sPRindustryfromtransactional,pay-for-play mediatoethical,strategiccommunication.Weinvested timeineducatingclientsonthelong-termvalueof authenticstorytellingandrelationship-building.Another hurdlewasearningcredibilityasayoungagencyamong establishedcompetitors.Iovercamethisbyleveraging myPhDexpertise,internationalnetwork,andproven resultstobuildtrust.Bystayingtransparent,delivering measurableoutcomes,andupholdinghighprofessional standards,EloQestablisheditselfasamulti-awardwinningagencyknownforintegrity,creativity,and culturalintelligenceacrossVietnamandASEAN.
Canyoushareyourleadershipjourneyandwhat inspiredyoutobecomealeaderinyourfield?
Mypathtoleadershiphasbeenaboutadaptabilityand vision.Iembraceacollaborativestyle,empowering peopletobringtheirideasforwardandowntheirresults. Whatinspiresmemostisseeingbothmyteamand clientsgrow,whetherthat'sayoungprofessionalgaining confidenceorabrandfindingitsauthenticvoice. 18-
Leadership,forme,isaboutcreating anenvironmentwheretrust, creativity,andsharedsuccessthrive.
Whatkeyqualitiesdoyoubelieve areessentialforaleaderintoday's businessworld?
Adaptabilitytonavigateshifting marketsandtechnologies,empathy tounderstandandconnectwith diversestakeholders,andintegrityto makedecisionsthatbuildlong-term trust.
Whattrendsdoyoubelievewill shapeyourindustryin2025and beyond?
IseethreemajortrendsshapingPR in2025andbeyond:theriseofAIpoweredtoolstransforminghowwe monitor,analyze,andpersonalize communication;growingdemandfor authenticityasaudiencesbecome moreskepticalofpolishedcorporate messaging;anddeeperintegrationof ESGnarrativesasbusinessesareheld accountableforsocialand environmentalimpact.
Whatadvicewouldyougiveto aspiringleaderslookingtomakea differenceintheirrespectivefields?
Focusonimpact,notjustposition. Buildyournetworkwith authenticity;relationshipsoftenopen doorsskillsalonecan't.Andnever compromiseyourintegrity.Trustis thecurrencythatsustainsinfluence overthelongterm.Mostimportantly, leadwithpurpose.Whenyour decisionsalignwithaclearmission, you'llinspireothersandcreate changethatlasts.
Canyoudescribetheprimaryareaofinnovationyou arefocusingonwithinyourbusiness?
AtEloQCommunications,ourkeyinnovationliesin craftingculturallyintelligent,fullyintegratedcampaigns thatcutthroughthenoiseinVietnamandacross ASEAN.Wespecializeintailoringbrandmessagesso theyresonateacrossmultiplechannels–traditional media,socialplatforms,andon-the-groundactivations–whilepreservingauthenticity.Whatsetsusapartisour commitmenttomeasurableimpact:everycampaignis backedbyclearKPIsandtransparentreporting.This ensuresourclients,fromlocaldisruptorstoglobal leaders,gainnotonlyvisibilitybutalsolong-termtrust andinfluenceintheirtargetmarkets.
Briefusaboutyourfutureroadmap?
Lookingahead,EloQCommunicationswillexpandour footprintacrossASEAN,buildingastrongernetworkof localexpertstodeliverseamlessmulti-market campaigns.InVietnam,weaimtodevelopnewservice lines,suchasadvancedcrisisreadinessprogramsand sector-specificPRconsulting,toaddresstheevolving needsofourclients.Wewillcontinuetoinvestintalent development,ensuringourteamstaysaheadofindustry trendswhilemaintainingtheculturalintelligencethat definesourwork.Ourgoalremainsclear:tobethe trustedpartnerforbrandsseekinghigh-impact,authentic communicationthatbuildslastinginfluenceinSoutheast Asia.
