Meet Our CEO: Tracy Olson

At the helm of the North Carolina Telehealth Network Association (NCTNA) is a passionate leader whose career has been built on a variety of projects involving code, care, and community. Tracy Olson, CEO of the NC Telehealth Network Association, brings a rare blend of technical expertise, strategic vision, and deep commitment to nonprofit healthcare that has guided NCTNA from its early formation to the resilient, forward-looking organization it is today.

From Code to Community Impact

Tracy began her career as a software developer—what she affectionately refers to as a “code monkey.” Her talent for writing code quickly expanded into broader technical and strategic roles, including business analysis, workflow automation, and eventually project and program management. Her adaptability and curiosity fueled her success in the fast-paced world of IT during the dot-com boom.

After a thrilling ride in the private sector, Tracy found her calling in nonprofit healthcare technology. Her first nonprofit role was with Medica, a Minnesota-based nonprofit health insurance company. There, she led a project management office responsible for enterprise-wide IT process improvements. “It was amazing,” Tracy said. “The focus was different—more people-centered, more mission-driven. I fell in love with it.”

Reviving Projects, Building Legacies

One of Tracy’s most formative roles came when she relocated to North Carolina and took over as Project Manager for the Southern Piedmont Beacon Project. This $15m project, funded by the Office of the National Coordinator, developed novel healthcare and public health IT solutions. The solutions demonstrated various ways that IT solutions could benefit healthcare providers, public health practitioners, and patients.

Unfortunately, for various reasons, the project was foundering when Tracy came onboard.  It was her job to resurrect the project and to support the various project partners to successfully develop proposed solutions. Her steady hand, her encouragement, and her technical skills lead to a project turn around.  In the end, a number of development efforts were completed, and a number of them were showcased nationally.  As an example, five IT solutions were selected from Beacon projects across the country to present at the National Public Health Association’s Annual Meeting.  Four of these were from Tracy’s Southern Piedmont project.

That experience solidified her passion for combining healthcare, technology, and nonprofit impact—and eventually led her to NCTNA.

Building NCTNA from the Ground Up

Tracy played a foundational role in forming NCTNA as an independent nonprofit. What began as a program under Cabarrus Health Alliance transformed into a fully independent 501(c)(3) organization under her leadership. From drafting bylaws to establishing board governance and financial systems, Tracy led the effort to build NCTNA from scratch.

“There are very few people who get to build a nonprofit from the ground up with a mission this big,” she said. “And I got to do it with brilliant partners like John Graham and Dave Kirby. It was truly something special.”

Tracy and the current NCTNA team at the SHLB AnchorNETS Conference in 2023.

Leadership with Flexibility and Heart

At NCTNA, Tracy leads with a philosophy grounded in flexibility, trust, and shared purpose. “We’re a small and efficient team, which means we rely on each other—and we step into different roles when needed,” she explained. Her approach to decision-making is dynamic: sometimes she takes the lead decisively, while other times she encourages others on the team to drive forward.

She believes that great leadership is as much about listening and adapting as it is about setting direction.

Advocating for Members in a Complex Landscape

One of the biggest challenges Tracy has tackled as CEO is navigating the ever-changing complexities of the federal Universal Service Fund’s Healthcare Connect Fund. From shifting discount rules to protracted approval timelines, the road has never been easy. But Tracy has consistently advocated for NCTNA’s members by putting mission into action. Under her direction, and guidance from NCTNA’s board, NCTNA began the Community Discount Program to bridge funding gaps during times of delay for providers who need budget stability most.

“It’s about standing in the middle—between the rigid rules on one side and the real needs of our members on the other—and finding creative ways to make things work,” she said.

Looking Ahead: Resiliency and Innovation

For Tracy, the future is about resilience. “No matter what happens—with funding, leadership transitions, or changing technologies—we want NCTNA to be flexible, strong, and always focused on doing the right things in the right way.”

She’s deeply committed to continuous improvement and sees every process as an opportunity to evolve. Whether she’s coding one week or presenting to the board the next, Tracy brings a unique passion and curiosity to the work.

A Broader Vision for Nonprofit Tech

Tracy also wants others to know that nonprofit work doesn’t mean sacrificing professional growth. “The people are there, the mentors are there, the opportunities are there,” she said. “You just have to find the right mission.”

She sees broadband and technology as the next frontier in healthcare opportunity—especially as AI, cybersecurity, and telehealth continue to evolve. “We’re heading toward a world where virtual care tools are integrated into every corner of our lives. Broadband is the backbone of that future,” she said.

“We’re heading toward a world where virtual care tools are integrated into every corner of our lives. Broadband is the backbone of that future,” she said.

Leaving a Legacy of Connection

For Tracy, legacy is about culture. She wants to leave behind an organization that is both resilient and deeply rooted in its purpose. “Dave Kirby and John Graham built this to give back to healthcare in North Carolina. They passed that legacy on to me. It’s a huge honor—and a responsibility I take seriously.”

And while NCTNA may be small, Tracy is quick to point out that we’re never alone. Through our partnerships with mission-aligned organizations like MCNC and national experts in broadband and healthcare connectivity, NCTNA thrives in community.

“We have a strong network around us. We don’t have to do it alone—and neither do our members.”