In this episode of Under the Surface, Paul Zyla sits down with Amber Crowley, COO of Partners in Excellence, to unpack what real leadership looks like when public narratives move faster than the truth. Together, they explore operational integrity, transparency, emotional discipline, and staying grounded in facts and values during regulatory pressure and media scrutiny.

Amber shares how leaders can anchor their teams in reality, balance growth with stability, and guide organizations through uncertainty without creating fear. From healthcare operations to technology partnerships, this conversation is about clarity, accountability, and calm execution.

If you’re looking to lead with confidence, protect your culture, and stay focused when external noise gets loud, this episode is for you.

Guest Introduction:

Amber Crowley is the Chief Operating Officer at Partners in Excellence, an autism therapy organization serving families across Minnesota and Wisconsin. With nearly two decades of healthcare leadership experience, Amber is known for her steady, transparent, and values-driven approach. She has guided organizations through growth, regulatory change, and operational complexity while keeping people and purpose at the center.

Key Takeaways:

• Strong leadership requires anchoring decisions in facts, not reactions.
• Transparency works best when paired with clear boundaries and responsibility.
• Growth seasons and survival seasons require different leadership muscles.
• Calm, consistent communication reduces fear during uncertainty.
• Operational integrity means protecting people, systems, and values first.
• Great leaders know when to push forward and when to pause.

Chapter Markers:

0:00 Intro

1:45 Guest Introduction: Amber Crowley and Partners in Excellence

3:00 Mission, Growth, and Healthcare Leadership Journey

7:20 Operational Integrity vs. Public Narrative

12:00 Adapting Leadership in Times of Scrutiny

16:10 From Growth Mode to Survival Mode

21:30 Leading Teams Through Uncertainty

26:00 Confidence, Communication, and FAQs

31:15 Collaboration and “Friendly Competitors”

34:45 Technology and Strategic Partnerships

38:10 Leadership Values and Final Reflections

42:40 Rapid-Fire Leadership Questions

49:20 Closing Thoughts

Keywords:

Paul Zyla, Amber Crowley, Under the Surface podcast, healthcare leadership, operational integrity, leadership under pressure, healthcare operations, organizational transparency, crisis leadership, autism therapy leadership, compliance and regulation, leadership mindset, executive leadership, healthcare management