Courage to Lean Into the Pivot - Season Three - Episode 38

“I can’t wait to see the butterfly that awaits on the other side.” – Kimara Ellefson   In this episode, Kimara talks about: Fighting burnout Finding your “True Believers” Leaning into meaning and purpose   Key Takeaways It may seem slow going, but you are preparing for a work/life pivot. “Becoming” doesn’t just happen; you must own it. Always bet on yourself As the national director of strategy and partnerships for the Kern National Network for Flourishing in Medicine (KNN), Kimara Ellefson fosters long-term engagement with individuals and groups across the healthcare ecosystem and society. She also provides operational leadership for the KNN program office while helping to shape strategic plans for expanding the KNN’s work and influence. Kimara’s three-part leadership philosophy—put people first, seek to understand, and get to yes—supports strong relationships and inspires collaboration. Prior to her national director role, Kimara spent more than 20 years in a variety of other leadership roles, including interim vice president of human resources and faculty affairs at Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). Her expertise in relationship building and organizational development allowed her to play an integral part in shaping executive recruitment, talent acquisition, and staff and faculty development. Her visionary leadership and acumen have also helped position MCW as a national model for productive, cost-effective integration of Faculty Affairs and Human Resources. Kimara was recently recognized with the Distinguished Service Award, MCW’s highest honor, reflecting her ability to lead transformative institutional change in the academic medicine setting. Her experiences and skills have earned Kimara national leadership roles with the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Group on Faculty Affairs as an elected member of the National Steering Committee and as Chair of the Program Planning Subcommittee. Additionally, she co-authored a chapter in “Closing the Gender Pay Gap in Medicine” and has shared strategies and presented nationally on salary equity, career development, and personal/professional flourishing in the field of medicine. Kimara holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and a Master of Business Administration, and she is currently pursuing her EdD. Ultimately, she endeavors to influence cultures and relationships through systems change in a way that helps all flourish.   Kimara Ellefson on LinkedIn:                         linkedin.com/in/kimaraellefson   UPLIFTING WOMEN HOSTS Kristin Strunk and Holly Teska Your co-hosts of the UPLIFTING WOMEN PODCAST, Holly Teska & Kristin Strunk, are women who UPLIFT other women at work and in the world.  Every other week they bring uplifting women guests to share their personal stories of challenge and triumph to inform and inspire their listeners.  The podcast also features guests who have played a significant role in honoring women and their place in the world by serving as promoters, sponsors, and coaches to the many women in their personal and professional lives. Join Holly and Kristin as they hear how their guests navigate the world of career aspirations, life, love, and family. Get advice from successful women who have figured out their own version of "secret sauce" to create the life they love. Holly believes the world needs the best leaders it can build; those who demonstrate integrity, empathy, humility, vision, positivity, and confidence. This type of leader brings out the best in others and delivers outstanding results. Holly feels we need everyone to perform at 100% to making our world a better place. Holly's experience in leadership, executive coaching, and talent development is the foundation of her career.  She has helped bright and motivated leaders become the very best versions of themselves. Through direct feedback, reflection, experimentation, and honest conversation, she will push you to excel at what you were called to do. Holly is especially committed to helping women navigate the choppy waters of today's fast-paced workplace and evolving world conditions but works with many different individuals and situations.  She welcomes inquiries for leadership and executive coaching and speaking engagements. Kristin's experiences have led her to the simple conclusion that leadership is simple - maybe not always easy, but simple.  Her work supporting leaders in finding their voices inspired her to find her own voice in the space of employee experience and leadership development.  She often hears the question that isn't being asked and is skilled at facilitating conversations and building relationships.  She has helped executives lead organizational transformations involving employee engagement, technology, and the new "Future of Work."  Follow her hashtag #responsibleleadership on social media to learn more about simple things leaders can do to build relationships and have a lasting positive impact.   Website:         www.upliftingwomen.net   Connect with Holly: LinkedIn:         https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyteska Twitter:           https://twitter.com/HollyTeska Facebook:       https://www.facebook.com/holly.teska Instagram:      https://instagram.com/HollyTeska Personal Website:         www.hollyteska.com Email:              [email protected]   Connect with Kristin: LinkedIn:         https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-strunk Twitter:           https://twitter.com/leadadvisor Facebook:       https://www.facebook.com/kristin.t.strunk Instagram:      https://instagram.com/ktuttlestrunk Personal Website:         https://regentleadershipgroup.com/ Email:              [email protected]