Her Story
About Teresa
Teresa Healy, MBA, is an accomplished higher education and research administration professional who serves as an Associate Administrator at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. With 35 years at Johns Hopkins, she has built a distinguished career spanning financial management, administrative operations, grants and contracts management, and institutional leadership. In her current role, she provides high-level leadership and management of departmental operational, financial, and administrative activities supporting the University's research, clinical, and education missions. Her responsibilities encompass areas including financial management, human resources, research administration, business development, and continuous process improvement.
Throughout her career at Johns Hopkins and its affiliated organizations, Teresa has progressively taken on greater responsibility. Her experience includes serving as a Grants & Contracts Manager in the Department of Pathology, where she provided guidance on sponsored-project protocols, regulations, and agency and university requirements; an Assistant Administrator; a Senior Administrative Manager; and an Administrative Manager overseeing financial, administrative, human resources, academic, proposal, and facilities functions. Earlier in her career, she worked in financial and administrative operations at Jhpiego and Johns Hopkins, developing expertise in budgets, grants, contracts, financial reporting, compliance, proposal preparation, and organizational operations. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Management specialization from the University of Baltimore and a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Leadership and Organizational Learning from Towson University/University of Baltimore.
Teresa attributes her professional growth to hard work, determination, continuous learning, and the support of her family. She has spoken openly about earning her degrees while working full-time and raising a family, emphasizing the sacrifices and persistence required to continue moving forward. Her leadership philosophy centers on finding one's voice, developing practical skills, supporting others, and remaining humble. She encourages the next generation to work hard, ask questions, pursue opportunities even when they do not feel completely ready, and understand that advancement must be earned through demonstrated capability rather than simply through education, tenure, or title. In addition to her professional responsibilities, she serves as an elected Staff Advisory Council Representative for the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where she represents staff interests and helps foster positive workplace and professional-development initiatives.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Teresa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to hard work, the example set by my family, and the people who believed in me along the way. My father was a significant influence. Although he did not have a college education, he worked full time, ran a business on the side, and attended classes at night to earn his Master Electrician certification. Watching his determination and sacrifice taught me the value of perseverance, while my mom taught me to be independent and self-reliant. My mom taught me the importance of independence and self-reliance, giving me a foundation that has stayed with me throughout my life.
My children became another important source of motivation. I wanted them to see that challenges and setbacks do not have to define what comes next, and that you should never stop working toward becoming the best version of yourself. It was important to me not just to tell them that, but to model it through the way I lived my own life.
Throughout my career, I have also been fortunate to have strong female mentors who recognized my potential, helped me find my voice, and encouraged me to grow as a leader. Although leadership was always a goal of mine, I have naturally been more comfortable working behind the scenes and making things happen than advocating for myself. My husband has been one of my strongest advocates, pushing me to pursue opportunities I might otherwise have talked myself out of and reminding me to see in myself what he and my mentors already saw.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to find my own voice. As someone who is naturally introverted, I had to learn to speak up, trust what I know, and make sure my perspective is heard. I was fortunate to work with strong women, including my mother, who challenged me and helped me develop the confidence to use my voice.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women to remember that where they start does not determine where they will finish. Work hard, learn as much as you can, and ask questions. Do not be afraid to take an opportunity simply because you do not feel completely ready for it. At the same time, understand that advancement is not automatic. A degree, years of service, or a title does not entitle you to the next position. You must continue developing your skills and demonstrate that you are prepared and capable of taking on greater responsibilities.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are a strong work ethic, integrity, communication, being there for others, and humility. I believe in working hard, communicating effectively, supporting the people around me, and remaining humble throughout the process of personal and professional growth.
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