At Eliot Community Human Services, leadership isn’t just about titles—it’s about lifting others as we climb, shaping the future, and creating pathways where none existed before. In a recent roundtable discussion, four remarkable women leaders at Eliot gathered to discuss women and leadership. Susan Higgins, Vice President of Adult Clinical Services, Dr. Siu Ping Chin Feman, Medical Director of Homeless Services, Dr. Alana Nagle, CBHC Chief Medical Officer, and Dr. Alyson Theeman, Director of Forensic Psychology all shared their journeys, each a testament to strength, mentorship, and the power of community.
Finding Purpose Through Passion
Each leader’s journey into human services was deeply personal. Dr. Chin Feman found her calling in mental health after witnessing the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, realizing that trauma recovery was her passion. Susan’s path was shaped by an early love for forensic psychology and a deep desire to support individuals struggling with chronic mental health conditions. Dr. Nagle grew up in a large family with a cousin on the autism spectrum, which fueled her passion for child psychiatry, while Dr. Theeman’s experience with the loss of a friend to suicide ignited her mission to support people in crisis.
Despite their unique paths, all four women found their way to Eliot, drawn by its culture of flexibility, empowerment, and the ability to make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
Mentorship: A Ripple Effect
Mentorship at Eliot is not just a formality, it’s an organic and powerful process of elevating each other. Susan shared how Eliot’s executive leadership has continually supported her growth, helping her transition from Clinician to Regional Director, then Vice President. Dr. Theeman recounted how Susan “tricked” her into sending a CV for a role she didn’t think she was ready for, only to realize later that she was exactly where she needed to be.
This culture of mentorship is deeply embedded at Eliot. “Anytime I’ve asked for support, I’ve gotten it,” Dr. Theeman said. “And anytime someone asks me, I always try to say yes. That’s how we grow—not just as professionals, but as a community.”
A Culture of Understanding and Support
Eliot makes every effort to support all aspects of employees’ lives. These women spoke candidly about juggling demanding careers with motherhood, personal growth, and self-care. For example, Susan shared how she felt supported in attending her child’s classroom reading day, while Alana emphasized Eliot’s investment in employee well-being—whether through strong team collaboration, critical incident support, or leadership that values the whole person behind the role.
A Call to Action: Elevate, Inspire, Lead
The roundtable closed with a powerful message: leadership is not about being the loudest in the room—it’s about showing up, advocating for yourself, and bringing others along.
Dr. Nagle emphasized the need for women to advocate for themselves, noting that many assume their hard work will be noticed and rewarded without speaking up. “Humility is a little overrated for women,” she said with a smile. Dr. Chin Feman added, “No job I’ve ever had was posted before I applied. Women need to stop waiting to be invited to the table and start making space for themselves.”
Eliot’s women leaders prove that mentorship, opportunity, and community can redefine what leadership looks like in human services. As these four women in leadership shared, Eliot has long been a place where women don’t just have a seat at the table—they help shape it.
To all women at Eliot and beyond: go for that promotion, reach out to that mentor, advocate for your ideas. Pave your path, walk it, and bring others with you.