Events

Mentor Circle: Play the Leadership Long Game with Kristen Paffendorf

Written by Professional Women in Healthcare | 08/12/2025

Effective leaders must adeptly navigate the demands of today while strategically planning for tomorrow. In this Mentor Circle, we will delve into the important balance between achieving short-term objectives, meeting the expectations of upper management, and fostering long-term growth through effective talent retention and team development.

We will examine specific strategies for setting priorities that align with immediate responsibilities, such as meeting project deadlines and achieving quarterly targets, while also cultivating an environment that promotes sustainable growth.

This includes discussions on identifying and nurturing high-potential employees, implementing ongoing training and development initiatives, and creating a resilient team culture. By sharing insights and best practices, we aim to equip you with the tools to make informed decisions that benefit both your immediate team dynamics and the organization’s overall success in the long run.

*We kindly remind you that each member may only register for one mentor circle per season. This policy is in place to ensure maximum enrollment opportunities for all members and to foster a deeper commitment and engagement within each mentor circle. Thank you.

 

Circle Leader:

Kristen Paffendorf
Contracting Manager, Diagnostics/Laboratory, Premier Inc.

Kristin Paffendorf is a driven leader with a diverse background in supply chain management, including 16 years of experience leading multi-million-dollar categories of business and cross-functional teams in retail buying and healthcare sourcing. Currently serving as a group purchasing organization (GPO) Contracting Manager at Premier Inc. in Charlotte, NC. Kristin specializes in vendor management and contract negotiations. 

With a passion for driving performance, thinking strategically, and being agile in times of change, Kristin applies a growth mindset to exceed goals while fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. Outside of work and PWH, Kristin stays busy with an outnumbered, high-energy household of boys. She loves spending time with her family, traveling and discovering new places, being outdoors, and cooking nutritious, plant-based meals.