HOW FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS ARE REWRITINGTHE FUTURE OF BUSINESS
Thereisatremendousmovementthatiscurrentlytakingplaceintheworldofbusiness,andmaleand
femaleentrepreneursareattheforefrontofthisshift. Thepersonswhoareactivelyparticipatinginthis transitionaretheoneswhoaretakingtheinitiativetopushit.Womenarebreakingdownbarriers, reinventingindustries,andredefiningwhatitmeanstobesuccessfulintoday’seconomicsetting.Inthepast, womenwereunder-representedintheecosystemofentrepreneurs,butnowtheyarebreakingdownthose barriers.Whencomparedtothepast,thisisatremendousshift. Theexpandingimpactoftheseindividualsis notonlyservingasasourceofmotivation,butitisalsocontributingtothebuildingofafuturethatismore forward-thinkingandfriendlytoallcommunitiesfromallwalksoflife.
Whenitcomestoleadingandmakingdecisions,oneofthemostcrucialadjustmentsthatfemaleentrepreneurs bringtothetableisafreshviewpoint.Thisisoneofthemostimportantthingsthattheybringtothetable. Therearemanyoptionsthattheyoffer,butthisisoneofthemostsignificantones.Thesociallyconsciousvalues ofcooperation,empathy,andcommunityimpactareparticularlyresonantintoday’seconomy,andmany businessesthatareledbywomenplaceasignificantemphasisonthesecharacteristics.Thisisbecausethese
valuesareextremelyeffectiveinfosteringsocial consciousness.Whenthismethodisutilised,theresultsare, inmostcases,culturesintheworkplacethataremore robust,increasedlevelsofemployeehappiness,and sustainedloyaltyfromcustomers.Femaleentrepreneursare provingthatitisfeasibleforbusinessestoflourishwhile simultaneouslybringingaboutsignificantchange.Thisis makingitpossibleforwomentobebusinessowners.Thisis beingaccomplishedbyplacinganemphasis,inadditionto profit,onthepurposeoftheorganisation.
Increasingtheamountofcapitalthatwomeninbusiness haveaccesstohasbeenoneofthemostsignificant challengesthatwomeninbusinesshaveencountered throughoutthecourseofbusinesshistory Althoughfemale entrepreneursobtainasmallerproportionofventurecapital thantheirmalecounterparts,thereisevidencethatthey possessatremendousknackforinvention.Crowdfunding,
microloans,andinvestmentnetworksthatareexpressly targetedforwomenaresomeexamplesofalternative methodsoffinancing.However,thislistisnotexhaustive. Thesestrategiesarebeingutilisedbyasizeablenumberof personsatthepresenttime.Thisnotonlyexemplifiestheir doggeddrive,butitalsodemonstratestheenormous potentialforprovidinggreaterequitytobusinessesthatare managedbywomen. Inadditiontodemonstratingtheir tenaciousresolve,thefactthattheywereabletoovercome financialobstaclesisatestamenttotheirperseverance.
Thedevelopmentoftechnologyandtheproliferationof digitalplatformshavebothcontributedtoanincreaseinthe numberofchancesthatareavailabletofemale entrepreneursonthemarkettoday.Twoexamplesofthe waysinwhichwomenaremakinguseofdigitalresources toacceleratethespeedwithwhichtheycanestablish,scale, andglobalisetheirenterprisesincludee-commerceand marketingthroughsocialmedia.Theseareonlytwo instances.Womencancommunicatedirectlywith customers,establishbrandsinanauthenticmanner,and competewithlargercorporationsintheirrespective industriesbecausetotheplatformsthatareavailableto them. Thereasonforthisistoensurethateveryoneisonan equalfootingandtomakethesituationmoreegalitarian.
Inadditiontoachievingsuccessintheirownbusinesses, femaleentrepreneursarealsomakingsignificant contributionstothegrowthofecosystemsthatenableother individualstoachievetheirfullpotential. Asignificant numberofindividualsareengaginginactivitiessuchas reinvestingintheircommunities,providingguidanceto womenwhoareonthevergeofbecomingleaders,and generatingopportunitiesforotherstodeveloptheirskills andabilities.Theimpactthattheyhaveisamplifiedbecause ofthisrippleeffect,whichultimatelyguaranteesthatthe futureofbusinesswillnotonlybeinnovativebutalsomore equalanddiverse.Thisisbecausetherippleeffecthasa multiplicativeeffect.
