Virtua Health Exec: "No Weakness in My True Self"

A Journey of Resilience and Inclusion

Rhonda Jordan’s career path was not what she initially envisioned. When she first started out, she dreamed of working in retail, eventually becoming a buyer for a major brand. However, a candid conversation with a district director about the racial barriers she would face shifted her trajectory—and ultimately led her to a role where she could dismantle those very barriers for others.

Today, as the chief human resources officer at Virtua Health, a New Jersey-based health system, Jordan has spent nearly three decades championing workforce development, diversity, and employee well-being. Her journey to the C-suite wasn’t straightforward, but it was driven by one consistent belief: the power of people.

"I'm not your traditional HR person," Jordan said.

Originally from Texas, Jordan earned her degree in marketing and pursued a career in retail management. She joined an executive development program with aspirations of climbing the corporate ladder. However, she soon realized that none of the people receiving promotions looked like her. That realization led her to have a frank conversation with her district director.

"I went to my district director and said, 'Well, what is it going to take for me?'" Jordan recalled. "She told me that because I was Black, it was going to take me longer."

That conversation changed her perspective on the retail industry, but it didn't diminish her ambition. Instead, she recognized that her skills could be applied elsewhere. This realization led her to transition into recruiting, eventually bringing her to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. There, a supportive female leader saw her potential and mentored her into a leadership role.

Jordan joined Virtua in the 1990s as a director of HR, steadily rising through the ranks before becoming CHRO in 2013. Over time, she gained a deeper understanding of how inclusive leadership can transform organizations. She credits much of Virtua's success to a culture of inclusion modeled by its CEO, Dennis Pullin, and embraced across all levels of leadership.

"Our CEO is outstanding in creating an inclusive environment, and he ensures that every voice gets heard," Jordan said. "He pauses to allow individuals to ask questions. He will call on you if he hasn't heard from you, because it's so important to hear your voice."

Under Jordan's leadership—with support from others on the executive team—Virtua has set itself apart in a competitive healthcare talent market. The health system recently ranked among America's Greatest Workplaces 2025, earning a perfect five-star score. It has also been recognized for an exceptional "culture of belonging" by Press Ganey.

Virtua's mission to diversify its leadership has helped foster this strong culture. The system holds annual talent reviews to identify and support high-potential, diverse employees. It has instituted bylaws to ensure that its board of trustees reflects the demographics of its patient population, and more than half of its senior leaders are women.

This is a rare achievement in the healthcare industry. Women make up nearly 70% of the global healthcare workforce but hold less than a quarter of leadership roles. Jordan emphasizes that Virtua continues to promote diverse talent, including women, within the organization.

Jordan's people-first approach extends beyond executives. One of her top priorities is ensuring that every employee sees a path forward, from emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to lab techs to janitors. This involves investing in training, education partnerships, and internal mobility.

Virtua's workforce development director identifies roles with high turnover or shortages and funds employees' educations to advance them into those areas. Examples include pathways from EMT to paramedic to registered nurse and a lab program that starts with phlebotomy and leads to medical laboratory science. The system also launched its own staffing agency and partnered with Rowan University to funnel nursing graduates into bachelor's programs.

Additionally, Jordan leads initiatives like the career ambassador program, which matches employees with colleagues in roles they aspire to. Many participants have gone on to new jobs or promotions within the system.

"When staff can see people look like them, they perform," Jordan said. "Productivity increases, retention increases—but you have to make [diverse representation] a focus and a priority for your organization."

Jordan has also prioritized colleague well-being. Through the WE Thrive initiative, Virtua offers resources spanning mental health, peer support, physical wellness activities, and even emergency financial aid. The system's colleague communities continue to foster connection and mentorship, even outside the workplace.

Jordan serves as the executive ambassador for the Black and African American Colleague Community group, which recently hosted a career development session attended by more than 50 staff members.

Her leadership style blends approachability with resolve. She says this has helped her succeed where some predecessors didn't.

"Don't see the softness in who I am as a weakness," Jordan said. "There's strength behind that softness."

She strives to be calm in chaos, consistent in demeanor, and fiercely committed to listening. When she first stepped into the CHRO role, she sought out an executive coach from outside of healthcare—a male, former CHRO—to ensure she was equipped but didn’t lose her sense of self.

Despite what she was told in the early days of her career, "I did not have to change who I was," Jordan said. "You can be who you are and still continue to have an impact."

Outside of work, Jordan finds joy in her family—especially her young granddaughter, who calls her "Gigi"—and in her longtime membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, where she has continued her commitment to service and sisterhood since college.

"The sorority became my extended family when I first moved to New Jersey with no family whatsoever," she said. "I'm in healthcare because we serve, and I want to make sure that I'm giving back to my community. I do that through my sorority as well."

Whether at Virtua Health or in her social circles, Jordan is a leader who doesn’t accept limits on herself or others. It's a skill that pushes everyone in her orbit to be the best, most authentic version of themselves—and to not view those terms as mutually exclusive.