What role has mentorship played in your career?
My mentors have been role models, exemplifying great character and sharing invaluable knowledge. Receiving coaching and getting feedback are necessary elements to growth. With that, I am also now firmly committed to mentoring others, offering guidance, and fostering a supportive environment where women can thrive and reach their full potential.
How do you approach decision-making during high-stakes or uncertain situations?
It is important to make decisions both data-driven and people-centric when stakes are high. Communication during these situations matters most; these decisions need to be communicated with clarity, integrity and conviction.
What is one significant challenge you’ve faced as a leader, and how did you navigate it?
One of the most difficult challenges that I’ve faced is leading the organization through significant people and operational changes. An important aspect of navigating change is having the right mindset. Being open-minded, curious and willing to adapt will translate to those on your team and within the organization. Listening to the people in the organization is just as crucial. I believe that these traits are vital not only during challenging times, but for anyone who chooses to be part of a DSO.
How do you foster trust and collaboration within your team?
I strive to give praise and feedback quickly. I’ve found that addressing issues head on with honesty and compassion builds trust.
What are the top three skills needed as a dental industry leader?
Caring, Passion for Learning, and Influence.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to take on a leadership role?
One of the most impactful ways that I’ve been able to create pathways for myself in this industry is by simply raising my hand to take on new challenges and projects. For anyone aspiring to take on a new role or to step into leadership, I recommend putting any fears or limiting beliefs aside and just go for it – raise your hand! You’ll learn something new about the industry and about yourself. I also cannot stress enough that taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of others. Invest in learning more, invest in your health and do something that you feel passionate about.
What role has mentorship played in your career?
The #1 reason I have had the success I have had is because of mentorship. First, in my personal life, my mother spent 34 years as a leader in the public school system. She was the first ever female Jefferson City Public School principal. Having a front row seat to learn how my mom dealt with parents, kids, teachers, adversity, and opportunity taught me endless valuable lessons. My mother was my #1 mentor. Secondly, in my professional life, Jude Dieterman, CEO of Outcomes has been my mentor and an exceptionally good friend. Jude invested in me like no other. Over 20 years, I worked with Jude at five separate companies. Jude pushed me into stretch roles and provided tough love and encouraging support. I would not be where I am today if Jude did not exist in my life.
How do you approach decision-making during high-stakes or uncertain situations?
I have found decision-making is easier when aligning to a core belief system. First, while I am not perfect, I subscribe to treating people like I want to be treated. Second, I believe in the keep it simple principle. Rather than focusing on what we do not know, I try to focus on what I do know. If I remove surrounding noise and align any known variables to our core strategies, the possibilities of decision paths begin to stack rank themselves, and clarity happens. Finally, I am not afraid to fail. Fear is the enemy of decision-making in high-stakes and uncertain situations. My mom and dad taught me to believe in myself, set goals, work hard, and to try. They allowed me to fail so I would learn not to fear it.
What is one significant challenge you’ve faced as a leader, and how did you navigate it?
Navigating disaster recovery for an entire industry was the biggest challenge I have ever faced. DentalXChange was at the epicenter of helping the dental industry recover from the Change Healthcare cybersecurity event. The highest priority action was to rally our people. We created transparency to the situation and the impact on business owners and patients across the nation. We asked our associates to rally, work around the clock, and to Care and Try (two of our company values) more than they ever have. We created a reward program for our associates and got to work. I made a point to be in-person in our office at all hours to show support to my teammates who I watched turn into Marvel superheroes. There is so much more to the story, but in short, it was all about our associates, clear communication, and unconditional support.
What steps do you take to ensure inclusivity and diversity within your team or organization?
Within our fourteen leaders there is a wide range of diversity inclusive of African American, Japanese, Indian, Middle Eastern, Hispanic, and Asian. Seven of the leaders are female, seven are male. I want our associates to be able to identify leaders who have the same backgrounds as them. This increases morale, productivity, and results. I own being purposeful about my own choices. My steps have been to learn, be aware, and to act with purpose. It starts at the top.
How do you foster trust and collaboration within your team?
I believe in vulnerability-based trust as the foundation of building collaboration and health within our teams. If we trust, we will mine for healthy conflict to ensure clarity and alignment, and this allows for commitment and accountability within the team. If we have aligned commitment and team accountability, we will produce the results we want. Leadership team health cascades into organizational health.
What are the top three skills needed as a dental industry leader?
Revenue cycle management expertise, Emotional Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence and automation expertise.
What role has mentorship played in your career?
Mentorship has played a pivotal role in my career. I have been fortunate throughout my 29-year career at Henry Schein, to be the recipient of mentors who took time to guide me, point out my strengths and weaknesses, and led me into my career in Human Resources. Because of the goodness I received along my career journey, I am equally committed to mentor others. It’s the circle of leadership.
How do you approach decision-making during high-stakes or uncertain situations?
Stay calm, data-driven, and focused on long-term outcomes. I prioritize clear communication, gather diverse perspectives and ensure inclusivity. I assess risks carefully, leveraging both experience and intuition, while maintaining flexibility to adapt as new information arises. My approach is grounded in empathy, keeping the well-being of our people at the forefront while aligning with our organization’s values and strategic goals.
What is one significant challenge you’ve faced as a leader, and how did you navigate it?
Challenges are the new norm in leadership! One particular opportunity I have been able to navigate is the constant state of change that currently exists in business and the world. The importance of positivity, calm, and thoughtful communication through the consistency of change has been a key component of my leadership and has helped me build effective partnerships at all levels across the Henry Schein Inc and Henry Schein One organizations.
