Mae Padaoan, Training Manager at Tactical Back Office, has been named a 2025 Future Leader by HME Business.
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.
Padaoan sat down with HME Business 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/.
HMEB: What drew you to the home medical equipment (HME) industry?
Padaoan: I was drawn to the idea that innovation in HME isn’t just about devices. It’s about delivering care where it matters most; in the home surrounded by family, familiarity and hope. The industry is full of compassion and I knew I wanted to be part of shaping its future.
HMEB: What’s your biggest leadership lesson learned since starting to serve this industry?
Padaoan: One of the biggest leadership lessons I’ve learned in the home medical equipment industry is that listening is more powerful than leading. In a space where care, trust and making sure you connect with people is at the heart of everything we do, I’ve realized that the most impactful leaders aren’t always the loudest. They’re the ones who take time to understand the needs of patients, caregivers and their own teams. When you lead with those values, you create a culture where innovation thrives and people feel seen and that’s when real transformation happens.
HMEB: If you could change one thing with an eye toward the future of the HME industry, what would it be?
Padaoan: If I could change one thing looking ahead in the HME industry, I’d want to simplify the approval process especially with Medicare. There’s just too much back and forth, and it slows everything down.
When you’re working directly with patients and you see how much these devices could help them, it’s frustrating to watch them wait because of paperwork. I think if we could streamline the documentation and make the guidelines clearer, it would make a huge difference not just for providers, but for the people who really need the equipment.
HMEB: In one word, how would you describe the future of the HME industry?
Padaoan: Empowered.
HMEB: If you had a crystal ball, what do you think will impact the HME industry now and into 2026?
Padaoan: I think there will be a huge impact on employment. I feel like we are seeing less dependence on local talent and a stronger shift toward international staffing especially in the HME space over the past few years. Once executive leadership realizes they can grow and run more efficiently without expanding their labor infrastructure, their approach won’t just be a trend and I think it’ll be the new standard.
HMEB: In your opinion, what qualities must all Future Leaders possess?
Padaoan: I think Future Leaders should possess the ability to empathize with action and must know how to collaborate with accountability. I believe that no one leads alone and future leaders must know how to empower others by knowing when to step up and when to step aside. Challenging those under their care to make independent decisions and turning mistakes into valuable learning opportunities.
HMEB: If you could give advice to yourself looking back to your first day in the HME industry, what would it be and why?
Padaoan: If I could give myself advice looking back on my first day in the HME industry, I’d say, “Hang in there, it’s going to be worth it!”
When I started as an intake processor for Group 2 power mobility rehab, the process of securing Medicare approval felt overwhelming. Navigating the guidelines, handling the back and forth, and facing rejections was tough. But meeting patients face to face and seeing how much these devices could improve their daily lives reminded me why the work mattered. Every challenge became more meaningful when I understood the impact we could have. That perspective is what kept me going.
