Speak Louder or Shut Up? Rita Johnson-Mills on What Happens When DEI Becomes Too Controversial || EP. 196

What happens when the system meant to care for everyone, doesn’t?

Healthcare equity isn’t theoretical. It’s about who lives, who dies, and who gets a chance. For Rita Johnson-Mills, this isn’t abstract. It’s the work of a lifetime.

As a former Medicaid executive, CEO, and now board leader, she has spent decades fighting to ensure Black and Brown communities receive the care, dignity, and leadership they deserve.

Rita’s not just breaking glass ceilings. She’s questioning who built the ceiling in the first place. Her leadership spans public health, corporate boardrooms, and the lives of the women she’s mentored into executive roles. Her impact is structural. Her mission is urgent.

In this episode of Inspiring Women with Laurie McGraw, Rita speaks about:

In this episode of Inspiring Women with Laurie McGraw, Rita speaks about:

• What happens when DEI becomes too controversial to talk about in healthcare?
• What does it take to succeed when the systems were never designed for you?
• How can we protect the lives of Black mothers and babies when health equity is under threat?
• How can leaders build a legacy by mentoring the next generation of women executives?
• Why does boardroom diversity matter, and how do we make sure it’s more than lip service?

Rita’s leadership isn’t just impressive. It’s necessary. She’s not just creating space—she’s changing the system itself.

Guest & Host Links

• Connect with Laurie McGraw on LinkedIn
• Connect with Rita Johnson-Mills on LinkedIn

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This episode of Inspiring Women was recorded at the WBL Summit, a leadership, networking, and professional development conference for WBL members that takes place each spring.

WBL is a network of 1500+ senior executive women in healthcare who convene to share ideas, make valuable connections, and solve business challenges. WBL’s mission is to connect and support our members in advancing their careers and impact on our industry.