The Most Admired Women Leaders in Business, 2023.pdf

Women
Novel Insights
The Most
Admired
LEADERS
in Business
2023
Women
Dr. Parwinder Kaur (PhD)
Associate Professor (Biotechnology)
Director, DNA Zoo Australia
Understanding
Evolution
Kaur
VOL 03 I ISSUE 09I 2023
Gradual Rise of Women
Leaders in the Dynamic
Business Arena
Leadership A�ributes
Understanding the Traits of
Inﬂuen�al Business Leaders

Some
are born
Women
Women
Leaders
Leaders

eadership is a highly sought-after attribute in
today's rapidly changing world. Leaders who are
able to envision a better future and inspire others
to work towards that future are more likely to succeed
in achieving their goals. However, it is important to note
that being a visionary leader is not just about having a
grand vision. It also requires strong leadership skills,
such as the ability to communicate effectively, build
relationships, and manage teams.
Furthermore, it is important to acknowledge that
visionary leadership can also have its drawbacks.
Leaders who are too focused on their vision may
overlook important details or fail to adapt to changing
circumstances. They may also be perceived as overly
idealistic or unrealistic. Leaders must lead by example
and model the behavior they expect from others. They
must be ethical, honest, and transparent in their
dealings with others and be willing to take
responsibility for their actions.
Therefore, it is important for visionary leaders to
balance their vision with practicality and ﬂexibility.
They must be able to adapt to changing circumstances
and take into account the needs and perspectives of
others. Overall, visionary leadership can be a powerful
force for positive change, but it must be accompanied
by strong leadership skills and an ability to balance
vision with practicality.
Leaders are often at the forefront of driving innovation
and change within the organization. They must be able
to identify new opportunities and adapt to changing
market conditions to stay ahead of the competition.
Leaders provide a clear sense of direction and vision for
the organization. They set strategic goals and
objectives and communicate them effectively to the
team. Leaders must be able to manage resources
effectively, including ﬁnancial resources, human
resources, and technology. They must be able to
allocate resources to maximize their impact and
support the organization's overall goals.
Mapping the journey of these resolute leaders,
CIOLook—through its latest edition, The Most
Admired Women Leaders in Business, 2023—sheds
light on the visionary leaders who are driving
betterments and transformations in the dynamic
business arena.
Flip through the pages and indulge in the fundamentals
of progress with elements of innovation.
Have a Delightful Read!
Abhishek Joshi
Abhishek Joshi
L
Benchmarking Distinction
and Leading with Example

C
O
V
E
R
S
T
O
R
Y
08
Understanding
Evolution
Kaur

14
Fabiana Lacerca-Allen
Leading teams Through a Crisis
Karen Seror
A Creative Leader Embracing Digitization
Suzie Yorke
Exhibiting a Staunch Leadership Acumen
Novel Insights
Gradual Rise of Women Leaders in
the Dynamic Business Arena
28
18
22
Leadership Attributes
Understanding the Traits of
Inﬂuential Business Leaders
26

CONTENT
Deputy Editor AbhishekJoshi
Managing Editor Alex Spellman
DESIGN
Visualizer Dave Bates
Art & Design Director Ankita Pandharpure
Associate Designer Revati Badkas
SALES
Senior Sales Manager Sihanee M., Rouniyar A.
Customer Success Manager Jamie Walker
Sales Executives Brad Wilson
TECHNICAL
Technical Head Prachi Mokashi
Technical Consultant Victor Collins
March, 2023
Copyright © 2023 CIOLOOK, All
rights reserved. The content
and images used in this
magazine should not be
reproduced or transmitted in
any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or
otherwise, without prior
permission from CIOLOOK.
Reprint rights remain solely
with CIOLOOK.
FOLLOW US ON
www.facebook.com/ciolook
www.twitter.com/ciolook
WE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON
Email
info@ciolook.com
For Subscription
www.ciolook.com
CONTACT US ON
Pooja M Bansal
Editor-in-Chief
sales@ciolook.com
SME-SMO
Research Analyst Eric Smith
SEO Executive Sagar Lhigade

Brief
Company Name
Shauna Levy
Founder and CEO
Suzie Yorke
CEO, Co-founder
Dr. Parwinder Kaur
Associate Professor
(Biotechnology)
Director
Karen Seror
CMO
Dr. Parwinder Kaur is an award-winning scientist, a passionate
leader, inspiring pioneer and positive role model in
biotechnology with 15+ years of initiating and delivering
research outcomes across a wide range of fields.
Shauna has spent the last 25 years building public exposure,
awareness and momentum around causes and opportunities;
ideas and concepts; industries and communities.
Susan is a passionate and driven marketer who excels in
identifying powerful consumer insights that build winning new
product ideas.
Karen Seror is growth-focused and award-winning
professional with extensive experience in managing all aspects
of marketing and communications with keen focus on
improving thought leadership.
Aneri Upadhyay
Senior Consultant
Aneri specialises in attracting the next generation of future
leaders at Deloitte and guiding students through their early
careers.
Deloitte
deloitte.com
The University
of Western Australia
uwa.edu.au
Gamestream
gamestream.biz
Amanda Duniec
Senior Recruitment
Consultant
Amanda is a very structured and organized individual who
enjoys following processes and procedures, it’s no wonder that
an Executive Search is her specialty.
Pathfind
pathfind.ca
Nancy J. Lewis
CEO
Nancy is a transformational management and leadership
development trainer and strategist who helps organizations
leverage generations, talent, people and processes to positively
impact the bottom line.
Progressive Techniques, Inc.
progressivetechniquesinc.com
The Better Chocolate
thebetterchocolates.ca
Elle Farris
Senior Corporate
Counsel and
External Relations
Elle is a passionate advocate for diversity including increased
female involvement and participation in the resources sector.
Newmont Australia
newmont.com
MADGE AND MERCER
Modern Apothecary
madgeandmercer.com
Fabiana
Lacerca-Allen
Senior Vice President
Compliance
Fabiana Lacerca-Allen's passion as a compliance leader stems
from values instilled in her at an early age and have helped to
shape her career path as a global thought leader in law and
compliance.
Aimmune Therapeutics
aimmune.com
Sarah Cassella
Senior Manager,
Corporate
Communications
Sarah teaches neuroscience courses to students ranging from
non-majors to seniors, guide students in research, and help
develop the Neuroscience Department!
Loras College
lorascollege.com
Featured Person