Theyarerewritingthelawsofbusinesstomakeitmore inclusive,resilient,andforward-thinkingtoaccommodate thegrowingnumberofwomenwhoareenteringthesphere ofentrepreneurship,whichisatrendthatisexpectedto continuethroughouttheforeseeablefuture. Whenitcomes tothesubsequentphaseofeconomicexpansiononaglobal scale,theemergenceoffemaleentrepreneursisnotmerely apassingtrend;rather,itisamovementthatissignificantly affectingthesubsequentphaseofeconomicexpansion.This isbecausefemaleentrepreneursaremorelikelytobe successfulthanmaleentrepreneurs.
Kelly Augspurger
An inspiring conversation
highlighting her entrepreneurial journey, leadership insights, and the innovative approach driving Steadfast Insurance's success.
Canyoushareyourprofessional journeyandtheinspirationthatled youtoco-foundSteadfast Insurance?Whatmotivatedyouto focusonthisindustry?
Myhusband,Adam,andIco-founded SteadfastInsuranceLLCin2019with asharedvisiontohelpfamiliesprotect whatmattersmost.Inthebeginning,I focusedonlifeinsurancewhileAdam managedpropertyandcasualty About sixmonthslater,aconversationwitha mentorchangedeverything. Shereachedoutwithquestionsabout long-termcareinsurance(LTCi).I didn'thavetheanswers,butthat momentlitafireinmetofindthem. Memoriesofallfourofmy grandparentsneedingextendedcare camerushingback.Noneofthemhad insuranceoraplaninplace,andour familycarriedtheweight–physically, emotionally,andfinancially.Ihelped careforoneofmygrandmothers firsthand,andI'llneverforgethow hardthatseasonwas.
Thatconversationbecamemy“aha” moment.Iknewthatthiswasthework
Co-Founder, Steadfast Insurance, LLC
Godwascallingmetodo-tohelpfamiliesplan,sotheycouldfacefuture careneedswithconfidenceandcompassion.OnceIrealizedtherewerereal insurancesolutionstofundthatkindofcare,Iwas all in
Fromthere,IdovedeepintolearningeverythingIcouldaboutlong-termcare planningandinsurance.Iearnedthreeprofessionaldesignations:CLTC® (CertificationforLong-TermCare),CSA®(CertifiedSeniorAdvisor),and LTCCP®(Long-TermCareClaimsProfessional)andbegancreating educationalvideosandresourcestosimplifythiscomplextopicforfamilies andfinancialprofessionalsalike.
In2022,Ibecameapart-timeCLTC®instructor,trainingfinancialadvisors onhowtoengagetheirclientsinmeaningfulLTCplanningconversations. Thatsameyear,IlaunchedtheSteadfastCarePlanningPodcast,whereI interviewindustryexpertsandadvocatesabouthowtonavigateaging, caregiving,andextendedcarewithwisdomandgrace.
Whatstartedasoneconversationhasgrownintoaclearmission-tohelp familiesprotecttheirfuture,preservetheiroptions,andexperiencepeaceof mind.
WhatisthecorevisionandmissionbehindSteadfastInsurance,andhow doyoubelieveyourcompanyisdrivingmeaningfulchangeinthe insurancesector?
AtSteadfastInsuranceLLC,werecommendthepoliciesandcoveragethat webelievewillbestprotectourclient'squalityoflifeifaclaimoccurs.Our visionwithextendedcareplanningistohelpfamilies create a plan, fund it, and share it with those they love sotheycanfacethefuturewithconfidence, notfear.
Ourmissionisrootedineducationandempathy Webelieveclientsmake theirbestdecisionswhentheyunderstandtheiroptions,sowetakethetimeto
teachthemwhat'savailable.Everyrecommendationwe makeispersonalizedaroundtheclient'suniquesituationhealth,familydynamics,financialsituation,andpersonal valuestoprotecttheirqualityoflifeifaclaimoccurs.
