Women Who Lead: Betty Rich Q&A

In honor of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, we sat down with our co-founder and CEO, Betty Rich, to learn more about her journey, her approach to leadership, and the inspiration behind Connected Health. From navigating the challenges of building a business to celebrating the successes along the way, Betty shares her insights and advice for women pursuing their own entrepreneurial dreams.

Q: How do you define confidence, and what strategies have helped you build and sustain it throughout your career? Has your definition of confidence changed over time?

A: For me, confidence has always been about trust – trusting your preparation, your values, and your purpose.

Early in my career, I thought confidence meant projecting certainty all the time. Over the years, I’ve learned it’s actually the ability to stay grounded even when things feel uncertain, to lead with clarity, but also humility.

What’s helped me sustain confidence is surrounding myself with people who challenge me, not just cheer for me. Having a team that believes in the mission keeps me grounded and strong.

Q: What are some common misconceptions about women in leadership that you've encountered or worked to overcome?

A: One common misconception is that women lead with emotion instead of logic, when in reality, emotional intelligence is a leadership superpower. Compassion, intuition, and the ability to connect with your employees and clients are not weaknesses but strategic strengths.

Q: Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that shaped your leadership style or trajectory?

A: When COVID hit, everything we knew about healthcare and leadership changed overnight. It was a time of fear and uncertainty, but also of clarity. I had to make hard decisions quickly, support a team that was anxious and exhausted, and still find ways to serve our patients and community when they needed us most.

That experience reshaped how I lead. It reminded me that leadership isn’t about having all the answers – it’s about showing up with honesty, empathy, and purpose. I learned the importance of flexibility and leading from a place of calm when everything around you feels chaotic.

Q: How do you foster confidence in other women—as a mentor, colleague, or leader? Who has fostered confidence in you and how?

A: I try to foster confidence by giving women ownership of ideas, projects, and decisions. At Connected Health, I’m fortunate to lead a primarily female team, and I’ve seen firsthand how collaboration and shared leadership help women thrive. We lift each other up, and that culture of mutual support builds both confidence and excellence.

Q: What advice would you give to women who are just beginning to step into or aspire to a leadership role?

A: Build your support network early. Seek mentors who will both encourage you and hold you accountable. And remember, grace and grit can coexist. You can be kind and strong at the same time.

Q: Have you ever faced a situation where your confidence was challenged? How did you navigate it?

A: When I first launched Connected Health, I had moments of real doubt, wondering if patients would understand what we were building, if people would embrace a new kind of care model. In those times, I leaned on my ‘why’ – my belief that healthcare can be personal and compassionate. Staying anchored to that purpose helped me navigate the noise and stay confident in the vision.

Q: Can you speak to a time when grit or resilience helped you push through a professional challenge?

A: The pandemic tested every ounce of grit I had. Like every healthcare leader, I had to make fast, high-stakes decisions with incomplete information. What got me through was our team’s resilience and commitment to our patients. We pivoted to telehealth overnight, supported one another emotionally, and came out stronger because we stayed mission-focused.

Q: Can you share some information on programs offered by your company and how they've helped develop women?

A: Healthcare has long been a field where women do the work but aren't always given a seat at the table. I wanted to change that. Today, our leadership team is primarily female, and our model of care allows women –whether they’re physicians, nurses, pharmacists – to practice medicine in a way that aligns with their values: personal and patient-centered. We also support flexibility — something that’s especially important for women balancing professional and family roles. It’s not just about advancement; it’s about creating an environment where women can lead, grow, and still have balance in their lives.

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Q: How do you balance authenticity with the expectations and stereotypes placed on women leaders?

A: Over the years, I've faced imbalances that still exist in the business world between men and women. Along the way, I've learned that you have to stand up for yourself and not let other people's perceptions define you. Those opinions don't matter. What matters is staying true to who you are and leading with integrity.
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A good friend of mine always reminds me, ‘Heavy is the head that wears the crown,’ and that’s especially true for women entrepreneurs. Leadership can be isolating at times; you carry a lot of weight and responsibility, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.

Q: What's one piece of advice or mantra you return to when facing uncertainty or self-doubt?

A: My dad, who owned his own business, used to say, ‘The only easy day was yesterday.’ I’ve thought about that a lot over the years. As an entrepreneur, there will always be hard days –but if you got through yesterday, you’re already stronger and a step ahead for tomorrow. That perspective keeps me grounded when things get tough. It reminds me that resilience isn’t just about surviving challenges, it’s about growing through them.

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