When do you feel most energized as a leader?
When I see others stepping into their own leadership—by solving a tough problem, managing a moment of challenge, or offering creative solutions. In those moments, my role shifts from directing to supporting—removing obstacles, offering encouragement, and creating space for others to lead. True leadership is about empowering others.
Who’s someone you admire outside of your industry, and what have they taught you about influence or resilience?
It may sound cliché, but without question it’s my mom. She faced more adversity than most and had every reason to carry anger or bitterness. Instead, she chose love and grit. She taught me to fight for what matters and to always do the right thing—regardless of whether it brings personal or financial gain. True influence comes from how you treat others, and the greatest impact we make is in what we give, not what we get.
What’s one mindset shift you believe leaders need to encourage fresh thinking and new ideas?
Create time and space for thinking. In the rush of a busy world, it’s easy to stay in problem-solving mode and forget that creativity needs breathing room. Be intentional about stepping back and setting aside time to reflect. Fresh ideas don’t happen in chaos—they come when people feel safe, supported, and unhurried. We need to protect that space as leaders, even when everything around us is moving fast.
What personal habit, hobby, or ritual outside of work has made you a better leader?
Lifting weights and early morning habits. I start each day at 3:45 a.m. with quiet time to reflect and plan while my family sleeps. I do my best work with my headphones on, walking on the treadmill, and working on my computer. Whether in the gym or in business, I’m constantly setting higher goals and challenging myself to grow.
What innovation in the dental industry are you most excited about?
As a practicing orthodontist, I get most excited about innovations that solve real, day-to-day challenges in our workflow. We dream of a simple, seamless photo solution—from camera design, photo capture to automated input, cropping, and integration into the patient chart. We imagine wireless intraoral scanners at every chair, as small and intuitive as a curing light. And voice-activated charting powered by AI? That would eliminate errors and the constant need to pause, de-glove, and type. These “small” things are game changers—freeing up time, reducing stress, and allowing us to focus even more on our patients.
What is one unconventional idea you put into practice that you’re proud of?
Creating full transparency around numbers and goals with our team. Our team can’t contribute to success if they don’t know what they’re working toward. We have daily goals that roll up into monthly and yearly targets, and those goals are directly tied to a monthly team bonus. You can’t wait for the end of the month and say, “Well, that was a bad month.” By then, it’s too late. Our team tracks goals every single day so they can adjust in real time, celebrate small wins, and build momentum. Our practice doubled in size when we implemented a production calendar and focused on daily goals.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to take on a leadership role?
Lead with your actions, not just your words. Leadership isn’t about a title—it’s about being the first to show up, the last to leave, and never being above any task. When your team sees that you’re willing to do the hard things, it builds trust and respect. People don’t follow perfection—they follow authenticity, humility, and consistency. If you want to lead, start by serving.
When do you feel most energized as a leader?
When the team is working as one, running together, and tackling complex problems. It’s when we have that sense of momentum—like a sports team pushing hard against fair competition—that I’m fully engaged and at my best.
Who’s someone you admire outside of your industry, and what have they taught you about influence or resilience?
Reed Hastings, co-founder and former CEO of Netflix, is not often in the limelight, but I’m impressed by his quiet determination in taking a business through multiple changes and reinventing it. They went from exchanging DVDs to starting a streaming service to evolving into a full-fledged content provider. Those are three massive pivots. I admire that determination and re-creation of the business.
What’s one mindset shift you believe leaders need to encourage fresh thinking and new ideas?
Great ideas are all around us. The key to seeing them is approaching the world with childlike open-mindedness. Think back to the first time you saw a butterfly in a cocoon. That sense of wonder and curiosity is what we need to carry with us as we move through the world.
What personal habit, hobby, or ritual outside of work has made you a better leader?
Time for creative expression. I like to build things, and I’m a fanatical DIY-er. If you saw my house, you’d know it’s unconventional, and that kind of unconventional creativity is what I really love. I also played in a rock band for a while, building my own amplifiers and speaker stacks. There’s something special about things you build yourself. Whether you’re building with timber, concrete, transistors, or software, the creative process behind it is remarkably similar.
What innovation in the dental industry are you most excited about?
A lot of people may say AI, but some AI projects are looking for a problem to solve, rather than solving real, meaningful problems. Practices are facing are the same challenges we’ve seen for years: managing revenue cycles, growing a business in a sluggish economy, etc. These things make a dental team’s day hard, and the solutions aren’t necessarily complex. At Henry Schein One, we’re focused on solving those foundational problems through seamless integration. That means making sure insurance verification is complete and accurate, getting data into patient records, reconciling ERAs and EFTs, auto-posting payments, automating collections, and keeping patient cards on file. We want to shorten the time between care and payment, and finally address these big, lingering issues in dentistry. This is more innovative than it really should be.
What is one unconventional idea you put into practice that you’re proud of?
Continuous upgrades for on-premises software. Most engineering teams are continuously updating web-based platforms multiple times a day through continuous integration and continuous deployment, and we do too. The unconventional idea is applying that same approach to our on-premise software, Dentrix. We have tens of thousands of Dentrix customers, and we’ve developed a way to continuously upgrade those customers, allowing them to benefit from incremental improvements to their software, just like they would if they were using a web-based platform.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to take on a leadership role?
Think carefully and go in with your eyes open. Leadership roles can be incredibly satisfying as you help people grow, perform, and become the best version of themselves. But you need to be prepared to communicate directly and assertively, and to make tough decisions. Leadership can feel lonely, but it builds resilience and gives you a chance to grow. You’ll face discomfort, but you’ll find the rewards that come with it.
When do you feel most energized as a leader?
