How Women Leaders Shape Digital Transformation & AI Journeys

Leaders are multidimensional individuals and must be viewed as such. Take for instance, tech leader Maya Beri. The CIO for Canadian financial services company Sun Life, took up competitive figure skating in her late 30s. The experience not only strengthened her leadership voice and ability to navigate high-stakes digital environments but also imbued within her unwavering resilience, a key trait of successful business leaders.

Maya is also a voice of change in the AI ecosystem. She draws from her lived experiences as a mother to create AI-driven platforms that honor the realities of working women, caregivers, and multigenerational households.

Bringing more than 25 years of experience in IT and digital innovation, Maya currently leads the development of digital solutions that connect members to the care and coverage they need. She counts empathy as one of her core guiding values.

In an insightful interaction with Global Woman Leader Magazine, Maya shares her perspectives on how inclusive leadership is shaping digital transformation. She talks candidly about the role of empathy and lived experiences in designing AI-driven health solutions, advocating ethical innovation, and building resilience. Through the conversation Maya also offers practical guidance for leading with purpose in evolving technology ecosystems.

Read the complete article below for deeper insights.

As digital transformation reshapes health and benefits ecosystems, how are women technology leaders uniquely influencing the shift toward more inclusive, accessible, and human-centered innovation?

Women technology leaders are bringing a transformative perspective to digital health and benefits by prioritizing inclusivity, accessibility, and empathy in every innovation. Their personal experiences heighten their awareness of the diverse challenges users face, allowing them to design solutions that truly reflect the needs of all communities. By championing empathy and collaboration, they ensure that technology is not only advanced but also deeply human-centered.

Women leaders are instrumental in supporting programs that encourage girls in STEM, fostering a pipeline for future innovation. Their leadership is helping to reshape the industry, ensuring that digital transformation leads to equitable, compassionate outcomes that recognize and address the full spectrum of human experiences.

When simplifying complex health journeys through AI and digital platforms, how have your lived experiences shaped the way you design solutions for diverse communities?

My lived experiences as a mother and a member of the sandwich generation have deeply influenced how I approach designing digital health solutions. Navigating the complexities of child care, managing the emotional landscape of supporting a teen through mental health challenges, and balancing a demanding career with caregiving responsibilities have given me a firsthand understanding of the diverse needs faced by many families. These experiences have taught me the importance of empathy, flexibility, ease and accessibility in technology.

I strive to create AI-driven platforms that honor the realities of working women, caregivers, and multigenerational households, ensuring that digital health journeys are simplified, inclusive, and genuinely supportive of all users, regardless of their unique circumstances.

Many women leaders balance performance expectations with empathy-driven leadership. How do you integrate emotional intelligence into large-scale tech transformations without compromising speed, innovation, or measurable business outcomes?

I am fortunate to be with a company, Sun Life, that prioritizes empathy in its products and services, as well as its employee relations and leadership. The cultural aspect is so important.

Alongside this, I consistently leverage a strong value system in my approach to transformation, which acts as a guiding compass through challenges and ensures empathy remains central to my decisions. This value-driven perspective empowers me to balance the pursuit of innovation, speed, and measurable outcomes with a commitment to human-centered leadership.

Environments that encourage new ideas and collaboration can foster innovation while still offering support and flexibility to employees, and my value system helps me navigate these dynamics thoughtfully and effectively.

In boardrooms and executive discussions around AI investments, how can women leaders confidently advocate for responsible innovation, ethical data use, and long-term societal impact?

Women leaders can ground their arguments in data and research that highlight the benefits and risks of new technologies. Their approach often combines a strong purpose with evidence-based advocacy, ensuring that their recommendations are not only compelling but also credible in boardroom settings.

At Sun Life, the commitment to promoting responsible use of AI is central, reinforcing transparency, accountability, and alignment with organizational values. Moreover, ethical use of AI is the only approach that truly benefits consumers by safeguarding their interests, ensuring fairness, and fostering trust in digital solutions. Women leaders leverage this culture to drive thoughtful conversations about the broader implications of technology, ensuring that business goals are met while safeguarding ethical standards and creating positive outcomes for society.

Your passion for wellness and sport reflects discipline and resilience. How do these personal dimensions strengthen your leadership voice and help you navigate high-stakes digital change environments?

My journey as a competitive adult figure skater, having taken up the sport in my late 30s, has profoundly strengthened my leadership voice and ability to navigate high-stakes digital environments. Skating has taught me unwavering resilience, as setbacks and falls are a natural part of progress—mirroring the inevitable challenges in large-scale digital transformation. Setting ambitious goals, prioritizing training, and mastering new techniques have enhanced my discipline and adaptability, qualities essential for managing complex business initiatives.

Overcoming fear on the ice translates to confidently addressing uncertainties in the ever-evolving technology landscape. Additionally, performing before audiences has sharpened my communication, presence and confidence, empowering me to inspire and lead teams with authenticity and determination in demanding business settings.

LAST WORD: For women aspiring to lead technology transformations, what practical leadership shifts can help them claim strategic influence while staying authentic and purpose-driven?

Women aspiring to lead technology transformation in financial services and health ecosystems can claim strategic influence by making several key leadership shifts. Lead authentically and ambitiously build trust while driving innovation.

Anchor decisions in values and purpose, ensuring empathy and inclusivity are at the forefront. Build resilience and confidence to voice perspectives and challenge norms. Champion collaboration and inclusive innovation, drawing on lived experience to design accessible, human-centered solutions. Advocate for responsible, ethical innovation using evidence-based recommendations that consider long-term societal impact. Finally, invest in continuous growth, mentorship, and supporting other women in STEM, amplifying leadership across the industry. These shifts enable women to influence transformation while staying true to their purpose.