Dr. Nicole Harper, Vice President of Revenue Cycle Services and Chief Financial Officer at Eskenazi Health

Nicole D. Harper, Vice President of Revenue Cycle Services and CFO at Eskenazi Health, joins host Angela B. Freeman to talk about her unconventional path from health administration at Indiana University to the C-suite, shaped by mentors like former CFO Sharon Rogers, a non-linear academic journey through Walden University and Wharton, and a belief that asking outside questions is an asset rather than a liability. She reflects on bridging the divide between revenue cycle and finance teams, the stubborn underrepresentation of women in healthcare leadership, why failure is something to mine for data rather than fear, and how Eskenazi Health's mission to serve vulnerable populations drives every budget decision, making a direct case that passion, empathy, and a willingness to fight for your position are strategic assets, not soft skills.