Leaders Who Redefine Healthcare
Peoplewithatruevisionforthefutureofhealthcareareredefiningthefieldtoday.Ratherthansettling
for improvements made in small incremental steps; these innovators are re-engineering how healthcare is delivered through new systems, processes, and technologies in order to produce positive,longtermresults.Theyarecombiningtheircreativemindswiththeircompassiontoensurethatall advancements made in healthcare will be focused on meeting the needs of humans. The ability of these leaderstothinkcriticallyaboutthechallengestheyfaceallowsthemtoconvertbarriersintosolutions,using the complexities of the challenge as a catalyst for creativity. These innovators are leading the way in establishing new benchmarks for trust, transparency, and resiliency in all aspects of the healthcare system beyond their scope of operation.These leaders' influence on others is what inspires others to think outside thebox,togoagainstconventionalwisdom,andtopursuerevolutionaryideasthatenergizethem.
At CIO Views, we honor these empowering leaders by dedicating this issue titled “The 10 Most InnovativeLeadersinHealthcaretowatch2026”tothem.Featuringasthecoverstory,wehavecovered thesuccessful&motivatingjourneyofJohnHarrison,ExecutiveDirectorofStsPeterandPaulResidence. We have also included the inspiring stories of Abdullah Abdulrazzaq, Founder of Axis Pharmaceutical ConsultationinIraq;Dr.SarperTanli,CEOandFounderofDiginovaHealth;JayeConnolly,Chairmanand CEO of RippleNami; Daria Dubinina, CEO and Co-Founder of Crassula; Chad Price, CEO of MAKO Medical Laboratories; Frank Corcoran, CEO of Sierra Vista Hospital; Russell J. Unrath, CEO of MedCognition;IbraheemAlinur,CEOandCo-FounderofCityHealthTech;andPragattiKadve,Managing DirectorandOwnerofClassyEyesOpticsLLC.
CIOViews is a business magazine that mainly focuses on business leaders, their journey, views on current economic states, and all other relevant subjects that refer to the business world. Our goal is to be a leading sourceofinformationdedicatedtoprovidingourreaderswithdetailedperspectivesandviewsofsuccessful business leaders who are transforming the business outlook and redefining their goals. With exclusive editionsonvariousindustrieslikesoftware,education,healthcare,technology,realestate,andmanymore, CIOViewsisdriventopromoteexcellenceintheworldofbusiness.
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“THE
10. John Harrison
SENIOR-LIVING LEADERSHIP
John Harrison
Bringing “Our
Home Is Your Home” to Senior Living Leadership
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - STS PETER AND PAUL RESIDENCE
SOME LEADERS FRAME HEALTHCARE AS OPERATIONS: compliance, budgets, staffing, risk, strategy,andperformance.JohnHarrisonknowsthatlanguage.Twentyyearsinseniors' care taught him that an organization must be managed, financially responsible, clinically accountable, and scrutiny-ready. His background spans long-term care, retirement, assisted living, memory care, non-profit housing, Ministry-regulated environments,turnaround,Boardreporting,dementia,andpalliativetraining.
Some leaders frame healthcare as operations: compliance, budgets, staffing, risk, strategy, and performance. John Harrison knows that language. Twenty years in seniors' care taught him that an organization must be managed, financially responsible, clinically accountable, and scrutinyready. His background spans long-term care, retirement, assisted living, memory care, non-profit housing, Ministryregulated environments, turnaround, Board reporting, dementia, and palliative training.
Across those settings, one lesson remains: compassion is strongest when supported by discipline, and management protects dignity. But when John speaks about seniors care, it becomes personal - about families trusting a Home, residents carrying memories into a new chapter, and staff
WHERE QUIET STRENGTH FIRST TOOK ROOT
needing structure and purpose.
As Executive Director at Saints Peter and Paul, a non-profit, Board-governed Ukrainian community Home committed to seniors, families, and the community, John guides daily operations, turning vision into action, and keeping excellence visible in resident experience, while the Board oversees strategy.
Its Purpose Statement - Our Home Is Your Home - is not a slogan, but a standard. Residents should feel known, families heard, and staff supported. The Home must evolve while staying connected to its Ukrainian roots, community mission, and resident-centered values.
John's values were shaped first by family. He understood responsibility before governance, compliance, or executive operations. “How you treat people matters most when they're vulnerable, tired, afraid, or depending on you,” he reflects. “It taught me respect, resilience, and humility - that strength is often quiet - showing up consistently, doing the right thing, and standing by your values when circumstances are difficult.”
That foundation carried him through every career stage. “Leadership is never only about managing a building or meeting a target,” John explains. “It's about a resident who deserves choice and dignity; a family carrying worry and guilt; staff in demanding roles; and earning a Board's confidence.”
Healthcare leadership tested his judgment, patience, and stamina. Leading through regulatory scrutiny, a pandemic, staffing crises, and operational change, he learned that leadership isn't proven when all is calm, but when you “create calm, make decisions under pressure, and help others believe improvement is possible.”
John credits his partner, who works in the hospital sector, and his senior mother for helping him stay grounded and connected to the human side of leadership. Time with his mother is a constant reminder that every senior is someone's mother, father, spouse, friend, or neighbour, and that care must always be delivered with dignity and respect. His leadership philosophy is rooted in accountability with compassion, high standards supported by strong teams, and effective systems that never lose sight of the people they are meant to serve.
PROTECTING DIGNITY & COMMUNITY LEGACY
John entered seniors' care not as a career ladder, but because the work mattered. Early exposure to families in crisis taught him to listen before judging. “People are never defined by one diagnosis or one difficult moment,” he says. “Senior care touches every part of a person's life. When you support a senior, you're supporting a life story.”
For nearly 20 years, John has worked across long-term care, retirement, assisted living, memory care, and non-profit housing. “Good care never happens by accident,” he notes. “It requires trained staff, regulatory knowledge, financial stewardship, and a culture that refuses complacency.”
What inspires him is the belief that seniors deserve to be known, respected, and protected. “That's what makes Saints Peter and Paul meaningful - a Ukrainian Home that carries history, culture, faith, family, and memory,” he says. “Leading there is a privilege - protecting a community legacy while preparing for the future of seniors' care.”
“In seniors care, compassion without structure can become inconsistent. Structure without compassion can become cold. The work of leadership is to bring both together.”
JOHN HARRISON
BALANCING LEADERSHIP & PERSONAL LIFE
Executive leadership in seniors' care doesn't end at the office door. For John, balance begins with purpose. “When I remember why the work matters, the demands become more meaningful,” he says. “You can't lead well from exhaustion.”At home, he reconnects with what grounds him - time with his senior mother, his dogs Roxy and
Buttons, and tinkering with his sports cars and motorcycles. “It quiets the noise of the day,” he notes.
Caitlyn, who works in a hospital, helps him turn work off when possible. Weekend getaways, even short ones, create needed distance. “Balance isn't pretending responsibility disappears,” John says. “It's protecting the relationships and joys that allow me to lead with compassion and resilience.”
“Our Home Is Your Home is more than a promise. It is what leadership in seniors' care should protect — dignity, trust, belonging.”
A HOME FIRST, HEALTHCARE SECOND
Leading a retirement residence is unique because it's both a healthcare environment and a home. Responsibilities include care, safety, compliance, belonging, meals, and dignity.
“Aretirement residence must be clinically responsible without becoming cold. In a hospital, care focuses on an acute episode. Here, we're part of a resident's daily life,” John says. “Safe and regulated, but still personal. Policies and documentation, but warmth in the hallways.”