Dr. Parwinder
Kaur (PhD)
Associate Professor
(Biotechnology)
Director, DNA Zoo
Australia

Understanding
Evolution
According to Dr. Kaur, it takes time
to realize the impact of anything.
However, the most signi�cant
change that DNA Zoo brought
about is in terms of making
complex data and research
accessible to the broader
community.
Kaur

D
eveloping an integrated system for data
production and analysis and training scientific
leaders with diverse skill sets that blend
biology, applied mathematics, computational linear
algebra, and algorithm design, Dr. Parwinder Kaur is
passionate about science and discovery.
As the Founding Director of DNA Zoo Australia at The
University of Western Australia, Dr. Kaur leads cross-
disciplinary biotechnology research investigating
Earth's biodiversity and natural environments to
ensure sustainable futures. She implements her
expertise to reach people in new ways, connecting
them with their surroundings.
Through her diverse research teams at DNA Zoo, Dr.
Kaur harnesses STEM to achieve maximized impact. In
doing so, she believes this will help us tackle the more
significant issues we as a society are facing, bringing
about solutions through fresh thinking rather than
following usual norms.
Let us understand her journey in-depth.
Stronger Roots
Growing up, Dr. Kaur was always fascinated by the
origin of life and the question of how and where it
started. In pursuit of answers, she asked parents,
teachers, and anyone else who could offer insight. To
her surprise, everyone provided a different answer.
However, the bottom line was that the true origin of life
is still unknown, whether from a religious or spiritual
perspective or a scientific viewpoint. There are many
theories, but there is still a lot of experimentation and
validation testing in the field. This is where Dr.
Parwinder has been spending her time as well.
Throughout her career, Dr. Kaur has been working to
unravel the biological mysteries of life through the lens
of DNA which contains billions of letters and serves as
the blueprint of life. How does this blueprint of life fit
inside a tiny nucleus that is only 6 microns in size, yet
every single cell of the human body, consisting of
approx. 36 trillion cells, has the exact same information
coded in? It is a complex subject, but it is also the
highest level of programming that has allowed life to
exist on this planet.
Her interest in these mysteries has driven Dr. Kaur's
journey from the beginning to their current position
as an Associate Professor and Director of DNA Zoo
Australia, at the University of Western Australia, one
of the world's most prestigious universities.
Seeking Wisdom
Dr. Kaur's journey has taken her to the University of
Western Australia, one of the world's top 100 ranked
universities. Situated in Western Australia. Western
Australia is one of the first globally recognized
biodiversity hotspots and boasts 10% of the world's
biodiversity. This makes it an ideal location for Dr.
Parwinder to comprehend the elements of life better.
Dr. Parwinder considers it an absolute privilege to be
part of this prestigious university with high-caliber
faculty spread across several disciplines.
Going Above & Beyond
Dr. Kaur is the director of DNA Zoo Australia, which
she established in 2019 as a part of a global consortium
site for DNA Zoo. DNA Zoo Australia was established
to study the bases of biodiversity through DNA lens for
Australia and New Zealand, also known as Australasia,
with the goal of having local engagement and access to
the technology and knowledge of the global
consortium.
According to Dr. Parwinder, there is a pressing need for
conservation efforts as there are currently over one
million species at risk of extinction. While humans have
made great strides in producing the first map of the
human genome, the DNA Zoo consortium has made it
possible to map the DNA of a species for only $1000,
with the same quality as the human genome map that
cost $2.7 billion in 2009.
With the technological revolutions and the
support of corporate partners like Microsoft and
illumina, the vision of DNA Zoo is to provide
foundational DNA knowledge towards conservation
efforts. The goal is to provide the foundational
resource of DNA information for all species on the
planet.

Dr. Kaur advises
individuals to be
problem solvers
and be open to
learning everything
instead of limiting
themselves to a
speci�c discipline.

