In a world where healthcare and technology intersect, Kristin has emerged as a powerful force, driving innovation and efficiency with a patient-first mentality. With over 25 years of experience, Kristin’s career trajectory is anything but conventional. Her path to success has been paved by a willingness to embrace the unknown, challenge the status quo, and take on roles beyond the typical confines of her job description. As the industry continues to evolve, Kristin stands at the forefront, advocating for a holistic approach that combines technological advancements with a deep understanding of organizational missions and patient needs.
Openness to New Opportunities
Kristin’s career has been marked by a willingness to embrace new challenges and opportunities. She never followed a strict career path but kept an open mind about her roles. Her focus was on understanding the organization’s broader mission rather than limiting herself to her job title. This approach allowed her to thrive in the healthcare industry, where she could apply her skills to improve patient care and organizational success.
“Being open to new challenges means stepping into discomfort—it’s essential for growth and innovation.”
For Kristin, success comes from being adaptable and open to doing different things. Instead of sticking strictly to her job description, she always looked at the bigger picture. She wanted to know what would make the organization successful and how she could contribute to that success, regardless of her official role. This mindset allowed her to grow and take on more significant responsibilities, including roles that weren’t traditionally part of her job.
In one example, she transitioned from an accounting role to IT simply because she was open to the opportunity and willing to learn. Her adaptability and willingness to step into unfamiliar territory became critical drivers of her success. By staying open to new experiences and opportunities, Kristin developed a broad skill set that made her a versatile and valuable leader.
Customer-Centric Approach
A significant theme in Kristin’s work is her deep understanding of the customer experience, whether those customers are patients or employees. Kristin believes that to innovate and provide practical solutions; one must first understand the needs and experiences of the people they serve. This approach has been central to her success in healthcare, where patient experience is paramount.
“If we don’t understand the business, how can we innovate? Technology solutions must be aligned with real needs.”
Kristin emphasizes the importance of spending time in the places where her customers are to understand their needs fully. For her, it’s not enough to solve problems with technology; she believes it’s crucial to understand those problems from the perspective of the people affected. Whether the customers are patients receiving care or employees using the technology, Kristin’s approach is understanding their experiences before implementing solutions.
In healthcare, this customer-centric approach is vital. Patients often don’t see the technology behind the care they receive, but they do feel the effects. Kristin knows that if her team understands the patient’s journey, they can improve the care experience. She insists on spending time in the field, observing and learning firsthand. Her focus on understanding and improving the customer experience has been critical to her leadership success.
Embracing Diverse Responsibilities
Kristin’s willingness to take on tasks outside her traditional role has been a career hallmark. From her early days working in her family’s small business, she learned the importance of doing whatever it takes to make a business successful. This lesson stayed with her as she moved through her career, leading her to take on various responsibilities that others might shy away from.
“It’s not about sticking to a job description—it’s about doing whatever it takes to make the organization successful.”
Kristin shared an example of this from her current job, where she developed a workforce safety program. Although it wasn’t part of her IT role, she recognized the need and embraced the challenge. Through this work, she identified and implemented technology solutions, like GPS tracking and emergency alarms, that significantly improved the safety of clinicians working in the field.
This approach reflects Kristin’s belief in embracing the “and other duties as assigned” part of a job description. She encourages her teams to adopt this mindset, understanding that sometimes the most critical work falls outside defined roles. By being willing to take on these diverse responsibilities, Kristin has significantly impacted her organizations and the people they serve.
Leadership in Times of Change
Kristin’s current role involves leading a team through rapid growth and transformation. Her organization is transitioning from a traditional fee-for-service model to a value-based care approach, requiring significant changes across the company. This kind of transformation can be exhausting for teams, and Kristin sees one of her main challenges as keeping her team motivated and focused during this time.
“In a high-growth environment, clear communication is key to keeping teams inspired and aligned with the mission.”
