Capucine Sanders, MSM-PM, LSSYB, CAP, PACE
Capucine Sanders is an accomplished Executive Assistant to Vice Presidents and Strategic Operations Partner at Children’s Health with 19 years and 10 months of experience at the organization, and more than 20 years of experience in administrative roles overall. Based in the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, she brings a Master of Science in Management with a focus on Project Management, along with certifications including COS, CAP, PACE, and Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt. Her professional expertise spans executive support, operational leadership, project coordination, and event and logistics management, with a strong reputation for organization, discretion, and strategic execution.
Her career in healthcare began in 1997 after relocating to Dallas, starting with analytic work at a paging company before transitioning into a Health Unit Coordinator role in a hospital setting. In that position, she served as the first point of contact on the unit, ensuring patients, families, and staff had what they needed for smooth daily operations. She later advanced into a senior administrative role, where she remained for 16 years, strengthening her foundation in healthcare operations and executive support. During this time, she became highly skilled in administrative systems and workflow coordination, but eventually recognized she was operating in routine tasks without continued professional growth. A turning point came after completing the “Drive Your Own Development” course through Children’s Health, which inspired her to take ownership of her career trajectory and pursue a more impactful path.
In 2022, she transitioned into her current Executive Assistant role after initially believing the position was limited to calendar management. Once she discovered the strategic and project-driven nature of executive support, she embraced the opportunity and fully stepped into the role. Today, she supports three Vice Presidents, including dedicated calendar management for one, proactive anticipatory support for another, and close collaboration with the VP Chief of Staff on strategic initiatives and cross-functional projects. Her work is highly project-based, and she functions as an unofficial project manager and operational leader. She also provides daily support and mentorship to senior administrative staff within her VPs’ downline, many of whom are newer to their roles. Her core strengths lie in organization, project management, and operational coordination, with each day shifting between crisis response, executive alignment, and strategic project execution.
• Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt
• Lean Six Sigma White Belt
• Nova Chief of Staff Certification
• Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)
• Walden University - BBA
• Colorado Technical University - MSPM
• Leadership Award Nominee
• Spirit Award Nominee
• International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP)
• Project Management Institute (PMI)
• National Association of Professional Women
• ASAP
• Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas
• Volunteer Coordinator for Community Therapist
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the relationships I have with my leaders and my ability to see the bigger picture in things. I think that's important because it keeps me moving forward. I also have a growth mindset and the willingness to speak up. There's a way to do it, too - you have to have a certain level of finesse. But I've learned that you don't have to have a title to be a leader, and when I walk into any room, I know that people want me there. I know what I'm doing, and I can run with the big dogs.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
To use your voice and not remain in the background. Capucine emphasizes that even in supportive roles, it’s important to contribute ideas, think strategically, and advocate for your own growth.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell them to build relationships before they need them, because that's huge in this role. I think that's huge in any role, actually. And I always tell my leaders, if they look good, I look good. So I always want to make my leader better, but I'm not going to lose my voice, my own voice, in doing that. Those are the two main things - build relationships before you need them, and don't lose your voice while supporting others.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge I see is that the EA role is not looked at as a career - it's just seen as a job. A lot of people don't know the work that we have to do as executive assistants or administrators. We are bigger than calendar management. We are truly our leader's right hand. I think people need to get away from the EA title, because we're more like strategic partners. Some people think that AI can take over our roles now, and I'm like, well, it can't take over my role. If someone is doing strictly calendar management, then yes, I can see that happening, but we're not just admins, we're not receptionists. The bottom line is, what do the leaders want from their EA? Do you want somebody who's just managing calendars, or do you want somebody forward-thinking? Do you want to move forward with the world? If so, your EA needs to do process improvement, process management, data analytics. We have to move with the way the world is moving. A lot of EAs have trouble with that because their leaders or other people put that 'just' in front of their title - 'you're just an EA' - and absolutely not. On the flip side, the opportunities are huge. In this role, especially as an EA, you're positioned with C-suite executives. So you have the option - if I want to be a Chief of Staff, I can, but that's not my desire. The EA role can put you in rooms that can help you grow, if you want to.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is most important to me, along with unwavering integrity and selfless service. Those are actually values here at Children's, and I try to be sure that I have those two things both professionally and personally. I'm big on maintaining integrity in everything I do.