At Saints Peter and Paul, a Board provides governance while John guides daily operations. The model requires clarity and respect for the difference between governance and operations. The Home includes assisted living, memory care, market rent, and Rent-Geared-to-Income housing.
Leadership must balance healthcare, housing, rights, finance, and culture with fairness and transparency. For John, the core responsibility is to keep the Home clinically strong, financially responsible, culturally respectful, and deeply human.
STRONG BOARD, STRONGER HOME
Astrong Board protects the mission, oversees risk, and ensures accountability. “At Saints Peter and Paul, leadership is not about one person making decisions in isolation,” John explains. “It's a respectful partnership between governance and operations.”
He provides clear, decision-ready reporting on quality, finances, compliance, staffing, and resident experience, translating complex issues into clear reporting so governance can be strong and informed.
When the Board and Executive Director share a commitment to dignity and sustainability, the Home grows stronger. That alignment drives initiatives like Memory Care and palliative care that require vision, planning, discipline, and long-term stewardship.
Accountability Balanced With Compassion
John's greatest challenge has been leading through pressure without letting it define the culture.Adefining moment came under Ministry scrutiny where he rebuilt systems, restored accountability, and helped people believe improvement was possible. His solution was based on three principles - clarity, accountability, and people.
“Leadership isn't pretending challenges are smaller,” he explains. “It's looking at them directly and keeping people aligned.” That experience deepened his respect for the staff and reinforced that compassion and empathy must be paired with accountability. “In seniors care, compassion is not optional,” John says.
“Residents face loss, loneliness, or fear. Families struggle. Staff carry heavy demands.A
leader who doesn't understand that human reality cannot lead effectively.”
Empathy helps him pause and ask: What is this resident experiencing? What does this family fear? What support does this staff member need? Those questions strengthen leadership. But compassion doesn't mean lowering standards.
“Compassion without accountability creates inconsistency.Accountability without compassion creates fear. The balance of both creates trust,” he explains.
That balance is essential at Saints Peter and Paul - a Ukrainian Home with a universal mission of dignity, connection, and personal care. “Compassion is not a soft value,” John insists. “It's a leadership responsibility.”
SUCCESS IS TRUST
John admits that while financial stability and operational performance matter, in seniors care, those metrics are not the full definition of success. Success is trust.Aresident who feels safe.Afamily member who feels heard.Astaff member who feels supported.ABoard with confidence in the direction.A community that sees the Home as a place of care, belonging, and integrity.
Success is also a culture.Are people kind in the hallways?Are concerns addressed before they become crises?Are residents treated as individuals, not tasks? “Those questions matter as much as any dashboard,” John notes.At Saints Peter and Paul, success also means protecting Ukrainian identity and legacy while preparing for the future. Memory Care and planned Palliative Care show the Home is listening to residents and responding with purpose.
PRACTICAL INNOVATION, REAL DIGNITY
John's approach to innovation is practical. “It doesn't have to be dramatic to be meaningful,” he says. In seniors' care, innovation can mean clearer systems, better communication, earlier risk identification, and services that match resident needs.
The Memory Care program is a key example. “The intention was not simply to add another service,” John explains. “It was to create a living environment where residents could feel they still belonged.” Scenic murals, memory boxes outside every room, and a nursing station designed as an old pharmacy create comfort and recognition. For residents living with dementia, those cues reduce the feeling of being in a clinical space.
Avision must translate into planning, budgeting, Board communication, staffing, and training. The success of Memory Care is not only how it looks, but how it functions as part of a commitment to safety, dignity, and person-centered care. The planned 2026 Palliative Care initiative is about comfort, dignity, family support, and quality of life. “Some of the most important healthcare moments happen quietly,” John reflects.
He has also focused on fundamentals: accountability, documentation, risk reviews, staff coaching, and regulatory readiness. “If systems are weak, compassion becomes inconsistent,” he observes. “If systems are strong, compassion becomes dependable.”
DESIGNED FOR BELONGING
Scenic murals stand in as windows onto the world outside.
Memory boxes outside every room hold a life's keepsakes.
A nursing station built like an old pharmacy — familiar, warm.
NEVER FORGET WHO THE WORK IS FOR
John's advice to aspiring leaders in seniors care is to never forget who the work is for. “Seniors care leadership is not about title or authority. It's about responsibility,” he says. “Every decision affects residents, families, staff, and the Board.”
He recommends spending time on the front line, listening to residents, families, and staff, understanding morning care, medication passes, family meetings, behavioral expressions, palliative conversations, and regulatory inspections. “You can't lead seniors care from a distance,” he notes.
Aspiring leaders must become students of the sector, understanding legislation, quality improvement, governance, finance, staffing, and culture.
“Compassion is essential, but it must be supported by competence,” John insists.
His advice is to stay resilient. “There'll be days when your decisions are challenged. Return to your values. If decisions are grounded in resident safety, dignity, fairness, and integrity, you can stand behind them. Seniors care needs leaders willing to do hard things for the right reasons,” he declares.
PURPOSE VISIBLE EVERY DAY
John notes that a team stays motivated when people understand the mission, feel respected, and see consistency from leadership. “Every role shapes the resident experience,” he says. “Nursing, personal support, dietary, recreation, housekeeping, maintenance, administration - all matter.”
John connects his daily work to purpose.At Saints Peter and Paul, the mission is visible in memory care, Ukrainian culture, family communication, and palliative care. “Staff are not simply completing tasks. They're protecting dignity,” he explains.
Motivation also requires clear expectations.Alignment comes from strong systems: defined roles, communication, training, and accountability. “People need support, but they also need structure,” John notes. “Ahealthy culture is built through fairness, clarity, follow-through, and trust. Excellence cannot be a word used only in meetings. It has to be how the Home operates.”
When staff see leadership and the Board share the same commitment, purpose strengthens. “People want to be part of something that matters,” John reflects. “My responsibility is to help them see that their work does matter.”
A COOKBOOK OF MEMORY, HERITAGE, AND WELCOME
Another initiative of Saints Peter and Paul is a cookbook titled "Recipes, Memories, and Legacy" that honors residents' lives, shaped by migration, faith, and family, through their cherished recipes and stories.
Residents and families are invited to share recipes with its story and photos, to create a portrait of heritage. The cookbook also offers space for donors to purchase pages.
ALSO FROM THE HOME
Recipes, Memories, and Legacy
Residents and families are invited to share recipes with its story and photos, to create a portrait of heritage. The cookbook also offers space for donors to purchase pages.
CONCLUSION
John Harrison's leadership is not defined by a title, but by a journey, from Ministry-regulated environments to nonprofit seniors' housing, from operational turnaround to community innovation. His work has been shaped by pressure, family values, discipline, and a belief that seniors' care requires leaders with both competence and compassion.
At Saints Peter and Paul, governance, culture, and care come together with a shared purpose. The Board provides oversight and support, John leads the organization's vision and operations, staff deliver compassionate care, and residents and families bring meaning to the work every day.
The 2025 Memory Care opening and the planned 2026 Palliative Care initiative reflect that vision being transformed into action. The Memory Care project has become a key step forward in expanding specialized care for residents. Its murals, old-pharmacy station, and warm, familiar design reflect John's belief that quality care is shaped not only by policies, but by how residents feel in the spaces they call home.