Leading during times of change requires technical skills and the ability to inspire and communicate effectively. Kristin spends much time ensuring her team understands the bigger picture and the reasons behind the changes. She knows that people can quickly become exhausted with constant change, so she puts a lot of effort into reminding them of the organization’s goals and how their work contributes to achieving them.
Kristin also emphasizes the importance of clear and frequent communication. She understands that in a rapidly changing environment, keeping everyone aligned and informed is essential. Even if it means repeating the same messages multiple times, she believes it’s necessary to ensure that everyone stays on the same page and remains motivated.
Transitioning to Broader Leadership Roles
As Kristin looks to the future, she sees herself transitioning into broader leadership roles, particularly in board governance. She’s already begun this journey, serving on Cincinnati’s Federal Home Loan Bank board. Kristin finds great satisfaction in taking a broader perspective and helping organizations align their technology strategies with their overall goals.
“My goal is to bring a broad perspective to board leadership, ensuring technology strategy aligns with organizational success.”
Kristin’s experience in technology gives her a unique vantage point, as she’s been involved in nearly every aspect of the organizations she’s worked for. She wants to use this experience to help more organizations succeed, particularly at the board level. Kristin’s next career phase is about adding value through governance, ensuring that organizations make intelligent, strategic decisions to help them thrive in a rapidly changing world.
This transition is a natural progression for Kristin, who has always been focused on the big picture. As she moves into these broader roles, she remains committed to solving problems and making a positive impact. She aims to continue contributing her expertise in technology and leadership to help organizations navigate the complexities of the modern business environment.
Kristin’s journey highlights the importance of flexibility, understanding customer needs, and taking on diverse responsibilities. Her experiences provide valuable lessons for anyone looking to impact their field significantly. Here’s how you can apply Kristin’s insights to your career:
1. Stay Open to New Opportunities: Just as Kristin never confined herself to a rigid career path, be willing to step outside your comfort zone and explore different roles and responsibilities. This adaptability can open doors to new and unexpected successes.
2. Put the Customer First: Kristin emphasizes the importance of deeply understanding the customer experience, whether they are patients or internal team members. Spend time on the ground, interact with those you serve, and use their feedback to drive innovation and improvements.
3. Embrace Diverse Responsibilities: As Kristin did with the workforce safety program, take on tasks that may not be strictly part of your job description. This willingness to do what needs to be done can set you apart and contribute significantly to your organization.
4. Lead Through Change with Clear Communication: In times of transformation, Kristin focuses on keeping her team inspired and aligned with the organization’s goals. As a leader, communicate the “why” behind changes clearly and consistently to keep your team motivated and focused.
5. Explore Broader Leadership Roles: As Kristin transitions into board governance, she highlights the value of bringing a broad perspective to leadership. Consider how your experience can contribute to guiding organizations at a higher level, whether through advisory roles or board positions.
By following these steps, you can drive meaningful change and achieve your next level of success, just as Kristin has done throughout her career.
Kristin’s career is a testament to the power of adaptability, customer focus, and a willingness to embrace challenges beyond conventional roles. Her journey from accounting to IT leadership and now to board governance showcases her commitment to making a meaningful impact in every aspect of her work. Kristin’s ability to see the bigger picture and dedication to improving the experiences of both patients and employees have made her a respected leader in the healthcare technology space.
As Kristin continues to evolve in her career, her focus on helping organizations align their technology strategies with their broader goals positions her as a visionary leader shaping healthcare’s future. Her story is not just about personal success; it’s about leading with purpose, driving innovation, and creating a lasting positive impact on the organizations she serves.
Kristin Darby is an Independent Director at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati and Chief Information Officer at Harmony Cares, where she brings her expertise in technology and governance to help guide the organization’s strategic direction. With a rich background in healthcare technology and leadership, Kristin is dedicated to aligning technology strategies with broader organizational goals. She is also passionate about mentoring emerging leaders, using her extensive experience to help them navigate the challenges of technology implementation and organizational transformation.
