February Member Spotlight featuring Lisa Esch
Lisa Esch is the head of Industry Solutions and Innovation for the Healthcare Provider business at NTT DATA Services. She has more than 30 years of experience working in the healthcare services industry with an extensive background in digital innovation, transformation, product commercialization, sales and marketing. Prior to NTT DATA Services, Lisa served as Chief Innovation Officer for Healthcare and Senior Healthcare Executive for Digital Health at DXC Technology. Lisa has served as a board member of several professional and community organizations including Children’s Heart Alliance, Empower Education International, Students for Students and Head Start Health Advisory. Lisa a graduate of The University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is married with two children and currently lives in Austin, Texas.
How did you become an executive in the health care industry? Did you always have an interest in health care?
I’ve spent my entire career in healthcare, initially in a clinical role as a registered dietitian before moving into leadership roles, leading business units, then switching into the startup space to support healthcare innovation. The last several years I’ve transitioned to lead population health, digital innovation and transformation for large organizations, bringing the patient and clinical perspective to the solutions we develop and innovate around.
You joined NTT Data Services as Senior Vice President of Provider Industry Solutions last year. What did you do first to engage with and support your new team?
I’ve been a member of WBL for several years and when I started this new role, one of the first things I did was introduce my new colleagues to WBL. It’s a great resource for professional development and networking with executives who are willing to coach, mentor and encourage other women.
Your company offers digital solutions to providers – a need that accelerated in response to COVID-19. How were you able to adapt and innovate during this period of uncertainty and rapid change?
As an IT services company, we pivoted to a virtual environment quickly, using the same tools we provide to many of our customers for our employees. Externally, our customers needed to transform their digital ecosystem to keep servicing their patients and communities. Now more than ever, organizations need a simplified way to provide a unified patient/consumer experience, no matter where they engage in the digital health ecosystem. We’ve developed an AI, automation and integration framework that accelerates the digital journey, creating more value around an organization’s current investments while allowing for rapid realignment and adoption of new capabilities. We have built and launched our “back to work” solution, enabling employers the flexibility to bring back their workforces with AI-supported technology, providing insights and technology to reduce risk.
How has your leadership style changed over the years? What influenced your growth the most and what advice do you have to share?
My leadership style has matured with experience. I am a curious person by nature and thrive in an environment of change. With change comes growth, and growth requires risk and pruning. Be willing to take risks and do something you haven’t done before. Step into a project or role where you will be stretched and challenged. It is in those moments that you grow and learn. Reach out to your network for encouragement and coaching. Be brave.
Personally or professionally, what might the WBL network be surprised to know about you?
I grew up in a really small town in rural Nebraska with a population of just 310. GO BIG RED.
