Lorna Malawi, NHA, PCHA

Many who know me would say that my success is rooted in the influence of both of my parents, though I would especially attribute it to my dad. My father was born and raised in Africa, and I am the first of six children. He was an orphan who grew up in extreme poverty so severe that he took on minuscule jobs, like moving cattle from one place to another, just to feed himself and survive.

At some point during his school years, particularly in high school, he had a realization that education was the most powerful path forward the key to changing his circumstances and creating opportunity. That belief shaped not only his life but ours as well. He raised all six of us to understand that education is essential for growth and progress, and that it opens doors that hardship tries to close.

My father eventually went on to earn degrees in finance and built an impressive career, holding influential leadership roles, including serving as a president and vice president of major banks in Kenya during his time.

My mother, on the other hand, is a strong African woman who raised us beyond traditional expectations. She encouraged her daughters to confidently navigate a male-dominated society, refusing to conform, and became a successful entrepreneur in her own right. I carry her strength with me and embrace her courage to live beyond limitations and not be confined to any box.

It’s going to be a tough journey ahead so make sure you take time to enjoy and celebrate every win along the way. At times, it may feel like the challenges outweigh the victories, but in reality, they don’t. That’s simply the nature of the job.

Celebrate every success, no matter how small. Remember, your staff is your most important asset they will ultimately influence your success or your failure. Lean on them, support them, and allow them to support you.

Know your limits and step back when it matters most. Most importantly, believe in your ability confidence is imperative.

The NHA role is hands down one of the most challenging positions, but it is also incredibly exciting, dynamic, and rewarding.

My first piece of advice is to find the right mentor someone you can consistently lean on for guidance and support as you strive to succeed in this field. Having that trusted person makes all the difference.

It’s also important to know your limits. This role can be emotionally demanding, so recognize when you need to step back, breathe, and reset. Taking care of yourself allows you to lead effectively.

Be prepared for constant growth this is truly a daily growth journey. Stay open to learning and evolving. At the same time, remain confident in your expertise. Make decisions thoughtfully and with intention, not by guessing. And when you’re uncertain, don’t hesitate to reach out for support.

As you grow, find your rhythm and leadership style and trust it. Believe in what works for you and don't waive simply because others, who may not fully understand the role, encourage you to change what has already proven successful.

Collaboration is essential, but it does not mean you have to change who you are. You can work effectively with others while still staying true to your personality and leadership approach.

One of the biggest challenges we face is regulatory compliance. As a healthcare organization, we are heavily regulated at both the state and federal levels. This creates a complex environment where we must consistently follow strict rules and guidelines on a daily basis.

Another difficulty is that not everything is within our control. When you are managing a workforce of 400 +employees, it is not realistic to monitor every individual action. For example, I can’t always predict or control what the 415th employee is going to do at any given moment. As a result, there will inevitably be situations where actions fall out of compliance or do not meet regulatory requirements.

Maintaining oversight at that scale is challenging. Ensuring that every employee consistently adheres to regulations requires constant vigilance, strong systems, and ongoing training, yet there will always be some level of risk involved.

In addition, diversity presents its own set of challenges. While it is essential to foster an inclusive workforce, there are still noticeable gaps in diversity across the field. Identifying and addressing these gaps can be difficult, especially when trying to ensure equitable representation, inclusion, and opportunity while also navigating regulatory and operational demands.

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity, respect, diversity, and stability. I believe in treating others with fairness and compassion, and I strive to create and contribute to environments where everyone feels valued and heard.

Diversity and inclusion are especially at the forefront of my values. I am very passionate about fostering spaces where people from all backgrounds can thrive, because I believe diverse perspectives lead to stronger teams, better decision making, and improved outcomes. This is something I carry with me both professionally and personally.

I also place a high value on accountability and excellence. I take pride in doing my work well and being someone others can rely on. Having the right tools, support, and resources is very important to me, as it enables me to perform at my best and deliver meaningful results.

Additionally, working for a financially stable organization is key. Stability not only supports long term success but also ensures that employees have the resources and infrastructure needed to do their jobs effectively and continue growing.

Above all, my children are the most important part of my life. They are my motivation and foundation, and they guide my commitment to creating a stable, supportive, and positive environment both at home and in my professional life.