Elon alumna shares insights at Lessons from Leaders event

Elon students and faculty gathered on Nov. 5 at the LaRose Digital Theatre to hear Kristen Yntema ’95, president and CEO of AuthoraCare Collective, share her journey during the latest Lessons from Leaders event.

Associate Professor Scott Hayward of the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business facilitated the event, guiding the conversation about Yntema’s career path and her navigation of the healthcare industry.

“I came as a chemistry major thinking that I would go into clinical science and healthcare,” Yntema said. “But I realized that I was good at business, so I found an opportunity in business and public administration. I thought maybe I would do the public side of healthcare.”

As president and CEO of AuthoraCare Collective—a leading hospice and palliative care organization—Yntema successfully oversaw the merger of two of North Carolina’s established hospice organizations. She now oversees a team of 400 employees and 300 volunteers, delivering high-quality care across 10 counties in North Carolina.

During her talk, Yntema addressed the challenges her organization faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and how they prioritized employee well-being.

“We made sure that we kept everybody on,” Yntema said. “We wanted them to have one less thing to worry about.”

Students asked how she ensures the well-being of her employees, especially after the pandemic.

“We had to always make sure they felt safe and that they had safety nets,” Yntema said. “We tried to just listen to what people needed. Did they need to be able to work part-time because they had family at home? We made flexibility.”

Concluding the event, Yntema offered advice to students about the importance of empathy and adaptability in leadership.

“Listening to what people need is crucial,” she emphasized. “By being flexible and understanding, you can make a meaningful impact in any field you choose.”