The Future Leaders Awards program is brought to you in partnership with Homecare Homebase.

Rachel Shapiro, Director of Marketing at LivTech, has been named a 2025 Future Leader by Home Health Care News.

To become a Future Leader, an individual is nominated by their peers. The candidate must be a high-performing employee who is 40 years of age or younger, a passionate worker who knows how to put vision into action, and an advocate for seniors, and the committed professionals who ensure their well-being.

Shapiro sat down with Home Health Care News to share what drew her to the home health & home care industry, the biggest leadership lessons she has learned, her thoughts on the future of home health & home care, and much more. To learn more about the Future Leaders Awards program, visit https://futureleaders.wtwhmedia.com/.

HHCN: What drew you to the home health & home care industry?

Shapiro: I always knew I wanted to be in the business side of healthcare, but my path started in a different lane – tech marketing. After working across a few different companies, I was finally recruited into healthcare. It felt like a dream come true, even though I knew nothing about the space. Six months in, a personal life change made home care very real for me, and from that point on, I was all in.

I know it sounds cliché, but this industry is deeply human. No matter how much technology advances, I truly believe this field will keep its heart and soul. That’s what makes it so special.

HHCN: What’s your biggest leadership lesson learned since starting to serve this industry?

Shapiro: That we’re not just solving business problems. We’re serving people who have poured everything into their work.

This industry is personal for so many. Every decision we make has ripple effects. Being trusted to play a part in someone’s mission is a responsibility I don’t take lightly.

HHCN: If you could change one thing with an eye toward the future of the home health & home care industry, what would it be?

Shapiro: I’d find a way to reduce the friction that providers face when delivering care. Too often, they’re forced to navigate red tape, disconnected systems, or rigid policies that ultimately affect the client experience. We should be building infrastructure that supports care, not delays it.

HHCN: In one word, how would you describe the future of home health & home care?

Shapiro: Resilient.

HHCN: If you had a crystal ball, what do you think will impact the home health & home care industry now and into 2026?

Shapiro: Regulatory changes, especially around Medicaid, staffing requirements, and payment models, will continue to shake things up. But equally important is how providers respond. I think we’ll see more operators embracing workflow automation, specialized partnerships, and smart tech that actually meets them where they are.

HHCN: In your opinion, what qualities must all Future Leaders possess?

Shapiro: Authenticity and adaptability. This space moves fast and doesn’t always give you a playbook. Leaders need to be open to change, willing to listen, and unafraid to challenge the way things have always been done.

HHCN: If you could give advice to yourself looking back to your first day in the home health & home care industry, what would it be and why?

Shapiro: It’s okay to not know everything. You’re walking into an industry full of people who are incredibly passionate and generous with their knowledge. Lean into that. Ask questions. Let those relationships shape the way you lead.