What steps do you take to ensure inclusivity and diversity within your team or organization?
Commitment and proactivity are integral to ensure inclusivity and diversity. As a values-based organization, we implemented policies and standards that guide equal opportunities for all. We have prioritized diverse recruitment practices to ensure a wide range of voices are represented at all levels. I foster a culture of belonging by providing ongoing training on unconscious bias, equity, and inclusive leadership. Additionally, I create spaces for open dialogue where employees feel safe to share their experience and ideas.
What steps do you take to ensure inclusivity and diversity within your team or organization?
Commitment and proactivity are integral to ensure inclusivity and diversity. As a values-based organization, we implemented policies and standards that guide equal opportunities for all. We have prioritized diverse recruitment practices to ensure a wide range of voices are represented at all levels. I foster a culture of belonging by providing ongoing training on unconscious bias, equity, and inclusive leadership. Additionally, I create spaces for open dialogue where employees feel safe to share their experience and ideas.
What are the top three skills needed as a dental industry leader?
Curiosity, emotional intelligence, and adaptability/agility. What advice would you give to someone aspiring to take on a leadership role? Focus on building strong relationships, practicing active listening, and continuously developing your emotional intelligence. Leadership is not just about making decisions, but about empowering and inspiring others. Be open to feedback, remain adaptable in the face of challenges (opportunities), and lead with integrity and empathy. Never stop learning and growing, both personally and professionally, and always stay connected to the people you lead. Great leaders make those around them better, so focus on uplifting others and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.
What role has mentorship played in your career?
Mentorship has likely played the MOST important role in my career, second only to the foundation of postsecondary education. I have been blessed with strong mentors throughout my career who stressed authenticity, honesty and fostering trust. I strongly encourage everyone who has a desire to achieve growth to align themselves with a mentor/coach interested in helping you achieve your goals.
How do you approach decision-making during high-stakes or uncertain situations?
Number 1, take a deep breath. Number 2, gather as many facts as possible…insights from the team and advisors, and use data and information to help make the most informed decision possible.
What is one significant challenge you’ve faced as a leader, and how did you navigate it?
Leadership affords us an opportunity to galvanize a team around a common goal or outcome. One of the most common challenges I have faced throughout my career is helping the team to block out the “noise” and distractions that can take focus away from achieving the desired outcome. Oftentimes distractions can be overcome by delineating between the things we can control and the things we cannot control.
What steps do you take to ensure inclusivity and diversity within your team or organization?
The true value of a team is acknowledging and capitalizing on the diverse backgrounds, experiences, perspectives and skills of each team member. I do my best to ensure each member of our Smile America Partners team is given an opportunity to share their feedback, thoughts and opinions on key-priority topics. Everyone plays a role in our future.
What are the top three skills needed as a dental industry leader?
Emotional Intelligence, Communication, Resilience.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to take on a leadership role?
Leadership is an ultra-marathon, AND is ultimately defined by how you influence and inspire others to do things they do not want to do. Leadership is not about you; Leadership is about others.
What role has mentorship played in your career?
Mentorship has been a cornerstone of my career, providing guidance, perspective, and encouragement at every stage. Early on, I was fortunate to have mentors who helped shape my approach to leadership, taught me the importance of resilience in the face of challenges, and encouraged me to advocate for myself and others. Today, I pay that forward by mentoring emerging leaders, fostering their growth, and helping them navigate the complexities of the dental profession.
How do you approach decision-making during high-stakes or uncertain situations?
Throughout my career in both academia and industry, I’ve found that effective decision-making during uncertain situations requires a balanced approach. I start by gathering data and consulting key stakeholders, while being mindful that in high-stakes situations, we often need to act with incomplete information. I’ve learned to trust my experience while remaining open to diverse perspectives that might challenge my initial assumptions.
What is one significant challenge you’ve faced as a leader, and how did you navigate it?
After serving as dean of the University of Florida College of Dentistry for a decade, I made a pivotal decision in 2013 to transition to industry leadership. The journey between these worlds required significant adaptation and growth. The skills I had developed in academia proved invaluable, but needed to be recalibrated for the faster-paced, market-driven environment of industry. One of the most striking differences was the tempo and nature of decision-making. I learned to adapt my collaborative leadership style to accommodate shorter decision cycles while still maintaining inclusive practices.
What steps do you take to ensure inclusivity and diversity within your team or organization?
Throughout my career, I’ve approached diversity and inclusion as fundamental to organizational excellence, not just as compliance objectives. This means actively building diverse talent pipelines, ensuring equitable opportunities for advancement, and creating an environment where different perspectives are actively sought and valued. I’ve learned that meaningful progress requires both systematic changes in hiring and development practices, as well as daily actions that demonstrate our commitment to inclusive leadership.
What are the top three skills needed as a dental industry leader?
First, strategic vision coupled with adaptability. Second, the ability to build and inspire diverse, high-performing teams by creating an environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. Third, strong communication skills that enable you to effectively engage multiple stakeholders while maintaining focus on advancing oral healthcare.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to take on a leadership role?
My advice is to actively seek opportunities that stretch your capabilities while staying true to your core values and passion. Take time to develop both broad perspective and deep expertise – volunteer for projects outside your comfort zone, build relationships across different areas of industry, and find mentors who will provide honest feedback for your growth. Most importantly, remember that leadership is about enabling others to succeed – focus on developing your ability to listen, build trust, and bring out the best in those around you. I’ve found that the most successful leaders are those who remain curious, embrace challenges as learning opportunities, and consistently demonstrate genuine care for their team’s development.
