Building the Brand, Breaking the Mold: Trecia Landrum’s Story of Bold Leadership

Trecia Landrum is the kind of woman you meet once — and feel like you’ve known forever.

We only recently connected, and yet from our very first conversation, I was struck by how effortlessly she shows up with purpose, warmth, and wisdom. She didn’t know me well, but she showed up with full presence — sharing her time, her story, her truth. And I walked away inspired. Still am.

Trecia is an executive IT leader, a founder, a mentor, a mother, and a force for good in every space she enters. She built her career in healthcare IT, founded The Willow Collective to empower women of color, and continues to lead with a rare kind of clarity and care.

In this Tech She Secures interview, she opens up about the power of betting on yourself, building what doesn’t yet exist, and creating space for others to rise. I know you’ll walk away with as much inspiration and insight as I did.

Journey & Identity

Your path is incredibly powerful — from healthcare IT leadership to launching your own business. Can you share your journey and take us back to a defining moment that sparked your drive to step into tech and leadership?

First, thank you — that means a lot to hear. I’m happy to take you on a quick journey through where I’ve been, where I am, and where I’m headed.

I actually found my way into healthcare IT somewhat by happenstance. I was in California, working in education — managing an after-school program — but the instability of funding started to wear on me. A friend of a friend connected me with someone at Stanford Hospital who needed a scheduler. I hadn’t worked in an office in a while, but I was working on my master’s degree and ready for something new, so I said yes.

I spent two years in that role and then looked for my next challenge. I applied internally to support Stanford’s EHR transformation to Epic — not knowing at the time just how big Epic was or how central it would become to my career. That job changed everything. I got certified, worked with consultants, and learned how to bridge operational pain points with technical solutions — a theme that’s followed me ever since.

Eventually, I wanted to go deeper, and I had an opportunity to relocate to Georgia to join Grady Hospital during their Epic implementation. For the first time in my career, I was negotiating not just salary and benefits, but a full compensation package — including relocation assistance, temporary housing, and a bonus structure. It opened my eyes to what was possible and helped me truly recognize my value.

From there, I joined Piedmont Healthcare. I walked in for the interview and walked out with a job offer. I started as a team lead, helped kick off another Epic implementation, and grew with the organization — from team lead to manager to director — as they expanded from 4 hospitals to over 20. I spent 11 years there and led some of my proudest work.

Eventually, life shifted. My youngest son was two, and I was ready for something new. I launched The Willow Collective, my own business focused on motivating and empowering women of color — especially African American women — in health IT. I also began consulting and ultimately stepped into the role I have now: Executive Director of Enterprise Applications at Children’s National.

If I had to pinpoint a defining moment that propelled me into leadership, it was at Piedmont, during a performance review. Both my manager and her boss said I should pursue leadership. I hadn’t seen that for myself yet — but they did. And it stopped me in my tracks.

That’s the thing with women: by the time we think we’re ready, we’ve probably been ready. We’re just waiting to meet all the criteria before we raise our hand. But when someone you trust says, “You are made for more,” you step up. And I’ve been doing that ever since — as a manager, a director, an executive, and a CEO. You could say leadership is kind of my thing now.

You’ve moved cities, led major health IT transformations, and built your own brand. What has shaped your resilience the most along the way?

I love this question because resilience has shaped so much of my journey — and building a personal brand has been a key part of that. It’s something we have to be intentional about, something we have to actively own and drive. Early in my career, I hadn’t even considered the idea of a personal brand; I was just heads down, doing the work. But I’ll never forget when a VP of Revenue Cycle at Piedmont, while I was still a team lead, said to me: “You’ve built a strong personal brand. What do you envision for yourself?” That stopped me in my tracks. I was excelling in my role, and he noticed — and more importantly, he wanted to invest in me. But first, he wanted to know what I wanted for myself. That moment gives me goosebumps even now. It was inspiring and touching and forced me to reflect and find an answer.

At my core, I am deeply introspective. I’m always asking myself: how could I have done that differently? How can I be of value? How can I make things clearer for the people I work with or the people I need something from? I challenge myself to be efficient and effective in every interaction. That internal pressure, that self-accountability, is a huge part of what’s carried me through.

I also lead with humanity — I’m a people-first person. I operate from a place of human decency and consideration. So, if I’m asking you to stay late or collaborate with me, I better know what I’m talking about. Even if I don’t have the full answer, I want to be clear about the problem. As long as I’m learning, growing, and providing value, I’m in the right place. But when I stop growing — when I stop being stretched — that’s when I know it’s time for my next challenge.

I’ll be honest — I’m not great at stopping to celebrate my own wins. It’s something I’ve had to work on intentionally. Sometimes I keep an accomplishment journal. And I have trusted advisors and mentors who remind me to pause, reflect, and appreciate where I am.

