Leading Business Magazine | EliteBiz Review

November 2024

Sharon Terry

Sharon Terry: Leading Genetic Alliance with Compassion and Innovation

Digital Version Sharon Terry’s path to becoming a leader in healthcare was forged by a deeply personal experience. In 1994, her children were diagnosed with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), a rare genetic disease that had no known treatment or cure at the time. As a mother with no scientific training, Sharon left her role as a chaplain and immersed herself in the world of medical research. She went on to found PXE International, discovering the gene responsible for the disease, and pioneered advocacy for genetic research. Her journey would ultimately lead her to Genetic Alliance, a nonprofit organization supporting communities affected by genetic conditions. Today, Sharon Terry serves as the President and CEO of Genetic Alliance. Since joining the organization in its 10th year, she has transformed it into a force for empowering individuals and communities to take control of their own health. Genetic Alliance is dedicated to patient advocacy, advancing healthcare through personalized approaches, and improving access to genetic testing for underserved populations globally. Sharon’s personal story is an inspiring example of how passion, resilience, and innovation can drive change. “We recognize the power and right of individuals, families, and communities to take charge of their own health.”  A Personal Mission Becomes a Global Movement Although Sharon did not found Genetic Alliance, her leadership since its early days has left an indelible mark on its mission and impact. “My deep commitment is to people who suffer from genetic diseases, not to genetics or biotech,” Sharon emphasizes. Her drive to create meaningful change in healthcare began with her children’s diagnosis, which led her to take extraordinary steps in launching research efforts and building infrastructure to support families in similar situations. Sharon’s work with PXE International laid the groundwork for the registry and biobank systems that Genetic Alliance would later expand to support multiple genetic conditions. In 2003, Genetic Alliance became the first organization to launch a lay-led, patient-driven registry platform, giving patients control over their data well before modern privacy laws came into effect. Sharon’s pioneering approach to patient advocacy has pushed Genetic Alliance to the forefront of the healthcare landscape, supporting the formation of advocacy groups and facilitating groundbreaking research. Envisioning the Future of Healthcare At the core of Genetic Alliance’s mission is the belief that individuals, families, and communities have the right to take charge of their own health. “In the coming years, we aim to expand our services to low- and middle-income countries,” Sharon explains. One of the organization’s most ambitious initiatives is iHope Genetic Health, a program that offers free whole-genome and exome sequencing to individuals in underserved areas. Sharon envisions iHope growing exponentially, allowing Genetic Alliance to diagnose undiagnosed individuals around the world and build healthcare capacity in low-resource settings. Sharon remains at the forefront of healthcare trends, particularly in the areas of genetic testing and AI-driven medical research. She believes that advancements in technology will allow communities to leapfrog traditional models of care and directly impact the future of healthcare.  Ethical Leadership and the Power of Collaboration Genetic Alliance’s values are shaped by Sharon’s commitment to patient experience and ethics. “Anything I’m going to ask of another, I need to ask first of myself,” she reflects, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in leadership. Her vision for healthcare is one that prioritizes patient needs above institutional interests, ensuring that ethical practices are central to every partnership. Under Sharon’s leadership, Genetic Alliance has fostered a culture of innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity. “We don’t really know another point of view than the participant’s,” she explains, reinforcing the organization’s patient-first approach. Tools like Gestalt Awareness Practice help create an environment where all voices are heard, supporting both personal and organizational growth. Driving Impact in an Evolving Industry As the biotech landscape continues to evolve, Sharon Terry sees tremendous opportunities for organizations like Genetic Alliance to lead the charge in addressing global health challenges. The organization’s ability to pivot and embrace new technologies like AI and genomics has positioned it as a leader in patient advocacy and personalized medicine. Through programs like iHope, Genetic Alliance is poised to make a lasting impact on the future of healthcare by addressing the needs of communities often left behind by traditional healthcare models. Sharon’s work is not only transforming how genetic research is conducted but also how communities can take ownership of their health journeys. Her leadership is driven by a profound sense of mission, and her unwavering focus on collaboration over competition has made Genetic Alliance a beacon of hope for patients around the world. “The future of healthcare is in distributed models, with the world’s poorest communities leapfrogging developed nations.”

