DaVita Leadership Insights

In our first episode of 2021 we gain insight from Valerie Lyeder on how to stay true to your core through difficult times while being an adaptive leader. Valerie explains the importance of authenticity in being an adaptive, confident, and innovative leader by sharing stories from her own journey in learning to embrace her leadership style. In this episode, you’ll come to realize that at the heart of being true to yourself as a leader is being true to your values.  As you listen to Valerie’s personal accounts of discovering her core values, start to ask yourself what are your core values and how can you leverage them in your leadership?

Like what you heard in this episode? Rate us on iTunes or your favorite podcast app!

GUEST: Valerie Lyeder, DVP, MiraMonte

HOSTED BY: Grace Berman and Doug Miller, Senior Directors, Wisdom

For DaVita teammates, please visit to learn more about our guests and hosts, and listen to our other episodes.

Share your thoughts and comments about our podcast here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DLIPodcastEval

Have an idea about a topic you want to hear in 2021, or a mini-insight? Share it with us here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DLITopicIdeas

For the first insight of 2021 Amber Dassow, a Facility Administrator from Wisconsin shares a helpful tip on how to better receive feedback and manage gossip that isn’t always easy to hear.  

Mini-insights come from our teammates far and wide around the Village. This bi-weekly listener mail showcasing is a fantastic way to hear from our listening leaders.

SUBMIT YOUR LISTENER MAIL! Share your leadership advice here.

HOSTED BY: Grace Berman & Doug Miller, Senior Directors, Wisdom

For DaVita teammates, please visit podcast.davitaway.com to learn more about our guests and hosts, and listen to our other episodes.

Share your thoughts and comments about our podcast here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DLIPodcastEval.

Have an idea on a topic you want to hear in 2019? Share it with us here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DLITopicIdeas

This week, our former Chief Wisdom Officer, Stacey Irving, shares her belief that personal and professional growth comes down to safety and genuine trust. Trusting environments allow for teams and individuals to reach their greatest potential, and in this episode, Stacey shares feedback she has received to become more authentic and trustworthy, and times she has coached others towards trust. “Don’t worry what people want to hear – tell them what you believe they need to hear, and the rest will follow.” Tune in to learn how listening and executing on your commitments can help you build trust as a leader!

Like what you heard in this episode? Rate us on iTunes or your favorite podcast app!

GUEST: Stacey Irving, former Chief Wisdom Officer

HOSTED BY: Grace Berman and Doug Miller, Senior Directors, Wisdom

For DaVita teammates, please visit to learn more about our guests and hosts, and listen to our other episodes.

Share your thoughts and comments about our podcast here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DLIPodcastEval

Have an idea about a topic you want to hear in 2020, or a mini-insight? Share it with us here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DLITopicIdeas

This week, two teammates from our Nurse Advisor Team, Denise Latham-Lee and Angus Power, dive into one of the five elements of belonging: voice. They share stories about times they have empowered teammates to have a voice, through demonstrating care, trust, and deep listening. Denise and Angus also reflect on times they have not led as strongly, and how this impacted their teammates experience and satisfaction in the Village. Tune in for tips of how to listen beyond the words of “I’m okay,” and how open communication and feedback can transform your teammate’s experience of belonging.

Like what you heard in this episode? Rate us on iTunes or your favorite podcast app!

GUESTS: Denise Latham-Lee and Angus Power, Director and Special Projects Manager, Nursing

HOSTED BY: Grace Berman and Doug Miller, Senior Directors, Wisdom

For DaVita teammates, please visit to learn more about our guests and hosts, and listen to our other episodes.

Share your thoughts and comments about our podcast here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DLIPodcastEval

Have an idea about a topic you want to hear in 2020, or a mini-insight? Share it with us here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DLITopicIdeas

Making a decision as a leader can be tough, especially when you don’t always have data that points to the “right” answer. This week, Dr. Jeff Giullian, DaVita’s Chief Medical Officer, discusses how important it is to have an internal compass – your core values – to help make these decisions. Dr. G shares about the tough feedback he received in medical school that showcased how important it is to outwardly demonstrate your personal values. He also shares stories about how success in the DaVita Village is strongly tied to how we build trust with one another and share how our values motivate and drive us. His one tip will help you identify your core values and become a stronger leader.

Like what you heard in this episode? Rate us on iTunes or your favorite podcast app!

GUEST: Dr. Jeff Giullian, Chief Medical Officer, DaVita

HOSTED BY: Grace Berman and Doug Miller, Senior Directors, Wisdom

For DaVita teammates, please visit to learn more about our guests and hosts, and listen to our other episodes.