After COVID, I went back to school for my second master’s — an MBA — because I wanted to keep growing, keep pushing myself. If I had to name the thing that’s shaped my resilience the most, it’s my internal competitiveness. I challenge myself daily, and that’s what keeps me moving forward.

Tell us about the 'BADdest' challenge you've taken on in your career — the boldest, most authentic, and driven moment you're most proud of — and how it shaped you.

Wow. First of all — I love this question. And I love the “BADdest” acronym: bold, authentic, and driven. For me, that moment has to be where I find myself today.

When I left my previous job — about three or four years ago — I left feeling a little deflated. I had made it clear I was ready for growth, ready to step into an executive director role. But the organization couldn’t meet that need. It hurt. I had invested so much.

I applied internally for a role, did well in the first round, and was told I’d move on — but the second round took weeks. When it finally happened, only one of three panelists showed up. No explanation. It was awkward. The process stalled, and I never really got closure. It was disheartening. I thought, “If this is how we treat internal candidates — leaders who’ve proven themselves — what does that say about how we treat people from the outside?”

So, I made a decision. I started The Willow Collective because I believe women like me shouldn’t only have one way to grow — and that growth shouldn’t be gatekept by employers. No ma’am. I wanted to create something that encouraged people to invest in themselves and break through ceilings others might not even see.

But I also knew Willow would be my passion project — so I started applying for executive roles. And I told myself: they’re going to have to tell me why not. If I got in the room, I was going to bring it. And that mindset changed everything.

When I interviewed for my current role at Children’s National, I didn’t even realize at first — this was the role I had been working toward. I was just focused on speaking their language, offering ideas, and solving problems. I walked away thinking, “I’m ready.” That was the moment.

So yes, believing in myself — as simple as that sounds — has been the BADdest move I’ve ever made. And now? I’m doing work I love, leading a major Epic transformation, and continuing to lift others through the Willow.

Entrepreneurship & Empowerment

Tell us about The Willow Collective. What inspired you to create this space — and how does it reflect the kind of support, mentorship, and empowerment you wished you had (or did have) along your journey?

The Willow Collective is intentional in both its name and purpose. When I think of a willow tree, I think of strength, flexibility, mystery, and refuge — something that bends but doesn’t break. That’s the energy I wanted to embody. And collective speaks to a living, evolving community — a network of women supporting each other across all walks of life.

It’s a space where women of color can reconnect with their worth — whether they see it yet or not. It reflects both the support I was lucky to receive and the kind we all should have. I’ve had incredible mentors and sponsors who saw my light before I did. I learned by watching — how they moved, how they held space, how people responded to them. And I wanted to create a space that allowed other women to witness that and grow from it too.

The Willow Collective offers one-on-one and group coaching, and my favorite part has been the networking events — bringing together beautiful venues, thoughtful hosting, and friends to create meaningful connections. We hosted a few in that first year — from an executive recruiter sharing insider tips to a powerful panel on the intersection of life, leadership, and womanhood. The energy in the room? Unmatched. I still get goosebumps when someone texts me a picture of their Willow Collective coffee mug or tells me they made a lasting connection through one of those events.

It’s about exposing people to new ideas, new career tracks, new ways of thinking. And even though the business has taken a backseat while I focus on my executive role, the mission hasn’t. I mentor regularly and I do it without hesitation. I don’t bring up the business. I do it because if someone’s brave enough to say, “I want more for myself,” I’m all in.

That’s what The Willow Collective is about. And it’s work I’ll always be proud of.

What’s a moment or story from your work with Willow that moved you deeply or reminded you why you do what you do?

The networking events are definitely a standout — the energy, the connections, the feedback — all of it reminds me why this work matters. But it’s also the smaller, more personal moments that stick with me.

I’ve done one-on-one coaching, including LinkedIn profile reviews, helping women refine their presence and show up more boldly — making their profiles not just professional, but personal and authentic to who they are. One of my very first LinkedIn revamp clients recently transitioned into her dream role as a CNIO, and when she shared the news, she told me, “You were a big part of my quest and confidence boost! Forever grateful! I kept trying, kept going, kept pushing, kept being positive, and kept being me!!”

That’s why I do what I do. To be that mirror. To be that moment of support someone didn’t even know they were missing — and to remind them of just how powerful they already are.

Women Supporting Women

What does authentic mentorship mean to you? What have you learned from the women who’ve supported you — and what do you hope others learn from you?

Authentic mentorship, to me, means: tell me your journey — and don’t leave anything out. Don’t just give me the polished version. Tell me how you got from A to B. Tell me about the times you cried yourself to sleep. Tell me about the moments you felt like an impostor. Tell me when you didn’t have all the answers — and what you did anyway. That’s what I try to bring to the table as a mentor and a leader. I want to give people the real story, because that’s where the power is.

