Inside Henry Schein’s Women’s Leadership Network and how it’s empowering women across the global organization to grow, collaborate and lead with confidence.
Employee resource groups have become a powerful force for connection, mentorship and leadership development across the healthcare industry – and at Henry Schein, the Women’s Leadership Network (WLN) is helping shape the next generation of leaders while strengthening the company’s culture of inclusion and collaboration. Designed to empower, develop and connect women across the global organization, WLN provides a forum where team members can build relationships, grow professionally, and contribute to initiatives that support both personal advancement and business success.
To better understand the mission, impact and future vision of the network, Repertoire Magazine spoke with two of WLN’s Global Steering Committee co-chairs: Lauren DelGuidice, Associate Manager of Corporate Media Relations, and Bradi Register, Strategic Account Manager II. Both leaders joined the organization early in their careers and found in WLN an opportunity to build connections, gain confidence and help shape programming that reaches team members around the world.
In the following interview, they share how the network has influenced their leadership journeys, why diverse leadership matters in healthcare distribution today and how WLN continues to create meaningful opportunities for mentorship and growth across Team Schein.
What originally drew you to participate in the Women’s Leadership Network, and what has kept you engaged?
Lauren DelGuidice: I joined the company right after graduating from college, so I was not only new to Henry Schein, but I was also new to the workforce. It can be difficult to navigate such a large company, especially as a recent graduate, so I wanted to find a way to get involved and meet Team Schein Members while learning about the company’s culture. I’ve also been surrounded by strong women in my life, so WLN was a natural fit. Not to mention after less than a year with Henry Schein, the pandemic hit and we were working from home, so finding and making connections was more important than ever. What has kept me engaged is the fact that WLN reaches all global TSMs, allowing us to share experiences, knowledge and meet people from across the world that we normally wouldn’t have.
Bradi Register: I was interested in a leadership position with the Women’s Leadership Network because of my positive experience as a member. I had the opportunity to see firsthand the programming WLN put in place, and it stood out as a meaningful way to engage more deeply within the virtual work environment. I saw it as an outlet to build intentional relationships with team members beyond my immediate team and around the world.
What has kept me engaged is the continued opportunity to connect and collaborate with other ERG leaders and members who I wouldn’t have otherwise interacted with. Together, we’ve created impactful initiatives and events that foster connection, growth and inclusion. Those relationships and the ability to work together toward shared goals are what continue to energize and inspire me to stay involved.
How does WLN differ from other professional development or employee resource groups you’ve been part of?
DelGuidice: Henry Schein has a strong values-based culture that focuses on community, caring and career. We’re lucky to have seven ERGs that reinforce these values and empower Team Schein:
Women’s Leadership Network – To provide a forum that empowers, develops and connects a network of women to drive business success.
Pride & Allies – To enhance, foster and preserve an inclusive environment where LGBTQ+ TSMs are empowered to be their authentic selves and are valued for their diverse perspectives which contribute to Henry Schein’s business success.
Black Legacy Professionals – To enhance and influence the professional environment at Henry Schein to further support the success of Black TSMs, which augments Henry Schein’s business success.
COLEGAS – A group of diverse colleagues, united to empower and advocate for Hispanic & Latin American TSM’s personal and professional advancement through collaboration and education to contribute to Henry Schein’s business success.
ElevASIAN – To empower individuals of all Asian backgrounds by elevating their voices and providing an environment that educates on the perspectives, perceptions and challenges of the Asian community.
VET – To unify Veterans, their families and Team Schein Members by fostering camaraderie, providing recruiting of and advocacy for service members, and giving back to the community.
ADAPT – To celebrate the diversity of disabilities, both visible and invisible, for TSMs, our families and our communities.
Our ERG community at Henry Schein is unique, grounded in the belief that we are stronger together. We regularly collaborate across groups, including last year’s all-ERG virtual event on prioritization tactics, and we’re currently developing an ERG magazine featuring recipes, stories and lessons from each network. These shared initiatives reflect the strength of our culture. Fostering meaningful connections across Team Schein Members has been central to Henry Schein’s organizational culture and business success throughout its 94-year history – and continues to drive us forward.
Register: I can’t directly speak to how WLN differs from other professional development programs, as this is my first opportunity to hold a leadership role within an ERG at Henry Schein. What I can share is how proud I am of the growth we’ve seen within the Women’s Leadership Network and the intentionality behind that progress. We’ve been very focused on expanding our community while also deepening engagement through thoughtful, relevant programming and meaningful cross-collaboration with other employee resource groups. Seeing that impact and connection continue to grow has been incredibly rewarding.
Can you share a moment when participation in WLN directly influenced your career?
