CLEVELAND, OH / ACCESS Newswire / February 26, 2025 / Across history, the professional world has often been built on structures that inherently exclude many, particularly women and people of color. Despite the slow progression toward equity, the climb to executive positions remains an uphill battle for women, especially women of color. Terms like the "glass ceiling" and "glass cliff" reflect the unique challenges they face-barriers that prevent advancement and the precarious positions they often inhabit once they do reach the top.
Dr. Airica Steed, the former CEO of MetroHealth, stands as a trailblazing figure in breaking these barriers. Her story sheds light on the systemic inequities women leaders face, while also providing a roadmap for overcoming adversity, building resilience, and creating opportunities for others.
A Journey Rooted in Purpose
Dr. Airica Steed's ascent to the highest echelons of leadership is not just a story of professional success but also of deeply personal motivations. The first Black, female, and nursing professional to serve as MetroHealth's CEO, she entered leadership driven by a passion to address healthcare inequities. Having endured heartbreak and loss due to inequitable healthcare in her own family, she found herself destined not only to bring about change in healthcare systems but also to lead the charge for underrepresented leaders.
Her career has been characterized by a commitment to eradicating disparities and transforming healthcare delivery. Yet, it is her role as a mentor, advocate, and inspiration to others that truly defines her impact.
"The spaces I've navigated weren't designed with me in mind," Steed admits. The systemic difficulties she faced reflect what millions of other women and minorities experience globally. But it is not just about navigating these spaces-it is about reshaping them for future generations.
The Reality of Glass Ceilings and Glass Cliffs
While terms like "glass ceiling" have long been used to illustrate invisible barriers that hinder women's career advancement, the concept of the "glass cliff" adds another dimension to this challenge. Women, especially women of color, are not only underrepresented in leadership roles but are often appointed to precarious positions where they face heightened scrutiny and instability.
Statistics paint a sobering picture. Women make up less than a quarter of C-suite positions in the United States, and the numbers shrink dramatically for women of color. These inequities are compounded by a lack of access to mentorship and sponsorship, unequal pay, systemic biases, and societal expectations that force women to work twice as hard for half the recognition.
Dr. Steed recognizes the weight of being part of the less than 1% of executives who share her background. However, she views this adversity as her superpower, an opportunity to redefine leadership and lay a foundation for others to follow.
Building a Leadership Muscle
For women attempting to shatter these barriers, navigating spaces not designed for them is not a sprint-it's a long, grueling marathon. Dr. Airica Steed emphasizes the idea of building what she refers to as "a leadership muscle." "Adversity," she argues, "can become a tool for growth rather than a limitation."
This mindset is what allowed her to thrive despite the odds being stacked against her. Challenges, whether systemic or situational, became opportunities to learn, adapt, and innovate. "If you aspire to climb, be courageous and believe in yourself," she says, underscoring the importance of confidence and perseverance.
Self-advocacy also plays a pivotal role. Dr. Steed emphasizes the need for leaders to believe in their abilities, even when external affirmation is absent. "Be your biggest advocate," she advises, "because no one else will know your worth unless you demand recognition for it."
Turning Challenges Into Opportunities
One of Dr. Airica Steed's hallmark attributes as a leader is her ability to transform struggles into stepping stones. Rather than succumbing to adversity, she reframes obstacles as catalysts for growth. Her story is rooted in personal pain but blossoms into a narrative of transformation.
Her lived experiences, including battling preeclampsia twice and losing loved ones to inadequate care, fueled her resolve to improve systems for others. These challenges became the foundation for innovations in healthcare and leadership.
Dr. Steed's example encourages other leaders to see setbacks not as failures but as pivot points. Those willing to adapt, learn, and remain flexible can often find opportunity within crises.
Creating Pathways for Others
For Dr. Airica Steed, leadership has never been about personal glory. She strives to create pathways for others, widening doors that were previously inaccessible. "By building others, you're building yourself," she explains.
Her commitment to paying it forward is a thread that runs through her career. She sees it as her responsibility to extend a hand to other women and individuals from underrepresented communities, encouraging them to climb higher. "It's leaders before me who paved the way," she admits, "and I'm here to continue opening doors."
This ethos extends beyond mentoring individuals-it encompasses systemic change. By diversifying leadership teams, advocating for equitable hiring practices, and ensuring organizations prioritize inclusion, leaders like Dr. Steed are breaking the cycle of exclusion once and for all.
Leadership as a Call to Action
Dr. Airica Steed describes leadership as a calling rather than a career. For her, it's a divine order. It is why she's devoted to pioneering innovative solutions in healthcare, advancing diversity in leadership, and advocating fiercely for marginalized groups.
Her vision is clear: a world where diversity of thought, background, and experience is celebrated rather than excluded, and where leaders-regardless of gender or race-are empowered to rise.
But leadership, she reminds us, is not just about ambition. It's about service, responsibility, and legacy. By creating systems that uplift and communities that unite, leaders like Dr. Steed are ensuring lasting impact far beyond their tenure.
A Legacy of Change
Dr. Airica Steed's story serves as an inspiration to women, minorities, and leaders across industries. By shattering glass ceilings and transforming adversity into advantage, she has become a beacon of hope for those navigating inequitable systems.
Dr. Airica Steed's previous tenure as MetroHealth's CEO is not merely a testament to her professional accomplishments-it is a statement that change is both necessary and possible. Through her leadership, resilience, and unwavering commitment to equity, Dr. Steed is charting a path for a future where barriers no longer dictate the scope of ambition.
She leaves us all with this call to action: "Stay encouraged. Fight the good fight. Leave a legacy. And lean down to pull others up." Through these words, we are reminded that true leadership is not measured by titles but by the doors we open for those who follow.
To learn more about Dr. Airica Steed visit:
Dr. Airica Steed
Email: asteed@brkthroughpartners.com
SOURCE: Dr. Airica Steed
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