Leading with Purpose: Prita Patel Closes the FY26 Women in Leadership Series

by Paula Maguina

We were honored to welcome Prita Patel, Interim Deputy Dean for Finance & Administration at the Yale School of Medicine, as the final speaker in our FY26 Women in Leadership Series.

WWN Talk with Prita Patel

Prita led an inspiring discussion on authentic leadership, reminding us that great leaders build strong teams, trust others through delegation, and remain both mentors and mentees throughout their careers. She encouraged us to lead with purpose, extend grace to ourselves and others, and create opportunities by opening doors for those who follow.

She also emphasized the importance of staying curious and committed to lifelong learning. As organizations and processes evolve, adaptability, thoughtful questions, and a willingness to keep learning help us stay relevant and hopeful about the future. Another powerful takeaway was the practice of gratitude — not only for our successes, but also for our failures — recognizing that both offer valuable opportunities for growth.

Working Women's Network

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this meaningful conversation and helped make this year’s Women in Leadership Series such a success. We are especially grateful to Prita for sharing her time, wisdom, and leadership with the WWN community.