Leading with Empathy and Innovation in Dentistry
Senior Vice President, General Manager of Dental at Synchrony
When my son needed braces, I did what many parents do: I nodded through the orthodontist’s explanation, asked the right questions, and tried not to flinch at the cost.
I was fortunate—only one of my two sons needed braces, and I had great dental insurance. Still, it was a moment of reflection not just about the cost, but about how many families face that same scenario without access to resources or flexibility.
What happens when a parent doesn’t have flexibility? What does it mean when dental care, something so vital to a child’s confidence and health, is out of reach?
Those questions never left me. Now, as the Senior Vice President and General Manager of the dental business at Synchrony, I lead with that perspective every day.
As one of Synchrony’s top 50 executives, I have the opportunity and responsibility to shape how innovation in dental care reaches millions. It’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly, especially when I know the decisions we make can change what care looks and feels like for patients, providers, and entire practices.
Dental care impacts how children learn, how adults show up at work, and how seniors eat, speak, and stay connected to others. I spend time volunteering with senior citizens, many of whom live on fixed incomes and haven’t seen a dentist in years. I hear their stories. I see how dignity is tied to oral health. Yet too often, cost becomes the barrier no one talks about.
More than 90% of people said they would consider holding off on general dental care because of cost, according to Synchrony’s Dental Lifetime of Care study. Care can’t wait, and cost shouldn’t be the reason people walk away from what they need most.
I carry those stories with me into every strategy meeting, every product launch, every partnership. This work matters to me.
It’s not enough to recognize the challenges. We must build smarter systems around them. That’s why I lead with empathy first: Because innovation should solve real-world problems and meet patients where they are, financially and emotionally.
Innovation That Feels Human
At Synchrony, I lead the dental business with a clear mission: to make care more accessible for patients and reduce barriers for practitioners to provide that care. It’s interesting because my background is not in healthcare but rather in retail strategy, helping brands grow by solving problems that matter to real people. It’s exciting to bring that same focus to dental financing.
This isn’t about selling more services; it’s about saying yes to care when it matters most. Being on the front line of innovation in this space gives me professional and personal fulfillment.
In response to Synchrony’s study which found that 58% of adults believed that oral care was not affordable, I am proud that our team created innovative solutions. Synchrony features a behind-the-scenes integration that enables providers to offer payment solutions directly within the systems they already use. No separate logins. No added friction. Practices can check eligibility, offer financing, and complete transactions quickly so that cost conversations are simplified, not avoided.
It removes barriers to care—and, most importantly—help. And it works. When patients understand what’s possible, they’re more likely to say yes to everything—from braces, to cleanings, to the kind of preventive care that improves lives.
My goal is to help redefine what modern dental care looks like, where financial conversations are seamless, where providers feel supported by smart tools, and where no patient delays care because of cost. By aligning technology with human-centered design, we’re not just improving transactions; we’re reimagining the way care is delivered.
Designing with Empathy, Delivering with Impact
For dental professionals, especially within growing DSOs, the business of care has become increasingly complex. Teams are stretched thin, administrative burdens are rising, and patient expectations are evolving.
According to the American Dental Association, some dentists’ confidence in economic success has waned in the first quarter of 2025. My goal isn’t just to simplify financing for patients; it’s to empower providers to deliver care more confidently and efficiently while optimizing their financial management.
Synchrony’s CareCredit partners with the industry’s most trusted platforms to ensure providers can simplify the patient experience, from scheduling and reminders to payments. These tools reduce the burden on staff, support clearer communication, and help teams
focus on what matters: care.
By integrating our solutions directly into their workflows, we’re helping practices improve case acceptance, reduce staff stress, and elevate the patient experience. This kind of innovation gives practitioners the freedom to focus on care while giving patients more reasons to say yes to it.
Why I Lead
I know how rare it is to bring empathy into innovation, but I believe it’s the only way forward. Technology should feel seamless. Practitioners should be able to focus on delivering the best care. Financing should feel supportive. Every patient should feel seen.
I lead this work not just because I can, but because I must. Because too many families still wonder if they can afford care. Because too many providers feel stuck. And because I understand that tension.
Dental care is a gateway to overall wellness, and everyone—regardless of income, age, or background— deserves the chance to say yes to it. Innovating in this space isn’t just business. It’s personal.