For John, “Our Home Is Your Home” is more than a promise. It represents what leadership in seniors care should protect - dignity, trust, belonging, and the belief that every senior deserves care that honors the life they have lived.
www.sppresidence.com
Rebuilding Trust, Ethics, and Excellence in Iraq’s Pharmaceutical Future
Abdullah Abdulrazzaq
Founder | Axis pharmaceutical consultation/Iraq
In a country where healthcare has endured decades of disruption, rebuilding systems is not merely a technical challenge, it is a moral responsibility.AbdullahAbdulrazzaq, Founder ofAxis Pharmaceutical Consultation in Iraq, understands this reality with uncommon clarity. With over 26 years of experience across regional and multinational pharmaceutical organizations, Abdullah has lived through Iraq's most turbulent healthcare transitions and emerged with a singular purpose: to help reshape the pharmaceutical sector into one that is ethical, patientcentered, and globally aligned. His journey is not defined by ambition alone, but by a deep sense of duty to restore credibility, knowledge, and access within a system long affected by isolation and imbalance.
AMarket Transformed,A Responsibility Realized
The turning point that inspired
Abdullah to establishAxis Pharmaceutical Consultation can be traced back to Iraq's post-2003 transformation. Once almost entirely dependent on government supply through KIMADIA, the healthcare system shifted dramatically toward privatization, with nearly 80 percent of medical demand now met by the private sector. This change created opportunity, but also exposed serious gaps in regulation, expertise, and ethical practice.
ForAbdullah, this moment demanded action. “I felt a strong responsibility to contribute what I had learned to this critical phase of Iraq's healthcare evolution,” he explains.After decades of working with leading pharmaceutical companies across local and international markets, he recognized that Iraq needed more than products, it needed guidance, structure, and professional consultancy to navigate its new reality.Axis was founded to serve as
that bridge, connecting global pharmaceutical players with Iraqi businesses while ensuring that patients gained access to modern, effective treatment options.
Reconnecting Iraq to Global Pharmaceutical Progress
One of the most pressing challenges Abdullah sought to address was Iraq's prolonged disconnection from global pharmaceutical advancements. Years of sanctions and economic blockade from the 1990s until 2003 had left the country lagging behind while innovation accelerated elsewhere.As a result, many therapies available in Iraq became outdated, limiting patient outcomes and clinical progress.
EstablishingAxis was, in many ways, an act of reintegration.Abdullah envisioned a consultancy that could help the Iraqi market catch up to global standards while respecting local realities. “Innovation must be
adapted, not imported blindly,” he asserts. His approach focuses on translating international best practices into practical, ethical, and sustainable solutions tailored to Iraq's regulatory and cultural framework.
AVision Forged by Experience Across Eras
Having worked both before and after 2003,Abdullah brings a rare dual perspective to pharmaceutical leadership. Prior to the market shift, pharmacists in Iraq played a largely restricted role, dispensing centrally approved therapies with limited autonomy. Post-2003, the expansion of the private sector created new possibilities, but also new risks.
This contrast shaped the vision behind Axis.Abdullah believes Iraq must align with global pharmaceutical trends while empowering local expertise. “The goal is not to imitate, but to evolve intelligently,” he explains.Axis operates at the intersection of science, ethics, and communication, ensuring that progress translates into real-world impact rather than theoretical advancement.
Ethics as the Foundation of Advancement
At the core ofAbdullah's mission is a commitment to raising pharmaceutical standards through ethical promotion and evidence-based practice. He emphasizes that
sustainable growth in healthcare cannot exist without trust. “Shortterm gains achieved at the expense of compliance always result in long-term loss,” he states firmly.
ThroughAxis, he works to empower healthcare professionals with the knowledge and ethical mindset required for responsible engagement. Continuous professional development, transparent communication, and patient-centered thinking are not optional values, they are foundational principles. For Abdullah, advancing pharmaceutical standards means aligning scientific rigor with moral accountability.
Overcoming Regulatory Barriers Through Persistence
Launching Iraq's first formally recognized pharmaceutical consultancy was no simple task. Regulatory uncertainty posed the greatest challenge, requiring nearly nine years of legal study and dialogue.Abdullah submitted his first formal request to the Iraqi Pharmacists Syndicate in 2016, initiating extensive discussions about compliance, professional scope, and the role of consultancy within pharmaceutical business.
“It was the first time pharmacists were officially positioned to play a recognized role in business consultancy,” he explains.After years of persistence and regulatory refinement, approval was finally granted in September 2025, a milestone not just forAxis, but for the profession as a whole. The achievement stands as a testament to Abdullah's belief that systemic change requires patience, credibility, and unwavering commitment.
DefiningAchievements Beyond Commercial Success
Throughout his career,Abdullah has led and introduced several landmark initiatives, including the launch of low-molecular-weight heparin (Clexane) with Sanofi, advanced prostate cancer therapies, and multiple vaccine programs during his tenure as Country Manager for GSK in Iraq. He also played a key role in elevating Julphar's presence in the Iraqi market to regional prominence.
Yet, he considers his co-initiation of the Pharmaceutical Promotion League in 2017 among his most meaningful achievements. The organization
became a vital link between the Ministry of Health and the private sector, representing pharmaceutical companies and scientific bureaus while promoting ethical engagement. His collaboration with the Iraqi Pharmacists Syndicate and academic institutions further reflects his commitment to preparing the next generation for global competitiveness.
Innovation with Responsibility and Purpose
When advising organizations, Abdullah approaches innovation with discipline rather than hype. He begins by identifying unmet needs, whether in patient outcomes, physician
engagement, access, or internal efficiency, before proposing solutions. “Innovation must balance creativity with compliance,” he explains.
Akey focus of his work is translating complex scientific data into actionable insights for healthcare professionals. While digital tools and AI are valuable,Abdullah emphasizes that people, skills, and mindset remain the true drivers of sustainable progress. Innovation, in his view, should enhance value delivery while safeguarding ethics and patient wellbeing.
Leadership Grounded in People and Clarity
Abdullah's leadership philosophy is shaped by hard-earned lessons. He believes people consistently outperform strategies, making coaching and empowerment central to success. Clear priorities, transparent communication, and timely decisionmaking define his approach, along with staying closely connected to real market conditions rather than operating from a distance.
Most importantly, he measures leadership success by the independence and growth of others. “Strong leaders develop successors, not followers,” he explains. This belief extends to his client relationships, which are built on trust, honesty, and long-term partnership rather than transactional exchange.
Shaping the Future of Iraq's Pharmaceutical Sector
Looking ahead,Abdullah envisions a pharmaceutical sector in Iraq that is credible, patient-centric, and respected beyond national borders. His long-term goal is to raise ethical and scientific standards, develop local talent, bridge global practices with local realities, and shift commercial thinking toward outcomes rather than volume.
He also sees data-driven healthcare, real-world evidence, digital tools, and AI analytics transforming the industry by 2026, provided innovation remains responsible and compliant. “The most successful organizations are those that innovate with purpose,” he asserts.
ALegacy of Trust and Long-Term Impact
AsAbdullahAbdulrazzaq reflects on his journey, his focus remains firmly on the future. He hopes to leave
behind a healthcare ecosystem built on transparency, professionalism, and trust, one that supports sustainable growth and earns international confidence. For him, leadership is not about titles, but about integrity, learning, and human-centered thinking.
“The leaders who will shape the future of pharma,”Abdullah
Abdulrazzaq says, “are those willing to play the long game, combining scientific rigor, ethical leadership, and a genuine commitment to people.”
ThroughAxis Pharmaceutical Consultation, he continues to do exactly that, helping Iraq's pharmaceutical sector move forward with clarity, credibility, and conviction.
