93. How Breast Cancer Changed My Leadership at Work and in Life with Johanne Morne, Executive Deputy Commissioner for the New York State Department of Health

Is it possible for life-or-death news to bring hope?

In this episode of Women of Color Rise, I speak with Johanne Morne, Executive Deputy Commissioner for the New York State Department of Health. With a long career in public health, Johanne has been guided by her commitment to equity, social justice, and trauma-informed care.

At age 42, Johanne was diagnosed with breast cancer while transitioning into a major role she had worked tirelessly to achieve. Faced with the dilemma of prioritizing her health or career, she chose to reframe the question: How can I focus on both?

Now celebrating ten years of being cancer-free, Johanne shares how her experience transformed her leadership at work and in life:

• Focus on community: Johanne leaned on her strong community of family, friends, and faith, deepening those connections throughout her journey.

• Clarity on her legacy: Cancer clarified Johanne’s desire to leave a meaningful impact, especially around equity. She became bolder, speaking out on hard truths about inequities while balancing this with levity. She also felt empowered to take calculated risks, asking herself, “If X happens, can I stand by it?”

• Bringing hope: Battling cancer taught Johanne the importance of hope—not just for herself but also at work. As she navigated difficult conversations, she realized balancing hard facts with hope and humor was essential to prevent despair. Even during COVID, she highlighted positive aspects, like the flexibility of remote work.

• Seeing life as temporary: Johanne embraced the idea that life’s moments—whether joyful or challenging—are temporary. This perspective allowed her to choose how she spent her time and aligned her actions with her values.

• Embracing authenticity: Cancer helped Johanne lean into her true self, becoming more confident and unapologetic in her leadership.

Thank you, Johanne, for sharing your inspiring story and bringing hope to all of us.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://analizawolf.com/ep-93-how-breast-cancer-changed-my-leadership-at-work-and-in-life-with-johanne-morne