Haven Banks, Director of Marketing & Outreach at MiraSol Health, has been named to the Future Leaders Awards Class of 2026 by Hospice News.
To become a Future Leader, an individual is nominated by their peers. The candidate must be a high-performing employee who is 40 years of age or younger, a passionate worker who knows how to put vision into action, and an advocate for seniors, and the committed professionals who ensure their well-being.
Banks sat down with Hospice News to share what drew her to the hospice & palliative care industry, the biggest leadership lessons she has learned, her thoughts on the future of the hospice & palliative care industry, and much more. To learn more about the Future Leaders Awards program, visit https://futureleaders.wtwhmedia.com/.
HSPN: What drew you to the hospice & palliative care industry?
Banks:After I graduated from college, I worked at a local nonprofit that provided day respite care for families and individuals who were experiencing early-stage dementia. That experience showed me how much support families need long before they are in crisis and made me want to be a part of something that truly helps vulnerable populations.
When I came to MiraSol Health, I already understood the value of hospice and palliative care from working alongside similar organizations. What drew me in was the opportunity to help more people understand that these services are not only for the final days of life. They provide education, guidance, comfort and support throughout serious illness, end of life and grief.
HSPN: How would you describe your leadership style, and how has it changed over time?
Banks:I would describe my leadership style as team-oriented, dependable and adaptable. I have always believed in showing up for the people around me and being someone others can count on.
Over time, I have learned that leadership is not one-size-fits-all. Different people need different things. Some need direction, some need autonomy and some simply need someone who will listen.
I am still growing as a leader, but I try to lead by listening first, staying approachable and adapting to what the team, organization and community need.
HSPN: What is the biggest leadership lesson you’ve learned while serving the hospice & palliative care industry?
Banks:The biggest leadership lesson I have learned is that communication is everything.
In hospice and palliative care, communication is not just operational; it directly affects whether patients and families feel supported, prepared and seen.
Every person on the team touches the patient and family experience differently, from clinicians and chaplains to volunteers, marketing and administration. A detail shared during a phone call, visit or community conversation can help the team better understand what a family needs.
Open communication across departments is essential to providing compassionate, coordinated care.
HSPN: In one word, how would you describe the hospice & palliative care industry and why?
Banks:Evolving.
One of the things I admire most about this industry is that it calls people who truly want to make a difference. With that comes the willingness to recognize when things need to change, improve or be better understood.
There is still much to be improved within our healthcare system overall, but it is also impossible not to recognize the change that the last 20 years have brought to this industry.
Hospice and palliative care are still relatively new to many people’s understanding of healthcare, so naturally the field will continue to evolve as more patients, families, providers and advocates speak up about their importance.
HSPN: What do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges currently facing the hospice & palliative care industry?
Banks:One of the biggest challenges is the persistent lack of understanding of what these services actually are and when they can help. Too often, families do not learn about these services until very late in the illness journey.
That challenge also creates our greatest opportunity: education. There is a real opportunity to change the conversation and help people understand that hospice and palliative care can provide support much earlier in a serious illness journey than many assume.
There are also challenges around coverage, reimbursement and access. I am grateful to work for a nonprofit like MiraSol Health, where we do not turn anyone away based on ability to pay.
At the same time, there is more work to do to advocate for a system that better recognizes the value of dignity, symptom management and caregiver support.
HSPN: If you had a crystal ball, what do you think will impact the hospice & palliative care industry over the next 5-10 years?
Banks:Policy and healthcare system changes will have a significant impact on hospice and palliative care over the next 5-10 years.
There is already a lot of discussion around palliative care, reimbursement, and potential changes to Medicare and Medicaid, and those decisions will directly affect how care is delivered and accessed.
We can’t predict exactly what those changes will look like, but I think the key is being prepared to adapt. Continued advocacy, education, and staying engaged in policy conversations will be important so that we can respond to change while continuing to protect access to quality care for patients and families.
HSPN:In your opinion, what qualities must all Future Leaders possess?
Banks:Future Leaders should have drive, passion and be forward-thinking, but they also need humility and a willingness to listen.
That is especially true in hospice and palliative care. This work requires leaders who are willing to keep learning, think creatively and stay deeply connected to the mission of serving patients, families and communities with compassion.
