Trailblazers: Tracy Myhill

As part of our series celebrating women in leadership, we spoke with Professor Tracy Myhill OBE, Director at Tracy Myhill Associates, about her experiences and insights from a career dedicated to transformation and leadership in the health sector.

With a wealth of experience, including her time as Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service and Chief Executive of Swansea Bay University Health Board, Tracy has led through challenges, driven cultural change, and championed inclusive leadership. In this conversation, she shares her proudest achievements, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and why mentorship and staying true to your values are key to success.

What’s your proudest achievement in your leadership journey so far? 
“Transforming the Welsh ambulance service when being appointed to be its 8th CEO in 10 years. Building trust and faith in a better future and taking people on a journey of improvement that brought pride back to the wonderful people working within ambulance services.

The Welsh Ambulance service was used to male white Chief Executives (nothing wrong with white males I hasten to add!) but when I arrived as a female (and openly gay) Chief Executive I was novel! It was a bit of a shock to the organisation. Bringing a different perspective as a woman into such a male dominated environment, whilst challenging, I believe was what was needed to enable transformation of the organisation and a cultural change from command and control to a more engaging, empowered and diverse organisation. It was the change the organisation needed to set it on a path to success and I have no doubt that being a woman in that environment was hugely significant. This role was the hardest and the most rewarding of all my roles, it was the highlight of my career.”

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to women aspiring to leadership positions? 
“Never forget your values and don’t compromise them. Stay true to yourself. Your values are your anchor and keep you strong through the many challenges and however strong, and whichever way the wind is blowing, your ‘kite’ doesn’t disconnect.

Be yourself and look after yourself. It's a marathon not a sprint so looking after yourself along the way is crucial to your success and that of the organisation you work for.

Don't doubt yourself, believe in yourself.”

How do you think having more women in senior leadership benefits Health and the communities served? 
“Women bring something different. They connect with people on a human level in an extraordinary way, crucial in health. They effortlessly see the world through the eyes of patients, carers, families, communities and employees, not through their own.”

What motivates you most about working in Health? And what more can the sector do to better support women in leadership roles? 
“The privilege to be able to impact the lives of those we serve through improving health with the significant, wide-ranging, positive impact that has on people’s lives and in their times of need being there to provide the patient centred care required, is an honour.

We can better support our women leaders through continuing to value the openness and honestly they bring in their approach and welcoming, valuing, and viewing vulnerability (that we all have but don’t want to show it), as a strength not a weakness.”

How has mentorship inspired you in your career – and why? 
“Mentorship has kept me sane. Inspired me to have the confidence to take on the most challenging roles and supported me throughout my career as a safe confidential space to receive fantastic advice and benefit from the wisdom and experience of so many mentors throughout my career.”

Thank you to Tracy for sharing her experiences and reflections with us. Stay tuned for more insights from inspiring women in leadership!