Ayesha Liaqat ─ Leveraging IT industry experience to driving Collaborative Technologies in Healthcare...
May 26, 2021 • 3 Minute Read
Updated September 15, 2022
Ayesha Liaqat
Director, Network and Unified Communications
UMASS Memorial Health
(Previously—Director of Unified Communications
UW Health)
Are you looking for a leader who is leveraging her IT industry experience to drive collaborative technologies in healthcare? We know the person—Ayesha Liaqat!
Ayesha Liaqat has taken her IT industry experience gained at Cisco Systems and applied it to managing the Unified Communications portfolio and strategy across University of Wisconsin’s Health and affiliate Hospitals and Clinics, including American Family Children's Hospital (AFCH), Swedish American (Illinois) and UnityPoint/Meriter Hospital. She has recently started a new role as Director of Network/UC at UMass Memorial Health where she will continue to drive technical advancement to solve business needs. She is passionate about connecting people through collaboration technologies and a believer in building strong teams that help each other succeed. She is also a champion for equity, diversity and inclusion.
Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman™, Ayesha Liaqat
Our 10 Questions for this IT Wondrous Woman.
Fun Facts
1. What’s the one thing about you that your business colleagues don’t know about you?
I love awesome resorts, sushi, trench coats, heels and a put together look, but secretly also love a good dive bar and a French Dip sandwich.
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
My family lives all over the US, so I have traveled quite a bit, but I am also a homebody. No matter how nice the resort is, I miss the comfort of my own bed.
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
Alligator soup on a cruise ship in Baja, Mexico – not something I would try again but always seeking to diversify my palette.
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
Living through a pandemic has provided a new perspective and has made me more appreciative of the contributions and sacrifices professionals have made in the healthcare and emergency response roles. I feel proud to be a frontline leader in a health crisis.
Secondly, moving from a PM role to Management in a new industry and a new city with no family or friends. The experience made me a bold and effective leader because I brought a different perspective and managed to become life-long friends with my peers along the way.
5. Did you have a mentor in the early part of your career and, if so, what is the biggest lesson you learned from your mentor or influencer?
I had two mentors early in my career and they have shaped me into the person I am today. My mother is my biggest cheerleader, but also a great example of a good businesswoman. She taught me when you leave work, you leave it behind. The second was my first manager at Cisco, Fadi Hanani. He constantly pushed me in new roles to challenge me and to get me out of my comfort zone.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
To know that success comes with time. And to not worry about 10 years ahead but to plan and enjoy the present.
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
My biggest strength has been pulling people up with me as I go along, and I have been so fortunate to do that with interns, student help and community outreach programs through Cisco and UW Health.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
Given the pandemic, we were forced to limit/stop patient visitors onsite. We developed a solution within 24 hours using video technologies so patients could talk to their families.
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
I have been learning Lean Six Sigma which covers listening to and understanding staff and customer needs for rapid development and continuous improvement. This has enabled me to take ideas from thought to solution in short periods of time to meet customer and market demand.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
Having a 100% remote workforce that is struggling with work-life balance and the impacts on people’s wellbeing, while simultaneously developing and providing better tools for remote patient care.