Denting the Universe
According to Dr. Kaur, it takes time to realize the
impact of anything. However, the most significant
change that DNA Zoo brought about is in terms of
making complex data and research accessible to the
broader community. Usually, in academic organizations
like universities, research is presented in complicated
research papers, which are often behind the paywalls of
journals. But with DNA Zoo's global consortium, they
decided to release cutting-edge resources and data of
several species rapidly by putting out simple blog posts
and data in the public domain. This was a big challenge
initially, as other academic organizations were hesitant
to publish their data without peer reviewed
publications in scientific journals. But she believed in
leading by example and managed to bring in more
partners onboard over time.
Dr. Kaur says, "The most significant impact of DNA Zoo is
doing science for all without paywalls in a way that
connects people and is accessible to Taxpayers who are
investing in science. DNA Zoo is doing science in a way that
is accessible to the public and for the service of the
community and the ecosystems."
Leveraging Technology
Dr. Kaur states that the DNA Zoo concept involves
many different labs and is led by Aiden lab at Baylor
College of Medicine, which is the home of 3D
sequencing or Hi-C technology and Juicebox Assembly
Tools.
In addition, leading a global consortium across nine
countries and connecting with different partners was
only possible with virtual platforms and tools to share
data. Dr. Parwinder states that technology has played a
significant role in making the massive vision of the DNA
Zoo a reality.
Envisioning the Future
“The long-term goal of the DNA Zoo concept is to have
a foundational genomic resource available for
every life form that shares the planet with us.
This is because having access to this knowledge
and information will help them in many ways,
including scientifically and medically,” expresses
Dr. Kaur
Additionally, Dr. Kaur mentions that studying other
forms of life, such as the unique pregnancy-pausing
abilities of marsupials in Australia, can lead to a better
understanding of the natural abilities and
characteristics of these species. There are species that
are immune to severe diseases like cancer and some
species have anti-ageing fundamentals, which can be
examined to explore the facets to find a cure and
understand the core aspects. The ultimate goal is not
only to help these species but also to help humanity by
unlocking the potential of the entire knowledge base
and understanding it. Dr. Kaur and the DNA Zoo team
are working hard to make this vision a reality.
To the Next Generation
Dr. Kaur believes that the careers of the upcoming
generation will be vastly different than what they are
now. With the ongoing changes, especially post-COVID,
traditional professions such as engineering and IT will
change significantly within the next five years. To
prepare for these changes, Dr. Kaur advises individuals
to be problem solvers and be open to learning
everything instead of limiting themselves to a specific
discipline.
She believes that problems can come from any field and
require a combination of knowledge and skills from
various fields to solve. This shift in approach will change
the education system, the way people work, and the
importance of teamwork. Dr. Kaur encourages
individuals to be open to new ideas and seek help when
necessary, as collaboration is essential for solving
problems.

1 Year
12 Issues
$250
6 Months
6 Issues
$130
3 Months
3 Issues
$70
1 Month
1 Issue
$25
CHOOSE OUR SUBSCRIPTION
Stay in the known.
Subscribe to CIOLOOK
Get CIOLOOK Magazine in print, and
digital on www.ciolook.com
Today

Lacerca-Allen
Leading Team Through a Crisis
xceptional leaders rise to the occasion during
Edifficult times, and in a rapidly changing world, it
is crucial for organizations to not only have
robust compliance programs, but the right leaders in
the right place to ensure continued success. This
requires exceptional leadership, one that is emphatic,
intuitive, bold and is capable of influencing and
inspiring others.
Exceptional leaders display strong emotional
intelligence and seek to generate insight and
knowledge through non-traditional ways such as
experimentation, free exploration, improvisation, and
rapid prototyping. Standing out with these traits is
Fabiana Lacerca-Allen, Chief Compliance Officer of
Aimmune Therapeutics, a Nestle Health Science
Corporation.
Mrs. Lacerca-Allen currently serves as a Board of
Director Member at Shield Therapeutics, the Red
Cross of the East Bay, and The Center for Excellence in
Life, and previously at ArthroCare Medical
Corporation.
Mrs. Lacerca-Allen has been an executive leader within
Top Fortune 100 companies. She has extensive
experience delineating strategy, leading global teams,
and negotiating, implementing, and executing
corporate integrity agreements, deferred prosecution
agreements and consent decrees.
Prior to joining Aimmune Therapeutics, Mrs. Lacerca-
Allen held several leadership positions at Elan
Pharmaceuticals, Mylan Laboratories, Bristol Myers &
Squibb, Microsoft, Merck Sharp & Dohme, and AT&T
Capital.
Mrs. Lacerca-Allen has been recognized by Compliance
Week as Top Minds 2019, Hispanic Executive Magazine
asLegal Industry Leader and by The Guardian as
Women in Leadership, Inspiring Leaders among other
recognitions.
In an interview with CIOLOOK, Mrs. Lacerca-Allen
shares valuable insights that highlight her leadership
and expertise in the pharmaceutical industry.
Below are the excerpts from the interview:
Tell us about your leadership style and why is it
effective during difficult times?
I am a highly intuitive leader; I grew up in Argentina
during the military dictatorship to a family that
opposed the dictatorship. I had the opportunity to see
how the dictatorship and corruption in Argentina had
negatively affected so many. My father was
instrumental in restoring the democracy in Argentina
We’re inspired and humbled by
the patients, families, and
physicians who are managing
the life-threatening risks
associated with serious and
potentially life-threatening food,
GI, and metabolic-related
diseases.”
“
www.ciolook.com | Marchr 2023 |
14

www.ciolook.com | March 2023 |
15
Fabiana Lacerca-Allen
Chief Compliance Oﬃcer
of Aimmune Therapeu�cs,
a Nestle Health Science
Corpora�on

