Read Time: 6 minutes

In part two of our interview with Dale Keshishian, Founder and CEO of HealthWorks Academies, we dive into the personal insights that have shaped her entrepreneurial journey and the mission of her nonprofit. Dale’s work is focused on empowering students from all backgrounds to realize their potential and build successful careers in healthcare. She shares how small moments of reflection, like watching birds outside her kitchen window, provide her with balance and energy as she navigates the challenges of leading a social-mission organization. Throughout this conversation, Dale offers valuable lessons on the importance of networking, continuous learning, and staying focused on your mission. Readers will gain actionable advice on leadership, work-life balance, and how to make a lasting impact while staying true to your purpose. Continue reading to uncover Dale’s wisdom and discover how her experiences can inspire your own personal and professional growth.

Thanks again for being here, Dale. It’s always valuable to hear insights from leaders like you. To get started, let’s talk about something many entrepreneurs struggle with—maintaining a healthy work-life balance. As a business owner, how do you manage to stay grounded, and what practices would you recommend to others who are trying to find that balance?

I’m an introvert. This surprises people. I need quiet time to learn, reflect, strategize, and plan.
I’m always thinking about HealthWorks Academies and (for better or worse) see every challenge and opportunity as it relates to equitable access to healthcare. I find it energizing, but also sometimes exhausting.

I take micro-moments. For example, first thing in the morning, coffee is an imperative. When I make my coffee, I spend a few moments watching the birds at the feeder outside my kitchen window. Early in the morning, the birds are fascinating, and watching them gives me joy. It sets the tone for my day. I’ve even learned they feed in a hierarchy!

It’s clear that those small moments of reflection help you stay grounded amidst the demands of your work. With that in mind, I’d love to hear more about the lasting impact you hope to have through HealthWorks Academies. What legacy do you hope to leave, and how do you envision your influence on future generations?

HealthWorks Academies is a social-mission nonprofit. My greatest joy is the promise of having a hand in directing students to industry careers. I have seen far too often that students from all backgrounds underestimate their potential, and that placing them in a different environment with just the right support allows them to progress far beyond anyone’s expectations. Some of our greatest leaders and innovators started from the humblest beginnings. We learn so much from our industry panelists, and over and over again, this message is shared with us when they reflect on their academic journey. We want to create more of these success stories! The impact they have on improving health is incalculable.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give to your younger self when you were just starting out?

I would stress the power of the network. Doing things to demonstrate your own commitment and credibility, helping others as often as possible, and building relationships is the most valuable asset, both personally and professionally.

Always be learning. Everything changes over time, and you need to adapt accordingly.
Keep an open mind. The path never quite looks like what you envision when you start.

It’s great advice to focus on building relationships and staying adaptable, especially as the journey evolves in ways we may not expect. Looking ahead, how do you see HealthWorks Academies evolving over the next five years, and what steps are you taking to prepare for that future?

We are in the business of developing future talent. With that as our “North Star,” we are always looking at innovation and industry trends that we can inform our students and educators about.

Recently, it was announced that Roche will invest $50B, J&J will invest $55B, Novartis will invest $23B, and Merck will invest $1B in research & development and manufacturing in the U.S.

Jobs will need to be filled. Future employees need to be educated.
HealthWorks Academies will serve to bridge the gap for students to be aware of these and many other career opportunities.

Dale, it’s been a true privilege to hear your reflections today. Thank you for sharing your journey so openly and for offering a glimpse into the heart of HealthWorks Academies. Your insights on leadership, balance, and staying grounded in your mission are a testament to your dedication and passion. It’s clear that your work is not just about careers—it’s about creating lasting change, one student at a time. We’re grateful for the wisdom you’ve shared, and we know our readers will leave inspired by your story and the path you’ve carved.

Marc J. Bernstein JD, ChFC®, CLU®, CAP®

Financial Planner and Consultant, Bestselling Author, and Creator of the Forward Focus Forums

Marc helps high performing entrepreneurs and business owners create a vision for the future, accomplish their business and personal goals, financial and otherwise, and assists them in following through on their intentions.  Marc recently co-founded March, a forward-looking company with a unique approach to wealth management.  He captured his philosophy in his #1 Amazon Bestseller, The Fiscal Therapy Solution 1.0.  Marc is also the founder of the Forward Focus Forum, a suite of resources tailored specifically to educate and connect high performing entrepreneurs, and to help them realize their vision of true financial independence. The forum includes;

• the Founders’ Forward Focus Forum: a series of articles focused on entrepreneurship
• the Founders’ Forum Radio Show and Podcast: featuring interviews with some of the area’s top founders and their experiences in business
• the Manufacturers’ Forward Focus Forum: a specialized resource group for owners/founders of manufacturing companies, including a private Facebook group; a private discussion group for high performing leaders of manufacturing companies to share resources, news, network with each other, and collaborate