Influential Woman · Health Informatics
Evelyn Gallego, MBA, MPH, CPHIMS
CEO, EMI Advisors
Bethesda, MD 20815
Her Story
About Evelyn
Evelyn Gallego, MBA, MPH, CPHIMS, is a nationally recognized healthcare technology executive, entrepreneur, and thought leader specializing in health data interoperability, digital transformation, health equity, and social care integration. As Founder and Chief Executive Officer of EMI Advisors LLC, a certified women-owned small business she established in 2015, Gallego has spent more than a decade helping federal agencies, healthcare organizations, and community partners bridge the gap between health and human services through innovative data-sharing strategies, policy alignment, and technology adoption. Widely regarded as a pioneer in social care data integration, Gallego serves as a trusted advisor to government agencies, healthcare payers, providers, researchers, technology vendors, and standards development organizations. Her expertise spans health information exchange, health IT policy, interoperability standards, value-based care, care coordination, social determinants of health, and human-centered systems thinking. Through EMI Advisors, she has built a nationally respected consulting firm that supports partners in advancing data-driven solutions that improve health outcomes and strengthen connections between healthcare and social services. Gallego’s career path reflects a unique blend of science, technology, business, and public health. She earned a double major in Human Biology and Psychology, along with a minor in Fine Art History, initially aspiring to become a medical illustrator and biomedical communicator. An internship with a major telecommunications company introduced her to the world of technology, where she quickly developed expertise in information technology project management, global systems deployments, and business operations. Her passion for healthcare and technology later led her to pursue an MBA focused on international healthcare business, followed by a Master of Public Health with a concentration in health policy. As electronic health records and healthcare digitization transformed the industry, Gallego became deeply involved in shaping health information technology policy and implementation. Her work with federal agencies, including the Department of Defense Health Agency, positioned her at the forefront of national efforts to modernize healthcare systems and improve interoperability. Recognizing the lack of women, particularly Latina leaders, in her field, she became an independent consultant in 2009 before founding EMI Advisors to create greater opportunities for diverse leadership in health informatics and public-sector consulting. Today, Gallego is recognized for her ability to unite policy, technology, and operational stakeholders around shared goals that advance health equity and person-centered care. Her leadership continues to influence the future of health and human services integration, empowering organizations to leverage data, technology, and collaboration to improve outcomes for individuals and communities nationwide.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Evelyn
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to not following a linear path and having a growth mindset. I've never shut a door or been so focused in one direction that I don't consider other options. Sometimes it may not make sense to people why I chose one path over another, but I think that has been part of my success. I've had advice from mentors along the way to stay in one lane, and if I had done that, I wouldn't be where I am today. I really take advantage of opportunities. I think you're always learning, and you have many opportunities in life. I feel my success is because I've never been so focused that I don't consider other options, and I really believe in having a growth mindset where you're not always thinking you're going to do something one way, because there's not always one way to solve a problem.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Do not limit yourself to a single path. The most meaningful opportunities often come from combining different interests, experiences, and skill sets to create something unique and impactful.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would look for opportunities tied to something you are passionate about. If you love data and have a passion for what I call whole-person health, public policy, and public health, I would encourage you to explore health informatics. I feel there needs to be an awareness that there's this whole field of work that often people get into by accident because they went into healthcare or public policy, and then they're like, oh, there's this other field. We're in this age of AI, and you can't do AI without data because data is fundamental. Think outside the box: jobs that exist today may not exist tomorrow, and there will be new jobs in the next two or three years that you wouldn't even have thought of today. Keep an open mindset, think of your passion, always go back to what you're passionate about, and you will find something that you can contribute to.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges: Integrating social care and healthcare systems effectively. Standardizing healthcare and social services data across organizations. Ensuring equitable access to health resources. Managing rapid technological and policy changes in healthcare. Opportunities: Expanding use of interoperable health data systems, Advancing health equity initiatives nationwide, Leveraging technology to improve patient outcomes, Scaling social determinants of health programs through policy and payment reform. Growth of precision prevention and personalized healthcare approaches.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The two primary values for me are integrity and trust. I say this to my team all the time, as well as to my children. It's really important to do as I say and to trust, because often, if I do come across individuals with low integrity, it makes it really hard for me to trust them. For me, it's always practice what you preach, always lead by example. All of this is really tied to integrity, that I really advocate to make sure that we come across as genuine, and that people and our clients and our partners trust us, and we trust each other, because we know we will do as we say. Overall, I think trust is very inherent to the work I do because data exchange happens at the speed of trust. Above all, you need to trust that whoever you share your health information with, whether verbally, electronically, or on paper, will protect and secure it and not cause you harm.
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