The 10 Most Successful Businesswomen to Watch
It’s sometimes thought that leading with the heart will cause leaders to lose focus on their organizational objectives. In contrast, the truth makes those objectives more attainable. The highest calling of those who lead with their hearts is to support one another in achieving—and even exceeding—their professional objectives. Organizations can address issues and concerns about the work environment by “leading with heart.” This method acknowledges a wide range of unmet human needs, including the desire for respect and the significance and purpose of our work in our lives. Shar Najafi-Piper, CEO of Copa Health, was motivated by her favorite Brené Brown psychology/leadership book, “Dare to Lead,” which emphasizes the need for leading from the heart while being open and honest with employees—a strategy she employs in the healthcare industry.
The CEO’s Story
Over the past 14 years, Dr. Najafi-Piper has distinguished herself as a clinical executive and is a licensed psychologist with over 23 years of experience in behavioral health. She has worked as a behavioral health technician, an outpatient counselor, a team lead clinician, the program and executive director of outpatient clinics, the vice president of outpatient services, and the president of quality care centers and behavioral services during her career.
Dr. Najafi-Piper has experience in providing homes specifically for developmentally impaired people. She also has expertise in fully integrated continuums of care to fulfill the highly complex needs of members. She has made a significant contribution to the business side of the health and human services sector over the past 14 years of her career.
As the CEO of a healthcare organization, Shar Najafi-Piper is in charge of directing the executive leadership team and personnel to expand the population they serve and maintain the firm’s financial stability. They are guided by the mission statement, which reads, “We inspire health, hope, and happiness by providing individuals, families and communities with world-class solutions.” People First, Compassion, Integrity, Perseverance, Accountability, and Innovation are its basic values. Dr. Najafi-Piper has also shown success in the areas of program development, contract formulation and negotiation, media development, public relations, and business expansion through revenue diversification from both conventional and non-conventional sources.
Inception of Copa Health
Marc Community Resources and Partners In Recovery, two organizations founded in Maricopa County, merged to form Copa Health. The story begins in 1957, when nine families in Mesa, Arizona, founded a school for their disabled children. Over the years, Marc Community Resources’ primary mission has grown to include serving youth and adults with behavioral health conditions. Day programs, employment related services, residential services, in-home supports, and other areas of growth helped Marc Community Resources become one of the most reputable human services organizations in the state.
Partners In Recovery was founded in 2009 by Marc Community Resources in collaboration with two other nonprofit organizations in Arizona. Partners In Recovery expanded to several integrated clinics in Maricopa County, where it served people with mental illness conditions. Arizona and the nation as a whole followed the example set by Partners In Recovery in the development of integrated clinics. Marc Community Resources acquired Partners In Recovery and became its sole owner in 2017. Excellent synergy was produced by combining top-notch clinical support with all-encompassing supportive services, and this innovation is still going strong.
The scope and quantity of lives served by Copa Health, which served over 14,000 persons with disabilities in 2021, are expanding. Partnerships have been established with a large pediatric clinic system, as well as with an assisted living organization, and it is adding new programs for adults and children with autism.
The Comprehensive Offerings of Copa Health
Copa Health provides care for those with complex needs. Treatment for those with mental health conditions and/or intellectual and developmental impairments involves a whole-health strategy that includes day treatment, counseling, housing and residential choices, career opportunities, and integrated clinic services (primary care and behavioral health). The age range of the clients includes transitional youngsters in their teens to the elderly. The states of Arizona and Utah are included in the service region, and over 15,000 people are served yearly.
The mission of Employment Related Services (ERS) is to increase the independence of people with disabilities by assisting them in finding and keeping jobs. Copa Health accomplishes this via several strategies, including career planning, pre-employment training, computer training, document imaging training, community and center-based “real” work training, job development, and placement. With co-located employment specialists at its six valley clinics, competitive and supported employment is available.
Reasons to Being Exceptional
Serving people who are unable to access services through the current healthcare system is what it’s all about. An organization that doesn’t turn these people away is what Shar Najafi-Piper and Copa Health are recognized for. To do this, they develop practical care models and work with health insurers, local and state governments, and other stakeholders to support these models in order to advance better results and lower the overall cost of care. Her work has allowed the organization to establish and direct two provider-led Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) in Arizona that are dedicated to providing integrated care for members with behavioral health disorders. Another is being planned for the state of Utah. They have also created accommodations for transitional-aged youth who have nowhere else to go and teamed with an assisted living facility to provide care for residents with behavioral health conditions. Since these individuals could otherwise encounter homelessness, hospitalization, or incarceration, this closes gaps in care.
Diversity and Employee Satisfaction
The value of a servant-leadership philosophy, which promotes diversity and job satisfaction, would be emphasized by Shar Najafi-Piper. Build a talented staff, she advised, and lead with openness and mentoring. In the healthcare industry, compassionate, mission-driven care is essential.
She says, “And also, knowing that at first you need to initiate any project with a mission and ensure that you are fiscally efficient in the way in which you deliver services.”
Overcoming the Pandemic’s Challenges
The potential to combine the two organizations into one existed when Dr. Najafi-Piper was appointed to lead the organization in 2019. The company had just acquired the last of a partnered subsidiary’s ownership. The epidemic then broke out. They had the chance to discover that they are all more resilient than realized, and that difficulty fosters creativity and adaptability. The company kept providing its services through telehealth and made sure that its workers had the tools they needed to work remotely and the freedom to attend to the needs of their families. These methods prevented staff layoffs during the epidemic, and the company even expanded during the crisis. Over the past year, Copa has looked for and tested mobile device technology that would make it simpler for providers to interact with members. This technology would allow members to connect with their providers without having to download any apps. The end result is a menu of services that members can access in whatever way works best for them, whether in person, through telehealth, Zoom, or a hybrid.
Plans for “Will”
Shar Najafi-Piper intends to expand through mergers and acquisitions. In addition, within the next ten years, the organization will be expanded into a multistate region with service delivery in five states. As a result, they will be able to assist a lot more people who require care.
She advises the next generation of leaders, “continuously improve, even if that means just 1% a day. Also, remembering that ‘this too shall pass’ – either for those highest highs or lowest lows.”
Website: www.copahealth.org
