On International Women’s Day 2023, we want to take the opportunity to celebrate the incredible contributions that women make to WELL Health. To do this, we’ve chosen to highlight the personal and professional experiences of a panel of five inspirational and influential women from across the world of WELL.
As you’ll see, we discussed everything from how women can support other women to our panel’s insights into leadership and what’s next for them at WELL Health.
We hope you find these perspectives valuable and can learn a little more about the different ways in which women across WELL Health are working every single day to positively impact the health experiences of individuals within the communities WELL serves.
So, let’s get into it with our International Women’s Day panel and find out what they had to say!
WELL Perspectives: International Women’s Day Q&A
Our International Women’s Day panel includes:
- Monica Cepak – Chief Marketing Officer at Wisp
- Donna Paradowski – Family Nurse Practitioner at WELL Health Clinic Network
- Dr. Alex Kuritzky – Medical & Cosmetic Dermatologist and Medical Director at DERM Lab
- Marion Adams – Co-Founder & CEO of Focus Mental Wellness
- Eva Fong – Chief Financial Officer at WELL Health
Q: Do you have any mentors that have inspired you, particularly anyone that inspired you to be a leader?
Monica Cepak – Chief Marketing Officer at Wisp
My mother has inspired me more than anyone in my life – she’s an immigrant who came to the US in her 20s without speaking a word of English and went on to become one of the early female software engineers in her field, while also raising 3 children. I’ve always admired her courage and leadership.
From a professional standpoint, I was also lucky to have started my career being mentored by the female President of global PR firm Edelman, Gail Becker.
Marion Adams – Co-Founder & CEO of Focus Mental Wellness
I’ve been very fortunate to work in industries with very high female representation. Before I worked in mental health, I worked in market research. I’ve had a lot of exposure to dynamic and effective female leaders. Women who are both compassionate and kind, but also sure of themselves, and not concerned about being perceived as difficult.
That’s a particularly challenging balance to strike when you’re a woman, and I’m just extremely grateful for exposure to role models in this regard.
I would consider both of my parents to be mentors. They were both the first people in their immediate families to seek higher education. And eventually, they built a company together, of course with the help of others as well. Seeing them building a company by putting in the hours, work, and passion. That was very important for me to be exposed to that.
Dr. Alex Kuritzky – Medical & Cosmetic Dermatologist and Medical Director at DERM Lab
I am lucky that the field of dermatology is full of inspiring women, many of whom have served as mentors, both formally and informally. I have been invited to leadership courses and conferences and encouraged to pursue leadership roles by mentoring dermatologists.
Donna Paradowski – Family Nurse Practitioner at WELL Health Clinic Network
I truly am a team care advocate, and I’ve had the pleasure of working with remarkable individuals.
My husband was a Family Physician, GP Anesthetist, OB/Gyne and a role model amongst his colleagues. So much of my healthcare philosophy evolved from the years we worked together. His sudden loss in 2008 was devastating. However, I continue along the path of fierce commitment to health care!
Rachel Donovan, my initial Nursing Director during my nursing education, introduced our class to professional nursing organizations. I met Jeanette Roger, CNA President in 1986, who inspired my professional vision. And then there’s Dr. Michael Yan, Anne Summach, and many more.
Q: When you started out in your career, did you foresee yourself having a leadership role?
Eva Fong – Chief Financial Officer at WELL Health
Yes, I wanted to be a manager and lead teams. I wanted to grow professionally and make a positive impact on businesses and people in those businesses. And it’s always been important to continuously learn and grow. I am still learning so much every day!
Marion Adams – Focus Mental Wellness
When I think back to the very early days of my career, I mean, if I’m being really honest with myself, my day-to-day aspirations revolved around not wanting to screw anything up at my job!
Above anything else, I just wanted to be someone that people could rely upon, and to do my job well. I think once I gained a base level of confidence and experience, then I was able to start dreaming bigger. For me, what that meant was pursuing my desire to build or do something that would benefit people, and ultimately improve people’s lives in a meaningful way. I think I focused on that rather than being fixated on being a “leader.”
Dr. Alex Kuritzky – DERM Lab
Absolutely. I have always enjoyed problem-solving and working creatively with people. I enjoy the journey from vision to implementation and all the challenges along the way.
Q: As a woman, what has helped you to make your career, and what are the biggest factors in your success?
Dr. Alex Kuritzky – DERM Lab
As a practicing physician, medical director, mother, and wife, I have to be very organized! I had my two sons during my residency, so I had the benefit of an active family life to keep me grounded from early on in my career. I have learned to delegate and ask for help in my personal life and professional life.
Goal setting and making calculated sacrifices are also important. By this, I mean sacrifice with a purpose, choices that I can live with to achieve my career and family goals.
Monica Cepak – Wisp
A few things I’d point to! First is mentorship. I was very intentional early on in my career to identify key mentors. They have been critical in helping me chart out my career path while serving as an encouraging sounding board in moments when I struggled with imposter syndrome.
