Nicole Rakowski

Biography

Biography

Nicole is currently completing her PhD in Health Management through the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University and is also part of the sessional faculty teaching various courses. Her research interests include leadership, strategic management, quality improvement, and strategies to improve health.

Nicole Rakowski, a visionary entrepreneur in the field of wellness, has emerged as a prominent figure at the impressive age of 32. As the co-founder, Chief Fitness Officer, and Strategic Industry Expert of Fitsentive, Nicole has made unparalleled contributions that have earned her a coveted spot on NYC Journal’s prestigious Top 40 Under 40 list for 2024.

Nicole’s visionary approach to wellness has revolutionized many industries. Through Fitsentive, a groundbreaking fitness app, she has completely transformed the way individuals approach their wellness journeys. Fitsentive is the only free fitness platform that not only motivates users but also provides a source of income for trainers. This app was developed to help motivate and empower individuals to “get off the couch” and start becoming more physically active. To date, app has more than 6000 users, 300+ workouts, 20+ exercise categories, 85+ certified trainers.

However, Nicole Rakowski’s influence extends far beyond Fitsentive. As a competitive athlete and accomplished bodybuilder, and a strong women of influence, she has graced the covers of prestigious international publications such as STRONG and Muscle Memory Magazine. Her impact resonates on a global scale as she is also an internationally recognized keynote speaker, is part of the Speakers Bureau of Canada, and has given two TED Talks this year alone. Nicole is also known for speaking at the United Nations Peaceful Co-Existence Summit this past June. Entrepreneurs Herald ranked her among the Top 20 Women Entrepreneurs to Take Inspiration From in 2024, recognizing her as a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Furthermore, despite facing a life-altering accident in 2017, Nicole did not allow it to hinder her drive for success; instead, she transformed adversity into an opportunity for profound impact. Today, renowned as a world-class speaker, she has become an inspiration for the next generation of leaders worldwide.

• What is a brief overview of your research? 

Nicole Rakowski’s research focuses on how healthcare leaders define, detect, and manage failure in Quality Improvement (QI) initiatives. Her study aims to explore the nuanced ways leaders navigate QI failures, identify early signs of potential failure, and implement strategies to mitigate negative outcomes and enhance learning from these experiences. This research seeks to fill ] gaps in the literature regarding the conceptualization of QI failure and the role of leadership in managing such failures.

• How does your research contribute to your field of study? 

Nicole Rakowski’s research makes several significant contributions to the field of Health Policy
and Management:

1. Clarifying QI Failure: By defining what constitutes failure in Quality Improvement (QI) initiatives, her research addresses a critical gap in the literature. This clarity helps healthcare organizations systematically identify, address, and prevent failures, leading to more effective QI practices.

2. Leadership Insights: The study explores how leaders detect and manage QI failures, providing valuable insights into leadership behaviours and strategies that can enhance the success of QI initiatives. This knowledge can inform leadership training and development programs in healthcare settings.

3. Framework Development: By integrating theories such as complexity leadership and sensemaking, the research offers a conceptual model for understanding how leaders navigate QI failures. This model can be used by policymakers and healthcare managers to design better QI frameworks and interventions.

4. Practical Recommendations: The findings offer practical recommendations for healthcare leaders on how to detect early signs of QI failure and implement corrective actions. This can lead to improved patient outcomes and more efficient use of resources.

5. Enhanced Learning from Failures: The study emphasizes the importance of learning from failures, which can foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in healthcare organizations. This approach aligns with broader health policy goals of improving quality and safety in healthcare delivery.

Overall, Nicole’s research provides both theoretical and practical contributions that can help shape policies and management practices aimed at enhancing the quality and safety of healthcare systems.

• What impact does your research have on the world? 

Nicole Rakowski’s research on how healthcare leaders define, detect, and manage failure in quality improvement (QI) initiatives has significant implications for improving healthcare quality and safety. By identifying factors that contribute to QI success and failure, her work aims to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of QI efforts, leading to better patient outcomes and more efficient healthcare delivery. Her study emphasizes the crucial role of leadership in navigating QI failures, offering insights that can inform leadership training programs and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Additionally, her research contributes to the theoretical understanding of QI failure and provides practical tools for healthcare organizations to detect and address potential failures. By encouraging a culture of learning from failures, Nicole’s work can drive innovation and long-term improvements in healthcare systems, ultimately informing policy decisions and system-level changes to support robust and resilient healthcare environments.

Nicole’s Career in Healthcare Leadership 

Nicole has tremendous knowledge and expertise as a leader in the healthcare sector. She currently works as a Patient Experience Specialist at Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) and was a previous Clinical Manager of the Vaccination Clinic at HHS. In her role as a Patient Experience Specialist, her primary role is to receive and resolve escalated patient complaints in a timely manner, as well as to provide guidance to staff and patients in regards to HHS’ policies and procedures. Prior to this role, Nicole was a consultant for the Hamilton Health Team and she was the Health Links Transformation Lead for Hamilton and Niagara North West for two years (through HHS). In this role, she provided leadership, direction and guidance to teams in order to achieve optimal results and meet provincial targets that were created by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.  

