Leading From The Heart
Heart-centered Leadership Coaching for Women Physicians
“A fantastic investment in yourself and your future!” - Female Physician leader
‘Chief school ‘ did not teach me how to lead with vulnerability, creativity, humanity and heart.
If you got any leadership training at all, it probably didn’t teach you this either.
Women physician leaders carry enormous responsibility with very little support.
The thought patterns we are taught as physicians — perfectionism, over-responsibility, control — become even more pronounced in leadership.
We care deeply about our work and our people, and we bear the cost of caring that much.
In Japanese tradition, Kintsugi is the art of repairing broken pottery with gold — honoring the cracks rather than hiding them.
Leading from the Heart is built on this idea.
The pressures of leadership in medicine leave marks. This program doesn’t ask you to pretend they aren’t there. It helps you lead from the strength of what you’ve been through.
If you’re craving a new way to lead — one that aligns with your values, your well-being, and the kind of leader you actually want to be — this program is for you.
At a Glance
7 sessions • 10 women • 12 CME credits • $3,300 (or $4,500 with two 1:1 coaching sessions) • Offered twice a year, spring and fall.
Why Work with Me?
I know what it costs to lead in medicine — I did it for almost two decades.
I served as a department chief, operational leader, and regional wellness leader at The Permanente Medical Group — one of the largest physician groups in the country.
I led through staffing crises, budget cuts, moves, and system changes - all while raising three sons and navigating health and marriage challenges.
In 2016, I created "Leading with a Lens to Wellness" — one of the first leadership development programs in the country designed to help physician leaders protect their own well-being while leading others. I brought that work to the International Conference on Physician Health in 2018. The ideas in Leading from the Heart grew directly from what I learned building and teaching that program — and from living it.
I’ve coached hundreds of physician leaders across specialties and organizations, including mid-career women leaders in the American College of Cardiology’s Sandra J. Lewis Program, female cardiology fellows at the Medical University of South Carolina, and district physician leaders at the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
I learned physician leadership from 18 years of doing it — and from the coaching and mindfulness tools that finally taught me how to do it without losing myself.
"Working with Jessie has been one of the best decisions I've made professionally. She is simply amazing.”
Who is this Program For?
Female physicians in a formal leadership role — chief, medical director, CMO, APIC, PIC, team lead — who want support from someone who deeply understands the challenges of being a woman in leadership in medicine
Female physicians stepping into leadership who want to do it in a way that’s effective and sustainable - from the beginning
Those who lead in ways that may not be reflected in their title — through influence, teaching, mentoring, or simply being the person everyone comes to
Those want to navigate conflict, set boundaries, communicate clearly, and quiet imposter syndrome — without losing the parts of themselves that make them a good leader
Those who are tired of leading on empty and ready for something different
If you want leadership coaching that understands both the intricacies of medicine in 2026 and the inner life of leadership, you are in the right place.
”I loved the way Jessie spoke directly to each of us, not letting us off the hook with hard decisions, and gently guiding us back to make changes to help us accomplish our goals of becoming great leaders in our jobs and in our families. “
What You’ll Strengthen: The skills of heart-centered leadership
Lead through conflict without losing yourself
Set boundaries without guilt
Communicate clearly under pressure
Regulate your nervous system in high-stakes environments
Respond with intention instead of urgency
Stop over-functioning and lead more strategically
Build trust without over-giving
Navigate change with steadiness
Model wellness instead of martyrdom
Lead in a way that feels aligned, effective, and sustainable
These are not soft skills. They are essential leadership capacities for women physicians who want to lead well without paying for it with their health, relationships, or peace of mind.
“This group helped my thinking become clearer. It helped me remove internal barriers so my leadership role feels more easeful and authentic. It will do the same for you.” - TPMG MCH leader
Why this program is different
This program grew out of work I began developing inside The Permanente Medical Group in 2016 and later shared at the International Conference on Physician Health. It has deepened over years of coaching hundreds of physician leaders.
Everything I teach, I've lived.
Most executive leadership programs focus on strategy, influence, and performance metrics. This one starts with optimizing you.
Leaders who have balanced your nervous systems, are strategic with their thought patterns and their energy, and who have a healthy relationship with responsibility- not only lead wellness they model it.