The women and men who’ve supported me have taught me a lot, but one of the biggest lessons is this: I can’t — and shouldn’t — try to do it all. There will be five things on my plate, and they won’t all get 100% of my attention. And that’s okay! What matters is doing my best, listening to my body, and knowing when to rest. That’s a lesson I’m still learning, but it’s one I’ve heard loud and clear from the women who’ve guided me.

Another major takeaway from my mentors has been the importance of diversifying — not just being present and engaged at work, but being visible in the industry. Attending networking events, building community, showing up beyond the walls of your day job.

And perhaps most importantly, they’ve helped me realize that success doesn’t have to be linear. We often think the next step has to be our boss’s job — because that’s what’s directly in front of us. But mentorship has shown me that growth can look different. When I moved from manager to director, I didn’t just climb the ladder — I changed lanes. I went from leading Epic teams to overseeing an entire project portfolio. It was a leap, but I leaned on my track record, my adaptability, and my willingness to learn something new.

That’s what authentic mentorship means to me.

In spaces where women, especially women of color are still underrepresented, what are the small (or big) ways we can create “professional refuge” for one another?

Look at you using “refuge” — amen to that, I love it.

Anytime I walk into a space, I take inventory — not intentionally, but instinctively. I scan the room. How many women are here? How many women of color? How many people even close to my age? It’s something I do as a woman, as a woman of color, as someone who’s often one of few — or the only — in the room. I lead first and foremost as a leader, but I carry that lens with me always. I can’t separate it. And I know I’m often in spaces where others like me are not.

So one small but powerful thing we can do? Invite. If you notice someone missing — someone who could benefit from the conversation, the room, the visibility — bring them in. And if you can’t invite them directly, because of structure or politics or hierarchy, then bring their ideas, give them credit, and say their name behind closed doors. Ask them beforehand, include their voice, make sure they’re represented even when they’re not physically present.

And on a bigger scale, we can build systems that support this work. At both Piedmont and now at Children’s National, I’ve been involved in formal mentorship programs. I’ve served as a mentor and also as a mentoring committee chair — making sure we’re not just mentoring when we “have time,” but actually dedicating time and space for it. Because building that professional refuge? It takes intention. It takes action. And it absolutely matters.

Leadership & Growth 

You’ve held senior roles at some of the biggest names in healthcare. What lessons from corporate life did you bring into your entrepreneurial world?

One of the biggest lessons I brought into entrepreneurship is project management. I know how to build a plan, dedicate time and energy, and stay focused on solving the right problem. That mindset — asking, “What’s the need? Who’s the audience?” — has translated seamlessly.

Another huge lesson is advocacy. Because The Willow Collective is a small business, it’s also deeply personal. It’s me. I had to be intentional about how I wanted to be seen — professional, credible, and authentic. I poured over the name, the design, the website — everything had to align with the vision I had for it. But more than that, I leaned into my network. I asked, “Does this feel like me?” and let trusted people speak into it.

And here’s the big one — I had to get comfortable with what I didn’t know. I reached out for help. I found a photographer who now handles all my headshots and helps with styling. She’s brought me into her network, and we’ve even done Instagram Lives together. That kind of collaboration has been a gift.

Everything I learned in corporate — planning, goal-setting, building credibility — applies. But entrepreneurship has also unlocked a different side of me. It’s tapped into my creativity. It’s given me permission to show up fully — to try new things, experiment with style, and express myself in ways I hadn’t before.

That freedom? It’s shifted how I lead. My brand is rooted in who I’ve been — but it’s also become its own beautiful thing.

What advice would you give to women trying to pivot into IT or leadership later in their careers?

I actually get this question a lot — even from some of my closest friends — and my first piece of advice is always this: leverage what you already have. Your experience, your education, your certifications, your skill set — it all counts. A lot of people think they need to start from scratch, especially when pivoting into IT, but so much of what makes someone effective in this space is transferable.

You don’t have to come from a healthcare or clinical background to thrive in IT anymore. What really matters is: Can you build relationships? Do you have emotional intelligence? Can you lead and manage projects? Can you budget? Can you coach, motivate, and advocate for a team? Those are the things I look for in strong leaders — and those are skills many women already have from years of experience in other roles.

The second piece of advice I’d give is: plug into a network. Go to industry events like HIMSS, ACHE, NAHSE, NAHLE, or others in your field. Even if you don’t feel like an expert yet, lean in. Surround yourself with people who see the value in what you bring, who can support you, and who can help you grow. You don’t have to have it all figured out — you just have to show up, be open, and let people see the talent and perspective you already carry.