The second is networking. Staying plugged into marketing groups and attending industry events has been a great way to build a network, establish a thought leadership profile as well as keep a finger on the pulse of the latest innovations.
Finally, I’d say business school. Pursuing my MBA helped me legitimize my hard skills. Unfortunately, women have to work that much harder to be seen as “credible” in communicating data and numbers.
Eva Fong – WELL Health
As a woman, a wife and a working mom, I’m often juggling many things at the same time. Whether it’s building my career, raising kids, or taking care of aging parents.
One of my personal mantras is “where there’s a will there’s a way.” It’s really all about resilience. I believe that I can achieve whatever goal I have set for myself. Sometimes it takes baby steps, but as long as we have clarity of what our goals are, be persistent and focus, we will get there.
Q: What do you want to achieve next?
Monica Cepak – Wisp
I want to continue leading in the women’s healthcare space – there’s so much more work to be done until true equity becomes a reality. My dream is a world where vagina, orgasm, and abortion are words that are no longer stigmatized, but rather, part of our everyday language.
Donna Paradowski – WELL Clinic Network
Ongoing advocacy of the Nurse Practitioner’s scope of practice and integration into medical teams in the primary community systems means a lot to me.
Dr. Alex Kurtizky – DERM Lab
DERM Lab turns three this spring! We’re continuing to grow the practice and add treatments to improve the health and well-being of our patients. I want to make DERM Lab a well-known and respected brand in the skin care industry.
Q: How have you built confidence and resiliency in your career?
Monica Cepak – Wisp
For me, confidence and resiliency come from preparation and hard work – I’ve never underestimated the importance of putting in the pre-work, so there isn’t a doubt about the facts, data, and background information which helps boost confidence, especially in moments of debate and conflict.
Donna Paradowski – WELL Clinic Network
Much of my career evolved in northern rural environments, and it’s critical that health professionals support and educate others. For example, a World War II veteran surgeon taught me debridement and suturing skills. A midwife taught me the wonders of childbirth. Focus on the good, and bring solutions to the table. And have a vision!
Dr. Alex Kurtizky – DERM Lab
I’ve learned that no one knows everything. I have trusted colleagues that I ask when I need advice and I look to past successes when I doubt myself. I learn from my mistakes and try to see challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. Importantly, I make sure to take time away from work regularly so that I feel energized and avoid burnout!
Eva Fong – WELL Health
Practice makes perfect! Building confidence is a long process where you practice something you’re not familiar with until you can overcome any fear.
There is an inspiring woman leader I used to work with, and she’s a top-notch sales executive in a Fortune 500 company. You would think she could close her eyes and do any sales presentation. But she once told me that she would practice her sales presentation fifty times the day before the presentation. That’s why practice makes perfect!
Also, “never give up” is another personal mantra. When there is something I want to achieve, I will focus on it and won’t stop until it is achieved!
Q: Another question that really stands out on International Women’s Day is, how can women develop their leadership skills?
Marion Adams – Focus Mental Wellness
We know from research that men tend to be more confident in their abilities and more effective at advocating for themselves than women are.
As an example, women are more likely than men to apply to jobs they’re overqualified for. Conversely, men are much more likely than women to apply to jobs they’re underqualified for.
With that in mind, what I would say to women is to not wait for someone to give you an opportunity to lead or to advance your career. Be assertive and advocate for yourself with confidence. Believe in your skills, believe in the value you can provide, stand behind that and don’t apologize for it!
Donna Paradowski – WELL Clinic Network
Be supportive of other women colleagues, be a mentor, and seek out mentors!
Eva Fong – WELL Health
Everyone is different, so we have to find the methodology that works best for us.
For me, I try to check in with peers, direct reports, and my manager regularly to get their feedback and ask questions. I continue to build trust and relationships, so I continue to grow and seek support from others.
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve been given? And how would you tweak that and pass it along?
Dr. Alex Kurtizky – DERM Lab
Balance is not something that is achieved on a daily, or sometimes even a weekly, basis. There are times in life when your career takes precedence, and family life has to take a back seat for a short while. My Royal College exam year was one of these times. And there are times when family life takes priority and career is secondary. My first maternity leave, when I took a full year off, was a time when family life was a priority for me.
Rather than despairing over the part of life you are “failing” at, turn your attention to the aspect of your life where you are focusing, and know that balance is a long-term endeavour. Be kind to yourself. Life is not short, it is finite. In truth, we have a lot of time to achieve our goals.
Monica Cepak – Wisp
Get comfortable being uncomfortable – it’s a sign you’re growing. I think this advice applies no matter what stage you’re at in your career. Keep pushing yourself forward and be curious to learn new skills and perspectives.
Q: Who and what are you leading currently, both people or projects?
