Her Story
About Vidyalakshmi
Vidyalakshmi Iyer serves as a Business Solution Architect focused on Healthcare Business Intelligence at CAIC Healthcare. She began her career after earning a degree in electronics engineering in India, supported by a four-year academic scholarship that she credits as a foundational achievement. Her early work included developing a data warehouse for British Telecom and roles in the beer industry before she entered healthcare IT in 2006 at Mercy in Missouri. Since then, she has specialized in healthcare data and data governance, advancing to her current position after demonstrating strong business understanding. Iyer is a Certified Data Management Professional and draws on consulting experience with healthcare providers and payers such as Centene and Medicare, as well as projects with FEMA and VETS, which broadened her perspective on data applications. She attributes her professional success to these varied opportunities in healthcare alongside personal growth in mental and physical well-being. Honesty and integrity remain core values that have guided her career. Iyer advises young women entering the field that family responsibilities do not hinder progress and can impart valuable management lessons applicable at work, while noting women's strengths in balancing excellence, intelligence, and organizational dynamics.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Vidyalakshmi
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success comes from my healthcare experience and opportunities in different organizations, consulting with various healthcare providers and payers like Centene and Medicare, plus work with FEMA and VETS giving broader perspectives on data. Also evolving personally in healthcare and mental or physical aspects helps me evolve in organizations.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never consider yourself behind or your family as a showstopper. Managing family teaches lessons that can be implemented at work. Women are capable of handling politics in organizations and bringing excellence, intelligence, and balance to lead ahead. Women have an advantage in keeping balance and moving ahead.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges like being laid off will always be there due to business issues, but perspective matters. Looking at situations positively can change outcomes, as when I recovered from surgery and got my best job after a layoff. Opportunities keep coming if you focus on passion and perspective.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty and integrity. They have helped me get where I am and I have been very comfortable with those values.
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