Share your thoughts and comments about our podcast here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DLIPodcastEval

Have an idea about a topic you want to hear in 2020, or a mini-insight? Share it with us here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DLITopicIdeas

Have you ever felt like you had to make a choice between getting stuff done and leading with empathy? Chakilla Robinson-White, Group Vice President of our Galaxy team, shares stories and tips that can help you do both! Chakilla shares a story about the impact of our most senior leadership at DaVita demonstrating empathy through actionable response to the murder of George Floyd. She also shares stories about times she did not lead with empathy, both at work and at home, and the feedback that has helped her grow as a leader. Her one tip is to reflect on a teammate you haven’t checked-in with on a personal level recently, and schedule that check-in right now!

Like what you heard in this episode? Rate us on iTunes or your favorite podcast app!

GUEST: Chakilla Robinson-White, Group Vice President, Galaxy

HOSTED BY: Grace Berman and Doug Miller, Senior Directors, Wisdom

For DaVita teammates, please visit to learn more about our guests and hosts, and listen to our other episodes.

Share your thoughts and comments about our podcast here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DLIPodcastEval

Have an idea about a topic you want to hear in 2020, or a mini-insight? Share it with us here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DLITopicIdeas

This week, two of our Facility Administrators, Jenna Mortenson and Jason Pham, offer insights for motivating your team. They both share their definition of motivation, and practical tips for connecting to the motivation of your team and teammates. Jason’s one tip is to be intentional about recognition, and Jenna’s one tip is to challenge your teammates to take personal responsibility for their action and words.

For DaVita Teammates, check out Next Level Teams on StarLearning for trainings that can support your team and their motivation!

Like what you heard in this episode? Rate us on iTunes or your favorite podcast app!

GUESTS: Jenna Mortensen and Jason Pham

HOSTED BY: Grace Berman and Doug Miller, Senior Directors, Wisdom

For DaVita teammates, please visit to learn more about our guests and hosts, and listen to our other episodes.

Share your thoughts and comments about our podcast here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DLIPodcastEval

Have an idea about a topic you want to hear in 2020, or a mini-insight? Share it with us here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DLITopicIdeas

This week, Sara Brady, a senior director of Clinical Services from our Polaris team, opens our ninth season by diving into the topic of leading with joy and laughter. In her opinion, the best leaders “grab hold of your heart, and teach you something in your head.” How has she done this herself? Storytelling, vulnerability, empathetic listening, and learnings from her daughter. Tune-in for her fun stories and one tip to self-reflect about how you can connect to someone else’s joy.

Like what you heard in this episode? Rate us on iTunes or your favorite podcast app!

GUEST: Sara Brady, Senior Director, Clinical Services

HOSTED BY: Grace Berman and Doug Miller, Senior Directors, Wisdom

For DaVita teammates, please visit to learn more about our guests and hosts, and listen to our other episodes.

Share your thoughts and comments about our podcast here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DLIPodcastEval

Have an idea about a topic you want to hear in 2020, or a mini-insight? Share it with us here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DLITopicIdeas

This week, Stephanie shares advice she got from her dad early in her career: “no one cares about your career as much as you do.” She describes how she has partnered with her past managers (successfully and less successfully), to get to know them and their leadership and communication styles. Her one tip? Track your biggest accomplishments and challenges throughout year, in real time, so that you can advocate for yourself and help them help you!

Like what you heard in this episode? Rate us on iTunes or your favorite podcast app!

GUEST: Stephanie Hendrickson, Vice President in DaVita’s Kidney Care Operations, Innovation Division

HOSTED BY: Grace Berman and Doug Miller, Senior Directors, Wisdom

For DaVita teammates, please visit to learn more about our guests and hosts, and listen to our other episodes.

Share your thoughts and comments about our podcast here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DLIPodcastEval

Have an idea about a topic you want to hear in 2020, or a mini-insight? Share it with us here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DLITopicIdeas

Jamie Bolster, a Group Facilitator in the Greater Boston Area, shares what belonging means to her and how the Village welcomes new teammates. What have you recently done to create belonging for current or new teammates?

Mini-insights come from our teammates far and wide around the Village. This bi-weekly listener mail showcasing is a fantastic way to hear from our listening leaders.

SUBMIT YOUR LISTENER MAIL! Share your leadership advice here.

HOSTED BY: Grace Berman & Doug Miller, Senior Directors, Wisdom

For DaVita teammates, please visit podcast.davitaway.com to learn more about our guests and hosts, and listen to our other episodes.

Share your thoughts and comments about our podcast here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DLIPodcastEval.

Have an idea on a topic you want to hear in 2019? Share it with us here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DLITopicIdeas