Client Stories: Bay Area Nursing Executive Olivia Svrchek

Can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about what you do and your industry?

I'm Olivia Svrchek, a Chief Nursing Executive in digital health. I lead and scale remote nursing teams across the U.S. and Canada, building clinical operations inside fast-growing healthcare technology companies. My work blends nursing, strategy, and innovation, translating frontline care experience into scalable systems that improve patient outcomes.

I'm especially passionate about advancing women in healthcare leadership. Nursing is 91% female, yet we don't always see nurses positioned in executive, tech, or founder roles. A big part of my mission is helping change that, creating visibility, pathways, and confidence for nurses to step into larger leadership arenas. I'm also deeply interested in women's health and longevity, and how we design healthcare models that support long, strong careers and lives.

What motivated you to get a new headshot? How old was your previous headshot?

This is funny, my last headshot was actually AI-generated during the 2025 AI boom. Like many people, I experimented with it. It was polished and technically impressive… but it obviously wasn't me. Before that, my real headshot was about five years old from a prior company.

As my role evolved into more executive visibility and speaking engagements, I knew it was time to have something real and current.

How did you feel about your old headshot prior to coming to me, and what were you looking for in your new one?

My old one was fun, but it didn't capture who I am now. The AI version especially felt disconnected. It looked good, but it lacked presence.

I wanted something that carried a founder essence, strong, grounded, professional, while still feeling approachable. I needed it to feel like me in the rooms I'm in today.

In what ways do you think your new headshot has impacted your business, visibility or job search?

So far, the biggest impact has been internal: I feel cohesive across platforms. LinkedIn, press, internal announcements, speaking materials, everything now looks aligned.

I have upcoming speaking engagements, and it feels good to confidently send over a headshot that represents me accurately. That sense of alignment translates into confidence.

Have you received any feedback or comments on your new headshot?

Yes — several people have commented on how impressive and polished it looks. The feedback has been positive and professional, which is exactly what I was hoping for.

How important do you think a professional headshot is for someone in your field?

It's critical.

For leaders, especially in healthcare and tech, your online presence is often your first introduction. A strong, professional headshot signals readiness.

I interview hundreds of nurses, and it's very clear when someone hasn't invested in their professional presence. No LinkedIn photo, or a Facebook-style photo from 2010, it immediately suggests they're not ready for executive or remote leadership roles. Managing your online image is part of modern professionalism.

What advice would you give to someone considering getting a professional headshot?

Do it before you "feel ready." Your headshot should represent where you're going, not where you've been.

Also — be ready for it to move fast. The session itself didn't last long. Come prepared with wardrobe and intention so you can make the most of the time.

Were you nervous or uncomfortable with the idea of having your photos taken and if so how was the experience in the end?

There's always a little vulnerability in being photographed. But once we started, it felt efficient and straightforward. It was focused and professional, which I appreciated.

How did you prepare for your headshot session, and do you have any tips for others on how to get ready for theirs?

I chose structured pieces I would genuinely wear in executive settings — neutral tones, clean lines, nothing distracting.

My biggest tip: don't try to reinvent yourself for the shoot. Aim for a refined version of who you already are.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your experience or the impact of your new headshot?

For me, it marked a shift. Moving from an AI-generated image to a real, grounded presence felt symbolic. In a world increasingly filtered and digital, showing up authentically, especially as a woman leader in healthcare, matters.

How was your experience working with S72 for your headshot session?

It was efficient and well-structured. I appreciated the clear direction but the pace could have been slower given we had 30 minutes and it only lasted 15. The process felt streamlined and professional, which made it easy to focus however.