Being a Change Agent: Insights from Tara Montgomery in the Healthcare Sector

Tara Montgomery’s career has spanned the worlds of media, education, advocacy, and policy, with a focus on improving health systems. As a social entrepreneur, Tara has spent the past eight years building Civic Health Partners, an independent consulting and coaching practice that helps leaders in health care and other complex systems. She is currently advising the American Board of Medical Specialties on strategies that reflect the needs of patients and the public. Tara has an undergraduate degree from King’s College London and completed her executive MSc at HEC Paris in 2021. 

What led you to pursue the MSc in Change Leadership at HEC Paris?

Tara Montgomery: At that point in my career, I had already spent years trying to improve healthcare systems, especially in the U.S., with the goal of making them more people-centered and trustworthy. But I started feeling that my efforts weren’t enough. I wasn’t seeing the deep, systemic change I wanted. I was drawn to the MSc in Change Leadership because it focused not only on organizational change but on the human dimensions of change. That was what really resonated with me—the idea that you can’t transform systems without understanding people.

How did the program’s unique approach to change impact your mindset?

Tara Montgomery: The program was eye-opening in so many ways. We came into it seeing things in black and white, but by the time we finished, it was like seeing the world in Technicolor. It wasn’t just about gaining knowledge—it was a deeply personal transformation. You realize that to create meaningful change, you have to start with yourself. I didn’t expect to experience such a profound shift in my own thinking. It was an emotional process at times, but in the best way possible, because we had the support of our cohort. That sense of community, which Marc and Mathis fostered, made all the difference.

Can you recall a specific moment that made you appreciate the value of the program?

Tara Montgomery: There was a moment during the program when I was in a room full of healthcare leaders—CEOs, heads of hospitals, and famous doctors. I didn’t have a big title or an institution backing me, and I felt a bit embarrassed when the facilitator introduced me as ‘someone who’s just good to have in the room.’ But then I realized: That’s the point. They didn’t invite me because of my position or a fancy title; they wanted me there because of the unique perspective I bring. This program teaches you to own that—to be confident that your presence alone can shift a conversation and help create change, no matter the room you’re in.

How did your experience in the program influence your approach to consulting?

Tara Montgomery: One of the most surprising moments happened during a series of interviews I conducted with doctors. The aim was to gather information for a consulting project, but instead, these doctors started having personal realizations right there in the middle of our conversations. They realized that their approach to medical education had been too sterile and doctor-centered. These weren’t just abstract ideas—they suddenly saw how they needed to shift towards a more human-centered approach. It struck me that I wasn’t even trying to instigate change at that moment, but the way I asked questions led them to reflect on themselves. This was something I learned from the program—how to ask the right questions to guide people towards their own realizations. That’s where real change begins.

What did you learn about the human dimensions of change through the program?

Tara Montgomery: The human dimension is central to everything. Whether you’re trying to create change in a large corporation, a nonprofit, or even in a personal coaching context, the human aspect is what drives transformation. You can have all the systems and policies in place, but if you don’t understand the people behind them—their emotions, their anxieties, their motivations—change won’t stick. The program really drilled that into us. I now walk into rooms with an entirely new lens. I can read group dynamics, I can see when someone’s anxiety is blocking progress, and I can adjust my approach accordingly. It’s incredibly powerful.

How did the pandemic shape your experience in the program?

Tara Montgomery: We were the pandemic cohort. We started the program just as the world was thrown into chaos. But, in a way, the timing was perfect because the tools we were learning were directly applicable to what was happening in real life. As the pandemic unfolded, we were learning about resilience, navigating ambiguity, and dealing with complex challenges—all things that were suddenly crucial. While others were feeling lost or overwhelmed, I felt like I had a roadmap to help make sense of it all. The program didn’t just teach us how to handle change—it taught us how to be change agents in the middle of a crisis. That’s something I’ll carry with me forever.

How did the community within the program support you during this time?

Tara Montgomery: The community aspect of the program was one of its greatest gifts. Even now, three years after graduation, we’re still in touch. We come from more than 20 countries, and we have this incredible network where we support each other professionally and personally. Whether it’s helping each other with projects or just checking in during tough weeks, we’re there for one another. We even have an event coming up to talk about hope—how to foster it in our work and in our lives. It’s more than just an alumni network; it’s a real, lasting community of change-makers.

If you had to sum up the program’s impact on your life in one sentence, what would it be?

Tara Montgomery: This program gave me the tools to not only drive change in the world but to continuously evolve myself as a leader and a human being.