Elizabeth Holder, affectionately known as Dr. Liz, founded Dr. Liz Speaks, LLC in July 2019, focusing on women’s empowerment. The organization’s mission is to reach women of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds and assist them in a way that facilitates the fulfillment of their God-given potentiality. The organization offers the following services: Career Development Coaching, Dissertation Coaching, and Community Engagement. As a commitment to ensure minority females advance their educational goals, the organization offers an annual scholarship through the Dr. Liz Speaks Scholarship Fund. The first scholarship was awarded in June 2020 at the Urban League of Philadelphia’s Youth Empowerment Dinner.
In July 2020, Dr. Liz sought to expand her organization and developed a platform called the Live. Incredibly. Zealous Podcast. She established her podcast to highlight individuals who live a life that exudes purpose, enthusiasm, and courage.
Education and Early Life
Dr. Liz received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Arcadia University and Master of Arts from LaSalle University. In March 2017, she successfully defended her dissertation titled, Career Entry, Retention, and Advancement Enablers and Barriers for Black Female Nurses: An Interpretive Study, at Saint Joseph University’s (SJU) Interdisciplinary Doctor of Education Program for Educational Leaders (IDEPEL). During her tenure as a System Patient Experience Manager, Dr. Liz developed an insatiable research interest to understand the role of facilitators and barriers in the career success of Black female nurses. A diverse healthcare workforce plays a vital role in patient experience outcomes. Dr. Liz believed this research would offer healthcare organizations and higher education institutions recommendations to improve the retention and advancement of Black female nurses in the profession. Dr. Liz was awarded the Nicholas J. Rashford Award for Outstanding Dissertation from this work at her 2017 graduation.
Current Projects of Dr. Liz
Dr. Liz is currently the system Director of Patient Experience with an extensive health system across the Midwest of the USA. As System Director, she defines and guides the strategy/approach for improving 24 hospitals and over 200 outpatient centers across four (4) states. She has demonstrated a proven ability to foster strong relationships with hospital executives, physicians, and nursing leadership to drive patient satisfaction outcomes in the healthcare environment.
Dr. Liz is a contributing author for the book, How I Got Over: The Educational Pursuit of Black Female Scholars; she is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., recipient of the 2020 Salute of Greatness Award for Outstanding Healthcare and Hospital Leadership, Co-Executive Sponsor for a youth college and career readiness program, a Diversity, Respect, and Inclusion Facilitator, member of the Urban League of Philadelphia, a graduate of Philadelphia’s Urban Leadership Forum, and a board member for Together for West Philadelphia.
What was your life like growing up for you? What type of family did you have?
My life growing up in the inner city of Philadelphia was great. While many people may think that growing up in the hood is terrible, I believe the good and bad times that I endured and faced made me the resilient woman I am today.
I was raised in a Christian household with my mother and grandmother. At the tender age of 7 years old, I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior. I grew up in a family that believed in “being active in ministry.” I have been an active member of the youth/adult choirs, usher ministry, and youth leader/teacher throughout the years. My faith is what keeps me grounded, and I don’t know where I would be without my relationship with the Lord.
Were you a dreamer growing up? What kinds of dreams did you have?
My mother encouraged me to dream and never stop dreaming. She was a single mother who worked
extremely hard to keep things going for her girls. At times, she worked three jobs to make sure we lived well. She would always tell me never to stop going to school. Keep going…she wanted me to have options and steer my career and life in the direction that I desired for it to go. Through prayer, dreaming, and my aspirations to do more in life, I believe it has catapulted my career.
How do you maintain your integrity in an otherwise extremely competitive and sometimes unscrupulous industry, as business at times can be cutthroat?
Corporate America and stepping out to become an entrepreneur can be difficult; however, I believe walking with high standards and integrity sets you apart from other industry leaders. I think my high level of integrity comes through my faith. Galatians 6:7 reminds us that you reap what you sow. I believe that those same actions will be rendered unto me if I sow good, whether it is with business relationships and how I respond to others. I am always mindful of my actions, and I desire to do right by others.
What advice do you have for others who have THE dream?
Never STOP dreaming…all things are working for your good. Some of the most successful businesswomen have experienced many failures before they landed in the place where they wanted to be in business. Keep the faith, and never stop striving for your goals.
What is the one thing you want people to remember most about you and your work?
The one thing that I want people to remember the most about me is that I tried to help people along the way. I believe that I have the spiritual gift of helps, and in every situation that the Lord places me in, I want to be effective in helping his people to do great things.