Compliance Specialist Lucia M. Carrero-Rivera has been with Lacerca-Allen for many years: “I’m s�ll learning fom her and
the amazing way she is able to navigate through difficult �m ” Carrero-Rivera says. “She is the mosmost analal and
strategic person I know who brings out the best in you even when you do not know it. Fabiana will give you passage to excel
to the highest levels and has your back every step of the way. Her leadership is strategic and compassionate.”
Director of Compliance, Audi�n , and Monitoring Brenda Crabtree says her boss possesses in spades. “She is the best boss
I’ve ever had, and I don’t say that lightly,” Crabtree notes. “Her leadership style is so unique, and her strategy is incredible
and—from my perspec� e—one of her greatest strengths.”
“A corporate environment is a big ship, and a hard one to maneuver,” Hamm adds. “But she’s so nimble. Her risk assessment
is based on true ac� e risks that are ever evolving, and she changes course on a dime to meet the needs of the business.”
“I’ve grown and developed with her so much because, as a leader, she will stretch you,” Hamm says. “Both Brenda and I
have been volunteered [or] told to do something, and we had to learn how to do it. The difference is that she may push you
out of the nest, but she will never, ever let you smash on the concrete.”
Associate Director of Compliance Ta� ana Akers says, “I have also had the pleasure of working with Fabiana over the past
eleven years, and she has earned my loyalty and respect through her outstanding leadership which includes pushing us out
of our comfort zones, empowering us and giving us the space to flourish, and showing us that strong women can be not only
fierce and effffece but kind and empathethe�c ell. I hope I never get kidnapped, but if I do, I am grabbing onto Fabiana
un�l e figure a way out!”
Compliance Analyst, Neca Aguilar-Gomez, shares:
“As a young La�na who is in the early tages of their legal career, I can say whole-heartedly, Fabiana’s strength as a leader is
unmatched. Part of her influence as a leader is that she sees your potenn�alar before you even realize it, and strategically
places you in projects that she knows will allow you the opportunity to develop and grow. The beau�ful part about it is th t
even if you are ques�oning wh ther or not you can do it, her faith and confidence in y you moates and inspires you to
believe in yourself to get it done—and do it well!
Fabiana is a top-shelf execu� e because she is confident, strategic, empathehe�cesilient, honest and fierce. Working under
her leadership is truly a life-changing experience, as it will alter your en�e perrspecte and reinforce the belief you have in
yourself. It is rare that you meet—much less work for—such a unique leader who truly values you as a person and believes
in your con�nued gowth, both personally and professionally. Fabiana is that leader.”
URL: : “Fabiana Lacerca-Allen Has the “Best Team in Town”
Hispanic Executive
16

and was part of the ﬁrst democratic government after
the dictatorship.
When I was 6 years old, I told my father that I feared
him being killed and he said: don’t worry about dying,
we are all going to die eventually: worry about what
you are going to live for and always remember that
there are some things that are worth dying for….for
everything else you need a plan. “
My passion as a leader stem from values instilled in me
at a very early age and by experiences that shaped me
into the leader I am today.
“I have had the privilege of working on Fabiana’s team
for the past four years, and I can attest to Fabiana’s
commitment to helping others and supporting future
leaders by serving as a mentor. Mentoring takes time,
which is a precious commodity, especially for someone
at Fabiana’s level. She practices what she preaches in
terms of her values, and that is very inspiring,” Shares
Brenda Crabtree, Director, Compliance
Describe in detail the values and the work culture that
drives you.
As a leader committed to making a difference, giving
back to the community, inspiring future leaders and
improving the lives of patients we serve, having the
right team is paramount.
I have learned from many leaders, and I try to be the
kind of leader that I admire and respect. I try to learn
and emulate those leaders that I respect not only for
their capabilities but for their human characteristics
and leadership values.
The leaders I admire exercise emotional intelligence
and they are very good at leveraging their strengths
and weaknesses as well as those around them.
Surround yourself with people that want to succeed
with you, and ﬁnd the right team is key.
I was interviewed by Dr. Patti Fletcher and published by
The Guardian (add footnote with article) regarding
assessing people’s character :” I know within two
minutes of meeting someone whether or not I’d want to
be kidnapped with them” It is about assessing the
character, understanding their values and how the
process information and react to their surroundings.
Every decision and action I take is informed by those
values and by an unwavering commitment to making a
difference.
Where do you envision yourself in the long run, and
what are your future goals?
Professionally I love what I am doing at Aimmune and
share our mission to help patients, their families and
the communities we serve.
My Board positions are very exciting to me and another
possibility to make a difference from a different place. I
work with some incredible leaders, compelling leaders
with a strong desire to make a difference and shape the
environment and deliver on our promise of bringing
innovative medicines to patients in need.
17