DelGuidice: Becoming Co-Chair of WLN has been an incredible experience that has influenced my confidence, career path and leadership approach. As someone who is still (somewhat) early in my career, confidence was – and sometimes still can be – something I struggled with. Working at a global company with so many experienced, smart and amazing individuals can be intimidating. Imposter syndrome creeps in and you start to ask yourself, “Am I even good enough?” But the WLN Global Steering Committee Co-Chairs believed in me. They gave Bradi and I – alongside our incredible committee members – the opportunity to lead the Women’s Leadership Network to the next level.
As a result of that, I was able to host our 2025 keynote session with our former CEO, Stanley Bergman, to discuss owning your career path. To be able to sit down with Stan and two inspiring women leaders to talk about how to advocate for yourself, find mentors and elevate your brand is something that I will never forget!
Register: First, I have to say that becoming a Co-Chair of the Women’s Leadership Network was truly a steppingstone to many of the most meaningful and impactful experiences I’ve had over the past few years. Like many of us, I’ve faced moments of imposter syndrome and questioned whether I belonged in certain rooms. Stepping into this role reinforced the importance of trusting that we’re chosen for a reason and then owning that responsibility with confidence.
Serving as Co-Chair has influenced my career by teaching me not to hesitate to raise my hand, say yes and lean into opportunities even when they felt uncomfortable or outside my comfort zone. That mindset has extended beyond WLN into other leadership and industry opportunities that have since become an important part of my career path. Learning to embrace those moments, rather than shy away from them, has been transformational both personally and professionally.
What leadership skills have been strengthened the most through WLN, and why are those especially important in today’s healthcare industry?
DelGuidice: WLN has helped me strengthen my leadership skills overall – from managing cross-functional initiatives to aligning diverse perspectives, and much more. But one skill that I think is especially critical in today’s healthcare industry is leading with empathy and remembering that, at the end of the day, we are all human. Healthcare is human centered by nature, so it is important as leaders to create safe spaces for people to share their thoughts and opinions, and know they are supported.
Register: WLN has helped me gain greater confidence in decision-making and leading with influence. It reinforced trusting my voice and making decisions in complex environments, which is especially important in healthcare where change is constant and the stakes are high.
WLN has also strengthened my ability to collaborate across teams and functions. In today’s matrixed healthcare organizations, progress often depends on influencing without formal authority, building alignment, and moving initiatives forward through strong relationships and shared purpose.
How does mentorship or sponsorship show up within WLN, and how has that support played out in your own career?
DelGuidice: Mentorship is a huge part of Henry Schein. As a company, we have our Mentoring Reimagined program. Through this program, there are mentees participating at all levels and mentors that range from supervisors through the Executive Management Committee. Since launching in 2022, the program has grown beyond expectations with more than 2,100 Team TSMs enrolled, over 1,900 successful matches and over 17,000 hours dedicated to mentoring conversations. We encourage all our WLN members to participate in this program, while also fostering connections through our various WLN programs, including our book club and other networking sessions. I’ve had both formal and informal mentors who have shaped me into who I am today, professionally and personally.
Why is diverse leadership especially important in healthcare, dental and medical distribution today?
DelGuidice: Diverse leadership is important in healthcare distribution because our stakeholders are diverse – our Customers, Suppliers, Team Schein Members, Shareholders and Society at Large. To understand their needs and to help deliver effective solutions, it is essential that leaders have different backgrounds, perspectives and lived experiences at the table. This goes back to the human-centered approach – by elevating voices that could be overlooked, we can strengthen relationships, enhance outcomes and ultimately better support healthcare professionals to better serve the people who rely on them.
Register: Diverse leadership is especially important in healthcare, dental and medical distribution because the patients, providers and communities we serve are incredibly diverse. When leadership reflects that diversity, decisions are more informed, inclusive and aligned with real-world needs, ultimately leading to better outcomes. In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, diverse leadership also brings broader perspectives to complex challenges like access to care, workforce shortages and innovation. It drives stronger collaboration, more thoughtful problem-solving, and organizations that are better equipped to adapt, grow and serve with purpose.
What leadership qualities do you think will matter most for women in healthcare over the next five years?
DelGuidice: I think it’s important for women to continue to be empowered to speak up with confidence, be recognized as strategic leaders, and be able to stand strong in their convictions. The healthcare industry is continuing to evolve, and change can create discomfort. Standing strong in discomfort is an essential leadership skill. Balancing the human-centered approach while holding firm in expertise and leading through change is essential.
Register: Over the next five years, adaptability and the ability to lead with influence will be critical leadership qualities for women in healthcare. As the industry continues to evolve, leaders who can navigate change with confidence and flexibility will stand out. Equally important will be emotional intelligence and collaboration building trust, aligning diverse teams and driving meaningful impact across complex healthcare organizations.
