In Conversation with Christopher Reed: Exploring leadership, purpose, and what drives meaningful work

After 50 years of service to Northeast Valley Health Corporation (NEVHC), former CEO Kimberly Wyard was succeeded by Christopher Reed in August 2025. Mr. Reed brings nearly two decades of leadership experience to NEVHC.  

Although a Santa Barbara native, Mr. Reed spent much of his career in Washington, where he developed a deep appreciation for community health care and the people who make it possible. He most recently served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at a community health center in Washington State. 

We sat down with Mr. Reed to learn more about his vision for NEVHC, what inspires his work and a few fun facts, like his favorite TV show and his family connection to a legendary lawman of the American West! 

Read on to get to know Mr. Christopher Reed. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in health care and ultimately step into a CEO role? 

Being part of a healthcare delivery team provides an opportunity to directly impact the wellbeing of the community. I have served for the past 17 years on the administrative side of healthcare, I have had the privilege of using my skills and experiences to help create innovative ways to improve the patient experience and healthcare outcomes. As a CEO, I value the privilege of working with a variety of teams, helping to ensure we are providing the best care possible.  

Do you have a favorite book, podcast, or TV show? 

The most recent book I re-read was Drive by Daniel Pink.  I like business books that challenge the way I think about being innovative and how we can best support one another. 

A podcast I listen to is Nothing Personal with David Samson.  As an ex-professional baseball president, he discusses sports from the business perspective. 

My favorite TV show is The Office.  No matter how many times I watch it, I still laugh. 

What excites you most about leading NEVHC at this moment in its history? 

NEVHC has a history of being a top performing federally qualified health center (FQHC), recognized both in California and across the country for the quality of patient care delivered. The tenure of staff across the organization also speaks volumes to the culture and connectedness of staff with NEVHC mission and values. With the current uncertainty and challenges in healthcare, this organization is uniquely positioned to not only withstand these trials, but do so with future success and growth in mind. In times like these, we can become stronger, navigate challenges together, and find success. I see these as opportunities to become more innovative and creative in our approaches to delivering the best possible patient care. 

If you could have dinner with any historical or current leader, who would it be and why? 

There have been a lot of impactful and influential leaders. One leader I would like to have dinner with is Mother Teresa. Having the opportunity to speak with someone who devoted their life to the service and support of others would be amazing. 

How would you describe your leadership style? 

Adaptive leadership. I have come to appreciate that no one has all of the answers and with how quickly the healthcare environment changes, continuous learning and collaboration is needed to stay agile.  Encouraging collective problem solving and experimenting with new ideas, with the goal of learning from each experience.  Collaborating with leaders and staff inside and outside of the organization helps us to leverage great ideas and expertise to achieve the best outcomes. 

When you’re not working, how do you/your family like to spend your time? 

We enjoy outdoor activities of all kinds.  Hiking, biking, kayaking, skiing, golfing, swimming, fishing, … anything outdoors.  We also enjoy sports (playing and attending events), going to professional baseball games has become an activity the entire family enjoys.  A goal we started this year is to visit every professional baseball stadium.  Thus far, we have been to 3 different ballparks, only 27 to go! 

What do you see as the biggest opportunities for NEVHC in the next few years? 

Over the last several years, each time the healthcare industry has been faced with significant change (like COVID), those that thrive find opportunities to adapt, improve, and meet patient needs in a new environment.  We have an opportunity to introduce new tools and solutions, and refine workflows that will improve the ways our providers and staff complete their work every day.  We have opportunities to serve patients in new ways, meeting their needs for care, achieving this by aligning how, when and with whom they receive their care.  Adapting to the ways patients want to receive their medical care and interact with us.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received—and who gave it to you? 

When I was early in my healthcare leadership journey, a retiring administrator told me what he believed to be the keys to success.   He shared as a leader, we won’t always have the answers, what teams deserve from us as leaders is responsiveness, caring, and closing the loop.  What that looks like is setting expectations for follow-up, making sure people know they were heard, and truly caring about the individual and the questions, comments or concerns.  The answer or outcome won’t always be what people want, but as a leader, we can commit to follow-up, timely communication and helping to develop understanding. 

What advice would you give to staff who want to grow as leaders in their own roles? 

Continually listen to those around you for ideas and suggestions and always be on the lookout for areas of improvement.  This applies to personal, team, and organization growth.   What is your “why”, what is your teams “why”?  The “why” is why you work here, your drive and motivation, what you like about the organization, what motivates you every day.  What excites you to come to work every day, and similarly, do you know the “why” of those you work with and your team.  Knowing the “why” helps you to understand what motivates yourself, and those around you, what can you do to help the team remain engaged and supported?

What’s one surprising or little-known fact about you that colleagues might not expect? 

I am related to Wyatt Earp.