Leadership: Through the Eyes of Others



The best reflection of a leader’s impact often comes from the people who have experienced it firsthand. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside talented leaders, mentors, peers, and team members who have each shaped my professional journey in different ways.

This collection includes letters of recommendation from individuals I’ve reported to, colleagues I’ve worked alongside, mentors who have guided me, and employees who have reported directly to me. Together, their perspectives offer a more complete picture of how I lead, collaborate, develop others, solve problems, and show up for the people and organizations I serve.

  • MADISON DRAIN - PROGRAM SPECIALIST

    Madison reported to me directly during her time as our family's nanny and Program Specialist at Metro Solutions

    March 2025 - August 2026

    To whom it may concern,

    I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Courtney Brinley in several capacities. Henceforth, it is my utmost pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for Courtney as not only a leader, employer, but also as my life role model and mentor. She has shown me the utmost care and compassion to help me grow and improve in not only my professional life, but also my personal life. I first came to know Courtney when I began working for her as her nanny for her two children. Then later, through her kindness, she helped me to obtain a role at Metro Solutions where she is a Director of Operations.

    Courtney is a natural leader; she holds people to the greatest expectations and values helping them achieve their goals and highest potential. She has taught me a lot about what it means to be successful and how that can be achieved through hard work and dedication to not only your career, but your team as well. She knows how to lead people while making them feel appreciated consistently, and highly valued.

    Long before I worked for Courtney in a corporate environment, she was a person I came to for many things because I admired her so greatly. The way she balances being a leader, mentor, mother, volunteer, and all the needs of those around her is astounding. She has taught me to operate in a way that has shaped how I view my life and career. Having the opportunity now to work with her within the same non-profit organization, has only reinforced my belief that she can do it all. She is organized, dependable, thoughtful, and incredibly dedicated.

    One of Courtney’s greatest strengths is the trust she builds with people. She makes those around her feel comfortable asking questions, seeking guidance, and bringing forward concerns. At the same time, she is decisive and willing to take responsibility when difficult decisions need to be made. That combination of approachability and strong leadership is rare, and it is one of the many reasons I have continued to view her as a mentor throughout the years.

    Courtney has played a meaningful role in my development as both a person and a professional. I am incredibly grateful for the confidence she has placed in me, the lessons she has taught me, and the example she continues to set. I can confidently recommend Courtney for any opportunity that values strong leadership, integrity, dependability, compassion, and the ability to bring out the best in others.

    Sincerely,

    Madison Drain

    (313)-953-3697

    madison_drain@yahoo.com

  • DIANNE HUNTER – DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

    Dianne and I were peers during my time as Director of Operations at Metro Solutions

    March 2025 – July 2025

     To Whom It May Concern,

    I am pleased to offer my wholehearted recommendation for Courtney Brinley as Director of Operations. I had the privilege of working alongside her in a nonprofit environment where she demonstrated exceptional leadership, unwavering integrity, and a rare ability to inspire and elevate those around here – even in the face of complex and often difficult organizational dynamics.

    Courtney leads with empathy, precision, and a strong sense of accountability. She brings structure to chaos and clarity to ambiguity. Her ability to maintain operational excellence while supporting and celebrating her team has consistently set the tone for a positive, high-performing culture. She recognizes the efforts of others with sincerity and consistency, creating an environment where people feel both seen and valued.

    One of her most remarkable strengths is her calm professionalism under pressure. Even when navigating leadership challenges and working under demanding conditions, she remained focused on the mission and the people – always protecting the integrity of the work while uplifting the team.

    If you’re looking for a leader who is as strategic as she is compassionate, and as dependable as she is inspiring, Courtney would be an outstanding addition to any organization. She brings not only operational excellence, but a human-centered approach that transforms teams and strengthens organizational resilience.

    Please feel free to contact me if I can provide further insight into her qualifications or character.

    Sincerely,

    Dianne Hunter

    President, Empowerment Source

    (248)761-1686

  • JESSICA CARNES – PROJECT COORDINATOR & SUPERVISOR, CUSTOMER SERVICE

    Jessica reported directly to me during my time as Director, Customer Service at McLaren Health Plan.

    July 2021 – April 2024

     

    To Whom It May Concern,

    I am honored to provide this letter of recommendation for Courtney Brinley, who served as Director of Customer Service, and my direct leader at McLaren Health Plan since 2021.

    Courtney was the driving force behind transforming our Customer Service Department into a structured, cohesive, and enjoyable place to work. She has confidently led our leadership team through several large-scale implementations, including a new enterprise-wide phone system and the acquisition of a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation vendor which has saved our organization over $1.4 million. In addition, I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside Courtney to transition our Medicare Advantage line of business under my direct oversight. This transition resulted in call center monitoring improvements of 33% within the first two years.

    Courtney’s leadership success certainly doesn’t end there. She’s directed my colleagues and I through over 100 different initiatives aimed to improve inter and external department communication, collaborations, process efficiencies, and overall customer satisfaction. She built genuine and compassionate trust with each of her direct reports, listened to the needs and concerns of our teams, and then united all of us around common goals, allowing us to thrive and grow together. Courtney has also supported our leadership team so thoroughly with her unmatched planning and organizational skills that my colleagues and I will continue to reap the benefits of her diligence and hard work for many years to come.

    The impact that Courtney has had on me as a leader is truly immeasurable. After experiencing some setbacks in my career, I found myself with little confidence and no true direction to follow. I began reporting to Courtney one year later. Through regular performance evaluations, 1:1 monitoring, and thoughtful conversations about my professional growth, she has restored deep-rooted confidence in myself and my abilities as a leader. Her enthusiasm, unwavering trust, and her incredible work ethic has inspired me to take on additional responsibilities over the years and I have finally discovered a career path that I love and thrive in.

