Building a culture of support and growth: Cascade Medical’s women in leadership

Diane Blake, CEO

COURTESY OF CASCADE MEDICAL CENTER

Marianne Vincent, Chief Financial Officer

COURTESY OF CASCADE MEDICAL CENTER

Whitney Lak, Family Clinic Director

COURTESY OF CASCADE MEDICAL CENTER

Natasha Piestrup, Director of Nursing

COURTESY OF CASCADE MEDICAL CENTER

Melissa Grimm, Chief Human Resources Officer

COURTESY OF CASCADE MEDICAL CENTER

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LEAVENWORTH – Cascade Medical Center is a health organization led predominately by women, with women serving five out of the six roles on the leadership team. Fueled by a commitment to serve the community, the Cascade Medical leadership champions collaboration, mentorship, and growth within its organization.

“Everybody has the courage to have a dissenting voice and opinion, and everybody else has the ability to listen to that and respect it and know that there's something there worth getting to the bottom of. And so I think the six of us do that really well together,” said Cascade Medical Chief Executive Office Diane Blake.

The members of Cascade Medical’s leadership team brought a wealth of experiences to their respective roles, but the collaborative support they provided one another empowered them to advance into leadership positions. 

“The leader is there really to take care of and support everybody else… In our kind of organization, where we're so people and care-driven, that kind of leadership works well,” said Blake.

About 20 years ago, Blake started at Cascade Medical with a temporary job in supply delivery. Over the years, she said “yes” to opportunities, met roles with inquisitiveness, and leaned on the support and guidance of her mentors, eventually working her way to the top of the organization. As CEO, Blake intentionally ensures those around her receive the support needed to grow in the organization, just as her mentors did before her.

“The support here is amazing…Diane is very supportive, and just our entire leadership team is just incredible to work with, so we're fortunate for that here,” said Cascade Medical Chief Financial Officer Marianne Vincent.

Vincent joined Cascade Medical as an experienced staff accountant in 2015, but a leadership role was out of her comfort zone. As Vincent moved up to Director of Accounting and eventually CFO, her peers provided the encouragement, support and training to thrive as a leader in the organization.

“That's the culture at Cascade, to help build others around you. It's a strong framework for building a strong team,” said Vincent.

The organization also values leaders who bring diverse experiences from other fields and a willingness to take bold steps into new fields. Director of Nursing Natasha Piestrup, for example, had years of leadership experience in Ukraine’s restaurant industry before moving to the U.S. and transitioning into a nursing career. She earned her bachelor’s in nursing, quickly advancing to Clinic Nurse Manager and later to Director of Nursing.

“I will say there's no perfect moment. There's no perfect time to start a business. There's no perfect time to start a new chapter. There always will be something: growing kids, a family member who needs care, [or] some other things happening in life, like there always will be…So it's up to you to say, ‘Hey, I am going to do it,’” said Piestrup.

In addition to offering peer support, the leadership team has also taken steps to invest in education for its employees. In 2022, Chief Human Resources Officer Melissa Grimm and Family Clinic Director Whitney Lak launched a Medical Assistant Apprentice Program, and in 2024, developed the Certified Nursing Assistant Training program.

“Look for ways to lift up others and help them develop – our next leader is likely working right alongside you,” said Grimm. 

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media