18
Novel Insights

Gradual Rise of
Women Leaders
in the Dynamic
Business Arena
he business world has undergone a major
Ttransformation in the last few decades. One of
the most signiﬁcant changes is the gradual rise of
women leaders in the dynamic business arena. Women
have made great strides in the corporate world,
breaking down barriers and overcoming gender
stereotypes. They have proved that they have what it
takes to succeed in the business world and have
brought new perspectives and innovative ideas to the
table.
The gradual rise of women leaders can be attributed to
a number of factors. One of the most important factors
is the changing attitude towards women in the
workplace. In the past, women were often seen as
inferior to men and were expected to take on
traditional roles such as homemaker or secretary.
However, as society has become more enlightened and
gender roles have become more ﬂuid, women have
been able to break free from these stereotypes and
take on leadership roles in the business world.
Another factor that has contributed to the rise of
women leaders is the increasing number of women who
are entering the workforce. In the past, women were
19

often discouraged from pursuing careers and were
expected to focus on their families instead. However, as
more and more women have entered the workforce,
they have been able to prove their worth and
demonstrate their abilities to succeed in the business
world.
The rise of women leaders has also been helped by the
efforts of organizations that are committed to
promoting gender equality in the workplace. These
organizations have provided women with the tools and
resources they need to succeed, such as mentorship
programs, networking opportunities, and leadership
training programs. They have also helped to create a
culture that is more supportive of women and
encourages them to pursue leadership roles.
The Core Aspects
The gradual rise of women leaders in the business
world has had a number of positive effects. One of the
most important is that it has brought new perspectives
and ideas to the table. Women bring a different
perspective to the workplace, one that is often more
collaborative and empathetic. They are also more likely
to prioritize work-life balance, which can be beneficial
for both employees and employers.
Another positive effect of the rise of women leaders is
that it has helped to break down gender stereotypes.
Women are no longer seen as inferior to men or as
being less capable of leadership. Instead, they are
recognized for their abilities and are given the
opportunity to prove themselves in leadership roles.
Despite the progress that has been made, there is still
much work to be done to ensure that women are able
to succeed in the business world. One of the biggest
challenges that women face is the lack of female role
models in leadership positions. While the number of
women in leadership roles has increased, they are still
significantly underrepresented compared to men. This
lack of representation can make it difficult for women
to see themselves as leaders and can discourage them
from pursuing leadership roles.
Transcending the Horizons of Success
Another challenge that women face is the gender pay
gap. Women are still paid less than men for doing the
same work, which can be demotivating and can make it
difficult for them to achieve financial independence.
The gender pay gap is a complex issue that requires a
multi-faceted solution, including policy changes and
cultural shifts.
In conclusion, the gradual rise of women leaders in the
dynamic business arena is a positive trend that is
helping to break down gender stereotypes and bring
new perspectives and ideas to the workplace. However,
there is still much work to be done to ensure that
women are able to succeed in the business world.
Women are helping to increase diversity in modern
industry. As more and more women enter the
workforce, they are bringing different perspectives,
experiences, and skills to the table. This can help to
foster innovation and creativity, as well as make
companies more reflective of the diverse communities
they serve.
Organizations must continue to provide women with
the tools and resources they need to succeed, and
policy changes must be made to address issues such as
the gender pay gap. With continued effort and support,
women will be able to achieve their full potential in the
business world and make an even greater impact on the
global economy.
20

K
K S
A Creative Leader Embracing Digitization
I
n the fast-paced business world, few traits make you
stand out as a leader from the crowd. And yet, there
are women who have not only made their mark in
their respective industries but are standing out as
admired leaders, role models and trailblazers in the
business arena.
As an exemplary and inspirational leader, Karen Seror
has been making waves in the gaming solution industry.
Through her hard work, dedication and innovative
thinking, Karen has been able to navigate the ever-
changing gaming industry and drive growth for
Gamestream as its Chief Marketing Officer (CMO).
Spearheading global marketing strategies for its clients
worldwide is an exhilarating experience for Karen, with
activations in our home city of France to as far as India
to diverse parts of the world.
We at CIOLook, interviewed Karen’s to understand her
leadership and strategic vision.
Let’s delve into the intercepts of the interview.
Please briefly describe your professional journey for
our readers. What challenges did you face along the
way?
My journey has been one that has been filled with
dynamic reinventions, sensational twists and rousing
moments. I’ve had the privilege of working with some of
the most innovative and disruptive companies
throughout my career.
With passion, determination and ambition, I climbed
the proverbial ladder, starting as a Communication
Manager for the web-hosting company jumping
through the steps to Marketing Manager for Adobe
Stock. For the past three years, I’ve had the pleasure of
being the Chief Marketing Officer for the world leader
in B2B cloud gaming solutions, Gamestream.
As you can imagine, the lessons I’ve learnt support me
daily at Gamestream. Leveraging the culmination of
skills I have acquired throughout my career –
adaptability, thinking outside of the box and agility, to
name a few keeps my team and Gamestream one step
ahead. Working with start-ups to leading marketing
teams in big corporate groups has been pivotal in
shaping the steps taken to elevate Gamestream’s
continual evolution.
I also played a pivotal role in launching Gamestream’s
consumer brand, Pleio, distributed by Bouygues
Telecom. Pleio implements our proprietary tech and
gaming experiences, including a community
management offering. I was at the very start of the
initial ideation of what Pleio can bring to the market,
followed through to its launch and ongoing adoption by
consumers.
For some, the “blank page” can be seen as a terrifying
challenge. Although this may seem daunting for some, it
excites me and gives me immense pride and satisfaction
when I succeed in building something significant from
scratch, regardless of adversities.
What significant impact have you brought to the
industry?
Having worked with companies that have
revolutionized and disrupted their respective markets, I
had to imagine with my teams new and creative
approaches to achieve success.
Success in executive leadership roles is a 24/7 job in
itself. Mine is partly attributed to several key qualities
that are commonly recognized in female executives. As
a good listener and empathetic leader, I prioritize
effective communication and believe in trust-building
to foster a strong and cohesive team particularly
valuable in international business contexts.
22

