Meet Kylar Wiltz

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kylar Wiltz. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Kylar, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

In any space and in all capacities, I’ve always held the mindset that if I am in a room where I am the only person that looks like me, I have a duty to be a voice for those who aren’t there. Over the years, I’ve become more and more intentional in my approach to intertwining my experiences (and those of others that look like me, or even are where I’m from) within the discussions and discourses about how we can create a more equitable society. As with all things, it’s definitely taken some time to refine a cross-sectional skillset that allows me to navigate the complexities of policy and advocacy, but it’s been extremely helpful. Lastly, I also make it a point of emphasis that I should not be the only person who looks like me in these spaces, and advocate strongly for more diversity and inclusion of perspectives. What is the point of being the first and/or only person to open a door if you’re just going to close it right behind you?

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’d say that my work is centered at the intersection of healthcare, policy, and community improvement. Being a graduate of Howard University College of Medicine, a strong emphasis on healthcare disparities really resonated with me. To add on, having served as a Public Policy Fellow with the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) and the Sr. Program Manager of VoteHBCU, I’ve been blessed and fortunate to use my talents and passions to be a part of impactful conversations and changemaking. Working these two positions over the past year plus has brought me immense joy, largely because I’ve been able to connect with so many like-minded people who want to make the world a better place. It’s exciting and refreshing. Outside of my work, I love spending time with my family and cooking. With my Louisiana roots, getting into the kitchen to whip up a gumbo or a pot of red beans to watch the LSU game on Saturdays is almost like a religious ritual. I’ve recently begun working through a list of books that I’ve been wanting to read, and am definitely looking for recommendations!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I’d say that the three most important qualities that have been the most impactful on my journey are resilience, coachability, and consistency. I love the saying that “Life is a marathon” because for us to get where we want to go, we have to understand (and accept) the commitment and time that it takes to get there. Every day, we make choices and decisions that play a part in the grand scheme of our journey. You will fall, get the knots and bruises, and some falls hurt more than others. But the reality is, we all fall short at one time or another. Having the resilience to dust yourself off and keep going is important. Being able to take constructive criticism is equally important. In a lot of young people, there’s this extreme stress of making mistakes or facing setbacks, which I think is unfair. We learn the most about ourselves in times when we feel like our backs are against the wall. Keep pushing, keep believing, and keep dreaming. Having resilience, being coachable, and building consistency are all things that can be developed through trial and error, and making intentional decisions every day to do what needs to be done to build them.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

The most impactful thing that my parents did for me was honestly ingraining into my siblings and me that we could/can do any and everything that we put our minds to. I’ve carried those teachings and lessons with me till this day, and when I look back, it all started with their unwavering belief in us. I don’t know where I would be without them, and every step that I’ve taken thus far is directly related to the seeds that they planted in me since the day I was born.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @drwiltz
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kylar-wiltz-md