Danielle (Danni) Talley, BSHA
Danielle (Danni) Talley is a dedicated healthcare professional and patient experience leader with more than 17 years of experience spanning electronic health records (EHR), training, and healthcare operations. Currently serving as a Patient Experience Consultant with Sutter Health in the East Bay region, Danielle focuses on improving the full patient journey—from first interaction to follow-up care—ensuring that every individual feels seen, valued, and supported. Her career began in healthcare IT as an EHR trainer and evolved through roles as a developer and analyst, equipping her with the technical expertise and insight needed to drive meaningful improvements in care delivery.
Danielle’s transition into patient experience reflects both professional growth and personal purpose. After years in technical roles, she felt called to make a more direct impact on people’s lives, ultimately stepping into a position that blends her analytical background with her passion for compassion, communication, and advocacy. Alongside her professional work, she continues to invest in her education, recently completing her Master of Healthcare Administration from Capella University, with a capstone focused on enhancing patient experience through data-driven strategies.
Beyond her formal role, Danielle is deeply committed to leadership, mentorship, and community building. She serves as Co-Lead of EmpowHer, an employee resource group supporting women across her organization, and is a licensed minister and women’s leader in her church. Through initiatives like Beauties That Brunch, she creates spaces where women can connect, grow, and uplift one another. Grounded in faith and driven by purpose, Danielle approaches both her work and life with gratitude, embracing each new chapter with a commitment to service, sisterhood, and meaningful impact.
• Microsoft Certified Trainer
• Licensed Minister
• Strategic Communication for Leaders
• Project Management Foundations
• The Leadership Challenge Workshop
• Leading Productive Meetings
• Capella University- B.S.
• Berkeley City College- A.A.
• Co-lead of Empower Her Employee Resource Group at Sutter Health
• Beauties That Brunch (building sisterhood and connection among women)
• Women's Leader at Church (community support including feeding programs)
• Sutter Health
What do you attribute your success to?
God is one, and that's the truth, because I got my degrees later on in life, you know, and it was him opening up doors for me and showing me favor, to be honest, to get me put on a path of healthcare. And also having good mentors, like, really seek out. It's okay to seek out to get a mentor. And get a mentor in the same field that you want to be in. And that's what I did. I have great mentors and people that I can aspire to be like.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
What I always say is, if you don't have a seat at the table, bring a stool and make your own space. Because people won't... you have to bet on yourself. Who's gonna bet on you if you don't bet on yourself, right? And then this world could make you feel like you don't belong. But you do belong. You make space for yourself. You make room for yourself. So when they don't have a seat at the table for you, don't worry, you bring a stool, and you make a space for yourself.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are faith, mentorship, building genuine connection and sisterhood, and advocating for patients to ensure they feel seen, heard, and cared for.