Empowering Women
to Lead and Succeed

PWH® is built upon a strong history of women leaders in the healthcare supply chain industry who continue to create a platform for progressive leadership and mentoring
for the next generation.

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PWH Mentor Circles

PWH Mentor Circles is a group mentoring program that enables professionals at all levels to come together to discuss and share knowledge on a topic. PWH Mentor Circles are made up of one Circle Leader and 10-15 Circle Members. The Circle Leader ensures the participation of all those members who would like to contribute to each conversation. The Mentor Circles meet 5 times over 10 weeks to discuss the chosen topic and may evolve into a longer conversation over time. Please read below to learn more about our two Mentor Circle topics.

*We kindly remind you that each member may only register for one mentor circle per season (i.e. Fall 2025). 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.

Strong Foundations Mastering Workplace Connections

Decoding DEI for Leaders

Decoding DEI for Leaders is a Mentor Circle designed for people leaders and managers with direct reports. Through the DECODE framework, participants will explore practical, real-world strategies to foster inclusive leadership, boost cultural competence, and embed equity into everyday operations. This series empowers leaders to demystify diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), build empathy, challenge personal and systemic bias, and confidently operationalize DEI within their teams. Please only register for this Mentor Circle if you are currently people leaders because inclusive change starts at the top.

Objective: To equip healthcare leaders with the knowledge, skills and practical tools necessary to effectively leverage DEI within their organizations. Through the DECODE framework, participants will engage in structured conversations that foster inclusive leadership, enhance cultural competence, and promote equitable practices for all.

  • Demystify DEI: Clarify the principles of DEI in the current climate to eliminate misconceptions and build a solid foundational understanding.
  • Foster Empathy: Develop the ability to understand and leverage all employee experiences.
  • Challenge Comfort Zones: Encourage leaders to recognize and address personal and systemic biases that hinder inclusive practices.
  • Operationalize DEI Strategies: Share action steps to integrate DEI principles into organizational policies and daily operations.
  • Diversity Perspectives: Promote the inclusion of varied viewpoints in decision-making.

Circle Leader:

Dr. Melody Vanoy

VP, Diversity & Inclusion

Fridays 12:30 - 1:30 PM ET
Sept 19; Oct 3, 17, 31; Nov 14

Dr. Vanoy is a transformational executive with over 20 years of experience designing inclusive people strategies, leading enterprise change, and coaching senior leaders to success.

She helps organizations build inclusive, values-driven workplaces by blending data, innovation, and strategic coaching. Her work spans industries - with a focus on healthcare, nonprofit, and mission-driven organizations - and centers on aligning culture, leadership, and business results.

She has served as VP of DEI at GHX, where she designed the global belonging strategy, launched leadership competencies based on Courageous Leadership, and coached senior leaders to measurable improvements in engagement.

She has also led DEl strategy and talent initiatives across a multi-state region and developed and facilitated leadership programming from onboarding to executive coaching. She brings a unique combination of certifications (SHRM-SCP, CDM, LHC), lived experience, and board leadership, with a passion for building resilient, inclusive systems.

Circle Leader:

Nisha Savanhu

Product Manager, Graham-Field

Fridays 12:30 - 1:30 PM ET
Sept 12, 26; Oct 10, 24; Nov 7

With over a decade of progressive experience at GF Health Products, Inc. (Graham-Field), Nisha Savanhu is a seasoned product manager with a proven track record in product lifecycle management, cross-functional leadership, and strategic market expansion within the healthcare industry. Currently managing four major product lines in the acute care market, including product inventory, and demonstrating deep expertise in both upstream and downstream product strategies.

In her current role since October 2021, Nisha leads initiatives in research and development (R&D) collaboration, product innovation, supplier negotiations, and new product introductions. She serves as a key liaison between domestic and international teams, crafting actionable data insights, sales tools, and marketing content to support global business objectives.

Prior to this, Nisha held several sales leadership positions at GF Health Products, including Account Executive and Territory Sales Manager for the homecare division. She played a critical role in maintaining top departmental gross margins and expanding brand presence across key markets in the Midwest.

The Power of Your Voice

Play the Leadership Long Game

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.

Circle Leader:

Susan Hollman

Sr Manager, Environmental Health & Safety, Owens & Minor

Fridays, 12:00 - 1:00 PM ET
Sept 12, 26; Oct 10, 24; Nov 7

Susan Hollman is currently growing and developing in her role as a senior manager environmental, health & safety with Owens and Minor. In this position, she is dedicated to ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, conducting risk assessments, and implementing safety protocols to protect both teammates and patients. Her commitment to learning and proactive approach have significantly contributed to maintaining a safe and efficient working environment.

Prior to her tenure in the medical distribution industry, Susan garnered extensive experience in the telecommunications sector. As a team leader, she successfully managed diverse teams, driving projects to completion while fostering a collaborative and productive atmosphere. Her ability to adapt to different team dynamics and project requirements has been instrumental in achieving organizational goals and enhancing team performance.

Susan holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from San Francisco State University and a Master of Science in Healthcare Management from Western Governors University.

Circle Leader:

Kristen Paffendorf

Contracting Manager, Diagnostics/Laboratory, Premier, Inc.

Fridays 12:00 - 1:00 PM ET
Sept 12, 26; Oct 10, 24; Nov 7

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.

Upcoming Webinars

To inquire about networking activities, make a program suggestion, or volunteer to help with events, please contact info@mypwh.org
August 21, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM ET

Coffee Chat: August 2025

Grab a cup of coffee or whatever wake up drink you prefer, and let's chat virtually. We will continue the discussion fr...
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August 7, 2025 | 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM ET

Member Touchpoint August 2025

Whether you are a new member or just want to get re-engaged, join us for the Member Touchpoint. You will learn about th...
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