Her Story
About Monika
Monika Berrier, EdD, PMP, is a learning and development leader serving as Director of AHE Education at the Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE), an operating unit of the American Hospital Association (AHA). She leads educational initiatives designed to strengthen the knowledge, skills, and professional development of environmental services professionals across healthcare. Her work focuses on helping EVS professionals understand their critical role in infection prevention, patient safety, and creating safe healthcare environments. Berrier brings extensive experience in instructional design, adult education, project management, training, and organizational development. Before moving into her current AHE leadership role, she spent several years in instructional design and education management and also worked in creative and production environments. She holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration from Capella University and a Master of Science in Education Media Design & Technology from Full Sail University. She is also a Project Management Professional (PMP)® with credential ID 5709282. Throughout her career, Berrier has remained committed to developing people and elevating the environmental services profession. She believes effective education should be learner-centered, practical, measurable, and continuously improved through feedback and evaluation. Beyond her professional work, she has participated in organizations focused on community and women's wellness, including Girl Scouts and Fly Girls. Her leadership philosophy is rooted in purpose, continuous learning, community impact, and the belief that strengthening people ultimately strengthens the organizations and communities they serve.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Monika
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my passion for adult education and my commitment to helping people grow. Whether I support professionals who need to maintain a certification or help individuals new to the environmental services profession pursue their career goals, I focus on providing the best educational experience possible. I continuously review learner feedback and survey results, evaluate whether people are retaining and applying what they learn, and look for better ways to deliver education. I believe that continuously improving the learning experience and advocating for the importance of healthcare environmental services have been fundamental to my professional growth.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I have received was to welcome feedback. Although it is sometimes hard, extracting constructive value from criticism instead of taking it personally is invaluable for growth.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women to identify what truly matters to them and stand firmly behind it. It can be difficult to get through the door, but having a meaningful purpose or cause gives your work greater significance and makes it easier to remain committed through challenges. Whether that means contributing to your community, championing an issue you care about, or working for an organization with a shared mission, I believe it is important to know your values from the beginning and use your career as an opportunity to make a meaningful difference.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One significant challenge is that environmental services are still not always recognized as a profession with the same strategic importance as other healthcare teams, despite their direct connection to infection prevention and patient safety. Another challenge is the staffing shortages and limited resources available to expand education effectively within EVS. At the same time, this creates a major opportunity to expand professional education, reach more healthcare organizations, strengthen the EVS workforce, and help many decision-makers recognize environmental services as an essential part of the environment of care and patient-safety ecosystem.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My work is grounded in education, continuous improvement, collaboration, leadership, and service. I believe strongly in developing people, listening to learners, responding to feedback, and continually seeking better ways to create meaningful educational experiences. I am also motivated by contributing to causes that improve communities, elevating women, and supporting work with meaningful purpose.
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