Dr. Jean C. Accius is a dynamic, inspirational, and visionary leader with a wealth of expertise and a deep commitment to fostering a future that builds wealth, strengthens health, and ensures the same economic and educational opportunity that benefits not just the privileged but also those historically marginalized and everyone in between. With a unique blend of academic, public policy, nonprofit, and business experience, Dr. Accius has dedicated his work to removing barriers hindering individuals from living longer, healthier, and more productive lives.

Raised by his grandmother in Haiti, Dr. Accius was imbued with a strong sense of serving others and working toward the common good. These early teachings have guided his educational and professional journey, leading him to become a prominent figure in advocating for solutions that advance equity and greater health security across sectors and under both Republican and Democratic administrations at the federal and state levels of government.

Before assuming his current role as President and CEO at CHC: Creating Healthier Communities, Dr. Accius served as the Senior Vice President of Global Thought Leadership for AARP, the largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization in the United States advocating for older adults and their families. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in establishing AARP as a global convener and thought leader, elevating bold solutions and innovative programs, and forming strategic partnerships across industries to scale for impact and accelerate the pace of change.

Dr. Accius’s exceptional track record extends beyond AARP, as he held senior positions at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, designing national programs and contributing to policy initiatives to improve access to quality healthcare for vulnerable populations.

Driven by a profound sense of purpose, Dr. Accius is dedicated to the mission of CHC: Creating Healthier Communities, which seeks to break down barriers. Hence, every person in every community has the opportunity to live their healthiest life. His strategic vision and commitment to collaboration with leaders across industries and sectors position him as a catalyst for change, ensuring that CHC continues to expand its impact, relevance, and revenue.

Guiding CHC to Achieve Greater Innovation and Impact for All Communities

As the CEO of CHC: Creating Healthier Communities, Dr. Accius assumes a multifaceted role with a broad range of responsibilities instrumental in guiding the organization toward its mission and success. His primary focus is providing strategic leadership, empowering the team, driving a culture of innovation, and engaging with stakeholders and partners to create meaningful change and lasting impact.

At the core of Dr. Accius’ role is strategic leadership and delivering value for the people and communities CHC serves. He brings his visionary outlook to CHC, setting the organization’s strategic direction and guiding its growth and impact. Drawing upon his extensive experience and knowledge, he formulates long-term goals that align with CHC’s mission of fostering health equity and creating resilient communities. Dr. Accius remains keenly aware of emerging trends and challenges within the healthcare and geopolitical landscape, ensuring that CHC remains at the forefront of addressing health disparities and promoting equitable health outcomes.

Dr. Accius understands the value of empowering his team to thrive and excel in their respective areas of expertise. As CEO, he creates an environment that encourages collaboration, leads with value and innovation, and fosters a growth mindset. By leading by example, Dr. Accius promotes a culture of open communication, trust, and mutual respect. He recognizes his team’s unique talents and contributions and provides the necessary support, resources, and professional development opportunities to enable them to carry out CHC’s mission effectively.

Engagement with a range of stakeholders and partners is a crucial aspect of Dr. Accius’ responsibilities. He recognizes that CHC’s nearly 70 years of success depends on strong relationships with various stakeholders, including the Board of Directors, staff, community partners, and the communities CHC serves. Dr. Accius serves as a liaison between the organization and its stakeholders, ensuring effective communication, alignment of goals, trust, and transparency. By actively engaging with stakeholders, he gathers insights, feedback, perspectives, and support that inform CHC’s strategies and initiatives, enabling the organization to address the unique needs and aspirations of the communities it serves.

Dr. Accius has a proven track record of inspiring and effective leadership. Many prestigious magazines such as Fast Company, Success Magazine, and Black Enterprise have recognized him as a global thought leader. He has also showcased his reputation for driving positive change and influencing global discussions on longevity and health equity by leading engagements at the World Economic Forum in Davos and the United Nations.

Prioritizing Well-being for Effective Leadership

Dr. Accius has navigated the challenge of effectively pacing work and managing expectations throughout his leadership journey. Driven by his passion for the mission, he recognized the need to strike a balance and optimize his impact.

One significant challenge he encountered was the temptation to work long hours, fueled by his unwavering dedication. However, Dr. Accius realized the importance of self-care, meditation, and maintaining personal well-being to avoid burnout. By prioritizing his health and well-being, he ensured he could lead effectively and make a lasting impact.

To overcome these challenges, Dr. Accius underwent a process of realignment. He carefully assessed how he used his time as CEO, identifying areas where he could have the most significant influence and make meaningful contributions. By strategically prioritizing tasks and responsibilities aligned with CHC’s mission and goals, he optimized his efforts and resources to drive positive change.

Another crucial aspect of Dr. Accius’ approach was managing expectations. As a leader, he faced high expectations from various stakeholders. He focused on setting realistic goals and timelines for himself and the organization to address this. Transparent communication played a vital role in managing expectations, ensuring that the team and stakeholders understood the challenges and the time required to achieve meaningful outcomes. This approach fostered a culture of understanding and collaboration within CHC.

Inspiring Change for Meaningful Impact

Dr. Accius prioritizes the cultivation of a motivated and productive team. Recognizing their pivotal role in driving meaningful change, he employs various strategies to ensure their inspiration and effectiveness. One of the key ways Dr. Accius motivates his team is by emphasizing the impact of their work on the lives of the individuals and communities they serve. He instills a sense of purpose by reminding them of their efforts’ transformative power in enabling people to live long and healthy lives, fostering meaningful connections, and experiencing joyous moments with loved ones. By connecting their work to these tangible outcomes, Dr. Accius helps his team stay focused and motivated to make a difference.

