Shaping the Future: Rebecca Vermeulen Joins The HBA Foundation Board of Directors
Leveraging decades of HBA leadership, Vermeulen sets her sights on building a sustainable talent pipeline and expanding representation in healthcare.
Rebecca Vermeulen has spent more than 20 years helping shape the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA), and now, she’s focused on shaping the future of healthcare itself. As a member of The HBA Foundation Board of Directors, Vermeulen brings both experience and vision to advance the Foundation’s mission of advancing global health and expanding the future healthcare workforce.
“I was initially inspired to contribute to The HBA Foundation to support the creation of a talent pipeline for the STEM fields,” Rebecca said. "It's an opportunity to support the next generation of leaders in healthcare while creating a community where experienced individuals can give back in meaningful ways and support the Foundation while achieving their personal goals."
Vermeulen’s long-standing HBA involvement gives her unique insight into how the Foundation can create lasting change. She began her journey as a founding member of the Indiana Chapter, where she led extraordinary membership and sponsorship growth, and later as President of the San Francisco Chapter, where she expanded partnerships and member engagement, earning the chapter the distinction of Chapter of the Year in 2014.
Her local successes prepared Vermeulen for global impact. As a member of the HBA Global Board of Directors, Chapter Mentor in Europe, and two-time Global Board Chair, Vermeulen guided the association through transformative initiatives, including launching a global membership platform, restructuring the Corporate Partner model, and spearheading the inception of The HBA Think Tank to ensure the HBA remains strategically relevant. Her leadership also helped sustain the HBA through the challenges of COVID-19, ensuring its global community remained connected, relevant, and inspired. In recognition of her dedication to the HBA, Vermeulen was recently honored with the 2025 Strategic Transformation Achievement Recognition (STAR), awarded annually to a Member Leader who has strategically transformed the HBA.
This breadth of experience now informs her perspective on the Foundation’s goals: advancing global health and expanding the future healthcare workforce. “The HBA Foundation’s focus directly aligns with my lifelong passion for patient advocacy and developing future leaders,” Vermeulen said.
A passionate advocate for mentorship, Rebecca has always prioritized uplifting others. She has supported corporate women’s networks, created leadership development programs for early-career professionals, and championed initiatives that engage both seasoned executives and rising leaders. Most recently, she supported the Astral Leadership Series for the HBA’s Rising Stars and Luminaries, fostering connections and development for future HBA leaders.
Looking ahead, she sees The HBA Foundation as a catalyst for systemic progress. “As a Foundation, we can work to ensure talent is recognized and supported to be their best and reach their full potential,” Vermeulen said. “We have the opportunity to generate a representative and robust workforce, improve healthcare outcomes and access, and create continuous positive impact on healthcare systems worldwide.”
Her vision for the future is ambitious but grounded in the perspective of someone who has seen what’s possible when purpose-driven communities come together. “I look forward to contributing to The HBA Foundation's efforts to advance global health and wellness,” Rebecca said. “Together, we can ensure a robust future for our industry.”
You can learn more about The HBA Foundation and its Board of Directors here.