christy taylor

I attribute my success to a combination of perseverance, curiosity, and the willingness to embrace opportunities that pushed me outside my comfort zone.

My career hasn't followed a traditional path. I built a career before earning my degree, raised a family while working full time, and continued investing in my education and professional growth along the way. There were certainly challenges, but I've always believed that where you start doesn't determine where you can go.

I also credit the mentors and leaders who saw potential in me and encouraged me to take opportunities I might not have pursued on my own. Throughout my career, I've tried to remain open to learning, willing to take calculated risks, and focused on making a positive impact wherever I was.

Most importantly, I've never lost sight of the importance of people. Any success I've had has been the result of great teams, strong relationships, and working together toward a common purpose.

One of the best pieces of career advice I ever received was to be open to opportunities, even when they don't look like the path you had planned.

Early in my career, I was encouraged to apply for a productivity and finance role. Honestly, I didn't want it at the time because I loved being closer to operations and the hospital environment. But a leader I respected saw something in me that I didn't yet see in myself and encouraged me to take the chance.

Looking back, that advice changed the trajectory of my career. It taught me that growth often comes from stepping into opportunities that feel uncomfortable or unexpected. Some of the most rewarding experiences of my career have come from saying yes before I felt completely ready.

Today, I share that same advice with others: don't limit yourself to the path you originally envisioned. Be open, stay curious, and trust your ability to learn and grow.

Sometimes the opportunities that change your life are the ones you almost say no to

I'd tell young women not to wait until they feel completely ready. If I had done that, I probably wouldn't be sitting here today. Some of the biggest opportunities in my career came from taking chances on myself before I had everything figured out. I'd also tell them that success isn't a race. I earned my degree later in life while raising a family and building my career. Everyone's path looks different, and that's okay. Keep learning, stay resilient, and don't be afraid to bet on yourself. The truth is, your career doesn't have to follow someone else's timeline. It just has to follow your willingness to keep growing.

I think one of the greatest challenges facing healthcare is sustaining and supporting the workforce. The last several years have reinforced how critical our caregivers are and how important it is to create environments where people feel valued, supported, and able to thrive. The opportunity for leaders is to invest in developing people, building resilient teams, and creating cultures where individuals feel connected to a larger purpose.

The values that are most important to me are growth, perseverance, and investing in people. My life and career haven't followed a straight path, so I've learned the importance of continuing to grow no matter what stage of life you're in. I've also learned that perseverance often matters more than talent. Most importantly, I believe we're here to lift others up. Whether as a mother, a leader, or a colleague, I've always tried to help people see their potential and leave things better than I found them.