Stephanie D'Haiti

I attribute my success to my resilience and my commitment to scheduling joy first. This work requires heart, and the healthcare system is constantly changing, changes that deeply impact our communities. I’m an empath, and seeing people struggle can keep me up at night. Over time, I’ve learned that you cannot pour from an empty cup; you need to pour from an overflowing pitcher, so you always have enough for yourself and others. Early in my career, I realized that scheduling joy first means protecting the things that make you feel like yourself — whether that’s rest, exercise, movement, time with people you love, or simply moments that bring you peace. This philosophy is embedded in my leadership. I lead with empathy, and I encourage my team to take care of themselves and invest in their well-being. For me, joy isn’t separate from the work; it’s part of the work and at the center of how I lead. In this field, you’re constantly navigating clients with complex challenges, your own personal experiences, and the weight of what’s happening in the world. All of it can impact your mindset, mental health, and resilience. That’s why the overflowing pitcher matters. It took me years to build this resilience. Now, when I climb one mountain, I know another is coming; and I’m ready for it.

Be authentic and be yourself — and don’t lose who you are in the work. Sometimes, you have to step back and ask yourself: What am I giving myself? Yes, you’re building your career and doing all these things, but are you internally fine? Are you okay? There has to be a balance. I’ve seen friends pour everything into their work and end up with health issues because they didn’t intentionally make time to care for themselves. I understand the drive; you want to build your career, make money, and positively impact the world. But there’s only one you. You have to invest in self-care and pour into yourself, so you can truly show up for the work you love and for others. My advice is this: Go after everything. Give your best effort. But don’t forget who you are along the way. Make time for joy. Maintain balance. Because that’s how you bloom and grow. And that’s how you make the greatest impact.

The biggest challenge right now is the constant change within the healthcare system. Policies are shifting frequently, and each change directly impacts the communities we serve. Every day brings new updates, and our teams must continuously learn and relearn just to keep up. This creates knowledge fatigue for my team and makes it difficult to provide stable, consistent support to the populations who rely on us most. When systems are constantly changing, maintaining continuity of care becomes more challenging. At the same time, being part of advocacy coalitions gives us an important opportunity. We can serve as a voice for our clients, amplify their needs, and bring those concerns to political leaders to push for stronger, more equitable policies. This work requires resilience. We are constantly adapting to new challenges while continuing to uplift at risk communities who often lack access to proper or affordable care. Despite the uncertainty, our commitment remains the same — to advocate, adapt, and ensure our communities receive the support they deserve.