Women Leaders at NewYork-Presbyterian Share the Best Advice They’ve Received

“The best advice I’ve ever been given was to always do the right thing — not necessarily the thing that was easiest or most expedient or feeds my ego, but the right thing to do for the people that we serve.

The words of wisdom that I live by come from my mom, and those words are ‘help or hush.’

So think critically about the words that you’re going to speak. Do they edify? Do they uplift? Do they help? If not, then hush.”

–Tiffany Sullivan
Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
NewYork-Presbyterian Physician Services

“If you want to be somebody who can drive step-function, measured change and innovation for an institution, you have to be willing to take risk. It’s not our jobs to not take any risk; rather, it’s our job to understand what the questions are that we need to ask, and how to assess what the smart risks are to take.

And a piece of advice that I would give to other people is never stop learning. Always be a lifelong learner. That’s what fuels your passion and that’s what makes every day interesting and exciting. And when you’re not learning, you can sometimes get bored — and when you’re bored, you, the people around you, and your job just don’t get the best of you.”

–Devika Mathrani
Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
NewYork-Presbyterian

“When confronted with a new opportunity, I ask myself three things. One: Is this something I care deeply about? Are these problems that I want to solve? The second is: Can I be successful? Do I have the skills, experiences, and resources to be successful with this opportunity? And the third is: Once I’ve been successful, will it have mattered? Will it have made a difference, and how?

One statement that’s been a guiding force in my life has been: ‘To whom much has been given, much will be expected.’ As I have reflected on all that I’ve been given — the gifts of circumstance, opportunity, good health, security, talent, skills, and people around me who care about me, teach me, encourage me — much has been given, indeed. And that has really been a compelling and propelling force in my life to work hard, to serve others, and to pay it forward.”

–Dr. Laureen L. Hill
Group Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia Division

“The best advice that I’ve been given by another female leader is to always sit at the table. You cannot influence change without sitting at the table, and remember that your voice matters and will make a difference.

And the words that I choose to live by come from the inimitable Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who reminded us to fight for the things that you care about — but do so in a way that leads others to join you.”

–Dr. Deepa Kumaraiah
Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer
NewYork-Presbyterian

“These are the words of wisdom I try to live by: Know your truth. Understand your ‘why it matters.’ Be unapologetic for it. Find joy, meaning, and purpose in your work.

And as leaders, we must always seek creativity. Challenge the norm. Be unconventional. Don’t let perfection be the enemy of good. Don’t be afraid to fail. Fail fast and move forward.”

–Mary Cassai, RN
Senior Vice President,
Perioperative Services
NewYork-Presbyterian