Gina Johar - BOLD Stories
Gina Johar, Class of ’03, represents the exciting
intersection of information technology and humanity.
Her preoccupation with the human side of data led Gina to become the Vice President & CDO (Chief Digital Officer) at Quinte Health. Through four hospitals across Prince Edward, Hastings and Northumberland counties, Quinte Health serves more than 180,000 people with innovative approaches to well-being. Gina leads the organization by leveraging technology to drive tangible positive changes in public health, with the aim of improving patient outcomes.
With her parents immigrating from India in the 70’s, Gina was born and raised in Brantford, Ontario. However, much of her educational journey took place in London, the home of Western
University and its vibrant affiliate, Brescia. At that time, Brescia’s Community Development
program was brand new and it offered Gina an intimate place to
learn – without boundaries and with a remarkable depth of knowledge cultivation and sharing.
“Brescia attracts and curates these incredible academic explorers who take an active interest in their students,” Gina shares. “Within that prestigious
educational ecosystem, I discovered a sense of community that was completely new to
me. That sense of belonging has been fundamental in my way forward.”
Gina credits her time at Brescia with her remarkable knack for identifying and honouring the human elements behind the complex data she grapples with daily. Starting in data management within clinical oncology, Gina’s leaders quickly recognized her ability and willingness to apply information towards driving equity and social justice.
“I was always an odd duck in my work world,” Gina explains. “While dealing with things that were extremely technical, I would be the one asking how can I engage our care partners and patients so we can solve these problems and build something valuable. Brescia taught me it’s nearly impossible to do great work in isolation. Seek out diverse voices and bring them to the table.”
A lifelong learner, Gina studied at the Rotman School of Management, has a sessional
lecturer appointment at the University of Toronto and has completed graduate studies
(Master’s completed and PhD on hold currently). Despite all her formal and informal
training, she recognizes when you look back, it will be a few pivotal moments that
stick out. For Gina, many of those “ah ha” realizations took place at Brescia.
Gina sings the praises of her former Brescia Professor, Dr. Lisa Jakubowski, who she
still keeps in touch with today. When I connected with Dr. Jakubowski, she delighted in Gina’s
success. “I feel so privileged that students continue to keep me apprised of their
personal and professional accomplishments,” Lisa shares. “Brescia’s small classrooms
empower us to break down ivory tower traditions and deliver on experiential learning
that bridges academic brilliance and community good.”
"For anyone who is really paying attention, they could not miss the ways Brescia uniquely prepares brilliant women to lead with their hearts. Brescia develops graduates who can face difficult – and even toxic - environments
with their heads held high. The women of Brescia make powerful choices that honour
disenfranchised communities, while protecting their personal integrity and moving that equity needle
forward.”
After 100 years, Brescia continues to champion a value-based education that uplifts and empowers women. Inspired by the University’s focus on community and charism, Gina developed philosophies that define her as a curious and compassionate leader. Through her Community Development coursework, she was exposed to “really raw and authentic” life experiences while supporting socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Through these experiential learning opportunities, she came to know there remains huge disparities between our good intentions and the nitty gritty of creating positive outcomes for the populations we aim to serve.
“I never wanted to be what I thought you were supposed to be as a leader,” Gina explains. “I always kept my unique characteristics at the forefront. Kindness, a genuine interest in humanity, radical inclusivity and an unrelenting work ethic are all parts of my being I attribute to Brescia.”
Dr. Jakubowski celebrates the ways, “Brescia encouraged me to take every risk and every step that would benefit my students and our communities.” Here are some of the ways Brescia and our professors prepare students to offer up their gifts and readily see the value in others:
- Look at personal biases and how they may hinder your ability to genuinely connect with people
- Take part in experiential learning that teaches students how to become comfortable in their discomfort
- Don’t make assumptions: start where your clients are and walk alongside them to where they want to go
- Reflect back on your experiences and determine their effectiveness in a real and empathetic way
Our University is perpetually in awe of the women we send out into the world to achieve
phenomenal success. Gina is no exception, and our community applauds her determination
to balance innovation with human benefit. A big thank you to Gina for sharing her
story and for keeping compassion at the heart of the tech world, so people throughout
her region are more readily able to access the care they need and deserve.
In the spirit of carrying forward Professor Jakubowski’s great wisdom, Gina leaves
us all with a well-loved phrase about an asset-based approach to building teams: “Nothing
about you, without you.” This sentiment continues to have a tremendous impression
on the values Gina holds dear and co-designs with all those she works and surrounds
herself with.
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