Karen Seror
Chief Marke�ng Oﬃcer
Gamestream
23

K
As a female leader in the gaming industry, I am
passionate about empowering other women to succeed
in this male-dominated field. To achieve this, when I
started at Gamestream, I was the first female
employee, and it was my mission to address and aid in
bringing more women into this exciting company. By
championing greater gender diversity and inclusion, we
can create a virtuous cycle that benefits everyone in the
industry.
Tell us about Gamestream and its foundation pillar.
Gamestream’s mission-Democratize and ensure high-level
gaming experiences to anyone, anywhere, at any time.
The company’s purpose is built on the foundation of
cutting-edge technology; for instance, we make cloud
gaming possible even in low bandwidth environments
at just 3mbps and on rudimentary devices. We want the
world to enjoy the powerful medium of video games.
Another strong motivation for Gamestream for the
future is to bring video games to the hospitality and
healthcare fields. Inspired by the game Re-Mission,
which has been shown to help young people navigate
their cancer diagnoses and treatments, we at
Gamestream firmly believe in the healing power of
video games.
As such, we work closely with partners such as
BePlayer One, which aims to make gaming more
inclusive for people with disabilities, and L’École des
Héros, which helps teenagers overcome social anxiety
through games.
How does it promote workforce flexibility, and what is
your role in it?
Over the past 20 years, I have seen the major changes
in the make-up of startups to large-scale enterprises
inspiring me with changing workforce attitudes. For
example, Gen Z is quite inspiring in the way they view
the workplace to transform the traditional hierarchical
nature of the “office.” With greater respect put towards
autonomy, in tandem, with the pandemic, more earnest
is put towards improving the work-life balance.
At Gamestream, I have made it my mission to promote
these practices, creating an environment where people
can do their best work without sacrificing their
personal lives. As a flexible leader, I have seen the
positive impact of prioritizing employee well-being on
productivity and innovation.
What is your take on technology’s importance, and
how are you leveraging it?
24

K
First-hand, I’ve witnessed the rapid pace at that
technology has reshaped the world. However, keeping
the human factor at the forefront of our minds is crucial
when developing new digital concepts by taking a
holistic approach is essential in my viewpoint.
Understanding the added value of a tool or innovation
for your organization is important. Simply jumping on
the latest trend can be risky and potentially detrimental
to your business.
Therefore, it's essential to assess the potential risks to
the business, ensure security protocols are in place, and
determine if a simple swap will suffice or if a complete
overhaul is necessary to stay ahead of the curve. Only
by taking a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to
technology implementation can we ensure that we
achieve our desired outcomes and that our innovations
serve the needs of our employees and customers alike.
What will be the next significant change in the Tech
industry, and how are you preparing for it?
As the world becomes increasingly digital, it's essential
for businesses to stay on top of new technologies like
5G and artificial intelligence (AI).
The video game industry is already feeling the effects of
these advancements, particularly in the realm of cloud
gaming. With 5G's increased bandwidth and speed,
gamers can play anywhere without the need for
expensive hardware or game purchases-this has
ushered in the third revolution of video games,
changing the way we play forever.
AI and deep learning are also significantly impacting the
gaming industry. These technologies can help create
smarter enemies and more dynamic obstacles,
ultimately improving gameplay and enhancing the user
experience.
However, it's important to approach new technologies
with caution and a thorough understanding of their
benefits and risks. Business leaders must carefully
consider the added value of these tools for their
organizations and their customers, as well as ensure
that proper security protocols are in place.
What are your goals in the upcoming future?
We're constantly pushing ourselves to innovate and
take the next step in our industry at Gamestream. Our
vision for the future is to industrialize our solution and
become the go-to source for entertainment that
combines Cloud Gaming with other media. We're
already collaborating with other companies to make
this vision a reality so that we can offer a one-stop shop
for people to have fun with friends and family.
Our goal is to create an all-inclusive entertainment
platform that brings people together and provides an
unparalleled experience.
What advice would you like to give the next
generation of aspiring business leaders?
It's essential not to shy away from taking bold risks as a
business leader. Throughout our lifetime, we have seen
groundbreaking innovations emerge not because of
complacency or fear but because of boldness and
courage. Being a change agent and inspiring others at
all levels is crucial to creating a diverse and dynamic
future. By embracing new ideas, challenging the status
quo, and fostering a culture of innovation, we can lead
our organizations towards greater success and achieve
our goals.
So, let's not be afraid to take that leap and be the
driving force behind the next wave of transformation in
our industry.
We're excited about the
possibilities that lie ahead,
and we're committed to
delivering the very best for
our customers.
25

