Lessons from Leaders: Featured Guest Polly Dunford, President and CEO of IntraHealth International

I am here with Polly Dunford, the President and CEO of IntraHealth International. Polly has been someone we have been trying to get on our podcast for a long time - since she took this role at IntraHealth in March of 2020.

“It was a crazy time to take over an organization. I started on March 16th, the exact day that the world went virtual…”

In this episode, Polly shares what it felt like to meet staff virtually. She shares about her role, not as the CEO, but as the self identified CPO – Chief People Officer - focusing on supporting her team members during a challenging time period.

How does she think about doing everything remotely? 

“The virtual workspace has been an opportunity to even the playing field…”

Listen to hear about what an even playing field looks like in her organization and how the virtual workspace led to unexpected relationship building.

What I appreciate so much about Polly and her entry into leadership at IntraHealth it is her flexibility - letting go of her own plan and shifting her focus from big thinking and thought leadership to helping staff find childcare, support for eldercare, and the deeply personal needs outside of the office space.

In addition to leading through the beginning of COVID-19 and the pandemic, Polly talks about leading through the tragic murder of George Floyd and how it rocked her organization to focus even more on equity, inclusivity, and actively participating in social justice efforts.

I can’t begin to write and acknowledge all of the lessons Polly shares with us in under 20 minutes. There is vital information in this episode for leaders and organizations everywhere. Stories to relate to, lessons to learn from, and struggles that have been very real for so many.

Thank you Polly for sitting down with me and for being an admirable leader through and through!