Part I of II • Cristy Garcia-Thomas "Do you take it home?" | Milwaukee’s Health & Issues

Cristy Garcia-Thomas and Mark Thomas are individually among the best known individuals in the non-profit ranks in Milwaukee. Each could write a book on their journey from the for-profit world to non-profits such as UPAF, Sojourner Family Peace Center, Advocate Aurora and Red Cross.

So, when the married couple gets home at night, what do the two talk about? Let’s start with Cristy, who is Chief External Affairs Officer at Advocate Aurora Health.  We’ll follow with Mark’s thoughts in a couple of days.

Here’s what I asked them: Have you been comparing notes from your work and if so, what lessons have you learned for coping that you would pass along?

First, Cristy Garcia-Thomas responded:

Before COVID hit, my husband and I made an effort to catch each other before we headed out to tackle the day and offer a challenge or word of encouragement. Then we’d end our day by offering an ear to hear how the day’s battles went.

During the pandemic, working from home, we didn’t have to wait until the end of the day. We could watch each other’s reactions in real-time and witness the heaviness each other shouldered, whether it was feelings of frustration, disappointment, being overwhelmed or any other weight we carried by leading. And as we pressed through—both of us in positions of leadership in which others watch (and now our daughter was also watching us as she was doing school from home) and follow—we recognized that though our organizations are different, the core of our work is the same. We both handle matters of the life and health of our communities, and we both understand that we must  be the strongest versions of ourselves during this crisis.

These recent blows to our communities remind us of the core lessons that have helped the health of us and those around us through the ups and downs of the challenges and burdens of our careers. We’d like to share a few tidbits from the Thomas house. These are some of the bricks we have laid carefully over the years that help keep our home strong, no matter how hard the winds blow.  

Be transparent to build trust.

Though this pandemic calls for us to wear masks to protect our health, as leaders we need to “demask” from trying to protect our egos. In times like these, those who are heavy and hurting need to know they are not alone and that as they watch people struggle, they can also see them succeed. This builds trust for and with leaders, which is the anchor of strong relationships that can overcome so much. COVID-19 has reinforced how much we all need relationships we can depend on to provide safe spaces to get through even the hardest days together.

Be calm amidst chaos.

Our recent days have been filled with burden, turmoil and challenge, all of which can cause rage, confusion and other troubling emotions that unsettle us. That chaos is something we should be attentive to; as much as possible, we should challenge ourselves to create space and settle ourselves so that we can think clearly and thoughtfully before reacting.

Candidly, we often cannot do this alone. Turning to someone in our trusted circle is a key gift in these times of need. We encourage everyone to find a person to talk to, a place that can be a sanctuary or a centering song…your “Namaste” can take many forms.

Use perspective to overcome panic.

We can’t change everything we wish we could. There is so much not only outside of our control, but also outside of our reach. When we begin to feel helpless and panicked, we just need to look around and see what is within our reach and our control. Who is closest to us who not only needs us, but also reminds us of what is most important in life?

We watch our children with the deepest wish to create the best world for each of them. When something strikes that dulls that dream, we have to hold them close and instead help them build the fortitude and faith to help them get through the toughest days and come out stronger.

Cristy’s bio:                                               

Cristy is the Chief External Affairs Officer at Advocate Aurora Health. In this role, she is responsible for shaping the overall experience for patients, team members and community partners in a broad and strategic way. With a broad landscape to influence, she oversees diversity and inclusion, interpreter services, community relations, charitable giving through our foundation, community health and community programs at Advocate Aurora Health, one of the top 10 largest health systems in the United States.

A leader at Aurora Health Care since 2011, she has more than 25 years of industry experience including leadership roles as the president and CEO of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF). Before joining UPAF, she was publisher and vice president of the Specialty Media Division of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and worked for The Wichita (Kan.) Eagle.                                                      

Cristy currently serves on the board of directors for Delta Dental, Chicago United, Greater Milwaukee Committee, the United Community Center, the Hispanic Collaborative and the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha. She served as campaign co-chair for the 2018 United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha. She is a member of the National Forum for Latino Healthcare Executives and TEMPO Milwaukee. Cristy has served on the boards of Aurora Health Care and Girl Scouts and is a past board chair of TEMPO Milwaukee.

She has received numerous awards and recognition, including The Business Journal’s 40 under 40 Award, Women of Influence, 2004 Hispanic Professional of the Year by HPGM and TEMPO Milwaukee’s Mentor Award in 2017.

Cristy holds a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University and has completed executive-level programs at Northwestern University and Harvard Business School.