Understanding the
Traits of Influential
Business Leaders
Business Leaders
Leadership Attributes
nfluential business leaders are those who inspire
Iand motivate others to achieve success. They
possess certain traits and characteristics that set
them apart from others. In this article, we will explore
the key traits of influential business leaders.
Visionary Thinking
Influential business leaders are visionary thinkers. They
have a clear understanding of their organization's
mission, values, and goals. They are able to create a
compelling vision for the future and communicate it
effectively to others. By having a clear vision, they are
able to inspire and motivate employees to work
towards common goals.
Visionary thinking creates a clear focus for individuals
and organizations. It helps them to identify their
priorities and goals and to align their actions
accordingly. This focus enables individuals and
organizations to work more efficiently and effectively
towards achieving their vision.
Visionary thinking drives change. By envisioning a
future state that is different from the present,
individuals and organizations can create a sense of
urgency and a desire for change. This can motivate
individuals and organizations to take action, to try new
things, and to drive innovation and growth.
It creates a clear focus for individuals and
organizations. It helps them to identify their priorities
and goals and to align their actions accordingly. This
focus enables individuals and organizations to work
more efficiently and effectively towards achieving their
vision.
Strong Communication Skills
Influential business leaders have strong communication
skills. They are able to convey their ideas and vision
clearly and effectively to others. They are good
listeners, able to take feedback and ideas from others
and incorporate them into their own thinking. They also
have the ability to inspire and motivate others through
their words and actions.
Strong communication skills build strong relationships.
By being able to communicate effectively, individuals
can establish rapport with others, build trust, and foster
a sense of community. This can lead to better
collaboration, increased productivity, and improved
morale.
Strong communication skills enhance leadership. By
being able to communicate effectively, leaders can
inspire and motivate their team, provide direction and
feedback, and build a culture of trust and collaboration.
This can lead to increased employee engagement,
improved performance, and better results.
Decisiveness
Influential business leaders are decisive. They are able
to make tough decisions quickly and effectively. They
are able to analyze complex situations and make
decisions based on their experience, intuition, and data.
They are also able to communicate their decisions
clearly and effectively to others.
Decisiveness increases productivity. By making quick
and effective decisions, individuals and organizations
can save time and resources. They can avoid wasting
time and energy on indecision or delay. This increased
26

productivity can lead to greater success and the
achievement of goals.
Decisiveness improves problem-solving skills. By
analyzing information and making decisions quickly and
effectively, individuals and organizations can develop
their problem-solving skills. They can learn to identify
the root causes of problems, evaluate options, and take
action to resolve issues.
Decisiveness builds confidence. When individuals and
organizations make decisions quickly and confidently,
they demonstrate their competence and expertise. This
confidence can inspire trust and respect from others,
leading to greater opportunities and success.
Resilience
Influential business leaders are resilient. They are able
to bounce back from setbacks and failures. They are
able to maintain their focus and commitment to their
vision, even in the face of adversity. They are also able
to learn from their mistakes and use them as
opportunities for growth and improvement.
Emotional Intelligence
Influential business leaders have high emotional
intelligence. They are able to understand and manage
their own emotions effectively. They are also able to
empathize with others and understand their
perspective. This allows them to build strong
relationships with employees, customers, and other
stakeholders.
Strategic Thinking
Influential business leaders are strategic thinkers. They
are able to see the big picture and develop strategies to
achieve their vision. They are able to analyze trends,
anticipate challenges, and develop plans to address
them. They are also able to adjust their strategies as
needed to respond to changing circumstances.
In conclusion, influential business leaders possess a
unique set of traits and characteristics that enable
them to inspire and motivate others to achieve success.
By exhibiting visionary thinking, strong communication
skills, decisiveness, resilience, emotional intelligence,
and strategic thinking, influential business leaders are
able to create a positive impact on their organizations
and the wider business community.
27

Suzie Yorke
Suzie Yorke
ffective leaders have a vision and know how to
Ecommunicate it effectively. A vision is what you
want the team to achieve. It is usually explained in
larger terms but is most effective when tied back to the
greater good so that it serves to create a purpose for the
betterments.
Leaders must know what the vision is for their
organization and team and be able to bring that vision to
life.AttheforefrontofthisattributeisSuzieYorke,a25-
year veteran of the CPG industry who has worked at
brand building companies such as Proctor & Gamble,
PepsiCo, Kraft, Heinz and Weight Watchers. She also
worked at two other hyper-growth brands prior to
creatingherownbrandatage50.
In an interview with CIOLook, Suzie shares her
professionaltenureandjourneysofarintheniche.
Belowarethehighlightsoftheinterview:
Brief our audience about your journey as a business
leader until your current position in your company.
What challenges have you had to overcome to reach
whereyouaretoday?
I've always been an athlete (I'm an eleven-time Ironman
competitor and yoga practitioner), but I hit a wall in my
health in my late forties. After reading Nina Teicholz's
best seller, Big Fat Surprise, I started to eat a high-fat,
low-carb diet, and started to feel better almost
immediately.
However, I found it challenging to find convenient, good-
fat snacks. Seeing an opportunity to help others through
food, Icreated LoveGood Fats,a companythat produces
low-sugar foods loaded with good fats. I lead Love Good
Fats to exceed $100 million in Gross Revenues in a little
over 3 years, with sales in the largest retailers across
CanadaandtheUS.
I have recently launched my second startup - FourX
Better Chocolate. This amazing company is the world's
first Ecuadoran fair-trade functional chocolate, your
daily dose of vitamins, minerals and supplements in one
delicious,chocolateybite.
It'samarriageofthefinestEcuadoranchocolatewiththe
highest quality adaptogens, vitamins, minerals,
ashwagandha mushroom, MCT oil, coconut oil, and 0g of
sugar. I co-created this company with AOG Fine Foods
founderandchocolatierAlejandroCastillo.
Without a doubt, the biggest challenge for most startups
israisingcapital.Givenmybackgroundandties,I'vebeen
very successful in this area, but getting funding is hard,
especially for women. In Canada, women entrepreneurs
receive 4 per cent of VC funding!! We are under-
represented among equity investors, representing only
15.2 per cent of Canadian VC partners and 16.7 per cent
ofCanadianangelinvestors.
Exhibiting a Staunch Leadership Acumen
Consumers have been hearing the
same messages about food for
decades, and it's time they were
enlightened, and I feel that I've
been doing that and making an
impact.
28