Tamzin Lovell

Tamzin Lovell: Empowering Africa’s Art World with Tech-Driven Solutions

Digital Version In the vibrant and culturally rich world of art in Africa, the name Tamzin Lovell is synonymous with innovation. As the CEO and Founder of Artfundi, Lovell is on a mission to transform the art industry, not just in Africa but globally, using technology as a key enabler. Her journey is one ofpassion, problem-solving, and relentless pursuit of better solutions for the art world. Having started her art career as a gallery owner, Lovell intimately understands the daily challenges faced by galleries, artists, museums, and collectors. But instead of accepting those challenges, she set out to create something that could help streamline and digitize an industry traditionally steeped in manual processes. “When I joined the art world, I quickly realized that it was difficult to manage all aspects of thebusiness – from cataloguing and curating, to protecting the art itself. The tools available were limited, and the processes were often outdated,” she reflects. “I was frustrated, and thatfrustration led me to design a software solution that could solve these inefficiencies. Later, Irealized that this need for digitization wasn’t unique to me – it was something the entire industry could benefit from.” This was the spark that ignited Artfundi, a platform designed to offer art businesses and professionals a way to better manage, secure, and showcase their collections. What began as apersonal quest for efficiency has grown into a broader mission: to contribute to Africa’s creative industry’s digital transformation and position it as a global leader in art and culture. “Be bold, be relentless, and have patience—building something impactful takes time.” Building Artfundi: Bridging the Gap Between Art and Tech Artfundi’s core focus is to make the art world more accessible, efficient, and professionalthrough its tech solutions. The platform offers a range of tools, from collection management andcataloging to art security and curating solutions. But Lovell is quick to point out that the visionbehind Artfundi goes beyond just technology. “Innovation isn’t all about tech,” she explains. “It’s about the human story, understanding the jobs that need to be done, and finding ways to make them easier. For us, the real innovation is in simplifying the complex processes that professionals in the art world face daily.” Lovell’s goal is to make Artfundi a tool that works for everyone, regardless of their technical expertise. “The tech should be so intuitive that an intern can use it as well as a seasoned director, and they should be able to generate reports or insights instantly, even while on the phone with aclient,” she says. “That’s how we know we’ve succeeded – when the technology doesn’t get inthe way, but rather enables people to excel at their work.” This approach has made Artfundi a standout in the art-tech space, particularly within Africa, where the intersection of art and technology is still emerging. Lovell is committed to making sure Africa plays a leading role in this transformation. “Artfundi’s mission is to empower Africa’s creative industry, making it easier and faster to succeed.” Shaping the Future of Africa’s Creative Industry Lovell’s vision for Artfundi is deeply intertwined with her vision for Africa’s role in the global art scene. “Africa is a continent brimming with creativity, but it often lacks the infrastructure tosupport and showcase its talents on the world stage. Through technology, we can change that,” she shares. For Lovell, Artfundi’s mission isn’t just about helping art businesses run more smoothly – it’s about contributing to a broader digital transformation in Africa’s creative industries. “We want to make sure that artists and art from Africa are protected, preserved, and showcased to the world.Our platform helps galleries, museums and collectors do that, and in turn, helps Africa tell itsstories to a global audience,” Lovell explains. She also sees technology playing a crucial role in preserving Africa’s rich cultural heritage. “Digital archiving and preservation are incredibly important. By digitizing collections and archives, we’re ensuring that future generations can access and learn from Africa’s artistic legacy,” she adds. Innovating at the Intersection of Art and Technology Artfundi has been at the forefront of several key innovations that are helping to reshape how art is managed and experienced. “Our art management software is designed to make life easier for art professionals, and we’re constantly refining it to ensure it meets the evolving needs of our users,” Lovell says. Some of the platform’s recent innovations include advanced physical and data security features, designed to protect valuable art collections from both physical theft and cyber threats. “We’re particularly proud of our developments in these areas, as they address two of the biggestconcerns for art institutions today – how to keep their collections safe and how to ensure the integrity of their digital data,” she notes. A Leadership Style Rooted in Values As a leader, Lovell’s approach is guided by core values that she has embedded into Artfundi’sculture: fearlessness, commitment, synergy, and growth. “We’re a company that takes calculatedrisks, but we also focus on creating a positive, collaborative environment where everyone’s voiceis heard,” she explains. One of the ways Lovell fosters this environment is through “Focus Fridays,” a day dedicated to uninterrupted thinking time and learning. “We don’t hold meetings on Fridays. Instead, the team can focus on personal growth, research, and coming up with new ideas. It’s amazing what happens when you give people the space to think,” she shares. Her leadership style is also about empowering her team to take ownership of their work and encouraging cross-disciplinary collaboration. “Good ideas can come from anywhere, and I want to create a space where people feel comfortable sharing them. That’s how innovation happens,” Lovell says. Sustainability and Responsibility Though Artfundi’s environmental footprint is small, sustainability remains a key focus forLovell. “We’re a fully remote company, and we’ve been that way from day one. This not only reduces our carbon footprint but also allows us to integrate eco-friendly practices into every part of our business,” she explains. From going paperless to using energy-efficient cloud solutions, to ISO27001 compliant practices, Artfundi is proof that a tech company

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