Dr. Sarper Tanli
A Renowned Expert in the Field of Healthcare Planning and Development
Having a long and successful career in healthcare, Dr. Sarper Tanli, as a Director of Harvard Medical International and Vice President of Houston Methodist Global Health Care Services, has an exceptional track record in medical and healthcare administration and operations across the United States, Turkey, and mostly in Dubai. His company, Diginova Health Solutions, was founded by him.
Beginning his career as a physicianin Istanbul in 1990, Dr. Tanli has since gained a prestigious reputation as a specialist in healthcare planning and development. He was one of the key executives in the establishment of Dubai Health Care City, numerous outpatient centers in Dubai, and numerous greenfield healthcare development projects in the Middle East and Turkey. He had established a number of partnerships amongst top medical institutions for academic and clinical research. He is independent board member of several healthcare organizations and hospitals in UAE and KSA.
Since 2014, he has served as a dependable advisor to Manzil Healthcare Services s Board of Directors and Executive Committee and became the Group CEO, consequenly, He grew Manzil Healthcare Services into a business with more than 700 staff that operated in four countries until the middle of 2020.
In addition to his medical degree, he also has a PhD and a Master's in Healthcare Management.
Diginova Health
The objective of Diginova Health Solutions is to digitize healthcare through cutting-edge technology, which will contribute to the development of a future society that is healthier.Acorporation called Diginova seeks to introduce marketready, internationally recognized, and accredited digital solutions. It offers services to local businesses as well as GCC corporations with an international focus in the GCC and Turkey. Patients and medical personnel are just two of the
numerous stakeholders in the intricate healthcare system. The business puts a lot of effort into understanding how each participant in this ecosystem fits in so it can offer the best possible service to everyone involved, whether they are hospitals or pharmaceutical firms taking care of the medical needs of their employees; payers controlling costs within an insurance company's budget; or even the direct customer. The company is also investing in digital health solutions by supporting their growth and expansion. Diginova' s goal is to create a digital transformation for the healthcare industry by creating knowledge in every segment of this market.
Redefining the Healthcare Industry
Dr. Tanli has spent more than 30 years working in the healthcare industry. He has regarded the health sector as one of the most influential fields because every choice made by a person and every action, they take directly affects the safety or wellbeing of others. How these changes are put into practice at the facility or organization will largely determine how well they are
CEO and Founder, Diginova Health
Jaye Connolly-LaBelle
A Thought of Goodness Led her to Success
Technology is an exceptional innovation that has equipped us to connect and experience the different dimensions of modernization. However, choosing this field as a career option and securing a notable position in the industry as the owner of a technological company is an audacious step that not everyone is willing to take. But, an aspiring businesswoman, Jaye ConnollyLaBelle, dared to take that leap and founded one of the leading technological companies that has brought about a transformation, RippleNami, under her resourceful guidance.Awoman of strength and perseverance, Jaye, explored a new dimension of technology and found herself an inspiring profession. She is a leading businesswoman and a proficient leader today, and CIO Views is honored to cover her story.
The Leap of Faith Leading to Success
As a single working mom, Jaye was and still is full of “tenacity.” She didn't let any difficulties stop her; her resilience, strength, and determination drove her to work and study hard. Not only has she thrived in her early career in Oil & Gas then onto $3 billion of Mergers andAcquisitions which
eventually led her to being a 3 time CEO leading to successful exits but her biggest accomplishment is raising an amazing strong intelligent daughter who is a fierce litigator giving women and children a voice in court. Jaye realized early that empowering women and children will make the world a better place. Jaye saw something in RippleNami, she knew it would impact the world and wanted to be a part of the sea change it had the potential to affect. Jaye is a fearless leader and was not afraid to dip her toe in the sand when she set out to do good. She had a vision of connecting 5 billion unconnected people with an easy-touse technology that leverages the mass adoption of the cell phone. Jaye knew that if she could take this technology solution into developing countries, the world would forever be changed. First stop: why not start inAfrica.
Jaye travels to each of theAfrican countries working directly withAfrican Presidents to solve their critical projects. There are challenges conducting business inAfrica, including political instability, loose regulations, disease, death threats, attempts on life and internal country conflicts. While trying to close a contract with anAfrican leader, Jaye was poisoned by an internal
government ministry who did not want the contract to go through. She rose above the incident and closed the deal despite the attempt on her life. That is what defines a true leader who stands strong despite the challenges. RippleNami is currently working in 13 African countries along with the United Kingdom on life changing projects to uplift economies and communities.
The Incredible Services of RippleNami
®RippleNami is a B2B technology company working in developing nations to deliver innovative solutions that solve critical problems. Aglobal game-changer, RippleNami developed the first easy-to-use intuitiveAI blockchain visualization platform allowing anyone to visualize big data. Their mission is simple: connect 5 billion unconnected people with an easy-to-use solution that leverages the mass adoption of cell phones.
RippleNami empowers nations and people with real-time information around the globe to easily connect and create positive change.
RippleNami recognizes that people empowered with real-time and easily
Chairman and CEO, RippleNami
accessible information around the world can connect and foster unimaginable change. RippleNami is redefining blockchain and mapping with the first visualization platform that consolidates big data and provides information that matters most to users and organizations. Its cost-effective, device agnostic cloud-based platform delivers millions of real-time actionable data points on an intuitive map to customers across enterprises, nonprofits and foreign government agencies that are enabling critical decision making and enhanced collaboration. With seamless integration, limitless customization and scalable architecture, RippleNami allows people to chart their world, streamlining communication and improving operational effectiveness. In today's age of hyper-connectivity, there's so much data that it's easy to get lost in it all. To effectively adapt to often fluctuating conditions, organizations need a platform that enables them to quickly collect, organize and interpret data that is relevant to their operations and utilized by employees across the enterprise. Existing software programs are cumbersome, hard to implement, and expensive.
RippleNami's product is a simple blockchain data visualization suite that's easily customizable, user-friendly and cost-effective, enabling organizations to quickly assemble and access layers of data that are critical to their operations. Our product suite is device agnostic and doesn't require extensive training or a geographic information system expert. With endless applications, RippleNami puts the power of big data and sophisticated technology directly into the hands of organizations so they can focus on what's most important visualizing their world.
The Growth Strategy of an Advancing Business
Despite $150 billion each year in global development investment and humanitarian aid, fewAfrican economies have been measurably elevated. And yet a clear majority of these countries are immensely rich in resources and most importantly in untapped human capital. RippleNami is working to disrupt this historical trend by working with these country's governmental leaders towards establishing greater sovereignty. By identifying each country's citizens, quantifying their collective assets and enabling those citizens to enter into the local and global market through RippleNami's blockchain platform, citizens in effect become shareholders in their country's economic performance collectively referred to as a Smart Country. InAfrica over 700 million people live in extreme poverty and are denied from basic opportunities that are common in the West such as a bank account, the ability to sell their products to broader markets or being able to buy items that are vital for their small businesses.As a forward-looking company,Africa's challenges provide unlimited opportunities to innovate and address massive unmet demand across all sectors affecting a person, such as identity, energy, water, agriculture, health, government, economy, housing, education, employment and security.
With 40% of theAfrican current population under 16 years old,Africa will become the largest marketplace by 2030. They are witnessing the power of technology taking hold in countries that have long been denied economic prosperity and are now enjoying empowerment through connectivity. In 5 years, Jaye led the company to positively impacted 80 million people inAfrica, 1 million livestock and 2.8 million veterans in the U.K.
