Her Story
About Savannah
Savannah Buckley serves as a Reimbursement Operations Supervisor at Cochlear Limited, where she oversees reimbursement activities supporting patients across the West Coast region of the United States. In this role, she leads a team of 12 remote and local employees, focusing on team development, operational excellence, and delivering high-quality support to recipients seeking insurance coverage and financial assistance for hearing solutions, including cochlear implants and non-surgical options such as the Baha Softband. With expertise in reimbursement operations, insurance processes, and healthcare coordination, Buckley plays an essential role in helping patients access life-changing hearing technologies while ensuring they receive compassionate guidance throughout their healthcare journey.
Buckley brings four years of experience in the durable medical equipment industry, along with a strong foundation in healthcare financial operations. Before joining Cochlear, she worked at Houston Methodist, where she supported patients through insurance verification, scheduling, and financial navigation within the oncology department. She also contributed to a foundation program that helped cancer patients secure financial assistance for treatments they could not otherwise afford. Prior to transitioning into healthcare, Buckley served in the military immediately after high school, an experience that shaped her discipline, resilience, leadership abilities, and commitment to serving others.
Buckley’s professional success is driven by the structure, determination, and self-motivation developed through her military background and life experiences. She pursued studies in criminal justice and psychology, reflecting her interest in understanding people and supporting their needs. As a leader, she values communication, transparency, authenticity, and active listening, adapting her approach to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds and help them thrive. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Buckley enjoys spending quality time with her family and traveling, experiences that allow her to create lasting memories, explore new perspectives, and maintain a strong sense of connection and balance in her personal life.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Savannah
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the resilience, determination, and self-motivation I developed throughout my life experiences. Growing up with limited resources taught me the importance of perseverance, independence, and creating opportunities for myself. When I joined the military, I found the structure, support, and sense of belonging I had always needed, which helped shape my discipline, confidence, and commitment to personal growth. Those experiences taught me the value of hard work, accountability, and understanding that achieving my goals requires dedication and taking ownership of my own journey. The lessons I gained from both my upbringing and my military service have played a significant role in shaping the person and leader I am today.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is that reaching my goals requires taking risks and being willing to step outside of my comfort zone. Success often comes from facing fears, trusting myself, and having the courage to pursue opportunities even when the path feels uncertain. I have learned the importance of not allowing other people’s opinions or doubts to limit my potential, but instead focusing on what aligns with my goals and values. Taking that leap of faith, staying committed, and seeing things through has been a valuable lesson throughout my professional journey.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to be a go-getter and take ownership of their professional growth. Do not expect opportunities to simply be handed to you; be proactive, seek out knowledge, and put in the effort to understand every aspect of your work. Research, ask questions, and continue learning so you can make informed decisions and build confidence in your abilities. Most importantly, stay true to yourself and make choices that align with your goals, values, and what is best for your own career journey.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in my field has been learning how to effectively lead individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, and working styles. When I transitioned into a supervisory role, I had to recognize that not everyone approaches tasks and processes with the same structure and mindset that I developed through my military experience. This required me to adapt my leadership style, become more flexible, and understand the unique needs of each team member. Learning how to motivate, support, and guide individuals in ways that work best for them has been one of the most valuable growth opportunities in my career and has strengthened my ability to lead diverse teams effectively.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are communication, transparency, authenticity, and active listening. I believe that open and honest communication builds trust, strengthens relationships, and creates a foundation for collaboration. I am someone who values asking thoughtful questions, seeking to understand different perspectives, and using fact-finding conversations to make informed decisions. Above all, I believe in staying true to who I am and encouraging others to do the same. Authenticity is powerful, and I strive to lead and interact with others in a way that is genuine, respectful, and supportive.
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