“Lift while you climb. Bring other women and BIPOC leaders with you on your journey. When you are in a position of authority make the decisions you know need to be made to improve diversity quickly. Be brave. It is not going to be easy to become a leader of consequence.” - Juggy Sihota, Vice President - TELUS Health
Juggy Sihota leads the national strategy, execution and operation of the Consumer Health business for TELUS. She brings products to market that address many of the pressing health needs of Canadians. TELUS aims at empowering Canadians to take control of their health and the health of their loved ones with the right information, tools, and support they need to live healthier and happier lives.
What does being a woman mean to you?
To me being a woman means bringing equal parts intellect and empathy to everything I do, personally and professionally.
What has been your biggest achievement in 2020, personally and professionally?
My proudest business achievement to date has been the role I am playing in helping Canadians get access to healthcare where and when they need it most, especially during these particularly challenging times. I have long been exploring the critical role of virtual care in the sustainability of our healthcare system. I recognized the need for innovative virtual health care tools before the pandemic and as such, picked the right team to work with me to develop TELUS’ Consumer Health strategy to address these issues and launched Babylon by TELUS Health in 2019.
That vision and subsequent execution helped put TELUS Health in the position we are in now, with our virtual care services being downloaded every 30 seconds and supporting millions of families across Canada. We provide the fastest-growing and highest patient-rated virtual care service in the country, and for that I am very proud. As one of the only women leading a virtual health care business from end to end in the country it’s particularly significant to me. Our success has reinforced my confidence that we will continue to play a major role in revolutionizing access to healthcare for years to come.
A milestone that defines your journey?
My goal in life is that I want to have the greatest positive impact on society I can have leveraging all of my strengths and platforms and doing this through the lens of intersectionality. My leadership journey/influence deliberately spans health, business, racial/social justice, gender equality, globalisation and I also want to help influence youth and the next generation of leaders (I have my eyes out for this now). I’m achieving some of this right now both through my leadership at TELUS and through my volunteer boards and advisory work. My perspective and development broadens and deepens greatly as a result of both. I am on my path to fulfilling the real journey that I want to be on at this point. I am sanguine in my disposition and I am always striving for how things can be better, how I can be better and determining what role I can play in that. It’s imperfect and not linear and I am okay with that. I feel like I am spending my time, focusing my energy and intellect on what matters most. And that’s extending and expanding my leadership reach to drive as much societal good as I can in my lifetime and beyond.
What are you working on right now and in 2021?
Continuing to scale, adapt and expand our health care services across Canada
What or who inspires you to do better each day?
First it’s my mom – she inspires me to do better each day. My family is a major source of inspiration and support and I am truly forever grateful for them. Second, Chardi Kala – this refers to a state of mind where a fearless, brave and optimistic attitude is maintained, even in the most daunting of circumstances. My success mantra is to maintain a Chardi Kala mindset.
What’s your advice for women who wish to follow your path?
Lift while you climb. Bring other women and BIPOC leaders with you on your journey. When you are in a position of authority make the decisions you know need to be made to improve diversity quickly. Be brave. It is not going to be easy to become a leader of consequence.
Photo: A Master Media