Lenora Anstey
Lenora Anstey is a healthcare leader, registered nurse, and strategic consultant based in Charlotte whose career reflects more than two decades of experience blending clinical expertise with operational leadership and customer experience strategy. Originally earning a degree in organizational communication, Lenora’s professional path changed profoundly after her son became critically ill and required intensive care treatment. That personal experience inspired her to return to school to pursue nursing, combining her natural compassion with a desire to support patients and families during vulnerable moments. What once seemed like two unrelated career paths ultimately became the foundation of her professional strength, allowing her to integrate communication, leadership, and clinical insight into a unique and highly effective approach to healthcare operations.
Throughout her career, Lenora has held a variety of leadership roles across home health, hospice, palliative care, and population health management. She previously served as Director of Clinical Operations, overseeing large-scale healthcare programs and interdisciplinary teams while driving quality improvement, operational growth, and patient-centered outcomes. In February 2026, she transitioned into her current role as a Senior Customer Experience Consultant with Optum, where she works strategically across multiple healthcare markets to improve patient experience and quality performance measures. As the only clinician serving in a senior consulting role on her team, Lenora offers a perspective that bridges operational strategy with frontline clinical realities. She analyzes performance data, collaborates with executive leadership, and develops customized educational and operational strategies tailored to the specific needs of each healthcare market rather than relying on broad, one-size-fits-all solutions. Her ability to understand both the clinical and business sides of healthcare has made her a respected voice in quality improvement and organizational transformation.
Known for her solutions-oriented mindset, Lenora describes herself as someone whose brain is constantly searching for ways to move from challenge to resolution, whether by optimizing existing systems or creating entirely new tools when needed. She credits her success to grit, determination, and a commitment to excellence shaped through both personal adversity and professional experience. In addition to her healthcare leadership work, Lenora remains deeply committed to service through volunteer efforts and medical mission work supporting underserved communities domestically and internationally. Grounded in compassion, family values, and faith, she continues to encourage the next generation of healthcare professionals to embrace every opportunity, trust that they have earned their place at the table, and lead with confidence, purpose, and heart.
• Registered Nurse
• Bob Jones University
Bachelor's of Science, Organizational Communication
• Clemson University
Masters of Human Resources Studies
• Greenville Technical College
• NC State Board of Nursing
• Medical mission work in Haiti for disaster relief after earthquake
• Medical mission work in Liberia in remote areas providing clinics and healthcare
• Water of Life organization
• Upcoming clinical mission to Dominican Republic with Optum
• Free Mom Hugs
What do you attribute your success to?
I would really say grit - just pure determination. I've been in places in my life where I didn't have the option to fail, so my success would be overcoming the obstacles. Challenges that never gave me the option to back down have stretched me and shaped me into who I am today. My brain is wired to always look for solutions, which I think is the operations side of me. I'm constantly challenging myself to think outside the box - if I need to get from point A to point B, I assess what tools I have available, or I create new tools if they aren't there to make it work. At the end of the day, it's grit and determination to be good at what I do. I'm going to get creative to make it work. I've had over 20 years of experience in both nursing and business, which gives me a unique perspective. Being the only clinician on my consulting team allows me to understand where providers are coming from while also bringing strategic business thinking to solve problems.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received came from a mentor who hired me and worked with me over the years. She always said, "If you’re at the table, you’ve earned the right to be there. Spend your energy leading, not justifying your place." That advice has always stuck with me and helped me show up with confidence, knowing that I belong and that I should focus my energy on contributing and leading rather than feeling I need to prove myself.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Take full advantage of every situation that you're in, and don't minimize the work that you're doing or assume you're missing out on something. There's always a purpose in every role and a lesson in what you're doing. Everything happens for a reason, and it's going to shape you into a better person. As women, our presence isn't accidental and our conduct matters. Make sure that you don't take yourself for granted in every situation. Every role you're in serves a purpose and offers valuable learning opportunities, so embrace each one fully and recognize that your contributions matter, no matter how small they may seem at the time.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In the current policy and economic climate, my field has been significantly impacted. Healthcare is essential to survival, yet funding continues to be reduced and access to care scaled back. As a result, the nursing profession—and clinical care more broadly—has faced increasing pressure, with fewer resources and diminished support. Clinicians are having to shoulder heavier workloads, and organizations are having to reduce staffing and operating support. But at the end of the day, it's just an opportunity to advocate for our clinical expertise and for patients. It's about adapting as women and not giving up on maintaining high standards of care. It's also an opportunity to support each other, especially in the healthcare profession right now.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I never want to lose sight of what truly matters—the people I love. I work to live; I don’t live to work. My job does not define who I am—it is simply one part of the whole of me. I believe deeply in making space for myself so that I can care for others. Self‑care is not optional; it is essential—a lesson that took me nearly twenty years to fully recognize. When I take care of myself, I am better equipped to care for those around me. Burnout serves no one, and no job is worth sacrificing my sanity or time with the people I love most. When I care for myself, I show up as my best self—for my team, as a leader, as a mother, and as a friend. When your workday is done, close your computer and walk away. You’ll thank yourself and so will your loved ones.