Leading with purpose: Sarah Asmussen on leadership for International Women’s Day

6 Mar 2025

With a clinical background in nuclear medicine science, Sarah’s leadership journey started with a passion for optimising health care to improve patient outcomes.

“It was a bold shift, but I knew better systems meant better outcomes,” she recalls.

This mindset propelled Sarah into senior leadership roles across public and private organisations, where she played a key role in shaping health care strategies and improving access to critical services.

Sarah credits the strong female mentors in her early career for demonstrating leadership is about integrity, resilience, and staying true to your values. Today, she is committed to paving the way for future leaders.

“Leadership isn’t about fitting a mould, it’s about leading with authenticity,” she says.

“Leadership is about impact, not position—people connect with leaders who are real and purpose-driven.”

Since joining St John of God Health Care, Sarah has been inspired by the number of women in leadership roles and the strong culture of support and mentorship. With 79 per cent of caregivers being women, 68 per cent female representation in leadership overall, and 50 per cent of the executive leadership team being female, St John of God Health Care is actively fostering an environment where diverse leadership is embedded at every level.

“Women need to be in key decision-making roles, not just for diversity, but because it results in better decisions and stronger outcomes,” she says.

“In health care this is especially important. When leadership reflects the communities we serve, we create more effective, patient-centered solutions.”

Sarah believes meaningful change requires more than representation—it demands environments where diverse voices shape critical decisions.

“This isn’t just about gender, it’s about making sure leadership reflects the communities we serve. Our patients, caregivers, and stakeholders deserve leadership that understands their lived experiences and champions solutions that work for everyone.”

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, Sarah’s story is a powerful reminder that diverse leadership is not just a goal—it is a necessity for building stronger, more effective health care systems.