Selfcare & Centering

What’s something you do just for you — your form of self-care or creative joy?

I love that phrase — creative joy. I’d say I have two different answers here.

One is how I’ve tied self-care into building The Willow Collective. Personal branding became its own form of healing and expression for me. Doing photo shoots and getting photoshoot ready — those things woke up a part of me I hadn’t been paying attention to. It reminded me: I’m beautiful. I’m smart. And it’s okay to own that — to toot my horn without feeling like I’m being too much. That whole process has been incredibly affirming and joyful.

The second answer is a little more every day. Because in addition to being an entrepreneur and a healthcare executive, I’m a mom to three teenagers and a five-year-old, and I’m engaged to a wonderful partner who’s been such a steady presence in this busy season. I just finished my MBA. We just relocated from Atlanta to D.C. I’ve got a lot going on at all times.

So, self-care often looks like carving out time to decompress. It might be scheduling a night out with girlfriends, just to exhale and leave leadership at the door for a few hours. I love to travel — and while I’m happy to bring the family along, I also cherish solo moments.

And sometimes, it’s as simple as a walk outside. Don’t laugh, but sitting in the sun recharges me like a battery. If I’m at work and I need to reset, I’ll step outside and just breathe. Nature grounds me. Catching up on a show, binge-watching something on Netflix — that counts too. But really, it’s about stepping out of the roles for a minute and just being Trecia.

That’s my version of self-care. Reclaiming space. Recharging in the ways that remind me who I am — outside of all the titles.

The Journey Ahead

What does success look like to you now, and how has that vision changed over time?

Success has definitely evolved for me over time. As long as I’m learning, growing, and providing value or mentorship to someone or something, that’s success in my eyes.

For a long time, I thought my ceiling was Vice President — that I’d retire one day holding a VP title. But now, when I look at where I’m at and the age I’m at — and no, I won’t tell you my age! — I realize I’ve still got so many more working years ahead. And honestly? VP feels too small for what I know I’m capable of.

Right now, I’m Executive Director in my professional role, and CEO of my own business. Those are pinnacles I never could’ve imagined for myself years ago — and I’m proud of that. But I also know that’s not the end of the story. I haven’t hit my limit.

I don’t fully know what success looks like beyond this moment — not yet. I’m riding the wave, staying present, and doing my best in all the endeavors I have going on in my life right now. But if you ask me again in two years? I’ll probably have an entirely new answer.

What’s a piece of advice you always come back to — the one that anchors you?

Does saying believe in yourself sound too cliché? Maybe. But that’s where it starts.

As women, we’re often underestimated — sometimes by others, and sometimes by ourselves. And depending on how strong your sense of self-worth is, you can start to waver. You can find yourself drifting — questioning what you bring to the table — unless you're grounded in your value and the personal brand you've built.

For me, I always come back to this: I am a people leader. I am a valuable leader. And I can confidently say now that I can sit at any table and offer something meaningful — because of who I am, who I’ve been, and what I’ve done. I’ve lived in different places, I am a parent, a healthcare executive, a business owner, a mentor, and a coach. All of those lived experiences shape how I show up, and what I contribute.

That doesn’t mean I have all the answers — but I know I have a thought. I have a perspective. And that’s enough.

So, I take up space — boldly and confidently. I’ve built my own table. And I’ll keep building — pathways, roadways, seats — so that anyone who wants to lead and succeed has the opportunity to do so.

I’m an inclusive leader, and I recognize that I change every space I’m in. And my goal is always to make it better. That’s the advice I live by — and the wisdom I hope to leave behind.

Closing Reflections

Trecia’s story is one of courage, conviction, and community — but above all, it’s real. She doesn’t just talk about leadership, growth, or mentorship — she lives it. Whether she’s launching a business, mentoring a colleague, or advocating for a seat at the table, she leads with intention, courage, and care.

Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is believe in what others have seen in us all along — and then act on it, boldly. Trecia reminds us of that. She doesn’t just occupy leadership roles — she redefines them.

I feel incredibly lucky to have connected with her, to have had this conversation, and to now have her in my circle. I’m learning so much — and I know this is just the beginning.

At Tech She Secures, we’re here to amplify stories like hers — stories that make space, shift systems, and show others what’s possible.

Thank you, Trecia, for sharing yours with us.

I hope her story resonates with you as deeply as it did with me — and reminds you of what’s possible when we show up: boldly, authentically, and driven.

Maliha

Disclaimer: The content on this blog and website reflects a combination of my personal experiences, perspectives, and insights, as well as interviews and contributions from other individuals. It does not represent the opinions, policies, or strategies of any organization I am currently affiliated with or have been affiliated with in the past. This platform serves as a personal space for sharing ideas, lessons learned, and meaningful reflections.