Hima Patel

I think being able to be nimble and flexible while also centering the humanity of each person that I work with has been really key. There are a lot of challenges in the world and in the workplace, and I think being able to stay flexible and adaptable and nimble, especially in times of change, which I think so often are always times of change, but also being able to say, hey, okay, let's find some common ground. I think that's taken me really far in different aspects of my career, being able to connect on the human level with folks.

The best advice I've ever received came from a former boss of mine who would say, 'Let's try it out, why not?' It's not really an advice piece per se in that same way, but he really instilled in me this idea of being open-minded and seeing what sticks and giving things a shot. I think that's really helped me in the work that I do and the work that I've done. I think sometimes we get in our own way, so this idea of, why not? Let's try it out, has been something that stuck with me in the day-to-day work, but also as I just think of different opportunities in my career as well.

Go for it. Why not? That same advice that's been given to me that's helped me is what I pass forward. I encourage them that their dreams are not out of reach, that they belong in the rooms that so often feel closed to them. I get to do the work where I get to empower them to advocate for themselves, or speak publicly, or navigate through challenges. Whenever someone comes to me with the seed of an idea, or with a little bit of doubt, or a little bit of uncertainty of, like, I don't know, maybe not, I get to say, why not? Try it out. Let's see. You never know. I feel really privileged and honored that a number of those young women have come back and said, you know, you inspired me to apply for that job I wasn't sure I'd get, and I got it, or I wanted to break away from my 9-to-5 and start a consulting company, and you encouraged me to do so, you believed in me. Just being able to help nurture those seeds by encouraging folks to just believe in themselves has been really valuable.

I think a big challenge right now is the public health field is often overlooked and underfunded. But the work and the people that are in it are so important, and the people driving that work are so passionate about the work that they're doing, the impact that they're making, and creating a better world for the communities and people that they serve. That continues to be inspiring. Public health as a field is so broad, but I think being able to pour into the next generation of leaders, that's the important work. If we're able to encourage them and allow them to bring their visions of a better world, a better future to life, then we're setting up the future for success. That's the challenge of working in public health and social impact, of it being chronically underfunded, often misunderstood or not appreciated, but at the same time, seeing that really rich work that's being done, the movements that are being built, the challenges that are being surmounted by so many. That's been really inspiring.

I think integrity is really important to me. Being an empathetic leader is important, and being community-driven as well. I think those are things that I hold dear, not just in work, but also in my personal life. This idea of being able to act and move with integrity, be there for others in a way that's caring and supportive, but also encouraging, empowering, and sometimes giving that piece of advice that maybe someone needs to hear but doesn't want to hear. But then also centering the folks that are at the core of what we do, the work that I do.