About the Researcher

Lorena Wade, MBA, NBC-HWC

Board Certified Coach · Global Healthcare Consultant · Speaker · Doctoral Scholar
Pepperdine University, Graziadio School of Business — Executive Doctor of Business Administration

Where my personal story and professional calling meet is the purpose that drives my work.

Portrait of Lorena Wade

Professional Bio

Lorena Wade is a faith-driven board certified life coach, serial entrepreneur, speaker, and former Vice President of Operations for a national behavioral health organization, with over 15 years of progressive healthcare leadership experience. She has led multi-state, multi-site outpatient divisions, overseen a workforce of more than 400, managed a $75 million P&L, and supported care delivery for close to 90,000 patients. As the first in her family to graduate from college, earn advanced degrees, and serve in senior healthcare executive leadership, Lorena brings both lived experience and systems-level perspective to her work.

Today, she is the founder of Stewarded Path, where she supports women navigating growth, transition, leadership, and entrepreneurship with greater clarity, confidence, and self-trust. Through coaching, speaking engagements, and leadership development workshops, Lorena curates meaningful experiences that challenge, empower, and equip women to lead with greater clarity, conviction, and confidence. She is also the founder and principal consultant of a global healthcare advisory firm, LW Advisory Group, where she partners with healthcare organizations, federal contractors, private equity / investment firms, and global advisory networks on strategy, leadership, operations, innovation and transformation.

She is also the founder of La Doctora Collective, a platform and community she is building to elevate, connect, and support Latina women pursuing doctoral journeys and those who have already earned them. She is creating this space to foster visibility, voice, and connection, while highlighting the brilliance, depth, and impact of Latina doctoral women across disciplines.

Lorena holds a BS in Sports Medicine, MBA, PMP certification, Lean Six Sigma certification, Six Sigma Green Belt certification, is a nationally board certified health and wellness coach and is currently pursuing her doctorate in business as a two-time Pepperdine alum. Her research explores leadership frameworks that improve workforce sustainability and access to care for neurodiverse pediatric populations. Her leadership and service have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, County of Los Angeles, and City of Los Angeles.

Education

Pepperdine University sealCornell University sealSyracuse University sealVillanova University seal
Ventures

Founder of three purpose-driven ventures spanning healthcare, human flourishing, leadership, and systems change

Stewarded Path
Founder

Stewarded Path

Coaching, speaking, and leadership development workshops for women navigating growth, transition, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

LW Advisory Group
Founder & Principal Consultant

LW Advisory Group

Healthcare advisory firm partnering with healthcare organizations, federal contractors, private equity / investment firms, and global advisory networks on strategy, leadership, operations, innovation and transformation.

La Doctora Collective
Founder

La Doctora Collective

A platform and community elevating, connecting, and supporting Latina women pursuing doctoral journeys and those that have earned their terminal degree to foster visibility, voice, and connection across disciplines.

Motivation

Personal

  • — Mom to two autistic daughters
  • — Lived experience navigating care
  • — A desire for earlier diagnosis and support
  • — A drive for better outcomes for children and families

Professional

  • — 15 years of progressive healthcare leadership
  • — Healthcare leader in outpatient behavioral health
  • — Focus on workforce sustainability
  • — Commitment to improving access to care
  • — Passion for stronger systems, leadership, and operations

Purpose

  • — Bridging lived experience and leadership
  • — Advancing equitable access to autism care
  • — Strengthening the workforce that supports children and families
  • — Turning personal connection into meaningful systems change
Lorena Wade with her two daughters
The Heart of the Work

Momma of Two Neurodivergent Littles

The personal story behind this research, and a letter to the families walking a road like ours. Read why this work exists, and the words I most want every parent navigating early intervention and autism care to hear.

Read The Heart of the Work →