The Woman Behind the Success
Jaye serves as chairman and chief executive officer of RippleNami, Inc., a global artificial intelligence, blockchain, data visualization technology company working in developing countries. Jaye brings more than 35 years of leadership experience to her role, which she garnered from various positions held in the finance, technology, audit, oil, gas, mining, healthcare, mergers and acquisitions areas, as well as in key C-level roles she served in at both private and publicly traded corporations. In her leadership role with RippleNami, she is responsible for development and execution of the Company's long-term strategy with an emphasis on creating a difference for the unconnected population.
Jaye is experienced in leading publicly traded as well as privately held companies and startups. Her public company experience spans key roles at six publicly traded corporations. Over the course of her career, she led 18 accretive acquisitions, adding over $2 billion to revenue. Jaye also possesses significant IPO experience.
Previously, Jaye served at the following companies listed below.
Ÿ chairman, president and chief executive officer of PathCentral, Inc., which was acquired by XIFIN;
Ÿ chairman, president and chief executive officer ofA-Life Medical Inc., which was acquired by UnitedHealth Group;
Ÿ vice president of business development and mergers and acquisitions at InSight Health Corp. acquired by Center for Diagnostic Imaging;
Ÿ director of internal audit at LabCorp;
Ÿ finance director at Domtar, Inc. a
Ÿ mining & forest products Canadian company;
Ÿ audit and compliance at Pennzoil, Inc. acquired by Royal Dutch Shell.
Jaye earned her Bachelor of Science degree in accounting with minors in computer science, oil and gas from Texas Tech University. She has also been awarded with numerous recognitions in appreciation of her inspiring journey. To name a few, she is the recipient of:
Ÿ CEO of the Year
Ÿ 50 Top Influential Leaders
Ÿ Top 100 Leaders
Ÿ Top 500 Influential Leaders
Ÿ MostAdmired CEO
Ÿ International Women of the Year
Ÿ Businesswoman of the Year
Ÿ Women of the Year
Ÿ Female CEO of the Year
Ÿ Women Who Mean Business
“In a start-up working inAfrica, CEOs roll up your sleeves and fill voids all the while creating the strategic roadmap leading to shareholder value. It is truly an honor to work with an amazing team driven by the same mission. To make a simple difference in people's life is our legacy goal.”, Jaye shares.
The Vision and Motivation of RippleNami
RippleNami's mission is simple: connect 5 billion unconnected people with an easy-to-use solution that leverages the mass adoption of cell phones. Imagine a world where you have all the data that is important to you at your fingertips… a world where vast amounts of data can be visualized so it is easily understandable and actionable… and a world where everyone who has a phone will have equal access to the benefits that this technology will bring. RippleNami's
imagination ran wild with the mission to connect 5 billion unconnected people and execute on their global vision of inclusion.
RippleNami is driven by a profound purpose to empower these region's people, society, and independence through technology and our commitment to end poverty. Their team's indifference to the high-risk of exposure to corruption as well as the diseases, kidnapping and assassination threats sets us apart from other organizations. Where other companies chose to pivot to less volatile market conditions, RippleNami doubles down.
An Inspiring Experience in the Success of a Businesswoman
Early 2017, Jaye and her daughter were honored to spend a great night with Ms. Joanne King Herring. Atruly inspirational evening full of “tenacity” and amazing success stories. The international socialite, global political activist and former Texas television anchor – Joanne is known for her improbable fight with the Mujahedeen against the former Soviet Union. These events inspired the book Charlie Wilson's War, consequently, Julia Roberts played Joanne in the movie.
In 2009, Joanne founded Marshall Plan Charities to complement the ongoing U.S. military effort inAfghanistan by rapidly and effectively redeveloping normal, healthy civilian life village by village. The charity created a successful holistic model of simultaneously introducing the “essential five” into a village – clean water, food, health care, schools and jobs. Toward this end, they assembled a team ofAfghan-focused NGOs and institutions which worked together, with village leadership, to provide these civil essentials village by village rather than project by project.
Jaye thanked Joanne for being such a strong role model! Joanne shared with Jaye the only way to make something happen is to keep at it. When you fall and you will, get back on that horse and try again.
The Future of RippleNami andA Leader's Thoughts
In today's world, when it is it often hard to trust each other, the RippleNami solution becomes a trusted platform on which to collaborate, access economic opportunities, deliver services and conduct business. Their laser focus is to continue to rapidly deploy the technology throughout the African continent one country at a time and lifting an entire population to levels unseen in modern history. They rely heavily on their amazing local partners who share their vision of connecting the unconnected population with data they need not only to survive but to thrive.
Jaye dreamed of doing something good to make a difference in peoples' lives and she was successful in achieving her dream. Her exceptional knowledge and innovative ideas have made her a leader of success leaving a trail on inspiring stories for aspiring entrepreneurs to follow. She has not only succeeded in her will to empower women but has also set example for every person who aspires to inspire. With a phenomenal tale of success, Jaye truly spells woman empowerment.
and Co-founder, Crassula
CEO
Daria Dubinina
Advancing the FinTech Industry Ahead with Crassula
For some successful leaders,
their success lies in fulfilling the needs of different stakeholders. It means if customers require a new product or the team needs the company around, or the industry calls for new transforming innovation taking place and the leader can manage all this then, that makes all the difference. One such dedicated leader is CEO and Co-founder of Crassula, Daria Dubinina. For her, one is successful when he can confidently answer the vital question, “Why do we do what we do?”.
Inspired by Ben Horowitz's book, “The Hard ThingAbout Hard Things,” she knows, “there's no such thing as the universal, ultimate best CEO.” No doubt, she feels pride in getting recognized by an external organization or media edition. However, she states, “The real recognition occurs when your opinion matters, you are inspiring others, you can make a difference, lead people and grow the company.”
Stepping
Stones to building Crassula
Daria experienced her first entrepreneurial experience at the age of 20. Then, after completing her Master's degree in FEAmanagement, she began working from the lowest position at an international payment system where she learned about FinTech, and over the years, she has grown professionally; in 2014, she and her fellow employees started building their own ventures.
In 2017, Crassula was the result of the team effort of Daria and her cofoundersAlex Novozhenov and Vlad Nikolayev. The trio shared the same vision and strived hard to demonstrate their unique skills in building strategy and technology. They had their designerAndrew Ponochovnyi created an attractive look and feel of the product.
She shares, “Together we created a unique skillset in which everyone
played their part bringing the concept to life and giving each other confidence in what we were doing, inspiration for creating something new, and supporting each other during the bad times.”
While building a company from scratch, there were new challenges every day which the small team needed to solve and make smart decisions. Many times, the decisions were right; however, sometimes they were wrong that could hamper the company's growth and take them behind for months.
Initially, their main roadblock was getting the right investors for funding the company growth. The team spent many months in this process, which resulted in high frustration and no gains. Then, Daria shares, “We started focusing on business,staying bootstrapped, and that was the best decision that we could make because it taught us to survive difficult times,
do big and beautiful things with very limited resources, and actually earn money.”
Brief about Crassula's Remarkable Services
Crasula specializes in developing White Label core banking products, PSP services, FX services, wallets, crypto banking, and crypto exchange solutions. It offers an all-in-one software platform that facilitates the launch of products within a few days and with a low budget. Its products are cloud-based and provide backend with its core banking system, admin panel for managing the business, and
frontend with client web interfaces, iOS, andAndroid mobile apps. Crassula's systems are provided with dedicated openAPIs which enable a myriad of FinTech services and assist most innovative business ideas.
Crassula embodies a unique culture of freedom and responsibility that fosters prudence, communicability, proactivity, striving for development, creativity, decisiveness. Daria says, “We embrace these qualities and develop them by providing constant education opportunities, helping each other in day-to-day work, and always trying something new by developing new products, trying to implement
new solutions, and always doing something that we have never done before.”
