Her Story
About Kenya
I've been in healthcare IT for 22 years. I started in the lab and the IT team asked me to join because they needed someone who knew blood banks. I enjoy working in IT and have implemented enterprise systems before moving into governance roles focused on testing and releases to provide value to patients.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kenya
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received is that you have to be in the room. My leader told me that calling in from my office was the last thing I should do because to grow in your career, people need to see your face, make connections, and drive conversations so others bring your name into the room when you're not there. I've seen this play out in every position and promotion.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Do not be shy. Make sure your voice is being heard in meetings, not just your face being seen. You can be in the meeting but if you didn't add value, they don't remember you. Remember the people that had value in that meeting.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The challenges in healthcare include being able to come to work and be authentically yourself without conforming. As an African-American female in IT, proving the value you bring has been a big challenge, especially with few women or African Americans in leadership. But it's changing and exciting to see the landscape improve, with the first African American female director in 2021 at my organization.
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