A new year has a way of showing up with a mix of optimism and realism. January is supposed to feel like a reset, but this one arrived alongside a brutal round of flu and respiratory junk that many are half-jokingly calling "the plague." I somehow managed to dodge it, but almost everyone I know has been knocked sideways. It has been a good reminder that momentum does not always look loud or fast, and progress does not always happen on our preferred timeline.
This month's Wonder Women reflect that reality beautifully. Their stories are not about flashy wins or tidy endings. They are about making hard calls, stepping out of well-worn lanes, and staying committed even when the next chapter is still coming into focus. Growth, especially the meaningful kind, often happens quietly. It shows up in uncomfortable conversations, behind the scenes work, and the willingness to keep going without perfect clarity.
As we kick off a new year, these are exactly the kinds of stories worth leaning into. Please meet Angela and Barbara. Two women doing the work, asking the hard questions, and proving that real progress comes from courage, clarity, and the confidence to keep moving forward.
"Over the past twelve months, my greatest accomplishment has been growing through change. I stepped away from a long-held, clearly defined role in a business I helped shape to join the launch of a new venture. While the team was familiar, our revised approach required new ways of thinking and leading. This season stretched me beyond the lane I had always known advisor support and policy expertise and into a broader role as a builder and leader.
As the year unfolded, my vision sharpened and momentum grew. I helped lay the groundwork, balancing client needs with the behind-the-scenes effort required to build something new. I took on complex operational and branding responsibilities while deepening my absence management expertise. Big accomplishments do not always come with a final result. I am still discovering what comes next, but I have learned that progress does not require perfect clarity, just the courage to keep stepping forward."
"Midway through 2024, I met with the owners and founders to discuss our overall business trajectory and my growing frustration that we were no longer consistently meeting growth goals. We had become more reactive than proactive. That frustration was compounded by watching relatively new PBMs gain market share by positioning their offerings as exclusive or innovative, even though we had provided comparable functionality to clients for years. It became clear that we were no longer effectively telling our story in the marketplace. While I have deep experience in health care technology, I did not have the broader network or bandwidth to turn the tide alone.
Although this accomplishment slightly predates the past twelve months, the trajectory shift began with hiring a senior marketing executive with a health care IT background and someone I had worked with nearly twenty years ago. In early Q2, we added a President with direct experience leading PBM sales and operations, along with a technical leader to guide our core infrastructure and strategy. Finally, after more than a decade of collaboration, I convinced our former auditor to join us in an executive finance role. A company's success depends on strong pipelines, both clients and talent, and I believe the real momentum is just beginning."
Do you know a woman in our industry who is driving change, lifting others, or leading in a way that deserves to be seen? As we step into a new year, many of us are still finding our footing, setting priorities, and deciding what we want the next chapter to look like. It is often in these quieter moments, after the chaos has settled, that true leadership becomes most visible.
I am always looking to spotlight women who are making a real impact, whether they are reshaping strategy, mentoring the next generation, or simply showing up with consistency, integrity, and heart. These are the leaders who move our industry forward, not always loudly, but always intentionally.
If someone comes to mind, I would love to hear her story. You can reach me anytime at scombs@combsandc.com
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