Stephanie Aguilera, Regional Manager, Disability Services Operations at 24 Hour Home Care, has been named to the Future Leaders Class of 2026 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.
Aguilera 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?
Aguilera: What drew me to home care was the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on underserved communities.
As a first-generation healthcare leader, I’ve seen firsthand how many families struggle to navigate complex systems, access available services, and advocate for the support they need. Too often, people aren’t aware of the resources they’re entitled to or how to access them. I was excited to join 24 Hour Home Care because it gave me the opportunity to help families overcome those barriers, improve health outcomes, and connect them with services that can truly enhance their quality of life.
HHCN: How would you describe your leadership style, and how has it changed over time?
Aguilera: My leadership style is servant-oriented, people-centered, and highly collaborative. Early in my career, I believed effective leaders needed to have all the answers. Over time, I’ve learned that leadership is less about being the expert in every situation and more about empowering others to succeed.
Today, I focus on creating an environment where people feel supported, valued, and confident in their abilities. Empathy, authenticity, and collaboration have become the foundation of how I lead and develop teams.
HHCN: What is the biggest leadership lesson you’ve learned while serving the home health & home care industry?
Aguilera: The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that relationships drive outcomes. Whether you’re partnering with service coordinators, caregivers, or families, trust is the foundation of success.
In an industry that is constantly evolving, it’s easy to become focused on processes and regulations, but we can’t lose sight of the people we serve or the reason we do this work. Strong relationships create better collaboration, better experiences, and ultimately better outcomes for the individuals and families who rely on our services. At 24 Hour Home Care, our WHY and leading force is always “Impacting People’s Lives by Making a Difference Every Day.”
HHCN: In one word, how would you describe the home health & home care industry and why?
Aguilera: Transformative.
Home-based care has the power to transform lives. By delivering services in an environment where individuals feel comfortable and supported, we can reduce barriers, simplify the care experience, and create more personalized solutions. When care is centered around the individual and their unique needs, we help families navigate challenges more effectively while preserving dignity, independence, and quality of life.
HHCN: What do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges currently facing the home health & home care industry?
Aguilera: One of the greatest opportunities is the growing recognition of the value of home-based care. More families are embracing care delivered in the home, and we continue to see increased demand for services such as respite care and other supportive programs. Home-based care plays a critical role in the broader healthcare continuum by helping individuals receive support in familiar environments where they are often most comfortable and successful.
At the same time, workforce challenges remain one of the industry’s biggest hurdles. The family-selected caregiver model addresses these needs by empowering families to select their own care providers from their personal network who will be paid for the care they provide. This is fostering health equity, and addressing caregiver shortages, particularly in low-income areas.
HHCN: If you had a crystal ball, what do you think will impact the home health & home care industry over the next 5-10 years?
Aguilera: I believe technology, especially AI, will significantly influence the future of home care.
AI has the potential to streamline administrative tasks, improve communication, support continuity of care, and create more personalized experiences for the individuals we serve.
From real-time updates and self-service tools to data-driven insights that help improve outcomes, technology will play an increasingly important role in helping providers deliver efficient, high-quality care while keeping the human element at the center of the experience.
HHCN: In your opinion, what qualities must all Future Leaders possess?
Aguilera: Future Leaders must possess resilience, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.
The healthcare landscape will continue to evolve through technological advancements, policy changes, and shifting community needs, and leaders must be able to navigate uncertainty with confidence.
Equally important is the ability to lead with empathy, embrace diverse perspectives, and commit to continuous learning. Great leaders not only adapt to change themselves, but they also create opportunities for the next generation of leaders to grow and succeed.