50 Leading Women: Kris Sanders

In honor and celebration of our Women’s Division‘s 50th Anniversary, we will be spotlighting 50 Leading Women making an impact, raising their voice, and leading the next generation of women in the workforce and Plano community.

Introducing, Kris Sanders, FACHE, Senior Vice President, Northern Market Growth and Development for Children’s Medical Center Plano. Kris oversees leadership and implementation of all market activities north of Dallas. She is responsible for the advancement of clinical programs and partnerships in this area. Kris gives back to the local community by serving on the Board of Directors for Plano based nonprofit, Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County. She furthers her mission and calling in the medical field by serving on the ACHE of North Texas Board of Directors as  the Sponsorship Committee Liaison. The Plano community is lucky to have her back serving in such incredibly impactful spaces!

Portrait(D220606R): Kris Sanders (SVP Northern Market Growth and Development).

1. Describe your leadership style and how you lead others.

I love this question because I never know how to answer it, so it changes every time I’m asked.  I truly believe in being a servant leader, so I am the leader that my team needs.  As a leader you not only evolve based on the role, but you also must evolve based on the needs of your team.

2. How can women develop their leadership skills in the workforce?

I believe that women can advance their leadership skills in the workforce by adopting a spirit of continued learning.  You will never know it all so continue to learn from others and the industry in which you serve.

3. What are the most important decisions you make as a leader?

The most important decisions I make as a leader are based on the work of my organization and the communities we serve.  As the population continues to grow, my role is to ensure the children of this community will have the highest quality care possible closer to home.

4. What has been one of your biggest joys as a leader?

My biggest joy would be to see the impact of the communities we serve as well as the development of the future leaders I support.

5. What has been your greatest career disappointment? What did you learn from it?

One of my greatest career disappointments must come from early in my career where I allowed others to place me in a box and not truly express who I was or what I had to offer.  I learned that I am just as impactful and insightful as everyone in the room, so I now believe in myself more than ever.

6. What strategies could be used to promote inclusion in the workplace?

Representation matters!  As a woman of color growing up in what used to be a white male dominated industry, I never thought there was a place for me at the table.   Thankfully I forged ahead and here I am.   Being seen now as a healthcare leader, I hope that I am now encouraging to young women of color that there is in fact a seat at the table for them.

7. What advice would you give your 25-year-old self?

Often times I found myself not speaking up or shrinking in a room filled with men.  One of those men shared some great advice with me that I wish I had at 25 – he said you ‘need to be seen’ as the intelligent leader we all know you to be so speak up and speak out and be seen!

8. What advice can you give to the next generation of female leaders?

I would tell the next generation of female leaders that leadership is not a position – leadership is influence.   Be sure to be the best influence you can be.

9. Who inspired you and why?

My entire life I have been inspired by my mom.  Her tenacity and resilience were unmatched.  She was the most graceful and caring woman I knew.  She lit up every room she entered.  After her passing, her legacy of true determination and caring for others is remembered by all which is what I want out of this life – to be remembered for the care I provided to others and how I made them feel.

10. What do you want to be remembered for?

I want to be remembered for what I did for others and my obnoxious laugh.  (*insert my laugh here)