Suzie Yorke
CEO and Co-founder
The Be�er Chocolates
29

Tell us about your company and its mission and vision;
how does your company thrive towards enabling
advancementsintheever-evolvingmodernindustry?
The mission of The Better is to create the best tasting
and healthiest chocolate we can! We only use cacao
beans that are harvested in the Bean-to-Bar Trade
model and are Fair Trade Certified. These beans are
grown in ultra-rich aromatic soil in the heart of Ecuador
by an NGO co-operative of small farmers. As these
unique gardens and farms are small, family-run little
enterprises, the relationships we have created with
them are meant for both the farmers and the company.
We feel strongly about doing the right thing as we bring
our products to market by supporting the Ecuadorian
community where our chocolate factory resides. We
also want to ensure that the products we offer to the
consumers are of the highest quality available, which is
why we have a proprietary Bean-to-bar Trade model.
We use only the best beans available and roast them
on-site at our factory. In addition, there are no
chemicals, no alkali, no preservatives, no additives, no
added flavours, and nothing artificial in any of our
products.
With simple ingredients like Cacao Liquor and Butter,
Whole Milk and Soluble Fibre. Infused with Vitamins,
Minerals, Fibre and MCT oil which helps with the
absorption of the fat-soluble nutrients. Thereby
offering a product that is better for you but is also
helping make the planet a better place.
Enlighten us on how you have been impacting the
industry through your expertise in the market.
I feel I've really been able to do a good job calling out
that "fat is back" with my first brand, Love Good Fats
and "chocolate can be healthy" with my second brand
FourX the Better Chocolates.
Consumers have been hearing the same messages
about food for decades, and it's time they were
enlightened, and I feel that I've been doing that and
making an impact. Both my brands have been disruptive
brands and have challenged the status quo in the
marketplace.
Describe in detail the values and the work culture that
drives your organization.
As a proud LGBTQ+ woman, it is important for me to
foster an environment and team that is super inclusive
and with as many members as possible from the
LGBQT+ community.
As well as focusing on diversity, I want to ensure that
the office is a safe space, so I make sure everyone
knows I am a lesbian and that the company supports
diversity on all levels.
In addition, I feel that as a Founder, I have a strong
responsibility to help make the world a better place
through my brand. We only use cacao beans that are
harvested in the Bean-to-Bar Trade model and are Fair
Trade Certified. These beans are grown in ultra-rich
aromatic soil in the heart of Ecuador by an NGO co-
operative of small farmers.
As these unique gardens and farms are small, family-
run little enterprises, the relationships we have created
with them are meant for both the farmers and the
company. I feel strongly about doing the right thing as
we bring our products to market by supporting the
Ecuadorian community where our chocolate factory
resides.
Undeniably, technology is playing a significant role in
almost every sector. How are you advancing towards
technological innovations to make your solutions
resourceful?
Our factory in Ecuador is state of the art. That means
having not just the right equipment but the right
technology in place to make the best tasting chocolate
possible!
The cacao beans are hand-picked, then custom sorted
according to their size, and then they undergo roasting,
conching and tempering. The manufacturing process
takes about 24 hours. The chocolatiers monitor the
flavor development every hour to ensure best-in-class
results.
What, according to you, could be the next significant
change in your sector? How is your company
preparing to be a part of that change?
30

I think we will definitely see a change in
the quality of chocolate in the very near
future. We are leading that change more
so than being a part of that change. We
are educating consumers and getting
them to appreciate that you don't need
to add chemicals, sugars, and artificial
flavours to make chocolate taste good.
If produced properly, chocolate tastes
great without any of that. The Better
Chocolate has bean-to-bar processing,
which accounts for its incredible taste.
Where do you envision yourself to be in
the long run, and what are your future
goals for your company?
We've just� launched
and� started� to� sell our Functional
Chocolates in Canada, and I'd love to see
a fast start in the stores!� I think once
people taste our delicious bites, there is
no stopping the brand.� We also just
started selling our Chocolate Vitamin
and Supplements in the US and expect
amazing results there as well.�
In the next five years, I have no doubt
that we will be a household name and
that in most cupboards across Canada
and the US you will find either our
Functional Chocolates bites or our
Chocolate Vitamins but likely both!
What would be your advice to budding
entrepreneurs who aspire to venture
into the dynamic industry?
What I tell everyone is to just "go for it"!
There are always going to be a million
reasons why the timing isn't right to
start your own business. It's a huge risk,
but if you believe in yourself and your
service or product and you are willing to
work hard, there is a good chance you'll
succeed.
31

The Most Admired Women Leaders in Business, 2023.pdf

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Similar to The Most Admired Women Leaders in Business, 2023.pdf

Similar to The Most Admired Women Leaders in Business, 2023.pdf (20)

More from CIO Look Magazine

More from CIO Look Magazine (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

The Most Admired Women Leaders in Business, 2023.pdf