Beyondone-on-oneguidance,we'vebuiltanentire ecosystemofeducationalresourcessuchasvideos,podcast episodes,blogposts,anddownloadableguidestohelp peoplelearninwhateverwaysuitsthembest.That commitmenttoclarityandaccessibilityhashelpedusstand outandreachclientsnationwide.
Wealsostrivetomodernizehowlong-termcareand extendedcareplanningaredelivered.Ouronlinehealth prescreenformallowsclientstosharesensitiveinformation privatelyandsecurely,andZoomconsultationsmakeexpert guidanceaccessiblefromanywhere.Electronicapplications furtherstreamlinetheprocess,savingclientstimeand stress.
Ultimately,Steadfastisdrivingchangebyblending compassionwithtechnologybringinghumanconnection andconveniencetogethertomakecareplanningsimpler, smarter,andmorepersonal.
Asawomanleaderinacompetitiveindustry,howdo youapproachleadershipandinnovationtokeep SteadfastInsuranceaheadintheevolvingmarketplace? Leadership:
Ibelievegreatleadershipstartswithhumility,service,and continuousgrowth.I'vebeenblessedbymentorswho've supportedmebothpersonallyandprofessionallyandItry topaythatforwardeverychanceIget.Myleadership philosophyissimple:serveothers,showintegrity,leadwith compassion,andgivecreditwhereit'sdue.Comparisonisa trapthatrobsusofperspective,soIfocusinsteadon progress-howfarI'vecome,what'sworking,andwhereI cangrow.Iencourageotherstodothesamesotheycan discovertheirstrengths,developnewones,andtake courageous,measuredrisks.Confidenceandcuriositygo handinhand;onegivesyouthecouragetostepforward andtheotherkeepsyoulearningonceyoudo.
Innovation:
Forme,innovationisrootedincuriosityandcare.It'snot aboutchasingshinynewideas-it'saboutimprovingreal experiencesforrealpeople.AtSteadfast,we'realways asking: How can we make this simpler, faster, or better for our clients? Everymistakeisalessonandeverychallenge isaninvitationtobuildamoreeffective,compassionate solution.Stayingaheadmeansstayingteachable;always
learning,testing,andrefining.Innovationdoesn'thavetobe loud-sometimesit'sasquietasabetterquestionoramore efficientprocess.
Whathavebeensomeofthebiggestchallengesyou've facedasanentrepreneur,andhowdidyouovercome themwhilestayingtruetoyourpurpose?
Startingandgrowingabusinesscomeswithplentyof obstaclesbothseenandunseen.Mostofmyclientscome throughreferralsfromfinancialadvisors,soI'vespentyears intentionallybuildingthoserelationships.That like, know, and trust factortakestime,consistency,andalotoffaithin theprocess.
Therewereseasons,especiallyearlyon,whenIquestioned myapproachandevenmyownabilities.Myhusbandoften remindedme:it'saboutthe long game,notthequickwin. Thatmindsethelpedmestaygroundedwhenprogressfelt slow.
Myfaithhasanchoredme.IbelieveGodplacedthiswork onmyheartforareason-toserveothersandguidethem throughsomeoflife'smostimportantplanningdecisions. WhenIrememberthatpurpose,Icanstaysteadfastthrough everychallenge.
HowisSteadfastInsurancemakingadifferencein people'slives,andwhatmakesyourapproachstandout comparedtotraditionalinsurancemodels?
AtSteadfastInsurance,we'renotjusthelpingpeoplebuy policies,we'rehelpingthemprotecttheirlives,their families,andtheirpeaceofmind.Long-termcareplanning canfeeloverwhelming,emotional,andoftenavoided.Our missionistomakeitapproachableanddeeplypersonal.
Wetakeaneducation-firstapproach,guidingclients throughthe“why”beforethe“what.”Thatmeanshelping themunderstandhowextendedcarecouldaffecttheir familiesandfinancesandhowthoughtfulplanningcan providesecurity,dignity,andchoicesinthefuture.
