In this episode of the Women Physicians Lead podcast, host Dr. Lisa welcomes Mary Stutts, CEO of the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association. Mary Stutts shares her experiences and insights on advancing women in healthcare leadership. She discusses the importance of diversity and inclusion, addressing the "broken rung," "paper ceiling," and "concrete ceiling" that hinder women's career progression. Stutts also highlights health equity, the impact of menopause on senior women leaders, and the potential of AI in healthcare. She urges women to advocate for themselves and stresses the need for companies to support women's advancement to ensure gender equality in the workplace. Introduction (00:00:00) Introducing Mary Stutts and her role as CEO of the Healthcare Business Women's Association. Mary Stutts' Leadership Journey (00:01:13) Details of Mary Stutts' extensive leadership experience in various organizations and her expertise in health equity. Influences on Pursuing Leadership (00:03:25) Mary Stutts discusses her career journey and the influential figures who supported her transition into healthcare leadership. Transitioning Between Roles (00:07:03) Mary Stutts shares her experiences of transitioning between different roles in the healthcare industry and the importance of proactive decision-making. Health Equity and Corporate Social Responsibility (00:18:35) Discussion about the importance of incorporating health equity into diversity and inclusion programs for better employee engagement and success. Strategic Leadership Experiences (00:22:46) Importance of gaining specific leadership experiences, including managing a P&L, mentoring, and job rotations, for women to become strategic leaders. Advocacy for Women CEOs (00:23:57) Mary's proactive approach in advocating for roles, including creating a health equity practice at Real Chemistry and her involvement with the Healthcare Business Women's Association (HBA). CEO Role at HBA (00:28:24) Mary's approach to her role as CEO at HBA, including conducting a listening tour, identifying priorities, and planning a strategy stretch for the organization. Supporting Women in Leadership (00:36:46) Mary's thoughts on how organizations can rally around women to support their leadership development and increase the pipeline of women serving in leadership roles. Recruiting, Developing, and Retaining Women in the Workplace (00:36:46) Importance of companies being intentional about recruiting, developing, retaining, and promoting women in decision-making roles. Hiring More Women of Color and Breaking the Concrete Ceiling (00:39:06) Urgency to hire more women of color, particularly black, Latino, and Asian women, and the difficulty women face in breaking through to the first director-level job. Health and Wellness in C-Suite Roles (00:41:39) Discussion about the physical and mental health challenges faced by senior-level women and the importance of self-care. Empowerment and Networking for Women (00:47:25) Importance of remaining diligent, aware, and fostering strong relationships and networks to empower women personally and professionally. Let's Connect! If you're navigating the choppy waters of a career transition or seeking support as you step into a leadership role, I'm here for you. Schedule a career transition discovery call with me here, and let's chart a course to your dream destination.