We are thrilled to welcome Janelle Willis, Director of Materials Management Operations for Advocate Health – Southeast Region, to the AWESOME community! Janelle brings over a decade of experience in healthcare operations and a deep passion for mentorship, leadership development, and patient-centered supply chain strategy. Her career journey—from patient registration to regional supply chain leadership—is a powerful example of purpose-driven growth and lifting others along the way. We’re excited to have Janelle’s voice and vision as part of our network!
Janelle Willis is a seasoned healthcare operations leader with deep expertise in supply chain and materials management. As Director of Materials Management Operations at Advocate Health, she leads strategic initiatives that drive operational efficiency, strengthen inventory control, and optimize logistics performance across the Southeast Region.
Holding dual master’s degrees in Health Administration and Business Administration, Janelle brings a data-informed, people-centered approach to leadership. Her work is rooted in a strong commitment to Advocate Health’s mission and values, consistently delivering results aligned with the organization’s strategic direction.
Janelle is recognized for her ability to connect cross-functional insights, foster collaboration, and lead with clarity and empathy. She has played a pivotal role in shaping job functions and operational standards across multiple areas of distribution and logistics.
She is also actively engaged in professional development and industry advancement, contributing to the Young Professional Advisory Council (YPAC) and both local and national chapters of the Association for Healthcare Resource & Materials Management (AHRMM).
Outside of work, Janelle enjoys traveling, spending quality time with family and friends, and caring for her dog, Coco Chanel.
AWESOME
Janelle, thank you so much for joining me today. I’m so happy to welcome you to the AWESOME network. How did you hear about us?
Janelle Willis
Through LinkedIn. I do a lot of networking and try to stay engaged on that platform. I came across your message and felt like this was right in line with where I’m headed professionally, being able to learn more about career opportunities in this space and connect with others in the field.
AWESOME
That’s great! You’re definitely in the right network for that. We have an amazing group of AWESOME leaders who are all about connection, support, and mentorship. What else makes you excited about being part of this community?
Willis
The opportunity to connect with women and future supply chain leaders who lead with authenticity and purpose. I think it’s so important to lean on others doing similar work, share best practices, and collaborate. That kind of support helps shape your own leadership style and priorities and gives you the opportunity to reach back and support young professionals as they grow.
AWESOME
I love that, lifting others as you climb. I’d love to learn more about you. Can you tell me about your career journey?
Willis
I started my career right after undergrad as a patient registrar at the hospital system I still work for today. That was back in 2010. After about a year and a half, I went back to school and earned my first master’s degree. I was then promoted to a coordinator role where I oversaw projects for several areas such as cardiology, endoscopy, and electrophysiology.
Eventually, I completed a second master’s, and my leader at the time asked a really important question, “how can we ensure clinicians spend more time at the bedside?” They were spending too much time looking for supplies, which pulled them away from patient care. That’s when I was asked to create a business case for having dedicated inventory specialists. I didn’t know much about supply chain at the time, but I researched it, built the plan, and was then given the opportunity to oversee supply chain functions for those areas. And I loved it. It gave me a sense of purpose… doing the behind-the-scenes work that helps patients heal. It’s a thankless job in many ways, but I know the products on that shelf are helping someone in their hardest moment, and that’s incredibly rewarding. I stayed in that role for two years before being promoted to director. Now I oversee supply chain projects across our Southeast region, managing a team of project leaders supporting multiple markets. It’s fun, fulfilling work, and I’m proud that it allows me to grow leaders while also keeping patients at the center of what we do.
AWESOME
That’s so impressive. I’m genuinely moved by how you saw a challenge and took action, not just improving the system, but making a meaningful impact on patient care. Have you faced other challenges in your career?
Willis
Definitely. One of the ongoing challenges is building strong relationships in a remote environment. Since COVID, so much of our project work is virtual. It’s harder to build those connections over Teams or Skype. People multitask, cameras are off so it’s just different than being in a room together, knocking things out in real time.
I try to keep my team engaged by encouraging cameras to be on during meetings. At least that way, we can read each other’s body language and stay connected. It’s not impossible, but you have to be intentional about maintaining relationships across locations. That takes creativity and consistency.
AWESOME
Engagement is such a big piece of working virtually. What led you to healthcare and supply chain specifically?
Willis
I actually started out wanting to be a nurse. I earned my CNA license and worked in a nursing home one summer. That experience made me realize I wanted to be part of the administrative side of healthcare, the decision-making team that helps the facility run better.
There were so many things that could have been done differently, and I wanted to be that change agent, someone who advocates for both staff and patients. I also learned a lot about leadership during that time, both what I wanted to emulate and what I didn’t. That experience shaped me.
As a patient registrar, I was the one always raising my hand to help with projects. My leaders gave me opportunities, and I loved being able to check things off my list and contribute. That eventually led to my first exposure to supply chain, and once I learned it was a full career path, I leaned into it fully. Now I try to pass that on. I have two interns every year, and I always ask if they’ve heard of supply chain. Most haven’t. I take it as a personal mission to explain why it’s so vital and why it’s a space worth pursuing.
AWESOME
I love that. And COVID definitely put supply chain into the spotlight in a new way.
Willis
Absolutely. During COVID, if you needed masks, gloves, or hand sanitizer, everyone knew who to call. We were like the Ghostbusters of healthcare.
AWESOME
I really admire that you took what you wish you’d had early in your career and now make sure others have it. With that segue, what are some of the opportunities and challenges you see for women in supply chain leadership today?
Willis
Visibility is a big one. We have to keep raising our hands and making sure we’re seen and heard. In my own organization, there aren’t many people at the table who look like me. I’ve been given the opportunity to help change that and I take that seriously. When you’re the only one, it can feel a bit isolating. But I’ve learned to speak with confidence, share my skills, and offer feedback unapologetically. That inner confidence takes time to build. But as more women move into leadership roles, the path becomes clearer. We’re making progress and I’m committed to doing my part.
AWESOME
That’s powerful. So many women struggle with that… seeing themselves in leadership and believing they belong there. It really helps to have visible role models like you. I’d love to learn how you balance leadership, personal growth, and your personal life.
Willis
It’s all about being intentional and setting boundaries. I tell my team the same thing. Yes, we have an open-door policy, but at 5:30 or 6:00 p.m., we’re done. If you’re on vacation, use that out-of-office message. The work will still get done.
AWESOME
That’s a great example of both self-care and culture-setting. What advice would you give to women aspiring to leadership?
Willis
Own your voice. Know your value. Speak with confidence, even when it’s hard. There will be moments when you question yourself or feel unseen. But you have to believe you belong. It’s also important to have a mentor. Someone to talk through things with—get perspective, encouragement, and clarity. I’d also say let your leaders know you’re interested in growth. I once had a manager overlook me for an opportunity because she didn’t know I was interested. Even though I was volunteering and raising my hand, I never actually said, “I want to grow.” So now I tell others to make it known. Be vocal about your goals so people can advocate for you.