Tatyana Kanzaveli ─ improving patient outcomes through a new technology platform.
January 19, 2021 • 3 Minute Read
Tatyana Kanzaveli
CEO
Open Health Network
Are you looking for a seasoned technology executive who is looking to improve care coordination and patient adherence to an integrated, personalized treatment plan and outcomes through a new platform? We know the person—Tatyana Kanzaveli!
Tatyana is a serial entrepreneur, thinker, leader, mentor, advisor and investor with experience in both the B2B and B2C worlds. She is currently the CEO of Open Health Network and recognized as one of the top 10 Influential Women In Health IT. In 2015, she was invited to showcase her company’s solution at the first White House technology startup demo day. She is a highly sought-after speaker and has spoken at some of the biggest and most important healthcare-IT conferences in the world, including at the United Nations.
Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman™, Tatyana Kanzaveli!
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?
At the age of 5, I learned to speak and read English [back in USSR] by playing in the room where my older brother was taking English classes 🙂 - I always liked challenges I guess.
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
I have been a 1 million miles flyer for many years!
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
I enjoyed eating a crocodile [vs crocodile eating me :)] in Nairobi, Kenya.
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
I was lucky to have an amazing boss while at PwC. During one of the meetings with only mature males - top executives from F50 companies - I was the only female in the room. During this meeting a question came up on specific distribution of business processes. I wrote my answer on a piece of paper, quietly pushed the note to my boss. He loudly said - Tatyana has something to say! That was a lesson for me to not be afraid to speak up!
I was a senior executive at a startup. Our client’s VP of IT asked me: Do you know why we will use your company’s product? I tried to guess, but he kept shaking his head no. He then told me “we will work with you because we trust you!” That was such a powerful lesson.
I always cared a lot about my customers, their experiences, but what he said stayed with me throughout my career.
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 never had a formal mentor. I read a lot, follow people I admire on Twitter and LinkedIn. The person I admire a lot is Esther Dyson. Her phrase: Always make new mistakes! - is always with me.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
I liked (still like) speaking my mind without thinking about the potential impact on relationships/business. My advice to younger me: do not burn bridges!
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
I mentor in the US and globally. I used to do annual trips under the program run by the US Government to mentor entrepreneurs in developing countries. I hope to continue doing it when we get rid of the virus.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
We are fortunate to work with brilliant healthcare leaders in autism, cardiology, addictions, cancer and other disease areas to help them to help people to live longer and healthier!
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
I am taking classes in the public health area, reading lots of research papers, staying on top of what’s happening in healthcare and technology. I am a doer and want to see improvements done rapidly. But I have to be patient as healthcare is most definitely a very conservative industry and moves forward at a slower pace than other industries I have worked in.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
To find true thought leaders in healthcare, who don’t have an agenda and care about delivering the best solutions to patients.
