Phone: (714) 628-2900

Gwen Sandefur

Director

A former senior executive, hospital group President, and Chief Care Transformation Officer, Gwen has first-hand knowledge of the challenges and rewards associated with demanding leadership roles.

Gwen brings a uniquely qualified perspective to her coaching and advisory engagements, with over 25 years of experience in strategy and operations. Her passions include working with healthcare executives, women in executive leadership, and entrepreneurs/entrepreneurs-in-spirit.

Prior to FMG Leading, Gwen served as the Chief Care Transformation Officer at Spectrum Health System, a $6.9 billion not-for-profit integrated health system based in West Michigan, and President, Spectrum Health Hospital Group. Gwen is also Founder and Chief of Loud Minds, a change design partner for those determined to be their best-among-the-best.

Gwen earned her Master’s in Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan, and a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Indiana University.

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EXPERIENCE

Gwen Sandefur is a Director at FMG Leading, a team of coaches and advisors that help create world-class organizations at the intersection of humanity and high performance. Gwen recently transitioned to coaching and consulting after 25 years of successful strategy and operations executive roles with national and regional health systems. As a former senior executive in operations, hospital Group President, and Chief Care Transformation Officer, she has first-hand knowledge of the challenges and rewards of demanding leadership roles. Her passions include working with healthcare executives, women in executive leadership, and entrepreneurs/entrepreneurs-in-spirit.

In addition to her role at FMG Leading, Gwen is also Founder and Chief of Loud Minds, a change design partner for those determined to be their best-among-the-best, whether CEO, individual, or in-between. Loud Minds accelerates palpable change by integrating human factors into performance while sparking achievement of your vision - today.

Before FMG Leading and Loud Minds, Gwen served as the Chief Care Transformation Officer at Spectrum Health System, a $6.9 billion not-for-profit integrated health system based in West Michigan and President, Spectrum Health Hospital Group. At Spectrum Health, she was responsible for the strategy, operations and growth of 11 of Spectrum Health's regional hospitals. She was also responsible for hospital-based outpatient locations. While serving as Chief Care Transformation Officer, she led care management, Spectrum Health Healthier Communities, and developed the Spectrum Health Behavioral Health division.

Gwen previously served as President of St. Mary's Medical Center, a division of Ascension Indiana, St. Mary's Health, in Evansville. Before becoming President, she held several other executive roles at St. Mary’s including Chief Operating Officer and SVP Strategic Development and Regional Relationships. 

Prior to St. Mary’s Medical Center, Gwen served in key leadership roles at St. Vincent Women’s Hospital, a division of Ascension Indiana, St. Vincent Health, in Indianapolis.

BOARDS AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Gwen serves on the board of directors for Heart of West Michigan United Way as Vice-Chair, and previously served as a board member of Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes, and as a board member of the Michigan Health and Hospital Association Service Corporation. Gwen continued her exploration of governance best-practices in support of Real.Strong.Women. as a participant in the national Alpha Chi Omega "Seeking the Heights to Board Service" Educational Experience.

ACADEMIC AFFILIATIONS

Gwen received her Master’s in Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan, a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Indiana University, and coaching certification from the Hudson Institute of Coaching. Gwen is a Marsha Reynolds “Breakthrough Coaching” Enhanced Practitioner as well as a certified coach by the following organizations: International Coaching Federation (Associate Certified Coach); Gallup (Gallup CliftonStrengths Certified Coach); and The Leadership Circle (Leadership Circle Profile Certified Coach). 

In 2021 Gwen completed the Coaching Supervision Academy diploma program, a credential that further elevated Gwen’s translation of coaching methods for those creating coaching cultures. To further maximize her clients’ potential, Gwen is also working toward certification as a Health and Wellness coach through Wellcoaches School of Coaching, the global leader in teaching science-based and high impact health and wellness coaching to health professionals.

PERSONAL

Gwen lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan spending free time with her husband Mike of nearly thirty years and their four young ones (Estee, Easton, Eisley, and Squizzy - the fourth, and furry one).  She loves to watch basketball as a native Hoosier, run half-marathons, learn and offer varied coaching techniques, and practice mindfulness to share with all.

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