About WittKieffer Impactful Leaders Podcast | Healthcare
As the premier executive search and leadership advisory firm, developing impactful leadership teams for organizations that improve quality of life, WittKieffer has a front row seat to the top leaders in the healthcare, education, and life science markets. Every day, we’re working with leaders who want to create a better tomorrow—to make an impact for their organizations, communities, and the wider world.
This is WittKieffer’s Impactful Leaders Podcast – this is not your typical leadership podcast.
It’s a personal and introspective chat with today’s most impactful healthcare industry leaders. We’ll cover personal topics from health and wellness to work world matters, delivering actionable advice and insightful takeaways. And we’re sure you’ll be inspired to find—or strengthen—your purpose.
Leading Through Healthcare Transformation: Why Humanity Still Wins
What does it take to lead a major healthcare system through transformation while keeping people at the center of every decision?
In this episode of Impactful Leaders, Daniel Young sits down with Heather Schimmers, President of Emplify Health, to discuss her journey from operating room nurse to executive leader of a health system serving communities across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Michigan. Schimmers shares valuable lessons on curiosity-driven leadership, building high-performing cultures, navigating large-scale health system integration, and maintaining trust through change.
She also explores her philosophy of “Love Plus Medicine,” explaining why compassion, accountability, and operational excellence are not competing priorities but essential partners in delivering exceptional care. The conversation examines the future of healthcare, the opportunities presented by AI and technology, and how leaders can preserve humanity in an increasingly complex environment.
29 Sept 2026
Leading Through Uncertainty: The Power of Interim Leadership in Higher Ed
What happens when a college or university suddenly finds itself without a president? In this episode, Robbyn Wacker, Ph.D. shares her experience stepping into an interim presidency during a period of institutional uncertainty and explains why interim leadership has become an increasingly valuable strategy in higher education. Drawing on her work leading Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences through leadership transition, accreditation preparation, and strategic planning, Wacker discusses the realities of entering a campus as an outsider, building trust quickly, and helping organizations maintain momentum when leadership changes occur.
She also explores the advantages and challenges of external versus internal interim appointments, the role of governing boards, and the misconceptions institutions often hold about interim executives. Whether facing a sudden departure, organizational fatigue, or a major strategic inflection point, higher education leaders and trustees will gain actionable insights into how interim leadership can stabilize, strengthen, and position institutions for future success.
1 Sept 2026
Leading Through Ambiguity: Chris Lowney on Purpose, Risk, and Enterprise Leadership
What separates good leaders from truly impactful ones? In this episode of Impactful Leaders, hosts Michael Anderson and Raj Ramachandran sit down with leadership expert, bestselling author, and governance leader Chris Lowney to explore the habits and mindsets that drive exceptional leadership. Drawing on his unique journey from Jesuit seminarian to senior executive at JPMorgan and former board chair of CommonSpirit Health, Lowney shares powerful insights on self-awareness, decision-making, organizational culture, and leading through uncertainty.
The conversation examines why leaders must learn to step back from daily demands, embrace ambiguity, and move beyond being the "smartest person in the room." Lowney also addresses the challenges facing healthcare organizations, the importance of mission-driven leadership, and how enduring values such as purpose, character, and service remain essential in an increasingly complex world.
For executives, board members, clinicians, and emerging leaders alike, this episode offers practical wisdom for leading with clarity and impact.
Who has been a guest on WittKieffer Impactful Leaders Podcast | Healthcare
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Jerry McLaughlin
Jon Williamson
Paul R Haut
Stacey Patterson
Scott Ellner
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
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