Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders: A Behind the Scenes Look at Helio Health’s Rising Leaders Program

From lunch and learns to networking opportunities, establishing connections has impacted the way Helio Health’s Rising Leaders model care in their local communities. First launched in 2024, the Rising Leaders program is Helio Health’s internal leadership development initiative. The 12-month journey brought together a group of staff members recognized by their supervisors for their budding leadership traits, providing them with a space to build the skills and confidence needed to become impactful leaders.

In community-based work, people are the foundation. When employees are supported in their growth, it’s reflected in everything they do. From the quality of care they provide, to the relationships they build. Leadership development programs like Rising Leaders are essential for cultivating internal talent, boosting morale, and improving retention rates.

By offering a combination of hands-on experience, guest speakers, and division projects, this program creates an environment where staff feel valued and empowered to take on new challenges. These opportunities not only foster professional growth, but they also enhance the overall work culture, contributing to a more cohesive and committed team.

“Our goal is to build people up from within” said Megan Cooper, In-Community Division Vice President and the Rising Leaders facilitator. “This investment isn’t just about promotions, it’s about strengthening Helio Health’s foundation by developing leaders who deeply understand the mission, the work, and the communities we serve.”

The Rising Leaders program was initially designed for Helio Health’s clinical staff, people who are deeply compassionate and skilled but may not always feel equipped to take on leadership roles. As Megan explained, “in our field, people will be really good clinicians and so we’re like no brainer. You should be a leader. But then we don’t always like equip them with what that means because it is different, especially in clinical work… So, we thought we could help better prepare people and make them maybe a little bit more confident in applying for those leadership positions.”

Over the course of 12 months, participants engage in an experience designed to build their leadership skills, expand their networks, and apply those skills in meaningful ways:

Networking with Executive Leadership

With the program’s emphasis on access and transparency, participants meet and build connections with Helio Health’s senior leadership, including the CEO and COO, to learn directly from their leadership journeys.

Book Discussions

Participants engage in discussions on Develop Your Leadership Superpowers by Dietmar Sternad, connecting leadership theory and everyday practice.

Panels and Presentations

Participants are challenged to sharpen their communication and public speaking skills while working on a departmental project, providing real solutions to workplace challenges.

Lunch and Learns

Participants tackle real world topics like trauma-informed leadership, ethical decision making, managing change, building trust within teams, all while exploring their leadership style.

Guest Speakers

Hear directly from Helio Health leaders who share stories, lessons, and provide mentorship.

Some of the Rising Leaders were promoted into supervisory roles while still completing the program. This opportunity gave them the space to sharpen their leadership approach in real time, applying what they were learning directly to their new roles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Kristina Hull stepped into her new role as a team leader at The Recovery Center, it came with a whole new set of responsibilities, including supervising staff for the first time. While she had a strong presence as lead peer specialist, the Rising Leaders program gave her the tools to grow into her new role.

A simple exercise during a lunch and learn had lasting effects on Kristina’s leadership style. Participants were asked to draw themselves in moments of calm and moments of stress. “Drawing that visual… my hair was all over the place, it made me stop and think if I subconsciously see myself like that, stressed out at work, overwhelmed or not managing my time right, that’s what my team and the people we serve are going to feel from me too.” This exercise helped her build regular check-ins with herself, connecting with her body, and pausing when needed so she can lead effectively.

That foundation of mental wellness continues to shape her leadership style. She takes a “coach approach” when working with her team- focusing on encouragement, individual goals, and asking questions to help her team succeed. One staff member recently shared an interest in working with veterans. Kristina made sure to find tangible ways to explore that interest. This style of leadership was also reflected in her experience with the Rising Leaders. “There was always time to ask questions, to listen, to learn from people in different roles” she said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before Derek Remington joined the Rising Leaders program he was already thinking about his future. As an centralized intake specialist in the OMH Housing Programs, Derek met each individual served. He knew he had to make a larger impact. Recognizing his leadership potential, his supervisor nominated him for the 2024 cohort. Over the course of the year, Derek stepped into a supervisory role- Hawthorne CR-SRO Program Director. This shift made sense, he understood the needs of the clients and now had the tools and perspective to support the staff.

For Derek what stood out most wasn’t just the curriculum. It was the people.

“You get to speak with people you might not interact with otherwise” he said. Guest speakers, leaders from all over the organization, shared their own journeys and opened the door to conversations Derek hadn’t had access to before. These conversations gave Derek a unique perspective of the day to day outside of Hawthorne. Those interactions helped him feel more confident stepping into leadership.

Now Derek leads with the same spirit, always approachable, connected, so his staff can thrive. “Leadership comes from experience and a lot of it comes from firsthand experience… I always want to be a leader where my staff feel comfortable coming to me with anything and they’re confident if there’s a crisis I will help them.”

Every role at Helio Health plays a part in promoting recovery across our communities. This is why we’re deeply committed to investing in our people through training, mentorship, and pathways for professional development.

Beyond the Rising Leaders program, staff can continue with the packaged leadership experience. This includes Middle Management Training and Dr. Matthew Dunn’s Leadership Experience. Continuing education is offered at our Training Institute where staff can receive accredited CRPA and CASAC certification classes.

Work at Helio Health and start your leadership journey today.