Cardinal Health's CIO Embraces Innovation, Talent, and Empathy in Leadership
Based in Columbus, Ohio, Cardinal Health is a prominent global company, boasting a staggering $205 billion in revenue during its 2023 fiscal year. Known for its critical role in healthcare, Cardinal Health distributes pharmaceuticals and medical products to over 60,000 locations daily. At the helm of technology and business services, Michelle Greene, Cardinal Health's Chief Information Officer (CIO), has been a driving force behind strategic priorities, technological advancements, and operational resilience for nearly four years in her current role.
Revamping Cardinal Health's Business Segments
In recent times, Cardinal Health has undergone a significant business re-segmentation. Michelle Greene explained, "When people think about Cardinal Health, we're often associated with pharmaceutical distribution and the medical division. However, we've re-segmented our business into Pharma, Medical, OptiFreight, Nuclear, and At-Home divisions." This restructuring allows each division to shine a spotlight on its unique area, empowering leaders to engage in new conversations and step up to elevated responsibilities. According to Greene, this organizational change has presented ample opportunities to leverage leadership potential and align with the company's growth strategy.
Vital Responsibilities as CIO
Michelle Greene's role as CIO encompasses a wide array of responsibilities, from strategic acquisitions to cybersecurity and talent management. She emphasized the importance of balancing new initiatives with maintaining the core business, noting that "our CEO challenges us to grow the business, but not lose sight of the fundamentals." This means that any acquisitions or partnerships must complement the company's core strengths, with cybersecurity always remaining a top priority.
To strengthen the workforce, Greene implemented a Digital University to upskill the team, prioritizing areas like AI. This strategy not only aids in building internal knowledge but also keeps employees engaged and motivated, rather than relying on external resources.
The Marriage of Technology and Business Services
Greene views the integration of technology and business services as highly synergistic. By leveraging a diverse talent pool and optimizing operational costs, her approach boosts Cardinal Health's competitiveness. She explained, "Many think of business services as primarily offshore talent in India or the Philippines, but it's much broader. We're focusing on finding the best talent globally to align with our organizational goals."
Championing Innovation through Commercial Technologies
Greene's team plays an essential role in developing commercial technologies that improve customer engagement and operational efficiency. She underscored collaboration among her team, stating, "The closer we are to our customers' problems, the better we can develop solutions. We've transformed our commercial technology team into true business partners, ensuring they fully comprehend the customers' requirements and can create impactful solutions."
One significant innovation is VantusHQ, Cardinal Health's cutting-edge pharmaceutical e-commerce platform. Designed as a unified, personalized storefront, this platform revolutionizes the customer experience with modern component-based architecture. The Sonexus business, optimized using advanced data platforms, works tirelessly to streamline patient enrollment and boost medication adherence, offering faster access to specialty medications.
The Power of Empathy in Leadership
A strong advocate for empathetic leadership, Greene regards empathy as a fundamental aspect of effective leadership. She explained, "Empathy is about connecting with people and understanding their unique challenges." However, she acknowledged the need for balance, as "people don't always progress at the same pace as I might." Greene tailors her approach to her direct reports, ensuring they receive the support they need to excel in their roles.
Transforming Healthcare through Data and Automation
Data plays a transformative role in healthcare distribution, with automation greatly influencing Cardinal Health's operations. Greene shared insights into the utility of robotics in the company's distribution centers, noting that robots serve as complementary tools to human jobs, easing concerns about job displacement.
The use of data analytics, AI, and automation under Greene's leadership provides a unified approach to enhancing logistics and service delivery. This alignment paves the way for faster innovation and more streamlined operations.
Expanding Horizons through Board Memberships
Michelle Greene extends her expertise beyond Cardinal Health, serving on the boards of Werner Enterprises and GreenPath Financial Wellness. These experiences have provided her with a broader perspective on governance and leadership, enhancing her contributions to her own company. "Serving on a board is a significant responsibility," she noted. "It's not just attending meetings; it requires preparation and active engagement."
Advocating for Diversity in Tech
Greene is passionate about advancing diversity in technology, particularly for women and leaders of color. She believes that "there's been progress, but not as much as I'd like." She is part of a small network of Black women who hold CIO and CTO positions, making her role in fostering inclusion and representation within tech a crucial one. Greene advocates for initiatives like Girl Scouts STEM events, encouraging and inspiring future leaders in technology.
Expectations for 2025 and Beyond
As Greene looks ahead to 2025, she expresses enthusiasm for Cardinal Health's future, noting that "this is a great time to work at Cardinal. Our team's enthusiasm and the progress we've made are truly exciting." Greene is committed to appreciating the company's advancements while keeping her focus firmly on what lies ahead.
Peter High is President of Metis Strategy, a business and IT advisory firm. He has written three bestselling books, including Getting to Nimble. He also moderates the Technovation podcast series and speaks at conferences around the world. You can follow him on Twitter @PeterAHigh.
The enrichment data reveals that Michelle Greene's efforts at Cardinal Health encompass driving business re-segmentation and technology integration, spearheading innovation, embodying empathetic leadership, and potentially advocating for diversity in tech. Her key responsibilities include overseeing strategic acquisitions, cybersecurity, and talent management. Greene's leadership in integrating technology and business services, as well as her role in developing commercial technologies, significantly contributes to Cardinal Health's success in the healthcare industry.
Building upon Business SegmentsIn alignment with Michelle Greene's explained business re-segmentation, Cardinal Health's Pharma, Medical, OptiFreight, Nuclear, and At-Home divisions will continue to thrive, allowing each to showcase its unique strengths and pave the way for new opportunities.
Technological Expansions under Michelle Greene's CIO RoleAs Cardinal Health's Chief Information Officer, Michelle Greene's ongoing commitment to cybersecurity and talent management ensures the company's technological advancements complement its core strengths while fostering innovation and internal growth.