Dr. Accius believes in promoting innovation and adaptability to ensure productivity. He understands that the communities served by CHC face various challenges that require creative solutions. Dr. Accius encourages his team to think creatively, challenge traditional norms, and embrace innovative ideas to promote this. By fostering a culture that values and rewards innovation, he energizes his team to explore new ways of problem-solving.

Effective communication is essential for maintaining motivation and productivity within a team. Dr. Accius prioritizes open and transparent communication at CHC, encouraging regular dialogue, team meetings, and one-on-one conversations to address concerns, celebrate successes, and provide feedback. By promoting a culture of open communication, Dr. Accius ensures that everyone’s thoughts and ideas are heard, inspiring collaboration and fostering a strong and united team.

Dr. Accius also leads by example, demonstrating his dedication, work ethic, and passion for the organization’s mission. He actively engages with his team, providing guidance, support, and mentorship. By modeling the behavior he expects from his team, Dr. Accius inspires them to reach their full potential and strive for excellence in their work.

Commitment to Family and Personal Enrichment

Beyond his professional commitments, Dr. Jean C. Accius leads a fulfilling life with his family and personal interests. He prioritizes creating joyful and memorable experiences that will last a lifetime.

Dr. Accius understands the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, particularly for parents with young children. He and his wife invest significant time and effort in ensuring their kids have fun. They engage in various activities together, such as going on day trips to explore new places, indulging in small pleasures like an extra scoop of ice cream on a cone, and extending playtime during basketball sessions. These intentional efforts to create enjoyable family moments strengthen their bond and create lasting memories.

As an individual, Dr. Accius nurtures his interests and hobbies. He finds solace and enrichment in reading, which allows him to delve into new ideas, gain knowledge, and explore different perspectives. Reading was a source of inspiration and continued learning, fostering his growth as a leader and a well-rounded individual. He also enjoys playing (or at least trying) golf.

Dr. Accius also volunteers, dedicating his time and expertise to causes aligning with his values and passion for serving others. Through volunteerism, he contributes to the betterment of his community and reinforces his commitment to making a positive impact beyond his professional endeavors.

Harnessing Diligent Work, Expertise, and Collaborative Power

Dr. Jean C. Accius has much experience and is committed to changing systems to change lives. He has valuable advice for those who want to succeed in their industries. In today’s world, there are many influencers and misinformation, so he stresses the importance of working hard and sharing expertise in ways that lead to long-lasting change.

First and foremost, Dr. Accius emphasizes the significance of hard work, dedication, and a sincere desire for excellence in achieving success and recognition. He advises aspiring individuals to invest time and effort in improving their skills, gaining expertise, and expanding their knowledge in their chosen fields. They can establish a solid foundation for long-term success by prioritizing continuous learning and growth. He also advises engaging with people who do not look or think like you. Diversity of thought is critical to finding mutual paths forward.

Collaboration emerges as a central theme in Dr. Accius’ advice. He emphasizes that the power of collaboration has never been more potent or vital. Engaging with others, forming meaningful partnerships, and leveraging collective wisdom and resources can lead to significant breakthroughs and impactful outcomes. Dr. Accius urges aspirants to seek opportunities for collaboration, recognizing that a team’s collaborative effort and diverse perspectives can achieve far more than individual accomplishments.

Harnessing the Power of Time: Dr. Accius’s Vision for 2023

In 2023, Dr. Accius focuses on elevating solutions to close the gaps in how long people live solely because of their zip code. There is a 20-year difference in life expectancy. This is lost due to economic, social, and other disparities in America.

Eliminating disparities means closing this longevity gap. It means creating time. It means ensuring everyone in America has equal access to opportunity. It means bringing people in from the margins and acknowledging that our systems and society are fragile and that we’re the only ones who can work together to build anew.

Recognizing the profound impact that time has had on individuals and communities in recent years, he aims to explore and address various aspects of the utilization and meaning of time. Professionally, Dr. Accius anticipates leveraging his leadership role at CHC to reimagine how time is utilized within the organization and its initiatives. He seeks to optimize operations, ensuring that resources are effectively utilized to drive meaningful impact and positive change. By strategically managing time, he aims to enhance the organization’s capacity to address pressing challenges and advance its mission of fostering equitable health outcomes for all communities.

Furthermore, Dr. Accius envisions harnessing the power of time to create a conducive environment within CHC where employees can thrive and excel in their work. This involves promoting a healthy work-life balance and recognizing the importance of time for personal well-being and fulfillment. By fostering a supportive culture that values creativity, innovation, and time management and prioritizes self-care, Dr. Accius seeks to empower CHC’s team members to be their best, most healthy and happy selves.

On a personal level, Dr. Accius’s expectations for 2023 revolve around deepening his understanding of time and its impact on his life. He acknowledges the disruptions and distortions caused by significant events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, racial reckonings, and political challenges. Given these experiences, he believes that time is our only non-renewable resource. We can find ways to innovate and produce every other resource on the planet – but once the time is spent, there’s no getting it back. It’s a finite resource with no substitutes or alternates. That makes time incredibly valuable and expensive.

By reflecting on the transformative nature of time, Dr. Accius seeks to approach his personal and professional life with intentionality and mindfulness. He aims to balance his leadership responsibilities and commitment to personal growth, family, and other areas of interest. By embracing a growth mindset, commitment to personal growth, and integrating them into his approach to time, he endeavors to navigate the complexities of life with resilience, purpose, and a sense of fulfillment.

Quotes

“Our success is measured by the resilience of America’s communities in terms of their health and longevity.”

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