Episode Overview
Title: Advancing Women in Leadership and Innovation with Laurie McGraw
Date: January 6, 2026
Host: Scott Becker (Becker's Healthcare)
Guest: Laurie McGraw, Chief Commercial Officer, Transcarent; Host, Inspiring Women podcast
This episode centers on the progress and challenges of advancing women in healthcare leadership, the power of mentorship and sponsorship, and actionable advice for both emerging and established leaders. Laurie McGraw shares personal stories from her extensive career in healthcare innovation and her ongoing mission to amplify women’s voices through her podcast, "Inspiring Women."
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Laurie McGraw: Career Background & Motivation
Timestamps: 01:11–03:04
- Laurie McGraw introduces herself as the Chief Commercial Officer at Transcarent, with over 30 years in healthcare and tech, including leadership at Allscripts and the American Medical Association.
- Reflects on being “one of very few women at important leadership tables” early in her career, noting “over time that has certainly changed and evolved and become better in terms of representation at the levels of leadership.”
- Launches the "Inspiring Women" podcast to address the slow pace of progress for women in leadership.
The "Inspiring Women" Podcast: Mission & Impact
Timestamps: 03:16–05:27
- Laurie explains her podcast’s origin: frustration with slow gender equity progress, inspired by the McKinsey & Lean In study.
- She interviews a diverse array of leaders—CEOs, founders, entrepreneurs, politicians, athletes, and health system executives—each with unique paths.
- "No one’s story is the same... leadership shows up in many different forms." (Laurie, 03:56)
- The podcast aims “for the next generation of women leaders... to find new ways to break through sooner, faster, higher, more impactful than others who have come before them.”
- Laurie benefits as much as her audience: “As a host... I’m learning every day as well.”
Where to Find the Inspiring Women Podcast
Timestamps: 06:09–06:30
- Laurie McGraw makes it clear: “You can find Inspiring Women with Laurie McGraw at www.inspiringwomen show anywhere you get your podcast, Spotify, Amazon, you name it.”
Advice for Emerging Leaders
Timestamps: 06:30–09:18
- Ask Early, Ask Big: “You can never ask for enough soon enough in your career... [early in your career] this is the time when people are eager to give you helpful advice, to give you support, to put you in places that give you the opportunity to get there.” (Laurie, 06:54)
- Leverage Support Networks: “There is an affinity across the most powerful tables for emerging women leaders... when women lead, we have a more equitable society and better businesses.”
- Solicit Feedback—Not Just Praise: “Ask for support. Learn from others. Learn what made somebody successful, what mistakes they might have made... not just the people who are going to give you the warm hug... but who will give you important, honest feedback.”
Notable Quote
“Some of the best learning moments that emerging leaders receive… [are] some of the harshest feedback ever, not said in unkind ways, but in ways that you can actually action on that you can figure out how to be a better voice in the room...”
— Laurie McGraw, 08:14
The Critical Importance of Asking
Timestamps: 09:18–12:20
- Getting Unstuck: Laurie elaborates why learning to “ask for what you want” is crucial, especially mid-career:
- Early on, advancement may come from “being smart, from being hardworking, from taking on the hard projects.”
- In mid-career, “you actually have to ask for those things. And many women find... they’re not being pulled forward because of just their great hard work...they’re still not being pulled forward.”
- Sponsors vs. Mentors: Success hinges on finding “sponsors, people who are... in those rooms that you are not in that are advocating for you.”
Notable Quote
“Usually what those women are talking about is how they asked for something unusual. They asked for a career move that might not seem obvious for them, but they asked for it.”
— Laurie McGraw, 11:38
- Practice Makes Perfect: Scott concurs, emphasizing the necessity of asking early and often to become comfortable and skilled at it, even if you’re turned down at first.
The Value in “No”
Timestamps: 12:55–13:43
- Laurie addresses the fear of rejection:
- “So often when you ask for something, the answer is no. The answer is no. And people do not like saying no... But maybe I can do this one part of that thing. Maybe I can help you in some other way. And those additional benefits of a no are really extraordinarily helpful.”
- “If you don’t ask, not only do you not get the no, you don’t get anything. You literally have no opportunity for anything.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Leadership shows up in many different forms.” (Laurie McGraw, 03:56)
- “You can never ask for enough soon enough in your career.” (Laurie McGraw, 06:54)
- “Some of the best learning moments... [come from] the harshest feedback ever, not said in unkind ways, but in ways that you can actually action on...” (Laurie McGraw, 08:14)
- “If you don’t ask, not only do you not get the no, you don’t get anything.” (Laurie McGraw, 13:20)
Episode Timeline (Selected Timestamps)
- 01:11 — Laurie introduces her background in healthcare and technology leadership
- 03:16 — Mission and format of the Inspiring Women podcast explained
- 06:09 — Where to find Inspiring Women and podcast details
- 06:52 — Advice for emerging leaders: ask early, seek feedback
- 09:38 — Importance of sponsoring and asking mid-career
- 12:55 — The learning and opportunities hidden in being told “no”
Takeaways
- Representation of women in leadership has improved but remains an urgent work in progress.
- Actively asking for roles, feedback, and support—especially early in one’s career—outpaces waiting for recognition or invitations.
- Genuine mentorship and, more importantly, sponsorship, are key for career mobility, especially mid-career.
- Facing rejection is a developmental opportunity; “no” often leads to creative or partial opportunities and future yeses.
For listeners and aspiring leaders, Laurie’s episode underscores the necessity of confidence, persistence, and community at every career level. Find more inspiration and practical stories at Inspiring Women with Laurie McGraw.