Kelly Starman
CMO | MasterControl
What unique strengths do you bring to your professional and other roles?
I think what makes me a little unusual is that I’m genuinely comfortable on both sides of the brain. I love data, systems and the discipline of rigorous analysis, but I’m equally energized by the relational, human side of leadership. In health tech, that combination turns out to matter a lot. The problems we’re solving require both sharp analytical thinking and deep empathy, and I’ve found that moving fluidly between those two modes is where I do my best work.
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that significantly shaped your path?
In 2010, I made the decision to leave generalist consulting work and move into healthcare. Consulting sharpened me in real ways, but I found myself wanting work that had a different kind of weight to it. Healthcare gave me that. Every problem I work on connects back to a real person navigating something hard. That sense of meaning has anchored every decision I’ve made since, and I’ve never looked back.
What key advice would you offer to other aspiring leaders?
Hire people who are better than you at things, and then trust them completely. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about creating the conditions where the right answers can emerge from your team. Nurture people on the way up, advocate loudly for them and never underestimate what someone can do when they feel genuinely supported. The best thing I’ve ever done as a leader is get out of the way of someone who was ready to soar.