The Power of Purpose-Driven Leadership with Sandi Fenwick

Leadership that transforms organizations and communities is both visionary and deeply human — and Sandi Fenwick exemplifies it. As the first female CEO of Boston Children’s Hospital, Sandi led a $2.8B global healthcare and research enterprise through growth, innovation, and unprecedented challenges, including the pandemic. In this episode of Better Understanding, Sandi shares the lessons that guided her journey: the power of preparation, courage, and character; how to cultivate teams that thrive; and the importance of leading from your best self. She reflects on building cultures of dignity and connection, investing in relationships that matter, and navigating high-stakes decisions with clarity and care. Listeners will come away inspired to: Lead with passion, courage, and morality in complex organizations Create environments where teams feel valued, empowered, and connected Approach leadership as a journey of significance, balancing impact with personal growth. Sandi’s story is a masterclass in purposeful leadership, showing how intentional, human-centered decision-making elevates both people and performance.