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.

H