Faten Alshazly advances women’s leadership in business and innovation

From rethinking health care delivery to championing women in leadership, Alshazly’s work spans business, technology and social impact. She reflects on the experiences that shaped her path and the values that continue to guide her work.

How did your Dalhousie story begin, and what brought you to the university? 

I originally studied engineering and computer science at Cleveland State University in the United States. My family often travelled to Canada, and my father suggested we explore Canadian universities, including Dalhousie, as he sought a place that would be safe for his children while he and my mom were away. I felt like Dal provided a better learning experience and a good sense of community, and Halifax seemed like a great place to start a career as opposed to some of the other options.

My time at Dal was fundamental in setting me on my current path. My professors made a huge impact on me, and though I loved them all, a real defining moment for me was seeing the first female professor in the Faculty of Computer Science: Dr. Carolyn Watters. I’ll never forget the sense of awe I had as I watched her at the front of the classroom. Her excellent teaching style, great personality, and the wonderful conversations we shared reinforced the idea that this was a field for me too.

As the CEO of HealthEMe, what is your vision for the organization?

My vision for HealthEMe is to transform how we deliver health care at the national and international levels. More than 60% of provincial budgets across Canada are allocated to health care. Yet we are still seeing long wait times, poor health outcomes and limited access to care in rural communities. We need to change the way we deliver health care and use technology to help close these gaps.

You’re currently working as the CEO of HealthEMe and as the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer for WeUsThem. How do you find balance between these roles as well as your other work?

There are a few things that help me find balance. The first is building companies with people who share my vision and passion. Running a business isn’t a one-person show; you need a team of passionate people to support you in what you do. I also find healthy, positive ways to escape stress through swimming, tennis and painting. I’ve tried to find escapes that are easily accessible, so I can unwind and recharge even when I’m travelling.

Finally, you must really love what you do. As an entrepreneur, you never shut your brain off. You are always ideating, thinking about the next thing, or coming up with ways to keep disrupting the norm. You can’t truly call yourself an entrepreneur if you do your 9-5 and then forget about your enterprise from 5-9. I’ve learned along the way that when I’m passionate about what I’m doing, I don’t feel the need for balance. I’m very passionate about everything I do in my two businesses and my community work, so that’s where I put my focus.

What sparked your interest in your advocacy work, particularly around women in leadership?

I’ve been fortunate to have been surrounded by inspiring women throughout my career. In many of these women’s stories, they mentioned great men who had influenced their careers. It was disheartening to hear very few of them mention women in their lives who played this same role.  I wanted to change that and encourage more women to play important roles in other women’s lives as mentors and champions who encourage their success.

To be seen as a leader in both business and the community is a huge honour for me. Knowing that I might play even a small role in shaping another woman’s future means a great deal, and I hope to inspire other women to do the same. As women, we share unique circumstances that other women may relate to, which enable us to support each other better.