Each year, the Corridor Business Journal shines a spotlight on young professionals who have made a meaningful impact on the region early in their careers.
This year, we are proud to introduce you to the 19th class of Forty Under 40 honorees. In this post, you’ll find the three honorees working in the Corridor’s health care industry.
Erin Foster
Director | Linn County Mental Health Access Center
Age: 39
Family: Husband, Travis; daughters, Carter and Madison
Residence: North Liberty, Iowa
Hometown: Cascade, Iowa
Education: University of Iowa – Bachelor of Science in Psychology
University of Colorado, Boulder – Masters in Organizational Leadership
What do you consider your “big break” in your career, so far? My role as the first Linn County Access Center director. While considering whether to apply for this role, I thought my lack of experience would be a hindrance; however, I have great mentors and peers who helped with the “imposter syndrome.”
What would most people be surprised to learn about you? Despite my odd love for public speaking, training, and my experience in forward facing roles in the community, I am an extremely introverted person!
What’s the biggest issue facing the Corridor, and why? Although the Corridor has a wealth of resources that address social determinants of health, access to them can be extremely difficult.
What are your passions outside of the workplace? I am president of Healing at English River Outfitters (HERO), a non-profit that works with veterans and focuses on bringing veterans together outdoors. Outside of leadership type roles, I am an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and enjoy watching and attending football games, basketball games, and gymnastics meets. I also play the role of “sports mom” to my two daughters, Carter and Madison, who play soccer, basketball, T-ball and gymnastics.
What’s something people should know about your generation in the workplace? I am a “geriatric millennial,” but don’t feel stereotypes of millennials are 100% accurate. I think the concept of comparing generations is a detriment to healthy workplace cultures. I believe, as a leader, these differences are opportunities to showcase strengths and improve weaknesses as a team. Diversity within a team can be an immense strength if handled well.
Lead Hospital Interpreter and Translator | University of Iowa Health Care
Age: 35
Family: Spouse, Alyssa Silva; sons, Elías, Ezra and Joaquín
Residence: Iowa City, Iowa
Hometown: Inglewood, California
What was your first job? Starbucks barista
Best advice you ever received? My mother provided me with the best advice: nothing in this world is handed to you, but with some hard work and sacrifices along the way, hopefully you will find yourself making a difference for others in your community. If you can help others, you’ve lived a good life.
What do you consider your “big break” in your career, so far? 2013, a couple years after starting my career as a medical interpreter. I completely fell in love with the people I got to interact with, both the staff and the patients and families. I felt I had found a true passion. After the coordinator retired, I applied and was awarded the role of program coordinator, which allowed me to continue working directly with families as an interpreter, but also gave me room for growth and improvement of the interpreting services.
If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? I would support organizations that serve the underrepresented and marginalized members of our society, such as immigrants. As an immigrant myself, having been born in Mexico and moving to the USA at the age of eight, I can relate to the immigrant experience. I would also support causes that affect hospitals such as Dance Marathon and other various organizations that support patients and families dealing with significant health issues.
What are your passions outside of the workplace? When I am not at work, all my focus is on my family. One passion of ours is making our voices heard at marches and rallies. Whenever possible, my family and I will be making signs, marching and protesting for causes close to our hearts.
Andrea Watkinson
Director of Cancer Services | Helen G. Nassif Community Cancer
Age: 38
Family: Husband, Chad; children, Everett, Noah and Kathryn
Residence: Central City, Iowa
Hometown: Waterloo, Iowa
Education: Mount Mercy University – Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Registered Nurse
Best advice you ever received? The strongest factor for success is self-esteem: believing you can do it, believing you deserve it and believing you’ll get it.
What do you consider your “big break” in your career, so far? My biggest break so far has been when there was an opportunity to take on an interim role in my current position due a staffing transition within our department.
What would most people be surprised to learn about you? I am very introverted.
What’s the biggest issue facing the Corridor, and why? The setbacks that we continue to struggle with post-pandemic. During the time of shutdown there were lots of things that were set aside to focus on the concerns in that moment; however, this has led to being behind on things. Whether workforce, health care, schools, finances, or industry, these issues are still very much impacting the day-to-day lives of everyone in the Corridor in some way.
If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support? Mental health and several non-profits within the Corridor. We have lots of programs doing amazing things for the people of our community; however, due to limited funding and an increase in these needs, access to these programs seems to be limited at times.
What are your passions outside of the workplace? I am very passionate about the small community where my family resides, Central City. I serve as a member of the school board as well as with several youth sports programs.
What do you want to accomplish by the time you are 50? I have a goal to continue to grow and expand my role within the cancer service line of UnityPoint. I would also like to work with our team and community partners to expand the reach of the services provided by the Helen G. Nassif Community Cancer Center.
The class of 2023 will be honored Oct. 19 at a ceremony sponsored by the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business and Cedar Ridge Distillery at the DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Cedar Rapids. Tickets are available until Oct. 11.
