EP5: Empower, Innovate, Lead: Unlocking Leadership Gold with Jennifer Fann

Life, Leadership and Perseverance w/ Nicole Semeraro

In this episode of Life, Leadership, and Perseverance, Nicole Semeraro sits down with Jennifer Fann, a healthcare leader with a wealth of experience in building high-performing teams and driving innovation around healthcare affordability. Jennifer shares her insights on leadership, the importance of community, and how empowering others can unlock true potential within organizations. She also dives into balancing a demanding career with family, leading with empathy, and staying grounded through gratitude.

Whether you're a leader, aspiring to lead, or simply looking to grow personally and professionally, this episode is filled with actionable takeaways to help you inspire those around you.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Jennifer’s Leadership Journey
   • From humble beginnings in Tennessee to leadership roles at Cigna, Mercer, Aon, and Lucent Health.
   • How Jennifer’s career evolved and the key lessons she learned along the way.
2. Empowering Others as a Leadership Tool
   • The importance of creating space for others to own their success.
   • How empowering teams leads to innovation and growth.
3. Leading with Empathy and Heart
   • Jennifer’s approach to balancing emotional intelligence with strong decision-making in leadership.
   • How empathy helps foster deeper connections within teams.
4. The Role of Gratitude in Leadership
   • Why gratitude is essential for creating strong relationships and resilient teams.
   • Jennifer’s personal practice of gratitude and how it influences her leadership style.
5. Balancing Career and Family
   • How Jennifer creates intentional moments with her family while leading a successful career.
   • Tips on achieving work-life harmony, even in high-pressure environments.

Key Quotes:

• "You have to empower others to own their space, create community, and stay curious—that’s where real innovation happens."
• "Gratitude is the unsung hero of leadership. Recognizing people’s contributions strengthens teams and builds authentic relationships."
• "Balancing family and career is about intentionality—being present and creating moments of connection, no matter how busy life gets."

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Empower Others: Leadership isn’t about control—it’s about creating space for others to shine. By empowering your team, you unlock their potential and foster innovation.
2. Lead with Empathy: Understanding the needs and emotions of those around you builds trust and connection. A leader who leads with empathy fosters a more resilient and connected team.
3. Practice Gratitude: Showing gratitude helps build stronger relationships and keeps you grounded. Recognize the efforts of those around you and create a culture of appreciation.

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip Heath and Dan Heath – a must-read for understanding how to drive change through bright spots.
• Company: Lucent Health – Learn more about Jennifer’s current work focusing on healthcare affordability and innovation.