For Crassula, their people have always been the main backbone of the firm. The industrious team always keeps developing and ameliorating their products to empower the customers with world-class solutions. She adds, “We value the elegance of solutions and everything related to their quality. This combination helps us to make new people want to join the company, reach new clients and partners, engage them and make them want to stay with us.”
Daria's efforts in redefining the fintech industry
She shares, “The FinTech industry is very fragmented, but each element is connected to another. On one side we have large and mature financial institutions - they have history, trust, reliability.At the same time, they have legacy, bureaucracy and low speed of innovation. On the other side, we have young companies which are able to disrupt the industry, brilliant ideas, but don't have time and money. On the third side, we have a totally parallel world of crypto with its technology, dynamic, risks and transformation. These are only 3 of so many, but supporting such fusion solutions helps to move the whole industry forward”.
As a visionary, she looks ahead to bring a huge metamorphosis in the financial industry where all the banks and financial institutions will amalgamate into platform solutions. She aims to make the ultimate FinTech platform and proffer a comprehensive range of tech-enabled financial services for companies around the world to take the industry forward.
Balancing Personal and Professional Fronts
Being CEO of Crassula, she ensures that the company keeps growing. For that, she formulates a strategy and stays involved in the daily activities connected to IT development, product development, sales, partner relations. She handles about 2-5 work meetings daily, with different departments and external parties and is usually involved in making smart business decisions or resolving complex issues.
Her secret in maintaining a perfect work-life balance is thoughtful
planning. Even though it is hard to take ample rest while working from home, she always adds an outdoor walk or workout on the calendar. Also, she keeps her weekends free for outdoor rejuvenation.
She feels staying positive and supportive in all situations is her key motivator. To explain it further, she says, “When something goes wrong, I prefer not to waste time on finding out whose fault it is, but rather fix the problem and analyze how to avoid repeating the situation. This approach helps to reach the highest result, and the result is the most powerful progress mover.”
Future Roadmap
Crassula aims high and has many prime goals for the future, such as entering new markets, speaking new languages, adopting more technologies, transforming the platform into a no-code product builder so that anyone can design and launch FinTech products without any
hassle.All-in-all, the entire team desires to make complex and deep technologies incredibly easy-toimplement, highly accessible, and attractive for their customers.
Personally, Daria wishes to grow the company by 5x while maintaining excellent performance and effectiveness as a company.
Sharing her advice for budding entrepreneurs, she says, “Never be afraid to start, experiment, and keep moving, improving and delivering even if things are not so shiny right now.”
CEO, MAKO Medical Laboratories
Chad Price
A passionate disruptor transforming healthcare
CEO, Sierra Vista Hospital
Frank Corcoran
Driving Positive Change through Strategic Leadership
Russell J. Unrath
Disrupting the Medical Training Industry with Augmented Reality Simulation Technology
Medical error is the third leading cause of patient death, and in 1997, at the tender age of 13, Russell J. Unrath's young life was abruptly, and tragically, impacted by that statistic, when his mother passed away from a series of complications that could have, and should have, been prevented.
For Russell, his personal tragedy became the driving force to become part of a Health Care Organization that that was willing to take risks, be on the cutting edge of technology, and disrupt the future of medical simulation in a positive way.
The crucial importance of medical simulation in training medical professionals
Russell started his career at Genzyme Genetics, a pharmaceutical company involved in cancer research, where he watched researchers and developers create products, sparking his interest in lifelong learning.
His journey to health care was not a straight path, and before he joined MedCognition, his biggest achievement was helping create efficiencies in a hospital system network, where he managed to help the hospital go from the verge of bankruptcy to thriving expansion.
As the CEO of MedCognition, Inc., his aim is to create change in healthcare by lowering the barriers of access to medical simulation
through leveraging cutting-edge technology. Medical simulation is a highly valuable tool for preparing healthcare professionals and first responders in dealing with low frequency, high stakes life-threatening medical conditions.
Realism, cost, and portability are the three most common barriers to greater use of simulation, and MedCognition's aim is to transform medical simulation training by creating an intuitive clinical experience.
MedCognition's PerSim® holographic patient simulation system is the brainchild of a physician and 101stAirborne surgeon, Kevin King, a brigade surgeon in the field in Iraq, who had to use plastic mannequins that were not training his students the right way.
PerSim® was created by leveraging the experience of seasoned clinicians, educators, and computer scientists. “I absolutely believe that MedCognition's training product, PerSim®, will shape the future of out-ofhospital professionals,” states Russell.
Since the COVID crisis, the use of medical simulation has grown as a tool to help bridge the gap in workforce preparedness, and Augmented Reality will be key to solving the problem of medical training.
“The more immersive we can become, the more engaged in an augmented world, where it's safe to train, yet safe but hurts to fail, is the
way we've been able to use this disruptive technology,” says Russell. “There are a lot of organizations that offer virtual reality, which is very static. So we're looking at advancement, and augmented reality is still cutting edge.”
PerSim® allows medical professionals the experience of seeing a sim patient experiencing real-world problems and pain in real-time, by simulating these clinical states as they happen and change dynamically.
Delivering dynamic realism in medical simulation with an immersive experience
Russell confirms that the risk of stepping into a disruptive industry like medical simulation training is definitely a balancing act, because MedCognition is fighting battles on several fronts, when it comes to traditional simulation training.
He admits that the risk and the challenge is really about how to position PerSim® to be seen as a standard and common training practice.
“MedCognition is butting up against larger organizations that have been in the simulation industry for decades, and everyone knows who they are. So our big risk is, nobody really knows who we are, despite having 72 customers across the U.S., and doubling our customer base in 2021,” notes Russell. “We're just the underdog at this point, and we'd like to flip the script in that story.”
Russell points out that MedCognition's product truly creates decision-makers, and that when medical practitioners see a product that can help them train in an immersive environment, that allows their mind to understand the logistics and mechanics of what's happening, and helps them become decisionmakers, not box checkers, they get
really excited about it. He explains that while a plastic mannequin is not going to show you what a sick patient looks like, an augmented reality hologram absolutely shows you what a sick patient looks like, and it allows for that cognitive pathway to be opened up to see, for example, that a patient is having a respiratory issue.
“Now the instructor and the student can go on these Choose Your Own Adventure multiple paths to determine the best course of treatment, and that again, creates a decision-maker, not a box checker, and that's really been disrupting the industry so much that the instructors who see our tool say, 'Wow, PerSim® creates the ability to be immersed in a scenario!,” explains Russell.
While MedCognition's target customers are hospital professionals, they're also seeing a great wake of enthusiasm from community colleges with paramedical and nursing programs, and Municipal EMS organizations that see the value of immersive training.
“We have the ability to manipulate the system based on the complexity of the educator involved, building the scenarios to make this apply for inhospital professionals,” notes Russell.
For medical schools, MedCognition is developing remote instructor capabilities. They also have projects with the government, and hope to go from 75 to over 500 customers, and build Global Partnerships, in the next two to five years.
Russell firmly believes that in the near future, MedCognition will be the standard in frontline medical training. “You can absolutely mark my words on that as well. We're going to completely disrupt mannequin simulation,” he affirms.
Eclipsing the competition with a grassroots approach to outreach
Russell points out that MedCognition is slowly starting to eclipse their competition, with a grassroots approach to reaching out to customers. They've given all their customers an opportunity to receive education and external grants, to provide them better access to simulation training.
They also ran a series of trade shows, webinars, and courses in SanAntonio, where they provide deep dive training to help their customers understand the benefits of simulation, versus the traditional methods they're used to.