Previous to this role, Nicole has held the position of Administrative Resident to the VP of Public Relations and Communications at HHS. In this position, she has worked to evaluate HHS’ brand and market position and created a project charter and strategic plan for executing a re-branding mission cross Hamilton Health Sciences. Nicole also worked on the Ambulatory Care Review process, completing a current state assessment, reviewing leading practices, and identifying opportunities that can improve the quality of HHS’ patients experience over the next several years. Prior to this role, Nicole was the Administrative Resident for the President and CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences. Nicole was responsible for organizing and conducting a theme analysis for the LHIN CEO Retreat, and worked on a Population Health Project that was further developed by HHS. Nicole previously held the position as a Junior Science Policy Analyst, working for the President of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in Ottawa.  

Ms. Rakowski has been recognized for her accomplishments both within and external to McMaster University. She was selected to be the Valedictorian for the Health Sciences Faculty convocation in November 2016, graduating with a Master’s Degree in Global Health Program, specializing in Health Care Management. She received the Burke Memorial Ring during her undergraduate convocation, the Leaders of Tomorrow scholarship provided by HHS, the Rotary Club of Hamilton Award, the Susan Vajocki Travel Scholarship Award, the Community Contribution Award, the Research Plenary Award during her Master’s, and numerous other awards. 

Published Fitness Author/Educator/ Award Winner                                                                       September 2019 – Present

• MSN Article: 10 Inspirational Female Icons, March 2024.
• Badly Burned in Iceland– Award Winning Podcast, Tell Me What Happened, March 2024.
• The Forge: Nicole Rakowski of Fitsentive Named in NYC Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 List for 2024, January 2024.
• Guest Speaker on Podcast: All Things Fitness and Wellness, February 2024.
• Nicole Rakowski: Success after Trauma, Branding and Rewarding Workouts, Big Idea Big Moves podcast, January 2024.
• Top 20 Women Entrepreneurs to Take Inspiration From in 2024, Entrepreneurs Herald, January 2024.
• NYC Journal’s Top 40 Under 40, January 2024.
• Featured Athlete in IMPACT magazine, October 2023.
• STRONG: Investigating An Obesity Obsession, June 2023.
• GRIT and STRONG workout, November 2022. Presented at STRONG camp November 2022.
• Cover of Muscle Memory Magazine, April 2023.
• Publication in Muscle and Health: Can We Really Live to 100? January, 2023.
• Cover of STRONG magazine, November 2022.
• Builds programs and educates on mental awareness, building physical fitness and how to improve race outcomes.
• GSA Award for Leadership in Athletics, November 2022.
• 2 x Award Winner of Therese Quigley Award for Excellence for Graduate Student Leadership in Athletics, McMaster University, January 2023 & December 2021.
• Online article Published on McMaster University Alumni site, “Life After Mac: Real Stories of Alumni finding their way – Nicole”, October 2021.

Awards & Achievements

• Community Engagement Student Leadership Award, McMaster University, November 2022. 
• DDSA Ph.D. Research Day – Students’ Presentation Competition, McMaster University, May 2022. 
• Therese Quigley Award of Excellence for Graduate Student Leadership in Athletics, McMaster Univ. Dec, 2021. 

• 2021 GSA Millenium Award for Community Service, McMaster University, December 2021. 
• Community Engagement Student Leadership Award, McMaster University, November 2021. 
• Gallery of Graduate Arts, Featured Artwork of Distinction, McMaster University, October 2021. 
• Kathryn Huget Leadership Award, (awarded to Canadian female student, currently in leadership role, whose focus is to improve the business workplace for women). August 2021. 
• Covid Champion Award, McMaster University, May 2021. 

• GradFlix Finalist, McMaster University, April 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8_J4uEKt4I  
• Top 25 under 25 Environmentalist Awards in Canada, October 2018. 
• Valedictorian for the Faculty of Health Sciences Convocation (highest GPA and community achievements), 2016. 
• Research Plenary Award for DeGroote School of Business Presentation Night, April 2016.  
• Dean’s List, McMaster University, September 2015. 

• Summa Cum Laude, Sciences Convocation, September 2015. 
• Rotary Club of Hamilton Community Contribution Award, September 2015. 
• Global Health Scholarship, September 2015. 
• Burke Memorial Ring – Outstanding Academic Achievement and Community Contribution, June 2015.  
• Golden Key Honours Society Award, September 2014. 

• Leadership of Tomorrow Scholarship Award – Hamilton Health Sciences, May 2014. 
• Susan Vajocki Travel Scholarship Award – McMaster University, June 2014. 
• Montreal World Health Organization Delegate Award, March 2014. 
• 1st Place Communications Award – World Health Organization, January 2014. 
• 2nd Place Award for Food & Travel Management Category – DECA U Provincials, January 2014. 

• Completed Grade 8 Royal Conservatory of Music; played at the National KIWANIS festival, May 2009. 
• Spin Instructor Certified (2013), Weight Training Supervisor Certified (2011), Advanced Scuba Certified (2014)

Memberships & Committees

• Member of Academic Affairs Committee- McMaster University, April 2021. 
• Member of Graduate Health & Student Review Committee- McMaster University, April 2021. 
• Member of Student Issues Action Committee- McMaster University, April 2021. 
• Member of Executive Review Committee- McMaster University, April 2021. 
• Clinical Ethics Committee- Hamilton Health Sciences, May 2018. 

• United Way Campaign- Hamilton Health Sciences, May 2018. 
• Environmental Committee- Hamilton Health Sciences, May 2016. 
• Member of SHEC McMaster University, September 2015. 
• Member of McMaster’s Polish Society, September 2014.