What we mode; as a leader is the most impactful influence on healthy cultures.
With a maximum of 10 women per cohort, there is room for real coaching, reflection, community, and change.
This is not a lecture series and there are no pre-recorded modules. Every session is live, and the curriculum is personalized to the women in the group.
The program integrates coaching, neuroscience, mindfulness, and nervous system awareness — grounded in the radical idea that how you lead should feel good to you, too.
Some of the organizations where I have supported physician leaders
American College Cardiology, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UCSF, Medical University of South Carolina, Sutter Health, The Permanente Medical Group, Aurora Health, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, US Veteran’s Affairs, UCSD, UCLA, Children's Mercy
“I can personally attest that as a Family Medicine physician and co-director of Primary Care, as well as a mom of two young kids, with a commute, and a partner who also has a demanding job, I may have left a job I love if it weren’t for physician coaching and development work with Dr. Mahoney.”
— Dr. Samara Nebendzal, Sutter East Bay Medical Director & Wellness Lead
“I loved the way Jessie spoke directly to each of us, not letting us off the hook with hard decisions, and gently guiding us back to make changes to help us accomplish our goals of becoming great leaders in our jobs and in our families.”
— Female Physician Leader
“I got clarity on who I am as a leader and who I want to be, how I want to show up, and how I want to approach making decisions. Jessie is so good.”
— Female Physician Leader, Aurora Health
“I loved feeling heard, understood, and SEEN!” — Assistant Physician in Chief, The Permanente Medical Group
“Jessie helped me understand my professional goals and how they align with, rather than compete with, my personal goals. She listened to my particular concerns and helped me outline an achievable work plan.“
- Stanford Fellowship Program Director
There are THREE ways you can do leadership coaching with me
Leading From the Heart - Small Group Coaching
An intimate group experience for women physicians who want meaningful coaching, community, and a more sustainable way to lead. Best if you want the power of shared wisdom, a curated group of peers, deep reflection, and practical tools.
7 sessions • 10 women max • 12 CME credits • $3,300 (or $4,500 with two added 1:1 sessions)
1:1 Leadership Coaching
Private coaching tailored to your specific goals, challenges, relationships, and role. Best if you want individualized support, flexible timing, more privacy, and coaching customized to your exact leadership situation.
Leadership Programs for Organizations
I’ve supported physician leadership groups at the American College of Cardiology Sandra J. Lewis Program, MUSC Cardiology Fellowship Program (Women in Medicine Program) , and ACOG District Leaders. These programs range from in-person workshops to multi-session virtual coaching programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Most executive coaching focuses on strategy, influence, and performance metrics. This program focuses on how you lead from the inside — your nervous system, your thought patterns, your boundaries, and your relationship with power and responsibility. It is designed specifically for women physician leaders by a woman physician who led for almost two decades.
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No. Many participants are emerging leaders, new chiefs, or physicians who lead informally through influence, teaching, or mentoring. If you carry responsibility for others and want to develop effective and sustainable leadership skills, this program is for you.
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Seven 105-minute live group coaching sessions led by Dr. Mahoney. Up to 12 units AMA PRA Category 1 CME credit. Sessions are recorded if you have to miss. I strongly recommend adding two discounted 1:1 coaching sessions for deeper personalized work.
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$3,300 for the group program. $4,500 with two added 1:1 coaching sessions. Many physicians use professional development funds, leadership funds, CME stipends, or wellness program budgets. This is professional development and is often deductible as a business expense.
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Yes. Many leaders are able to get institutions to pay for leadership coaching. Its a win-win. Other physicians use professional development funds, leadership stipend, CME stipends, and/or wellness program budgets to cover the cost.
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I offer Leading from the Heart twice a year, usually spring and fall. [Next dates and sign up are here.
If you want personalized leadership coaching right away, explore 1:1 coaching.
You no longer have to lead alone or on empty
for everyone but yourself — this group offers a better way forward.
You can feel strong and soft at the same time. You can be strategic and still lead with love. You can stop doing it all and focus on what matters.
Articles on Leadership for Women Physicians
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Why the future of medicine depends on leading from the heart
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Why physicians find negotiating challenging—and what they can do to negotiate better
Disruptive physician labeling — a symptom of systemic burnout