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Disa Lee Choun: Using Technology to Improve Healthcare Services Women comprise half of the world population and their contribution in every sector is essential for the overall development. Technology reduces the barriers and offers women solid opportunity to grow. Better representation of women in technology sector is critical to tap the full potential of technology and improve various services offered by organizations and businesses. CIOLook recognizes valuable women contributing largely to technology sector. One such impeccable leader is Disa Lee Choun. Below are the highlights of the interview between Disa Lee Choun and CIO Look. Kindly take us through your journey on becoming a proficient leader. When I was young, I was shy and lacked self-confidence, but I thank my mother for cementing the seed that women can be leaders and women are equal to men. This was significant for me especially growing up in Central America. My father passed away when I was very young so my mother had to play the role of both parents. She sacrificed for her children and for me she was my hero and role model. My mother believed in me and that’s all I needed to pursue my dreams. My first job was helping my mother in one of her stores. I learned the business and became the supervisor. Later, I co-founded an IT company, providing hardware and software products and services. Managing and leading the company was quite a learning experience and a big responsibility. From strategizing to coaching employees to making courageous decisions affecting the future of the company, I learned a lot about being an effective leader. I tried to mentor our employees to be the best they could be, reminding them along the way that it’s okay to make mistakes if we learn from them and from others. After completing my pharmacy degree and Executive MBA, I decided to pursue my passion in healthcare. I want to help patients improve their health through research and find the cure for diseases, also creating awareness on disease and prevention. Later I joined UCB where I’ve been fortunate to continue growing as a manager and a leader. I learned about managing projects in matrixed organization and leveraged new skills to lead without authority. I am also grateful to the leaders I’ve worked with over the years who saw my potential and gave me the opportunity to thrive, while allowing me the space to grow. I gained respect and trust from my colleagues who believed in me and in what I was creating. Being recognized by my peers in the industry as a top 100 Women in Technology 2018 for my work in blockchain, celebrating women in technology, and encouraging diversity was a great career highlight.