On Wednesday, Sept. 2, the Arthur J. Bauerfield College of Business hosted a virtual event called “Racers in the Lead, Growth and Uncertainty” with alumna Kathy Harris as the keynote speaker. The lecture, part of a fall 2020 virtual series, focused on how Harris has been succeeding in her field during COVID-19.
“Things always turn. It may look bleak now, but it will turn,” Harris said about braving the business world in times of uncertainty.
Harris first came to Murray State in 1976 and studied music education.
After realizing she wanted music to be a part of her life but not what she did for a living, Harris went out on a limb and changed to accounting.
“I remembered my high school guidance counselor saying that everyone needs an accountant and I just went with that,” Harris said.
Harris spoke very highly of her experience at Murray State, saying that she fell in love with the culture here. She also thanked her former Murray State professor Tim Miller.
“I hit the jackpot when I took accounting 101 and Dr. Tim Miller was my professor,” Harris said. “He gave me the confidence and the courage to pursue a career in something I knew nothing about.
Harris got her Bachelor’s degree in accounting from Murray State and is now the executive vice president of corporate development at Sharecare. Sharecare is a health and wellness engagement platform founded by Jeff Arnold, the founder of WebMD, and Mehmet Oz.
Sharecare, according to Harris, is an online platform that allows patients to manage their health all in one place.
“Our goal is to offer quality care that is accessible to everyone and more affordable,” Harris said.
Harris shared a sentiment that may share saying that 2020 “has given a whole new meaning to the term uncertainty.”
When the pandemic hit, Sharecare had to quickly navigate how they would proceed moving forward.
“When we tried to understand the magnitude of the pandemic,” Harris said. “We had to figure out how to mobilize our assets to survive and thrive.”
With the rise of virtual health, patients across the country have been turning to online alternatives to going to the doctor. Sharecare has perfected its virtual health hub to create a platform where the consumer is at the center. Because of their cutting edge work, Sharecare was awarded gold in the Digital Health Awards for their COVID-19 hub.
Harris said the secret to their success lies in its very foundation. The founders of Sharecare wanted to create something brand new, despite skepticism, and the company has been built on this fearlessness.
“We have never had a fear of failure,” Harris said. “We have not been afraid of risk, because the risks we take are always calculated.”
With over 20,000 videos, 40,000 health experts and 65 million members on their platform, Sharecare has exceeded all expectations set out for it 10 years ago. Although success to this degree is never promised, Harris shared some advice on how to excel in your career.
“Just calm down,” Harris said. “You don’t have to know everything that will happen in your career. Just follow your gut.”