Whatmakesourmodelstandoutisthe humanity behindit. Welistenfirst,tailoreveryrecommendation,andwalk alongsideclientsfromeducationtoimplementation.Our processiscollaborativeandtransparent-weexplainevery stepsoclientsfeelempowered,notpressured.
We'vealsomodernizedhowcareplanninghappens.From onlineprescreenformsthatrespectprivacytoZoom consultationsanddigitalapplications,we'vedesigneda processthat'sbothcompassionateandconvenient.This blendofpersonalconnectionandinnovationallowsusto serveclientsnationwidewithoutlosingthepersonaltouch thatdefineswhoweare.
Attheendoftheday,thedifferenceisn'tjustinwhatwe do,it'sin why wedoit.Everyplanwehelpcreategives familiesconfidence,freedom,andpeaceofmindwhenlife takesanunexpectedturn.
Whattrendsdoyouforeseeshapingthefutureofthe insuranceindustry,andhowisSteadfastInsurance preparingtoadaptandleadinthattransformation? Thelong-termcareandbroaderinsuranceindustryare enteringaseasonoftransformation.Iforeseecontinued productevolutionwithnewLTCinsurancesolutions offeringmoreflexiblebenefitdesigns,partialcash indemnityoptions,creativeriders,andcaregiversupport featuresthatmakecoveragemoreadaptabletoreal-life caresituations.We'llalsoseemoreshort-termcareplans, hybridpolicies,anddeferredannuitieswithLTCbenefits, givingclientsmultiplepathwaystofundtheirfuturecare. Underwritingwillbecomemorestreamlinedanddatadriven.Electronichealthrecords,predictiveanalytics,and wearabletechnologywillplayanincreasingroleinrisk assessment,helpingcarriersmakefaster,moreaccurate decisionswithfewermedicalexams.
Atthesametime,technologyandAIwillcontinueto reshapehowcoverageisdeliveredandmanagedfrom digitalapplicationsande-signaturestomoreintuitivesales andclaimsplatformsthatimprovebothadvisorandclient experience.
Ialsoanticipatemorestate-levelpublicLTCprogramsto emerge,followingtheexampleofWashington'sWACares Fund.Astheseprogramsdevelop,privateinsurancewill playanessentialcomplementaryrole,offeringflexibility andchoicebeyondwhatgovernmentplansprovide.
Economicrealitiessuchasmedicalinflationandworkforce shortagesincaregivingwillcontinuetodrivecostshigher. Thatmakeseducationandproactiveplanningmorecritical thanever
AtSteadfast,we'repreparingtoleadthroughthis transformationbystayingonthecuttingedgeofproduct innovationandtechnology,whilekeepingourfocus anchoredonpeople.Ourcommitmenttoclarity, compassion,andcontinuouslearningensureswecanhelp clientsnavigatethischanginglandscapewithconfidence.
Whatadvicewouldyougivetoaspiringwomen entrepreneurslookingtocreateimpactintheir industries,andwhatlegacydoyouhopetoleaveasa visionaryleader?
StayfaithfultothepurposeGodhasplacedonyourheart. Therewillbedoubts,detours,anddaysthattestyour confidence,butdon'tletfearholdyouback.Surround yourselfwithmentorswhospeaktruthintoyourlife,build acommunitythatencouragesyou,andkeepyourfocuson progressoverperfectionbecausecomparisonstealsjoy
Leadwithintegrity,humility,andcourage.Begenerous withyourknowledgeandencouragement.Themoreyou helpothersgrow,themoreyourowninfluenceexpandsnaturallyandauthentically.
Asforlegacy,Ihopeminereflectssteadfastfaith, compassion,andpositiveimpact.Iwanttoberemembered assomeonewhousedhergiftstoserveothers-toeducate families,empoweradvisors,andbringclarityandpeaceto life'shardestseasons.
IfthepeopleI'veservedfeelmoreconfident,morecared for,andmorepreparedforthefuturebecauseofourtime together,thenthat'sthekindofimpactworthbuildingalife around.
