Her Story
About Takishia
Takishia Coward is an accomplished healthcare operations professional serving as Operations Manager at Leidos, where she oversees daily healthcare operations and supports providers, clinical staff, and leadership. She began her healthcare career as a Medical Assistant in 2017 and advanced into management through strong performance, leadership capabilities, and a demonstrated commitment to operational excellence. In her current role, she focuses on provider support, workforce scheduling, employee performance, compliance, quality assurance, and staff development, while fostering a professional and engaged workplace environment.
Coward is particularly passionate about developing people and creating opportunities for career advancement. Throughout her leadership career, she has mentored and supported team members in reaching their professional goals, including an employee who advanced into an Operations Manager position in another state. Her clinical background provides a strong foundation for her management approach, allowing her to understand both the operational demands of healthcare organizations and the needs of the professionals she leads. She holds an AAS in Medical/Clinical Assisting from ATA College and a BA in Organizational Leadership from The University of Arizona Global Campus, along with professional certifications that have strengthened her preparation for management responsibilities.
Beyond her work at Leidos, Coward is committed to mentoring teen mothers and encouraging them to pursue their goals, drawing from her own experiences as a teen mother. She credits her children as a major source of motivation and strives to demonstrate through her own journey that it is never too late to pursue meaningful goals. Coward encourages aspiring professionals to embrace every opportunity for growth, including certifications, courses, and new responsibilities, while remaining persistent when faced with setbacks. Her leadership philosophy is grounded in loyalty, respect, accountability, professional development, and the belief that strong leaders create opportunities for others to succeed.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Takishia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to my children, who motivate me to give my best every day. I want them to be proud of me and to understand that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to, regardless of the timeline the world may place on them. I believe it is never too late to pursue your goals, and even if life takes you off course, what matters most is finding your way back and continuing forward with determination.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is not to take no for an answer. If someone tells me no, I don’t see it as a reason to give up; I see it as an opportunity to find another path. I believe that if I keep pursuing my goals and remain open to new opportunities, eventually I will find someone who recognizes my potential and is willing to give me a chance to succeed.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to take advantage of every opportunity to learn and grow. If your employer offers a certification, training program, class, or any other professional development opportunity, take it. Every additional skill, credential, and experience strengthens your professional profile and demonstrates that you are motivated, eager to learn, and committed to advancing your career. Never hesitate to invest in yourself and take every opportunity to grow.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is staffing. Like many organizations, I often find myself dealing with a shortage of qualified people, which means taking on additional responsibilities and working harder to keep everything running smoothly. While it can be challenging, I remain optimistic and committed to finding solutions, supporting my team, and continuing to move forward.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The value that is most important to me in both my professional and personal life is loyalty. I believe it is essential to have people you can genuinely count on and trust to have your back, especially during challenging times. Whether in the workplace or in my personal relationships, knowing that I have a strong support system and being that same source of support for others is incredibly important to me.
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