Take the Lead: Teri’s Farewell

Take the Lead is a blog series from Teri Nestel, president and CEO of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. This is the final post in her leadership-focused series as she heads into retirement.

After 40 remarkable years, I find myself reflecting on a journey that has been nothing short of extraordinary. My tenure at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has been an incredible chapter, filled with opportunities to profoundly impact children’s health and the world of philanthropy across the U.S. and Canada.

As I prepare to retire as President and CEO on November 1st, I am humbled by the incredible strides we’ve taken together. Throughout my career, we’ve achieved outstanding milestones thanks to the unwavering support of our dedicated team and our incredible partners:

• Together, we’ve raised over $8.5 billion. These funds have gone to support advanced medical treatments, innovative research, vital pediatric medical equipment, child life services, and provided essential food and financial assistance to families in need.
• Our network has expanded to include 170 member hospitals, serving 12 million children annually. We’ve built partnerships with 150 corporate partners and over 400 media partners and garnered the support of numerous celebrities.
• We’ve led the way in philanthropic innovations, pioneering concepts such as point-of-sale fundraising, peer-to-peer initiatives, and employee giving programs.

This journey has not been mine alone; it’s a collective effort led by a committed board, dedicated executive leaders, and an incredible team across the U.S and Canada. From Salt Lake City and beyond, their steadfast dedication has been inspiring and remarkable.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of my role has been forging connections with major donors and corporate leaders. I hold dear the relationships I’ve built with incredible partners like Walmart, Costco, Ace Hardware, Panda Express and 7-Eleven – to name a few.

Navigating the challenges of the past few years, marked by a global pandemic, has been both arduous and rewarding. We came together as a community, ensuring that our fundraising efforts continued to flourish when our member hospitals and the children they serve needed us most. I couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve accomplished during this time.

As I transition towards my next adventures and spending more time with my family, particularly my cherished grandkids, I do so with unwavering confidence in the bright future that awaits Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals under the leadership of Aimee Daily, bolstered by our phenomenal team.

Miracles, by their very nature, defy the odds. I’ve witnessed countless miracles during my tenure, and I firmly believe they will persist. Our team, member hospitals, corporate partners, and supporters will continue to unlock a world of possibilities for pediatric patients.

I’m so grateful to be part of this incredible mission, and I know that together, we’ve made a difference, and together, we’ll continue to change kids’ health to change the future.

Cheers!