Russell explains that, in order to reduce that sunken cost bias, they need people to reach out and touch and play with their product. So they provide free trainings, such as demoin-a-box software, and ship units out to customers who are very used to plastic mannequins.
“Our product can be used in tandem with high-fidelity mannequins, and extend the capital or operating expense budget of small EMS institution, or a large one for that matter,” says Russell, explaining that they offer to create a high-fidelity mannequin for their customers, that will save them money over time, even while spending money with their system.
He notes that when medical professionals see a patient is really struggling, and then get that hologram, and see them go from a position of struggle, to a position of recovery, it helps them overcome some of the competition, and disrupt the industry as well.
“What really motivates us is providing an experience that our educators and students can't get anywhere else aside from a sim, and we do share that common vision and common goal,” says Russell.
Adapting to an evolving vision of leadership
Russell explains that in the early stages of his career, he believed that leadership was about always having a confident answer, telling people what they needed to know, what they needed to do, and when and how to do it.
However, of late, it has become a collaborative engagement of finding ways to support his employees, and asking questions like: What else can I help you with? How can we get you educated? What tools can I provide for you? What can I learn as a leader, so that I'm enabling and empowering my team to produce the best possible work?
“So it's definitely evolved over the years, especially since joining MedCognition. We've shifted our culture to make sure that our employees have the appropriate worklife balance, and that their mental health is well cared for,” notes Russell.
He explains that they have programs that help them produce good work, and interact and engage with their customers, who absolutely need advocates and cheerleaders and friends, not just a company that's providing a service for them.
“When I joined as CEO, I knew that the company needed a fresh perspective, not from a medical perspective, but a business executive who could look strategically, and say, here are the things we need to change, and here's the order we should change them in. Now almost two years later, we're functioning as a well-oiled machine,” he observes.
Russell admits that employee mental health and wellness has always been very personal for him, as he believes that having an appropriate personal life balance creates a good working
individual.As a result, the company implemented more flexible policies during the pandemic, but kept the static work location.
Under his leadership, MedCognition also implemented 401K investment programs, wellness programs, and tools for the team to reach out to mental health and wellness counselors, and stay connected in a remote environment.
“I think our team talks more now, when we're in scattered across five different states, than we did when our team was based in SanAntonio,” notes Russell. He points out that they have a very light atmosphere which is hard to maintain with remote employees. They do weekly events over Zoom or Teams that keep the team motivated by allowing them to feel like they're all in this shared journey, and that, at the end of the day, work is not everything.
Russell points out that leadership is simply about being willing to learn on a daily basis, and that his goal is about what new information he can learn each day that will benefit his employees and customers, and as a byproduct, benefit him as well. For him, success is building up the individuals in his immediate circles,
creating sincere connections with those around him, and enabling others to succeed.
Russell believes that taking an organization like MedCognition from where it is to where he wants it to be, requires sacrifice, and he considers himself fortunate to have a wife who understands his driving passion, and supports him unwaveringly.
“Without her, I would not be in the position I'm in. I think our organization wouldn't even be in the position we're in right now, because I have a pillar of support, who also works full-time, by the way, but takes the burden with our ten year old twins, and our two year old Golden Retriever, so that I can pour myself into my work, to be the best for my employees, customers, board of directors, and create new road maps, new visions, a new subset of products, new line of questioning, so that we can truly continue to learn each day,” he concludes.
Ibraheem Alinur
Creating a Healthier Community by Using Modern Tech Advancements
The world is facing growing challenges across industries. Now is the time to think about what we can do to best prepare and prevent disasters on a global scale. 55% of the global population lives in a urban and is predicted by the United Nations to be 68% in 2050.As the world grows, we need to think about sustainability and how we keep our communities healthy.
Understanding the dire need of advancements in healthcare, IbraheemAlinur, visions to build healthier communities and mitigate the spread of infectious diseases globally by using innovative tech devices. He is the CEO and CoFounder of City Health Tech (CHT), which provides a wirelessconnected hand washing device and health communication platform to engage and entertain while collecting the largest data set of hand washing times in the world.
AStory of Passion, Determination, and Success
Achild of immigrants from the Caribbean and raised primarily by his
hard-working mother, Ibraheem's success is a story of momentum and defying odds. His mother assured he had everything for his education and instilled the importance of selfreliance and curiosity at a young age. When he was 17, he was admitted into the Minority Introduction of Technology, Engineering, and Sciences (MITES) program at MIT where he spent a fully funded summer semester surrounded by 60 other peers from across the country with similar backgrounds to him. Ultimately, this moment changed his life because it validated his struggle and showed him that going to a good school was within his grasp, which seemed so far away at the time.
As a direct result of this program, Ibraheem applied to MIT, and unfortunately didn't get in. He states “I met one of the most important professional mentors in my life, Kathy Chiu, managing director of Deepwork Capital. During our interview, she mentioned she did something like “Shark Tank.” I loved that show, so I sent her an email asking to intern for free to learn and, at the time, she was running one of the largest angel
investment groups in the state of Florida. I was skipping classes my senior year of high school to attend pitch meetings. I was hooked.”
City Health Tech is not Ibraheem's first startup. Before City Health Tech, he started many companies in his first few years that had some success, but mostly failure.
Following those startups, Ibraheem started City Health Tech in the fall of 2017 around this idea of disease prevention because he knew it would be critical in helping cities grow.
He shares, “City Health Tech was my first project to encapsulate this passion and it was a vessel for me to learn. I took the leap of faith due to my passion for the problem and the vision I had for the world. I saw that if we could increase hand washing behaviour across the board, we would save billions of dollars and millions of lives.”
Hustle Before Touching the Stars
Ibraheem believes that entrepreneurship in many ways is an
CEO and Co-Founder, City Health Tech
activity and a mind-set. He is always networking with interesting people, thinking through his vision by talking to customers and experts, and spending time with his team and friends to build healthy culture. He says, “I was a sophomore in my undergrad prior to starting City Health Tech and had just ended my previous company; an applicant tracking system for student groups.” He had joined NU Raas, the competitive folk Indian dance team, and worked as a professional magician as his side hustle.As City Health Tech has grown he doesn't dance as much but does try to learn a new trick every now and again.
First Step and Gates Millennium Scholarship
Ibraheem was 11 years old when he made his first sale out of his backpack, which in hindsight was the start of his entrepreneurial career, even though he had never heard the
word.According to him, his greatest recognition so far has been winning the Gates Millennium Scholarship out of 55,000 applicants. He considers it a life changing moment. That scholarship empowered him in many ways and made him capable of what he is today. He reflects that, “not having to worry about the financial stress of college removed many barriers for me. It gave me the privilege to take a risk and it gave people a reason to want to connect with me. If I hadn't received that scholarship, I do not think I would have had the time to focus on my passion projects.”
Making Sure Everything Goes Right
As a CEO of CHT, Ibraheem's responsibilities are to set a strategic vision, build a plan, find the best talent to execute, find customers, and assure the company receives the
funding it needs to be successful.
Ibraheem's day start with prayer and reading a bit of the Quran to ground himself while his coffee draws. He writes down his priorities for the day, and spends some time on LinkedIn, and responds to emails.After, he prepares himself for the meetings of the day; as part of the business development. He meets with the company's co-founder and leadership team every other day and works on whatever is the major goal of the day. He states, “I also spend any free time reading to catch up on the world and understanding what may impact our business 1-2 years out. No day is the same, which is part of the fun and one of the benefits of being your own boss.”
