Laurie McGraw is speaking with Inspiring Woman Mary Flipse at the WBL (Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation) Annual Summit.

Mary gives us a view into the life of a start up after spending the first part of her career in large companies.  As Chief Legal Officer and a stint with five CEOs in five years, board activists and more, it was time for a career break.  Through the power of relationships, this led to PreferCare.  We all know the startup drill – high energy, hard work, major highs often coupled with major lows.  Mary has found that her years of executive experience has served her well while in startup mode.  She knows how to find the right answers when she needs them.  Her biggest surprise?  The tremendous generosity of people willing to help.

In this episode we also discuss some of the signature programs of WBL.  Mary has been involved with the Board Program since the beginning.  The best part?  The accountability.  And a support network that will find and make the connections you want.  That is how she found the CEO of her current startup!  Mary also discusses the new WBL Boundless Campaign where WBL aims to support the next generation of women leaders.

About WBL

WBL (Women Business Leaders of the U.S. Health Care Industry Foundation) is a nonprofit organization housing the premier network of women executives across the healthcare industry. With 1200+ active members, WBL offers unparalleled opportunities for networking, professional development, and executive education while fostering a welcoming community of peers committed to supporting and advancing one another. 

About Mary Flipse

President, CoFounder PreferCare

PreferCare is a healthcare startup that aims to build clinical partnerships in America’s smaller cities with independent primary care practices. PreferCare equips partners with the tools, expertise, and on-the-ground extended care teams for successful value-based contracting in Medicare.

She served at publicly traded Tivity Health and its predecessor Healthways in various roles over nearly a decade, most recently as chief legal and administrative officer and corp secretary. Earlier in her career, she served as assistant general counsel and vice president at Pfizer and practiced international law in Asia.

She received her bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University and her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. She is an active member of Women Business Leaders of the US Health Care Industry Foundation and the Council Fellows Alumni Association. Mary serves on the boards of Renewal House and Alive Hospice and on the advisory board for SerenityDTx, a startup using digital therapeutics delivered through virtual reality and binaural beats to address dementia in seniors.

Mary is the Co-Chair of the WBL Boundless Campaign.