Canopy Employee Spotlight: Renae Smith

We recently sat down with Renae Smith, BDR and RN (Registered Nurse), to chat about her journey from the hospital floor to the world of healthcare technology, and how her passion for nursing drives her role in sales at Canopy.

What initially drew you to Canopy, and what keeps you motivated in your role today?

Canopy reached out because they were looking for a nurse who was interested in sales and passionate about healthcare. When I met with the team, I immediately saw the passion and excitement, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it.

What keeps me motivated is that my initial draw—the technology—has since transformed into a deeper connection with the people. I view every meeting, every product demo, and every conversation as an opportunity to protect more and more of my nursing colleagues.

What sparks your passion for this industry, and how does your work at Canopy contribute to that?

I always knew I wanted to be a nurse. My love for nursing boils down to my love for helping and caring for others. When Canopy came into my path, I realized that the company helps and cares for those who take care of the most vulnerable population, while also protecting them.

It’s such a rewarding experience! It brings me so much joy to visit hospitals with our technology and hear about the impact our buttons and system make on these nurses—equipping them with a Canopy of safety that makes them feel safe, appreciated, and empowered.

What is Canopy doing differently in the healthcare tech space?

There is no company like Canopy. We care deeply, and we view every hospital system as a genuine partnership. We cannot do what we do without their trust, and we don't take that lightly. Our system operates 24/7, 365 days a year, to ensure we provide the best care. If there is an issue, our boots are on the ground. The Canopy team is driving, flying, calling, and zooming from all over the country to make sure our partners never feel alone.

Secondly, I believe in the importance of watering where you want to grow. By that, I mean taking care of our company culture and the fantastic, hardworking people in this Canopy. Our leadership team is not only incredibly smart but also approachable, open-minded, and compassionate. This has created a culture where everyone helps everyone and actively cheers on those around them, making Canopy an amazing place to work. We are built differently because we care differently.

If you had to describe the company culture at Canopy in one word, what would it be and why?

I’ve touched on it a little, but I can't speak enough about the culture here. The one word I would use to describe it is empowering.

There is so much trust in this company—trust to do the right things, trust to support our customers, and trust to take ownership. Ideas are valued (shout out to Jason!), growth is encouraged, and leaders are supportive and genuinely care. Every staff member is empowered to bring ideas and own their "swimlane." We all help each other to get things done; for instance, I recently went to a customer site to help with an installation and migration (not my regular day job, but we all help to support our customers). We are all making it happen!

Looking ahead, what are you most excited about for the future of Canopy or the healthcare technology space in general?

I am excited about many things coming in the new year! I love that Canopy listens to our partners and continually evolves and grows to meet their needs. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing our asset tracking product, Canopy Find, expand and grow. As a nurse, I know that keeping track of critical items in a hospital is a difficult task and a significant pain point for the entire clinical team.

Ultimately, I'm excited that our focus remains on safety and empowerment for all staff, and that, through our technology, it truly makes our customers’ jobs and lives easier.

When you're not working, what does life outside of Canopy look like?

Life outside of Canopy is so fun and busy! I recently moved to Dallas, TX, from Oklahoma, and have been enjoying exploring the city. I spend as much time as I can with my friends, family, and my Aussiedoodle, Frank (if you’ve been on a Zoom call with me, you’ve probably seen him!).

I recently started my needlepoint and sourdough journeys, and my Kindle is never far away. I also joined a running club, a Mahjong group, and, most importantly, a church here in Dallas that I love. I'm focused on filling my bucket both at work and outside it!

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