Christina McMahon

I attribute much of my success to two things: an unwavering work ethic and the privilege of doing work that I care deeply about, both personally and professionally.

But at a deeper level, I know that I did not get here alone. During one of the most difficult periods of my life, when I was struggling with addiction and beginning to rebuild in recovery, people extended kindness, grace, and opportunity to me when I needed it most. They believed in who I could become at a time when I was still learning to believe in that person myself. Their willingness to see beyond where I had been gave me the opportunity to build the life and career I have today.

I have never forgotten what it feels like to have someone take a chance on you. That experience continues to shape the way I lead, the way I connect with others, and the way I approach this work. It is a constant reminder to look beyond where someone is today and recognize the potential of where they can go when they are given the right support, opportunity, and belief.

Ultimately, much of the passion I bring to my work comes from a desire to extend to others some of what was so generously extended to me.

One of the most meaningful pieces of career advice I’ve ever received came during a conversation with one of my mentors, Sally McGarrity. We were talking about the emotional weight of working in behavioral health and addiction treatment. This is incredibly rewarding work, but it can also be incredibly difficult. You witness pain, loss, setbacks, and outcomes you desperately wish could have been different.

During that conversation, Sally said something I’ve never forgotten: “If I could go back and do something different with my life, I wouldn’t.”

That simple statement stayed with me because it captured something I had been learning myself: meaningful work is not always easy work. In fact, sometimes the work that asks the most of you is also the work that gives the most back.

I’ve carried that perspective with me ever since, both professionally and personally. I believe in pursuing work that gives you a sense of purpose, even when it challenges you. The difficult days don't diminish the value of the work; sometimes, they remind you just how much it matters.

For me, fulfillment has never come from finding the easiest path. It has come from knowing that the path I chose means something.

Work hard. Be ambitious. Take the opportunities that scare you a little. But don’t lose yourself in the pursuit of becoming successful.

Especially in helping professions, it can be easy to believe that giving more, working harder, and constantly pushing past your own limits is evidence of how committed you are. I’ve learned that it isn’t. Taking care of yourself is not separate from success; it’s what allows you to sustain it. There is no accomplishment worth reaching if you lose yourself on the way there.

I would also tell young women to trust their internal compass. There is a quiet voice inside us that usually knows when something is right, when something isn’t, and when it’s time to take a chance or make a change. It’s rarely the loudest voice in the room. It can easily be drowned out by other people’s expectations, opinions, or our own fear and self-doubt. Learn to hear it anyway.

Some of the most important moments of growth in my life and career came when I trusted that instinct before I could see exactly where it would lead me. You don’t always need to have the entire path mapped out. Sometimes you just need to trust yourself enough to take the next step.

One of the biggest challenges in this field is the emotional weight that comes with the work. You witness a tremendous amount of suffering, and there are days when the realities of addiction and mental health struggles can be heartbreaking. Even when you care deeply and work tirelessly, not every outcome is the one you hope for, and that can be difficult to carry.

On a broader level, one of the most significant challenges is access to care. There are still major disparities in the quality of treatment and resources available to people based on factors like insurance coverage, socioeconomic status, and geographic location. Too many individuals who are struggling with addiction or mental health issues face barriers to receiving timely, high-quality care — and those barriers can have life-altering consequences.

At the same time, I also see a tremendous opportunity. Conversations around mental health and addiction are becoming more open, stigma is slowly decreasing, and more people are recognizing that these are health issues deserving of compassion, treatment, and long-term support. I think our field has the opportunity to continue pushing for a system where every person, regardless of background or financial circumstances, has access to the same dignity, quality care, and chance at recovery.

The values that matter most to me, both personally and professionally, are authenticity, empathy, kindness, and the willingness to advocate for others.

Authenticity is incredibly important to me. I believe the strongest connections happen when people feel safe enough to be fully themselves, and I try to create that kind of space by showing up as my genuine self, too. I don’t believe leadership requires you to leave your humanity at the door. Whether I’m at work or in my personal life, I want the people around me to feel seen, accepted, and comfortable being exactly who they are.

Empathy is equally important. I try to approach people with curiosity and compassion rather than judgment, and to remember that we rarely know the full story of what someone else is carrying. I believe in giving people grace, leading with kindness, and extending the same understanding I would hope someone would offer me during my own difficult moments. Sometimes a little compassion can change the trajectory of someone’s day—or even their life.

I also have a strong instinct to advocate for people, particularly those who may be vulnerable, overlooked, or struggling to have their voices heard. If something doesn’t feel right, I have a hard time staying quiet about it. To me, integrity isn’t simply about having strong values when they’re convenient; it’s about being willing to act on them when it matters.

Ultimately, I want people to walk away from an interaction with me feeling respected, understood, and valued. Titles and accomplishments matter, but how we make people feel and how we show up for them when they need us says far more about who we are.