When I’m collaborating with my team to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. Witnessing the spark of innovation in brainstorming sessions or the collective excitement of a new initiative taking off reaffirms my passion for leadership. These moments of shared purpose renew my energy and commitment.
Who’s someone you admire outside of your industry, and what have they taught you about influence or resilience?
Peyton Manning has an unwavering commitment to excellence, both on and off the field. He leads with humility, prepares relentlessly, and elevates the performance of those around him. His career is a masterclass in resilience, coming back from setbacks, injuries, and high-pressure moments with focus, discipline, and grace. He’s taught me that true influence comes from consistency, preparation, and the ability to inspire a team to believe in a shared goal.
What’s one mindset shift you believe leaders need to encourage fresh thinking and new ideas?
Embrace curious humility. By acknowledging that we don’t have all the answers and remaining open to diverse perspectives, we foster an environment where innovation thrives. This shift from being the sole problem-solver to a facilitator of ideas encourages teams to think creatively and collaboratively.
What personal habit, hobby, or ritual outside of work has made you a better leader?
Scuba diving and regular exercise. Scuba diving teaches me to stay calm under pressure, remain present, and trust in the process—skills that mirror the demands of leadership. Exercise, on the other hand, builds the mental clarity, discipline, and energy I need to lead consistently and effectively. Together, these activities help me reset, think more strategically, and bring a more focused, resilient mindset to my team every day.
What innovation in the dental industry are you most excited about?
AI being integrated into diagnostics and preventive treatment planning, especially in combination with products like PerioDT and ClearDefense Silver Fluoride, is exciting. The ability to use data to identify early-stage disease and apply non-invasive therapies is transforming the standard of care. This shift enhances clinical accuracy, reduces treatment delays, and supports scalable protocols that align with DSO objectives and private practice needs. It’s a smart intersection of innovation, patient outcomes, and practice economics.
What is one unconventional idea you put into practice that you’re proud of?
Creating mentorship and collaboration opportunities across vendor partners, rather than keeping relationships siloed. By aligning with complementary partners, we developed joint education programs and bundled product solutions that delivered more holistic value to our customers. This approach not only elevated patient outcomes but also increased revenue and strengthened loyalty by positioning our teams as trusted advisors, not just suppliers. It fostered cross-functional learning, accelerated team development, and created a more integrated experience for our customers.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to take on a leadership role?
Embrace authenticity and lead with empathy. Understand that leadership isn’t about authority but about serving your team and guiding them toward a shared vision. Invest in active listening, remain adaptable, and prioritize personal growth. Remember, the most impactful leaders are those who uplift others and inspire collective success.
When do you feel most energized as a leader?
When I’m collaborating with DSOs, KOLs, and thought leaders across the dental segment and forming partnerships that create patient impact.
Who’s someone you admire outside of your industry, and what have they taught you about influence or resilience?
Leadership begins at home. I had a strong-willed mother in the medical field who was a disrupter and trailblazer, shattering glass ceilings by holding positions in a male-dominated C-suite.
What’s one mindset shift you believe leaders need to encourage fresh thinking and new ideas?
Leaders need to shift from “having all the answers” to “asking better questions.”
What personal habit, hobby, or ritual outside of work has made you a better leader?
Don’t hide behind your laptop. Call people and connect live.
What innovation in the dental industry are you most excited about?
I’m most excited about the integration of advanced digital planning with surgical execution—specifically, the convergence of AI, 3D printing, and dynamic navigation in implant dentistry.
What is one unconventional idea you put into practice that you’re proud of?
We launched a college program that provided 100% of a student’s books on their first day. Many colleges ignored the idea, but those who participated noticed historic increases in retention, lower failure rates, higher grades, and higher graduation rates. Small investments drive big dividends.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to take on a leadership role?
Get uncomfortable—and stay there. Leadership isn’t a title; it’s a decision to show up with responsibility when others step back. The best leaders I’ve seen—and tried to emulate—are the ones who take on ambiguity, solve problems no one else wants, and remain grounded when things get chaotic.
When do you feel most energized as a leader?
When I’m reimagining what is possible and brainstorming new solutions with other purpose-orientated leaders.
Who’s someone you admire outside of your industry, and what have they taught you about influence or resilience?
My family and their resilience to thriving no matter what. They taught me to always grow and challenge myself, anchoring myself in the quality of relationships. Making a positive impact is what brings the most fulfillment.
What’s one mindset shift you believe leaders need to encourage fresh thinking and new ideas?
Continually upgrade your level of self-empowerment. You can keep growing by taking radical personal accountability and engaging in personal reflection. We are all infinitely filled with potential, and negative mindsets can only hold us back.
What personal habit, hobby, or ritual outside of work has made you a better leader?
Being a parent has taught me more about leadership than anything else. You can try different approaches and get immediate feedback on their impact. As humans, we all want the same things: clarity of expectations, empathy, a vision, kind feedback, and an intentional culture.
What innovation in the dental industry are you most excited about?
I’m deeply passionate about clinical education advancing the standards and quality outcomes for our patients. High-quality educators and platforms that meet individual, micro learning needs (including mentoring and hands-on training) continue to be at the heart of our industry and the way we’ll keep up with changes in technology and treatments.
What is one unconventional idea you put into practice that you’re proud of?
We’re in the process of dialing up values-based cultures in our practices. One way we’re doing that is through a peer-to-peer recognition program that lets our team members nominate and recognize their peers for values-based behaviors. We celebrate these with stories at monthly team morning teas. It’s so simple to take the time to recognize someone. By embedding this as a way of working in the team, we transform the team culture.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to take on a leadership role?
Leadership starts with leading yourself. The clearer you are about your personal values and goals, the better you can define the impact you want to make on others. When you commit to making a positive impact on others around you, leadership roles will come to you.
