Joanne Sullivan, Assistant Vice President of Community Engagement at USF Health.

What’s an accomplishment you’re really proud of, that maybe you didn’t receive recognition for?

I am really proud that even after over forty years of working in the community, I still have the chance to be relevant, to work with young leaders as a mentor and friend and to create new opportunities for USF Health.

What's a risk you took that paid off? (Or didn't, and what did you learn?)  

In 2019 I realized USF Health’s profile in the community was not what it should be.  I convinced the Executive Vice President of USF Health, Dr. Charles Lockwood, to allow me to create an affinity group designed to engage the interest of community and business leaders in the work being done at USF Health.  The group, Leadership & Innovation Forum of Tampa (LIFT), began in 2019 with fifty members and in its eighth year this year we will have over 100 members.  Each member contributes to a scholarship fund in one of the four USF Health colleges and learns about cutting edge programming, research and clinical care at USF Health.  

I discovered that with the right combination of community connections, programming, determination and support, success is within reach.

Who championed you early in your career, and how did they change your trajectory?

Early in my career I worked at Berkeley Preparatory School.  The headmaster at that time was Joseph Merluzzi.  Joe helped me to understand the best ways to communicate with the many constituencies at Berkeley, while encouraging me to step outside of my comfort zone and take risks.  He told me once, “You don’t have to talk so much, everyone knows you are smart!”  Armed with that confidence, I went on to take on more senior leadership roles throughout my career.

What's the single decision that had the greatest impact on your professional success?

In 2015 after my position was unexpectedly eliminated, I created my own job description and with the help of a Leadership Tampa Bay classmate who advocated for me, was able to convince USF Health to hire me for one year.  This past February, I completed my tenth year at USF Health.  This experience taught me that with the right connections and the right skill set, even a position that did not previously exist can come into being.

What did you have to unlearn in order to grow?

I had to learn to be assertive when advocating for myself.  As long as I have the performance and track record to back it up, I now have no hesitation in asking for what I believe is appropriate, be it an increase in compensation or a promotional title.

How do you handle being underestimated?

I love being underestimated.  The challenge always fires up my motivation and sense of personal achievement.  A Mary Engelbreit quote that I love is: “Go ahead.  Underestimate me.  This will be fun.”

Do you have any advice for emerging female professionals early in their careers?

Create relationships with those you admire and who inspire you, both women and men.  Find a mentor outside your workplace, and a sponsor within your workplace, to help you develop your skills and personal brand.  Always be ready to help another woman.