Lessons learned and the next mission

During the first decade of my career, I learned valuable lessons while pursuing mission-driven work across various industries.

1. In politics, I witnessed the importance of using data to inform decision-making. From polling to fundraising to voter turnout, the significance of data and technology was evident. In 2011, I saw the emergence of ideas that have since reshaped the entire industry.
2. Working on a tech marketplace taught me the importance of deeply understanding buyers and sellers through data to create successful products.
3. In journalism, during a period of upheaval and uncertainty, I recognized the importance of data, strategy, and operations in transitioning an established organization to its next iteration. I also learned the importance of organizational culture, which is difficult to measure but can often determine the success or failure of a mission.
4. I have discovered that most organizations in healthcare are operations organizations. Healthcare is a deeply human endeavor and, maybe more than any other sector, can benefit from modern leadership approaches, data and technology. There are huge opportunities to improve the status quo for everyone involved in this endeavor. Especially patients.

I am now applying these lessons in my next professional venture. I have joined Gokul Mohan, Stephen Stewart, and the CareHarmony team as Head of Business Operations. I am excited to bring my experience in data, technology, operations, and leadership to achieve their mission to deliver personalized, coordinated care to every patient. I hope to share more lessons from this part of my journey in the future.

In a subsequent post, I will write about the significance of mentors and cross-sector experiences in shaping my own perspective on pursuing socially-minded, mission-driven work.