    I highly recommend Courtney in any position she is seeking, as her leadership skills will thrive in any position. She would not only be an asset, but she would be a competitive advantage to you and your organization.

    Best Regards,

    Jessica Carnes

    Supervisor, Customer Service

    (810) 886-1215

     

  • CHRISTINA BRANDON – VICE PRESIDENT, CUSTOMER & PROVIDER SERVICES

    I reported directly to Christina during my time at McLaren, and indirectly during my time at Meridian.

    January 2019 – February 2021

     

    To Whom It May Concern,

    It is my pleasure to strongly recommend Courtney Brinley for a position within your organization. In my 20+ years of experience in the healthcare industry, I’ve worked with remarkable individual contributors and leaders at every level. Courtney uniquely stands out due to her ability to create high performing, highly engaged teams that deliver results.

    Courtney reported to me directly as the Director of Customer Service at McLaren Health Plan and indirectly at Meridian Health Plan as the Manager of Customer Service. During our time together, Courtney displayed a great talent in understanding the goal of a project, with limited details, and executing on several major initiatives including a total end-to-end phone system replacement, and implementation of new Medicaid NEMT transportation program including vendor implementation.

    What I valued most as her leader was her ability to deliver while engaging teams, taking teams from the lowest scoring in terms of employee engagement to the highest in the organization in one survey cycle and then maintaining the performance. This is a result of Courtney’s authentic leadership skill set and her ability to connect with and lead others through transparency and building trust.

    I am confident that Courtney would be a great fit for your organization. Not only will she bring the kind of skills and experiences any leader would want on their team, but she will quickly become an asset, showing her flexible and “can-do” nature to help you meet your goals.

    If you need more information, please do not hesitate to contact me, as a recommendation letter only provides a snapshot of Courtney’s talents and achievements, and I would be happy to elaborate further on my time working with her.

     

    Sincerely,

    Christina Brandon

    Staff Vice President, Medicare Telesales

  • AMANDA FLORKOWSKI – SENIOR MANAGER, CUSTOMER SERVICE

    I reported directly to Amanda during my time as Manager, Customer Service at Meridian.

    April 2019 – June 2021

     

    To Whom it May Concern,

    I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation for Courtney Brinley, who has been an exceptional asset on my team in her role as Manager, Customer Service.

    Courtney has navigated through two major company acquisitions within my organization, transitioning from a private health plan to a public enterprise structure with remarkable adaptability. As a Customer Experience Manager, she has overseen over 100 cross-functional contact center agents across multiple states, including back-office and after-hours teams. Her role has required her to manage a wide range of administrative and project tasks, lead meetings, facilitate training sessions, and update policies and job aids. Courtney has also been instrumental in developing action plans aimed at improving processes, enhancing cost efficiency, and driving overall operational excellence.

    Courtney is a well-organized, efficient, and reliable leader who has played a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing departmental culture and morale. Her strengths in managing high-pressure situations and tight deadlines with composure and diligence have been consistently evident. She approaches every task with intentional focus and follows through with exceptional dedication.

    Her integrity and professionalism are truly commendable. Courtney interacts with customers, executives, and external departments with respect, compassion, and diplomacy, effortlessly managing a wide variety of personalities and needs. She is highly respected by her staff, peers, and colleagues for her strong leadership skills and unwavering commitment to excellence. Courtney’s motivation and continuous pursuit of self-improvement make her an outstanding candidate for any role, particularly in leadership. Her work ethic and potential is boundless, and she is admired and valued by everyone who has had the pleasure of working with her.

    In summary, Courtney’s extensive experience, leadership capabilities, and personal qualities make her an ideal fit for leadership. I wholeheartedly recommend her without reservation.

     

    Sincerely,

    Amanda Florkowski

    Director, Contact Center Operations

    (313) 300-5446

  • KATHRYN BLOETSCHER – CARE COORDINATOR & SUPERVISOR, CUSTOMER SERVICE

    Kat reported directly to me in various positions during my time at Meridian.

    March 2016 – June 2021

     

    To Whom it May Concern,

    I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation for Courtney Brinley, who I have had the privilege of working both for and alongside for five years in the healthcare industry, during which I witnessed firsthand her exceptional skills and a strong commitment to her work.

    Courtney is an extraordinarily organized individual, which has been evident in her ability to manage complex projects, lead teams and streamline processes. Her attention to detail ensures that every task is executed efficiently, contributing significantly to the team’s overall success. This not only showcases her expertise, but also inspires those around her. Courtney is not only a talented professional, but also a team player who fosters a positive work environment. Her ability to collaborate and support others has greatly contributed to both her team’s success and the company’s success. In a field as dynamic as healthcare, this level of organization is not only admirable but essential.

    In addition to her organizational skills, Courtney possesses excellent communication abilities. She has an exceptional talent for conveying complex information clearly and effectively, whether in written reports or verbal presentations. This skill has proven invaluable in fostering collaboration among team members and ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned and informed.

    Moreover, Courtney brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the healthcare industry. Her deep understanding of the sector’s intricacies allows her to navigate challenges with confidence and foresight. She stays updated on industry trends and best practices, consistently demonstrating a commitment to professional growth and development.

    I wholeheartedly recommend Courtney for any position she may pursue. Her combination of organizational skills, effective communication and industry expertise will undoubtedly make her an asset to any organization. I am confident that she will excel and make a meaningful impact.

    Please feel free to contact me via email if you have any questions or need further information.

     

    Sincerely,

    Kat Bloetscher

    Sr. Manager of Production Support at Cotiviti

    kathrynbloetscher@gmail.com