Women in Tech & Leadership: Ms. Sandra Forero-Chief Operating Officer & Principal at ZS
CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview with Ms. Sandra Forero-Chief Operating Officer & Principal at ZS.
- Please tell us about your organization that is globally present and how it delivers products and services that drive customer values.
ZS is a management consulting and technology firm focused on transforming global healthcare and beyond. We leverage our leading-edge analytics, plus the power of data, science, and products to help our clients make more intelligent decisions, deliver innovative solutions and improve outcomes for all. Founded in 1983, ZS has more than 12,000 employees in 35 offices worldwide.
ZS works side by side with companies around the world to help develop and deliver products and services that drive customer value and company results. The firm leverages deep industry expertise, technology, and strategy across the marketplace to create solutions that work in real-world scenarios. Helping clients with everything from discovery through commercialization, ZS’s impact can be seen in industries ranging from healthcare to high-tech to financial services and beyond.
- How is AI reshaping the pharmaceutical sector? Is big data the new currency for biopharma & life sciences companies?
Sandra envisions that data, AI-driven platforms, and personalization will mark the future of the industry. AI and technology are already transforming the industry from drug discovery to getting medicine to patients who benefit the most. She adds that ways of working will need to be flexible, and adapt as business and technology intersect at deeper levels. At ZS, the team will continue to focus on leveraging the power of data, science, analytics, and technology to drive advanced intelligent solutions. In the healthcare space, which is ZS’s primary focus area, Sandra states that the firm demonstrates its role as critical in helping to transform global healthcare by connecting the different players in the ecosystem and creating innovative solutions to improve health outcomes for all.
- Throw some light on ZS’ expansion plans in India – how does ZS aim to contribute to India’s healthcare landscape?
Our teams in India are central to ZS’s ability to deliver high-impact results to meet our client’s complex and evolving needs around the globe. ZS also sponsors programs such as ZS PRIZE, to spur health innovation in India. ZS PRIZE catalyzes to harness the great minds of the next generation to solve complex problems of accessibility and affordability in the Indian healthcare ecosystem.
- How does ZS/your organization leverages technology to enhance the experience of every employee? How does this lead to empowering Women Leaders in today’s time?
Sandra shares that technology enables the ZSer experience in today’s hybrid workplace. We invest in various tools and content that allow our employees to connect with their global teams effectively leveraging the best of digital technologies.
Concerning women leaders, Sandra advises women leaders to believe in themselves and know that they already have what it takes. She believes it’s critical to build and leverage a network of other strong women. She has been lucky to have many circles of amazing women, on whom she can rely for advice, conversation, collaboration, and idea exchange. Finally, she concludes by saying, “Model the way. Be an ally. Champion opportunities to help other women in your organization grow.”
- AI leads to transparency, innovation & increased outcomes – where does India stand in capitalizing on AI’s potential in the healthcare sector?
According to Nasscom’s report, data analytics and AI in the healthcare sector can boost India’s GDP by $25-$30 billion by 2025. AI and Machine Learning (ML) technologies are assisting businesses in making healthcare accessible to all sections of the country, including the most distant ones. Increased diagnostic efficiency is one of the key benefits of AI in healthcare and public healthcare initiatives like the National Digital Health Mission aim to provide the foundation needed to support the country’s integrated digital health infrastructure. A lot of companies are building patient-first AI systems. The pandemic triggered a newfound interest in telehealth and more opportunities for patients to manage their health from home. As patients have more channels for managing their health and gain access to more of their healthcare data, AI-powered tools are helping make sense of it all.
Our teams in India are some of our strongest AI talents, we are working on initiatives that are helping our global healthcare clients with issues such as next best actions with customers, real-world data analytics, patient journey identification, biomedical research advancements, and more.
- With ZS what are the problems you are solving? Please share key details about ZS growth as well as plans, the roadmap for future expansion, etc
At ZS, we are known to solve problems—take things apart, see how they work, and put them back together better. We lead the way in combining science and hands-on experience to solve tough business challenges.
Given our deep expertise in healthcare and focus on innovation in transformational technologies, we remain committed to solving some of the big problems in the healthcare sector across the world.
Our vision towards 2030 includes expanding our presence in India to access more talent hubs that will contribute to our consulting, analytics, technology, and platform solutions. We will continue to grow in serving global clients in life sciences, the broader healthcare sector, and beyond.