BeingAble to Help Others is the Real 'Success'
Everyone has different perspectives
Managing director and Owner, Classy Eyes Optics LLC
Pragatti Kadve
Redefining Eyecare by Offering
Vision Care Solutions in a State-of-the-Art Facility
The pandemic has made it clear that we do not currently have enough healthcare workers to satisfy the requirements of an ageing and increasing population. Blindness and visual impairment are more than merely health problems since many industrialised and developing nations tend to place low focus on eye health. The most common handicap in the world is uncorrected poor eyesight. The projected yearly productivity loss cost to the global economy is $272 billion. It restricts educational opportunities and puts the public's safety at danger.
Pragatti Kadve founded Classy Eyes Optics LLC with the vision of redefining eyecare by offering vision care solutions in a state-of-the-art facility. She has previous expertise as a marketing manager for professional services, medical devices, and diagnostics (B2B, B2C), and she has worked on projects that have helped
her manage some of the most challenging times, such as pandemics, as well as turnaround scenarios and crisis management.
Pragatti has worked as an optometrist for more than 18 years and is a recognized, competent eye care professional by trade. She is pleased to be a member of one of the most important healthcare professions that improves people's quality of life by helping them see better. She is a fellow of the research institute of Eye Care India from the LV Prasad Eye Institute's 2002 batch.
She has always believed that "Eyes Are for Life" and that aiding those who are caring for them is most meaningful to her. She has collaborated with a number of different organisations to promote eyecare goods and diagnostic tools as such, serving as a consultant in hospitals, visiting faculty at
educational institutions, and a professional coach in corporations.
Classy Eyes Optics, LLC
With the provision of vision care options in a cutting-edge setting, Classy Eyes Optics LLC hopes to redefine the field of eyecare. Classy Eyes Optics LLC offers comprehensive eye care under one roof, including vision screenings, treatments, and a wide selection of eyeglasses from well-known brands.
Through fully equipped medical diagnostics, integratedAI tools for vision screening, specialised eye care treatments, and the finest in eyewear choices, it seeks to improve the patient experience. Its links with organisations like the World Council of Optometry, Saudi Optometric Association, Emirates Ophthalmological Society, and IACLE are proof of its dedication to eye care.
One Stop Solution for Eyecare
Classy Eyes Optics specializes in providing eye care for postoperative compromised corneal instances, Kconus, and poor vision optical and non-optical aids are just a few of the complex situations that Classy Eyes Optics provides eye care for.
The facility's skilled in-house certified optometrist offers individualised services to identify a variety of vision-related problems and uses cutting-edge methods to lessen the negative effects of eye illnesses so you can see, feel, and look better.
Classy Eyes Optics LLC offers comprehensive eye care under one roof, including vision testing, treatments, and a wide selection of eyeglasses from well-known brands. In the optical section of Dubai Festival City Mall, Classy Eyes Optics offers the best selection of designer and high-end eyewear brands.
For members who qualify for optical coverage, Classy Eyes Optics LLC has active contracts with the following insurance providers. Many other insurance companies have also authorized it for medical reimbursement. To learn more about eligibility, approval, vision testing, eyecare options, and other topics, stop by Classy Eyes Optics.
Life before Classy Eyes Optics LLC.
Being born in India, Pragatti had most of her schooling in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, up until the age of 21. Later, she relocated to Hyderabad, India, in another state in the south of the country, where she continued her long-term fellowship. This experience helped her become more sensible and motivated about her work by giving her access to community-based services in remote areas and giving her hands-on experience with challenging cases. She eventually worked as a consultant for several hospitals, optical and Lasik facilities,
and counseling, consulting, and practising organizations, which gave her access to work with experts in her area and allowed her to treat several well-known celebrities under their supervision. Pragatti has thus far experienced a fantastic learning curve and is continuing on her path of exploring other possibilities in order to bravely bring them to fruition.
ATrue Leader'sApproach
Pragatti feels it is her duty to uplift her people in terms of training and to provide a conducive and joyful environment at work so that each one can flourish and do their best.As the founder, owner, and director of the organization, which is currently in a very nascent stage, needs a lot of nurturing and caring for its people, Pragatti justifies that there is undeniable evidence that people function at their peak levels only when they are content because they lose track of time when they are engaged in what they are doing and are able to witness their devotion in action. “Happiness has a direct impact on our performance level in every aspect of our life . May it be professional, personal life. The level of involvement is very engaging and inclusive to witness the devotion. Additionally, it fosters loyalty and retains employments which is a longterm vision of the company and its employees.”, says, Pragatti.
For Pragatti, it is crucial for her to recognize that her team members are depended on her organization, thus it is extremely important for her to ensure it survives and does well that is better than before and keeps track of it. The next step is to figure out how to expand further to improve both the customer experience at Classy Eyes Optics LLC and the people working there.
Keeping Motivation Intact while Facing Challenges
Pragatti approached every obstacle or issue with the utmost clarity, complete openness, and moral rigour. She never compromised on the level of service or product quality that the business promised to provide when she had any worries or difficulties. Whatever she does in her life, no matter how large or small, she must do it well by being interested, focused, and attentive. She must also do it joyously, whether or not anyone is watching her.
True Success Survives Difficult Times
"If I could survive during times of pandemic then I could even to better during times when days are back to normal, that drove me further to built up on courage and strengths to work more better," says Pragatti.
Pragatti views her ability to endure over the pandemic's most critical phases while still in her first year of business as a sign of accomplishment. Growing from a single small kiosk to three in various locations, including a full-fledged optical store with modern diagnostic equipment and a clinical facility, she was able to do so on her own, using her hard-earned savings as an expat woman in the GCC region, without any funding or investor assistance.As a result, Pragatti refers to it as Classy Eyes Optics LLC and says that going from nothing to something is important to her.
According to Pragatti, her certification from her previous employer for completing the J&J Energy For Life Performance programme for its personnel in senior or leadership roles is her highest
accolade. She states, "Recognition as healthcare speaker in GCC countries specific to my subject matter, including KSA – Riyadh, accolades for clinical direction and execution for well-known scientific symposiums held at national and international level, but again, as I say, these are very monitory benefits and one must not hold any identification with it once the activity is finished."
Everyday as a Leader
While sharing her entrepreneur's life, Pragatti claims she is nothing, although she has been everything from a housekeeper to an accountant to an eye doctor to an occasional business owner. She personally would not like to cling to any particular identity since it would prevent her
from pursuing a larger world and a better existence as a human being while she is still alive. Her day begins with yoga and meditation in the morning. She then makes her own lunch and drives back to work while listening to RJ on FM radio and enjoying music.
To maintain her personal balance, Pragatti feels her meditation and yoga are helping her fins. She opines, "I can be a human first and that will not only impact me but also my surroundings and people in it, thus I must bring in consciousness in my act and do it joyfully. This in turn allows one to level up."
Future of Classy Eyes Optics LLC
As the classy eyes punch line says "See Better", in the upcoming five years, Pragatti aims to make sure the business offers high-quality eye care and goods in a way that is extremely sustainable. The goal is to continue growing without limiting ourselves to a particular market, and Classy Eyes must be reachable to those in need of eye care and eyeglasses even in distant regions. She further adds, "Can't give away lot of information now and simply want to make it happen with consistency and commitment towards it."
Message toAspiring Business Leaders
"It's time that we figure it out by turning inwards rather than finding one in the outside world and every possible best thing on planet earth in the name of human health and wellbeing is really possible."
Read some awesome inspiring insights from the experts of the business worlds!
SUCCESS
JOURNEY OF
