By Thomas A. Parmalee
With more than two decades of experience spanning every corner of the home care industry — from hands-on caregiving to executive leadership — Kristen Duell stands out as one of the field’s most innovative and influential voices.
As founder and CEO of Momentum Healthcare & Technology Consulting, which she launched in January 2025, she helps home care, health care and technology organizations achieve sustainable growth through strategic insight and operational excellence.
Her career includes executive roles with industry leaders such as FirstLight Home Care, Savii, KanTime, and Home Care Pulse, as well as service on advisory councils for the National Association for Home Care & Hospice and the National Alliance for Care at Home.
She is also a passionate advocate for empowering women in health care through her organization IDEAL (Inspiring Development, Empowerment, and Leadership) for Healthcare.
As home care adapts to today’s landscape, she sees it moving from being episodic to continuous. “Technology will create a bridge between clinical and nonclinical care, empowering patients to age at home safely,” she said. “We’ll see more predictive analytics, personalized care models, and collaboration across sectors, and the providers who embrace this evolution will lead the next era of home-based care.”
As for artificial intelligence, she thinks it will make an impact – “but it won’t replace people; it will empower them,” she said. “The key is responsible adoption. Agencies should start by understanding where automation reduces administrative burden: scheduling, billing, documentation. That allows humans to focus on empathy and decision-making. The ethical imperative is to use AI as a partner, not a shortcut.”
Home Care Post recently caught up with Duell to learn some of the lessons she’s gleaned over a career of striving to give home care and health care professionals the tools they need to provide great service while boosting market share.
What first drew you to the health care industry, and what continues to fuel your passion after 22 years?
I grew up in hospitals, not as a patient, but following my dad, who was a nuclear medicine engineer. Watching him fix life-saving equipment showed me that health care is as much about the people behind the scenes as those at the bedside. That early exposure shaped my career and sense of purpose. Two decades later, what fuels me is the same thing that drew me in: people. The caregivers, clinicians, and entrepreneurs who show up every day to serve others. My passion is helping them do that more effectively, sustainably and with heart.
What inspired you to start Momentum Healthcare & Technology Consulting?
Momentum was born out of frustration and hope. After years leading health care organizations and technology companies, I saw a gap: Providers were being sold technology without strategy, and consultants were prescribing solutions without truly understanding operations. I wanted to build a firm that sits at the intersection of care, technology and strategy, one that helps organizations move forward with integrity and controlled momentum. There wasn’t a single defining moment; it was a thousand small ones that all pointed to the same truth: this industry needs alignment, not noise.
Your career has been defined by transformation. What’s a turning point that shaped your leadership style?
Stepping down from my CEO role at Savii at the start of the pandemic was a defining moment. It tested everything I thought I knew about leadership, identity and purpose. That experience taught me that leadership isn’t about holding the title; it’s about how you show up when things fall apart. It deepened my empathy and reinforced my belief in transparency, accountability and grace. Today, I lead with radical candor and intentional integrity, always people first but never afraid of hard truths.
You’ve built a reputation for empowering teams and inclusive leadership. Where did that commitment originate?
It started with gratitude for the mentors who pulled me up when they didn’t have to. Early in my career, I noticed how often talented women and underrepresented voices weren’t invited to the table. Instead of waiting for an invitation, I started building my own tables and pulling up more chairs. That’s what led to IDEAL for Healthcare, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting and mentoring women in healthcare, advancing diversity in leadership, and creating pathways to the C-suite. Inclusivity isn’t a slogan; it’s a responsibility. It changes the quality of ideas, the resilience of teams, and ultimately, the outcomes for those we serve.
Momentum is technology-agnostic. What does that mean for providers seeking guidance?
It means we don’t sell software; we build strategy and help you execute it. Being technology-agnostic allows us to evaluate platforms objectively and recommend what truly aligns with an organization’s goals, size and maturity. In practice, it’s not about “which system is best,” but “which system is best for you.” That neutrality protects providers from being locked into solutions that don’t scale or integrate, and it ensures every technology decision drives measurable impact.
How does Momentum differ from other consulting firms serving home care organizations?
