An Open Letter from a Departing CEO

Goal setting is the most significant part of achieving success. Without goals, you meander. I had always had the goal to work my way up the ladder (from a non-clinical patient care aide) to achieve CEO status. To me, it was the highest goal I could have from a career perspective. Therefore, it seemed like a natural target to set out to achieve. Never would I have believed that 18 months ago, I would be convinced to take on this role as Savii CEO so early in my career. However, 18 months later, I have an incredible amount of gratitude for the opportunity and achievements that we have made as a team. 

It is with a heavy, but full, heart that I am choosing to resign from Savii as CEO. Over the next several months, I will work with the team as their Executive Advisor to assist the transition. 

Today, I want to share the achievements, what led to making this decision and what’s next. 

 Planes on a runway

Mick Crosthwaite, Executive Chairman of HAS Technology, in an all-hands meeting, once described Savii in the beginning stages as a row of planes on a runway. Savii had several “planes” on the runway and “planes” being built, but none had launched yet - and indeed, none had yet made it to cruising altitude. So, they brought me in to create a go-to-market strategy that would launch the Savii software and get the company to a cruising altitude.

"Selecting Kristen to run our U.S. business was an obvious choice because of her experience, tenure, and tenacious drive," said Mick Crosthwaite, Executive Chairman of HAS Technology (Business Insider).

 After the past 18-months of long days, we have seen the planes take off from the runway. Savii is increasing altitude and is on a steady flight path. My GTM strategy has been implemented well, and the company is piloting ahead. The work that I said I would do is complete. It’s now time for me to exit the pilot’s chair and let someone else continue the flight.

 The qualities of a leader

The volume of lessons learned during my time as CEO of Savii could be enough to write a book… and I might. Some favorites were finding my voice to communicate the business needs to the board of directors in order to achieve our goals faster. We built an organization with the team I pulled together when we started with just the code and a small handful of customers. This allowed me to create a culture and team around me that became the North Star of the Savii business.

 During this time, I learned how to nurture leadership roles and how to invest my knowledge and skills into my people, so that they could seamlessly keep things running when I stepped down. I built a stable foundation for Savii, and in this new role as Executive Advisor, I am focused on continuing to assist the organization toward their growth goals.

 I have also learned that a good leader is a fulfilled leader. 

 Making moves

I’m not announcing my next step just yet; stay tuned. I’m very excited about the upcoming opportunities and discussions I am having with outstanding and proven industry leaders. In the meantime, I’m focusing on resetting and giving back. With COVID- 19, I am focusing my energies on my family’s wellbeing and my community, which, of course, includes post-acute providers. I’m also dedicating time to some of my favorite charities/causes, such as The American Red Cross, Meals on Wheels and several others.

 On the healthcare and technology front, I look forward to helping agencies with emergency planning, retention, and recruitment, as well as increasing their user adoption of the agency’s various technology partners. Leveraging my background of caregiving and technology to assist as we navigate these unknown waters will be an honor.  

 With 18 months of experience as CEO, I look forward to taking my wealth of knowledge and applying it to my next adventure. 

I am thankful to HAS Technology and my Savii team for the opportunity to build and lead such a powerful group. The culture I created and the team that surrounded me will go on to do amazing things, and I will always cheer them on. 

 Follow me on my journey by connecting with me on LinkedIn. 

Sincerely, 

Kristen Duell