Michaela Perry, MS, ASQ-CQIA, SHRM-CP
Michaela Perry, MS, ASQ-CQIA, SHRM-CP, is a Senior Business Partner for Workforce and Capacity Optimization at BioLife Plasma Services, where she partners with plasma centers to drive key initiatives, change management, and operational efficiencies. In this role, she collaborates closely with regional leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure alignment between strategy and execution, strengthen center performance, and support consistent, high-quality operational outcomes across the organization. Her work focuses on improving workflows, enhancing capacity planning, and enabling centers to operate with greater efficiency and effectiveness in a highly regulated healthcare environment.
Michaela brings a strong and diverse background in healthcare operations and quality management, beginning her career as a quality manager in training with CSL Plasma. She was later recruited into BioLife Plasma Services, where she advanced through progressively responsible leadership roles including assistant manager, center manager, and group manager before transitioning into her current senior business partner role. She holds a Master’s degree in Health Care Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, and she is certified as a SHRM-CP and Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA), reflecting her expertise in both people leadership and quality systems.
Throughout her career, Michaela has remained grounded in values of respect, empathy, kindness, and self-awareness, emphasizing the importance of self-care as essential to sustaining long-term performance in demanding environments. She is passionate about collaborative leadership and thoughtful change management, and she continues to grow toward future opportunities in workforce capacity leadership while staying closely connected to center operations. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, crocheting, and spending time with her cat, Nemo, as well as family and friends. She credits her mother, a nurse, and former leader Jennifer Brucculeri as influential mentors in her professional journey. Michaela was also recently featured in an Influential Women interview highlighting her leadership path, values, and career growth in healthcare operations.
• SHRM - Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)
• Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA)
• Salve Regina University - MHA
• Franklin Pierce University - BA, Biology, General
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a commitment to continuous self-improvement, resilience, and a willingness to stay open to growth. I choose not to listen to those who say something cannot be done and instead focus on developing my own skills, mindset, and capabilities. I value feedback when it is given constructively and use it as an opportunity to learn and refine my approach. I also see myself as a lifelong learner who remains adaptable in the face of change, understanding that growth comes from embracing new challenges and evolving with them rather than resisting them.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering my industry to keep an open mind and remain receptive to different perspectives and approaches. It is important to listen to others, especially in collaborative environments, and to recognize the value that diverse viewpoints bring to problem-solving and decision-making. I also believe success comes from learning how to develop thoughtful compromises that align with collective goals while still maintaining focus on desired outcomes. Approaching situations with humility, curiosity, and a willingness to learn will help build strong relationships and support long-term professional growth.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is managing the emotional and operational demands that come with wearing multiple hats and being on call in a fast-paced healthcare environment, which requires intentional effort to stay grounded and effective. Because of this, prioritizing self-care has become essential to sustaining performance and maintaining long-term resilience. At the same time, there are meaningful opportunities to make an impact through workforce and capacity optimization by helping shape strategies that improve efficiency and support center operations, while still remaining closely connected to the teams doing the work on the ground. This balance between strategic leadership and operational engagement allows me to drive meaningful improvements while staying aligned with the realities and needs of center-level teams.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are respect, empathy, and kindness. I believe in treating everyone with dignity, regardless of the situation, and approaching each interaction with understanding and compassion. You never truly know what someone else is experiencing, so I strive to lead with empathy and be mindful of the impact my words and actions may have on others. These values guide how I work with teams, support colleagues, and show up in my personal relationships, helping me foster trust, collaboration, and a positive environment wherever I am.