Momentum is built by operators, not just consultants. Everyone on our team has sat in the seat of a provider, a franchisor, or a technology leader. We understand the realities: the tight margins, the workforce challenges, the compliance demands. Our approach is hands-on, data-driven, and rooted in empathy. We don’t hand you a strategy deck and disappear. We walk beside you through execution, measurement and iteration. That’s where transformation happens.
What types of organizations benefit most from working with Momentum?
We work with care-at-home and health care providers, technology vendors, and private equity firms that want to grow with purpose, from emerging home care franchises to enterprise-level health systems modernizing their tech stack. The common thread isn’t size; it’s mindset. Our best clients are those ready to align their people, processes and technology around a shared vision of growth.
Can you share a recent example of how Momentum helped a client unlock growth?
One client was struggling with stagnant referrals and poor caregiver retention. We started with an operational and marketing audit, realigned their CRM and HR systems, and trained their leaders on data-driven decision-making. Within six months, they saw a 28% increase in inquiries and a measurable drop in turnover. What changed wasn’t just the technology; it was the clarity and accountability that came with it.
What are the biggest challenges facing home care organizations today?
Two words: capacity and clarity. Operationally, we’re facing a caregiver shortage and rising wage pressure. Technologically, too many agencies are drowning in disconnected tools. The challenge isn’t lack of innovation; it’s lack of integration. Leaders need clarity on what drives results and discipline to say no to what doesn’t.
How can leaders better align strategy, people and technology?
Start with purpose, not products. Define the outcome you want, map the processes to achieve it and then choose the technology to support it. Too many organizations start backward. When strategy, people and technology are aligned, the business moves with controlled momentum: forward, intentional and sustainable.
What advice would you give to agency owners hesitant about investing in technology?
Technology isn’t the goal; it’s the enabler. You don’t need every shiny object; you need the right infrastructure to make your team’s job easier. My advice: invest where it saves time, reduces errors and improves care quality. If it doesn’t check all three boxes, pause.
What’s the most common mistake agencies make when implementing new technology?
Skipping change management. They underestimate how much human behavior drives success. You can have the best system in the world, but if your people don’t understand the “why,” it will fail. Implementation isn’t just training; it’s communication, accountability and celebration when the change works.
What are some practical steps to improve efficiency without losing your personal touch?
Simplify. Automate what can be automated, so people can focus on what can’t: connection. Document your top five workflows, remove redundant steps and build feedback loops with your team. Efficiency isn’t about speed; it’s about reducing friction, so care feels human again.
Why did you create IDEAL for Healthcare?
IDEAL was born from a simple belief: when women rise, industries evolve. I wanted to create a space where women in health care could connect, learn and lead without pretense or competition. IDEAL is a community built on mentorship, integrity and courage. It’s about rewriting what leadership looks like and who gets to define it.
What advice do you have for women aspiring to leadership or C-suite roles?
Stop waiting to feel ready. No one ever is. Focus on showing up prepared, curious and grounded in your values. And remember, confidence is built through action, not affirmation. Every small step forward compounds into credibility and influence.
How does diversity in leadership impact innovation and performance?
Diversity doesn’t just check a box; it expands the lens. When decisions are made by teams who reflect the people they serve, innovation thrives. Different perspectives challenge groupthink and fuel creativity, and in health care, that can literally save lives.
If you could change one thing about how the industry operates today, what would it be?
I’d eliminate the silos. We need stronger bridges between payers, providers and technology vendors. If we designed care around collaboration instead of control, we’d transform outcomes for patients, families, and the workforce.
What legacy do you hope to leave through Momentum and IDEAL?
Integrity and impact. I want people to say Momentum helped them grow the right way, not just bigger, but better. And through IDEAL, I hope to leave a ripple effect of women who lead with courage, compassion and conviction.
If you could give one piece of advice to home care professionals looking to build momentum in business and leadership, what would it be?
Stay rooted in your why and move with controlled momentum. Don’t chase every opportunity; build on the ones aligned with your purpose. Momentum without direction is chaos. Momentum with clarity is unstoppable.
