Heidi Dieter, MBA, Chief Research Officer, Mayo Clinic

What’s your current role?

I began my career at Mayo Clinic in 2007 after working in for-profit healthcare in different locations across the country. I am currently the Chief Research Officer at Mayo Clinic and am responsible for all research activities across our enterprise, including our locations in Jacksonville, Fla., and Phoenix, Ariz. We have approximately 1,000 scientists and 4,500 employees leading our efforts in clinical trials and discovery science, transforming the future of health care for our patients.

When and why did you join the Women’s Health Leadership TRUST?

I joined the TRUST in 2016 as I was looking to network with other women in health care. I stepped away for a couple of years to focus on time with my mom, who was at the end of her cancer journey. I rejoined in 2019 as a member of the Board and currently serve as the Chair of the Sponsorship Committee.

Do you have a favorite TRUST memory so far?

Because I live in Rochester, attending many of the events was challenging due to the long commute. The TRUST did an amazing job pivoting to virtual events during COVID, and I was able to build several friendships virtually. I am so thankful to have connections outside my current organization for personal AND professional reasons, and I am incredibly grateful to the TRUST for making that possible!

How has a mentor helped you most?

I have been fortunate to have had several mentors during my career. I think the most beneficial mentors have been those who have been fellow moms, wives, and daughters who have shared the challenges of managing all of those identities at the same time. I make the mistake many of us do by putting people on a pedestal, thinking they have it all figured out. The reality is that we are all doing the best we can from day to day, and having other women to connect with to have those real conversations is invaluable!

How do you support other women in their leadership journeys?

So many leaders, men and women, have made themselves available to me during my career to offer career advice and share their own stories. I never give up the opportunity to do the same for others.

How do you maintain or improve your health and well-being?

There are two things I do daily to ensure I maintain physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health:

Do you have words of wisdom that drive you?

Success is when I add value to myself. Significance is when I add value to others.

WHL TRUST