In this week’s episode, Anne Hancock Toomey chats with Rhonda Brandon, the dynamic Chief Human Resources Officer at Duke University Health System. Rhonda’s unconventional and remarkable journey takes us from her roots in Richmond, Virginia, through pivotal roles at IBM, Nike and Colonial Pipeline, to her transformative work at Duke Health. With humor and heart, Rhonda reveals how faith, family and fierce determination shaped her career, highlighting key moments such as a game-changing revelation at IBM, balancing burnout at Nike and navigating change management at Duke University Health System. Through personal anecdotes, Rhonda emphasizes authenticity and the necessity of nurturing one’s spirit. The episode concludes with a fun lightning round, providing a glimpse into her personal quirks and inspirations.
Tune in for laughs, leadership lessons and a lot of heart!
Episode Highlights
- 3:44 Lessons from Parents and Early Career
- 6:04 First Job Experiences
- 9:40 Defining Moments at IBM
- 13:19 Career at Nike and Burnout
- 18:26 Joining Colonial Pipeline
- 21:29 Transition to Healthcare
- 25:28 Building a Cohort and Embracing Change Management
- 27:15 Key Principles of Change Management
- 29:13 The Call from Duke and Defining the Job
- 36:16 Family, Faith, and Personal Reflections
- 44:17 Lightning Round: Fun and Personal Insights
