Rebekah Wright Women in Business Award 2026

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Rebekah Wright

Springbrook Behavioral Health

Chief Operating Officer

Greenville

Rebekah Wright holds a B.S. in psychology from North Greenville University and an MHA from LSU Shreveport. She began her career as a direct care staff member at Springbrook Behavioral Health and now serves as COO. Her passion is developing others by empowering them to reach their goals. Wright believes that investing in people drives both organizational success and meaningful personal growth, and she strives to lead with authenticity, courage, and a commitment to helping others thrive.

How do you define leadership?

I believe leadership is not about authority, but about influence. It is earned through consistency, transparency, and a willingness to listen and adapt. It’s about making decisions that balance data with empathy, holding high standards while developing others to meet them, and building an environment where both staff and patients can thrive.

What makes you an effective leader? What are you still working on?

What makes me an effective leader is my ability to develop people while driving results. I create a culture of accountability, growth, and transparency, balancing clear expectations with empathy and data-driven decisions. What I’m still working on is delegating at a higher level while giving others full ownership to lead and grow, even when it means stepping back more than feels natural.

Is there a mentor who has meant a lot to you in your career?

My growth as a leader has been shaped by those around me. My team’s openness and honest feedback have pushed me to listen more intentionally, adapt, and lead with greater empathy. Their insights have strengthened my decision-making and refined my approach. Equally important is the steady support of my spouse, whose encouragement has grounded me through challenges and successes, shaping both my professional growth and who I am as a leader.

What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?

My greatest fear is not taking action and later regretting missed opportunities. That mindset pushes me to approach life with intention and courage. While fear is always present, I’ve learned to move forward without needing all the answers, focusing on growth over certainty. This allows me to continue evolving as both a leader and a person.

What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received is, “take what you need and leave what you don’t.” It reminds me that every leader offers lessons on what to emulate and what to avoid. I intentionally adopt what aligns with my values and let go of what doesn’t.

What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?

One of my greatest professional accomplishments has been developing interactive leadership sessions that strengthened our culture and performance. By incorporating hands-on activities, real-world scenarios, and team challenges, I built skills in accountability, communication, and leadership. Aligned with organizational goals, these sessions have empowered managers to lead with confidence and consistency, improving engagement, collaboration, and overall leadership effectiveness.

What one thing have you learned that has served you well over the years?

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is to continuously learn from both others and my own mistakes. I’ve found that growth comes from being open to different perspectives and having the humility to reflect on and learn from my own missteps. That mindset has allowed me to evolve over time becoming the best version of myself professionally and personally.

If there is one thing you could go back and do differently what would it be?

If there is one thing I could go back and do differently, it would be to take more chances and trust myself more fully. Early on, I sometimes let doubt hold me back, but I’ve learned that growth comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone and believing in your ability to figure things out along the way.

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