Karen Creveling-Hughes
is the co-author of Lead Without Guessing
KAREN CREVELING-HUGHES
KAREN CREVELING-HUGHES
COMING JULY 2026
Lead Without Guessing
For Federally Qualified Health Centers
A CEO’s framework for success, growth and financial strength. Finance is not responsible for, nor able to change, actions of staff outside their control, such as provider production. But if finances fail, the question is never simply “Is finance to blame?” The real question is:
Is this a financial department systems and reporting problem, or an operational problem?
It may be one. It may be both. And it may be something deeper, like unclear expectations, weak leadership handoffs, misaligned incentives, or a culture that avoids performance conversations.
Regardless, when there is failure, the CEO takes the heat. That is not unfair; it is the role. But it is also exactly why this book exists: so you can lead with clarity, build systems that surface truth early, and create accountability that doesn’t depend on heroics.
Because the CEO’s responsibility is not to do everyone’s job.
The CEO’s responsibility is to ensure the organization can do its job.
“Community Link Consulting Group has been an invaluable partner to True Health for the past 13 years, offering strategic guidance and operational support in several key areas. The CLC team has a deep understanding of federally qualified health center challenges, workflows, and processes. Further, the leadership of Karen Hughes and her team is remarkable which sets this organization apart from others.”
—Janelle Dunn, CEO, True Health, Sanford, Florida
“My relationship with Community Link Consulting dates back to 2002, and it remains as strong today as it was when it began. I started working with CLC founder Joel Hughes, and as the organization has grown over the years, I've had the privilege of working alongside his expanding team as well.
What drew me to CLC from the start — and what has kept me loyal all these years — is something that may sound simple but is actually quite rare: I never felt like a client. From my very first interactions with Joel, it felt like he was a genuine extension of my own team. He brought the same level of care and investment to my clinic that I bring as its CEO, and that kind of partnership is not something you take for granted.
Over the past 24 years, CLC has stood with me and the organizations I've led through some of our most difficult stretches, and through some of our most rewarding ones. In every season, their involvement has made both me and my clinics stronger.”
—Dr. Albert Pacheco, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, Imperial Beach Community Clinic
San Diego, CA
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About Karen Creveling-Hughes
Karen Hughes, CPA, is an author, speaker, and former CEO with more than 30 years of experience in leadership, finance, and organizational growth. After helping build Community Link Consulting into a nationally recognized healthcare consulting firm, she now shares insights on leadership, decision-making, and organizational effectiveness through writing, speaking, and advisory work.
Karen's mission is simple: help leaders lead without guessing.