Women in Healthcare Communications Leadership with Jenny Carrington-Elson, Managing Director at Intent Health

In recognition of International Women’s Day, Hanson Search is running an interview series throughout March showcasing female talent across the industries we work in.

In this interview, Amy Hayer, Managing Partner at Hanson Search, spoke with Jenny Carrington-Elson, Managing Director at Intent Health about leadership in healthcare communications, the importance of evidence and credibility in the sector, and the changes needed to support more women into senior leadership roles.

As a woman in healthcare communications, what challenges and opportunities have shaped your journey to leadership?

In healthcare communications credibility is key. You need to be able to support what you say and back up your recommendations with data and evidence. Early in my career, I realised that being well prepared and having a clear point of view was important for building trust and ensuring people listened to what I had to say.

At times, establishing credibility as a woman can take longer, which means you have to be disciplined in how you approach conversations and decisions. In many ways, that experience has shaped how I lead today. Healthcare is also a very collaborative field. You are often working with a wide range of stakeholders, from patient communities to government. I believe women bring a strong ability to build relationships and create collaboration, a great foundation for strong leadership.

How has the role of an agency leader evolved over the past few years, and what core leadership principles do you believe never change?

Communications has changed a lot in recent years which has influenced what leadership in an agency looks like. Social media, AI and the number of voices across different platforms mean leaders need to be more adaptable than ever. There is also a greater focus on managing diverse multi-generational teams and supporting people through change in the industry.

Some leadership principles do not change. Clarity is essential. Leaders need to be clear about the direction they are taking and communicate it well. Integrity also matters. Being honest and transparent, and acknowledging when you make a mistake, helps build trust. Finally, backing your people is critical. Good leaders support their teams and bring them into the decision-making process.

Where are you investing most heavily; skills, tools or capabilities, to prepare your agency for the next wave of communications needs?

 We are investing across everything: skills, tools and capabilities. Like many organisations, we are exploring how AI can support our work, alongside investing in our senior team of experienced practitioners. Our biggest focus is on strengthening strategic thinking. We are helping our consultants bring together information from different sources, whether that is client conversations, stakeholder insight or AI research and turn it into clear strategies and recommendations.

Technology can help with analysis, but it will not replace human judgement. Being able to guide clients, make confident recommendations and stay focused on the outcomes we want to achieve is where we are investing most.

What one change would make the biggest difference to advancing women into senior leadership in healthcare communications?

 We need to stop asking women to adapt to systems that were never designed with them in mind. Too often women are told to be more confident or to “lean in”, rather than businesses looking at how leadership structures could change. Organisations should instead focus on creating leadership environments that recognise and value different styles of leadership. When the strengths women bring are properly recognised and supported, we are far more likely to see more women progress into senior leadership roles.

The theme for International Women’s Day 2026 is Give to Gain. When we give generously, we create more opportunities for women. What does Give to Gain mean to you in practice?

For me, Give to Gain is about being generous with praise, support and opportunities. Success should not be seen as something where one person’s progress comes at the expense of someone else. In practice, it means championing others, recognising their work and creating opportunities for them to step forward. Many of the opportunities I have had in my career came from women who supported me and encouraged me to take the next step. When we lift others up, we create more space at the table rather than competing for the same seat.

If you were to name one woman in healthcare communications who influenced your leadership journey, who would that be?

It is difficult to choose just one because there are many brilliant women in healthcare communications who have influenced my own journey. However, I would mention Jane Brearley, CEO and Founder at Intent Health, whom I have worked with across different organisations for more than a decade. She showed me that you do not need to fit into a traditional mould to be an effective leader. Her style was authentic and quietly confident and that has stayed with me. It reinforced the importance of showing up as yourself as a leader rather than trying to conform to expectations that were not designed for you.

What advice would you give to the next generation of future female leaders in healthcare communications?

 Stay authentic to yourself. Many of the systems and structures we work within were not originally designed with women in mind, so it is important to feel confident challenging them rather than trying to fit into them. It is also important to support and champion one another. When women back each other and create opportunities for others, it strengthens the whole community and helps open the door for the next generation of leaders.

Whether you’re hiring top Healthcare Communications talent or considering your next career move, our team would be delighted to support you.

Amy Hayer is Managing Partner and Global Head of Healthcare & Communications. She has a proven track record in advising and counselling professionals on critical career choices across both the UK and the MENA region.

Hanson Search is a globally recognised, award-winning talent advisory and headhunting consultancy. Our expertise lies in building successful ventures worldwide through our recruitment, interim and executive search. Our specialisms include communications, sustainability, healthcare communications, digital marketing and sales.