Name and how long you have been in the industry
My name is Lisa Kudra (not the actress from Friends – wink, wink, haha!) and I have been in the healthcare industry for over 20 years now however, I came into the HTM industry 2 ½ years ago.
How did you get into the industry? Anything that drew you in?
I started in Bioenergetic Medicine, Nutraceuticals and Medical Devices in 2002 as a Regional Sales Manager and quickly found my passion for serving and helping others through the medical doctors and licensed practitioners that I worked with. I decided to go back to school to get my second degree. This time in Nutrition and Naturopathic Medicine because I wanted to work one on one with the public. I’m a healer and it just comes naturally for me. I then went into private practice specializing in nutrition, endocrinology, blood chemistry analysis and overall mind, body, spirit wellness. Skip forward through the years of private practice, entrepreneurship in the action sports industry and holistic pet care businesses to September of 2021 when my life partner, Bill, passed away due to complications of the medication Remdesivir that he was given for Covid pneumonia. All other successful treatments had been banned in California at the time. His organs shut down and he passed away three weeks later. My grief was immense and the experience at the hospital was traumatizing, so I sold my business to one of my long-time employees and set out upon navigating the grief journey.
Avante Health Solutions offered me a sales role two months later and I accepted it because I felt strongly that Bill was guiding me in that direction. He was an engineer and learned all about biomedical engineering in the NAVY. While he was in the hospital, he wanted to redesign the oxygen canula because it was so uncomfortable for him and kept him awake at night. He was also a part of a few medical device groups on LinkedIn and the medical equipment he was connected to throughout his hospitalization was exactly what Avante offered to their customers. I had peace about lending my experience and passion to my role there. Making him proud and serving others in his honor became my why and continues to this day. I loved learning the business, the people I met, worked with and my customers in the HTM industry. Just good folks that want to make a difference in others’ lives. My kind of people!
What milestones or contributing factors helped elevate you to where you are today?
Well, I’m a survivor/victor so I would have to say that the difficult experiences I’ve gone through in life have made me who I am today. They usually end up being catalysts for growth, change, and gaining wisdom, making you a stronger, better person if you allow it. Better not bitter! Secondly, experience. I have been in business for over 40 years now. You gain an immense amount of wisdom especially when you’re not afraid to try new things and take risks. It’s all valuable and is a contributing factor in elevating your role to that of one that leads others.
What roadblocks did you have to overcome?
Hahaha, this is a good question! I’m a female entrepreneur and business professional. I started at 15 years of age in corporate America so that would be in the 80’s. Let your minds wander as to the roadblocks I have faced and had to overcome as a female business professional in the 80’s, 90’s and the decades following. It’s one of the main reasons why I have been an entrepreneur and owned several businesses in my lifetime. I’ll just leave it right there…
What do you feel makes a great leader in this industry?
Empathy! You cannot be an effective leader in this industry or any industry without empathy. Having the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and discern what they may be feeling is powerful. Leading with respect, kindness and encouragement while also maintaining healthy boundaries is important too. I feel that living your life as an example is the most effective way to make a difference or be a positive influence in someone’s life. Walking your talk so to speak. People will hear your words, but your actions speak louder than anything else.
What advice to you have for the other women in HTM?
There will always be people that don’t see or recognize your value, don’t be one of them! There will also be people that are intimidated by you if you’re standing in your power and know your worth. That’s on them, it’s their issue not yours. Never dim your light for anybody. Believe in yourself! You are valuable! You are beautifully, and wonderfully made, believe it, and never settle for less than you deserve. If respect is not being given or you’re not being valued, speak up in kindness and don’t be afraid to walk away. I promise you that with every door that closes another better one opens.