M. Tomás León

Q: What most notably stands out about your leadership style or what is an example of leadership success you can share with our readers?

As an inclusive, collaborative and purpose-driven leader, my approach centers on fostering a culture where every team member feels valued, heard and a sense of belonging. What notably stands out about my leadership style is my commitment to empowering others. I believe that the best ideas come from diverse perspectives, and I actively seek input from all levels of the organization and in the community.

One example of leadership success is the implementation of the well-being transformation initiative in South Central Phoenix. Our initial plan was to implement a certain model within a quick timeline, but we got feedback from community stakeholders and residents of their desire for a more culturally responsive approach that moves at the speed of trust. We are now actively building a community-based coalition and five-year plan to address health inequalities, quality of life and longevity disparities.

My philosophy is simple: lead with empathy, listen actively and inspire through action. This approach has consistently driven our team and external stakeholders to achieve remarkable results while maintaining a supportive and inclusive work environment and trusting relationships.

Q: What impact has any disruptions of the past 18 months had on you as a leader?

The past 18 months have been transformative, significantly impacting my leadership approach, especially in the realm of diversity, equity and inclusion. The disruptions have underscored the importance of resilience, adaptability and courage, which have not only been crucial in navigating change but also in championing it, inspiring me to lead with a renewed sense of purpose.

One key change in my leadership style is a heightened focus on active listening and empathy and leading with questions. Understanding the unique challenges faced by team members and community partners has become paramount.

Additionally, I’ve prioritized inclusive decision-making. We’ve fostered a more innovative and supportive environment by involving diverse voices in the decision-making and innovation process. This approach, which encourages creativity and support, has not only improved team morale and relationships rooted in trust but also driven better business outcomes and community solutions, giving us hope for a brighter future.

Q: What do you feel we can be doing as a business community to empower economic growth here?

To empower economic growth and support social ventures addressing the social determinants of health, the business, philanthropic and nonprofit communities must prioritize collaborative investment and resource sharing. By pooling resources, we can create a robust ecosystem that nurtures innovation and drives impactful community solutions.

One key strategy is establishing inclusive funding networks that connect social entrepreneurs and founders with angel investors, venture capitalists and grant opportunities. This can be achieved through dedicated platforms and events that facilitate networking and knowledge exchange.

Additionally, providing mentorship and capacity-building programs is crucial. Experienced business, philanthropic and nonprofit leaders can guide and support emerging social ventures, helping them navigate challenges and scale their impact.

Finally, fostering public-private partnerships is not just a strategy but a powerful tool that can amplify our collective efforts. By working together with government agencies, the business community and nonprofits, we can leverage diverse expertise and resources to create sustainable economic growth and improve community health outcomes, inspiring a culture of cross-sector coordination and collaboration.

Q: What is new and notable for your company’s near future that will impact our economy?

Urgent action is needed to address the potential tripling of healthcare costs for the average American by 2040, as revealed by a Deloitte study. If health inequities are not tackled, annual spending could exceed a staggering $1 trillion. This is a pressing issue that requires the attention and action of businesses, nonprofits and philanthropists, who are crucial agents of transformative change in our communities.

At the Equality Health Foundation, a nonprofit partner of Equality Health LLC, we believe in the power of collaboration. We envision an inclusive society where everyone can access the resources needed for optimal health and well-being.

Investing in health equity is not just a moral imperative but also a smart economic decision. Deloitte estimates that closing health equity gaps could add a substantial $2.8 trillion to the U.S. GDP by 2040 and potentially increase corporate profits by an impressive $763 billion. This presents a compelling case for the significant benefits that could be reaped by communities and the economy through such investments.

Our commitment to data-driven, tech-enabled and community-based solutions aims to tackle the root causes of health disparities and foster a more equitable society. This initiative reflects our dedication to innovation and community well-being and promises positive economic and public health outcomes.