Eva Fong – WELL Health
The entire Finance Team and I am also part of the Executive Leadership Team. I am involved in many aspects of the business as every penny coming in or out of the company touches the Finance team.
I am very blessed to be able to contribute and be part of the amazing WELL family.
Marion Adams – Focus Mental Wellness
I lead a team that includes marketing, client support, business development, and our therapist network. And, of course, we are always accountable to the thousands of clients who trust us to provide high-quality therapy!
Q: What’s the most rewarding or inspiring thing about what you do?
Donna Paradowski – WELL Clinic Network
I simply love the stories; the lived experience changes my heart and worldview.
Monica Cepak – Wisp
Helping women feel more empowered about their sexual health.
Marion Adams – Focus Mental Wellness
Our therapists at Focus Mental Wellness are really inspiring. They’re the ones doing the work here. You know, they carry the weight of a lot of people’s challenges. Some of those challenges are very, very heavy. And our therapists do this with professionalism, poise, and passion… it’s just incredible.
Dr. Alex Kurtizky – DERM Lab
Everything we do at DERM Lab comes back to our patients and helping them to get the most out of their health and their lives. When I help a patient get their skin condition under control and get their life back, there is nothing more rewarding.
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment at WELL?
Dr. Alex Kurtizky – DERM Lab
DERM Lab is the first clinic that WELL built from the ground up, and I was intricately involved in every aspect, from choosing the location, the design, and selecting the team. Three years in we are a beautiful, strong, 100% female practice that I could not be prouder of!
Marion Adams – Focus Mental Wellness
We recently administered an anonymous survey about WELL’s ‘Be Well’ program in 2022. Honestly, the results were so touching. When feedback gets shared with me, it’s a reminder that real people are living a better life because of the support they’ve received from their therapists. For me, that’s incredibly rewarding.
Q: In your experience, what are the benefits of having women in leadership positions?
Dr. Alex Kurtizky – DERM Lab
Women bring other women up. We mentor each other and encourage the women around us to think of themselves as leaders and pursue leadership positions. Women bring a unique perspective to leadership, often one that is more collaborative and less competitive.
Donna Paradowski – WELL Clinic Network
Women represent 50% of the population and bring along their perspective and world view recognizing past barriers and championing new approaches.
Marion Adams – Focus Mental Wellness
Having women in leadership positions isn’t just the right thing to do, it actually leads to better business outcomes. Research shows that having diversity in a room leads to better decision-making. Morgan Stanley showed that companies with strong female leadership generated a return on equity of 10.1% a year, as opposed to 7.4% generated by companies without.
In all aspects, it’s objectively better to have women in leadership positions.
Monica Cepak – Wisp
Diversity in perspectives of all kinds is necessary and leads to better business outcomes because it fosters a healthy debate and includes the unique experience of 50% of the population.
Q: Our final question is particularly important on International Women’s Day, how should women support other women?
Eva Fong – WELL Health
Build a community to share experiences and learn and support each other. We need to remind each other to advocate for ourselves and help each other build our treasure chest.
We know that gender equality is still an issue in the workplace due to known reasons, such as when women choose to stay home and raise kids or take care of family members.
It gets even harder if you are a minority or an immigrant from another country. Even recently, when I go to various business functions, I look around, and women usually make up only 15-20% of the room.
We need to continue to encourage and support women to return to the workforce when they are ready. And for those in the workforce, continue to encourage them to take baby steps to go out of their comfort zone to advocate for themselves.
Small things matter, so let’s continue to support each other one small thing at a time.
Monica Cepak – Wisp
There’s enough room at the top for everyone to shine – be supportive and lift other women up to leadership positions.
Marion Adams – Focus Mental Wellness
Be the woman who’s not afraid to give credit to other women. Say their name to colleagues and managers, advocate for them, and champion them as you would yourself.
Donna Paradowski – WELL Health Clinic Network
Time… take an opportunity to compliment other people’s good work. Provide an empathetic ear.
A big thank you to our International Women’s Day panel!
We want to thank our panel for sharing their perspectives for International Women’s Day!
As an organization where nearly two-thirds of our total team members and over 60% of WELL’s care providers, directors, and managers are female, it’s impossible to capture the experiences of all women.
But we hope you enjoyed reading these thoughtful contributions from our panel of passionate and purpose-driven women.
Taking the opportunity to celebrate the contributions women are making to healthcare is important. And at WELL Health, supporting equality and diversity is a key ESG goal and a big part of making WELL a healthy place to work.
A critical part of creating a healthy workplace is fostering a culture of respect where all team members feel valued, included and supported to be the best they can be.
That’s why one of WELL’s core ESG principles of being a healthy place to work is building a diverse workforce in terms of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation and spiritual beliefs, and a culture that values the unique contributions of all team members.
For more information about WELL Health’s people and career opportunities, visit the Careers & Culture page.
