Diana L. McKenzie

Professional Background

Diana McKenzie is a distinguished technology advisor, board member, and former Chief Information Officer (CIO) with a career that spans over three decades. Her professional journey is rooted in her solid educational foundation and is marked by numerous achievements and leadership roles in the Life Sciences and Software Industries.

Educational Foundation

Diana began her academic journey at Purdue University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems/Computer Technology. This educational background provided the foundation for her extensive career in technology and leadership.

Career Journey

Her career commenced at Eli Lilly in January 1987, where she held various roles over 17 years, contributing to research and development, corporate engineering, human resources, and information technology. In February 2004, she joined Amgen Inc., a global biotechnology company, where she progressed through several key roles. As Executive Director of Information Systems, she developed information solutions for clinical research and product commercialization. She then became Vice President of Information Systems and eventually Senior Vice President and CIO, where she applied analytics that yielded significant returns.

In 2016, Diana moved to Workday where she served as Senior Vice President and CIO, leading the company’s business technology and security organization. Under her leadership, Workday doubled in size, showcasing her ability to guide organizations through significant growth.

Advisory and Board Roles

Beyond her executive roles, Diana has made substantial contributions as a board member and advisor. She currently serves on the boards of several prominent companies, including Vertex Pharmaceuticals, MetLife, agilon health, and Paradox. Her expertise also extends to the healthcare technology sector, where she serves as a special advisor at Brighton Park Capital and as an investor and advisor to startups focusing on brain health.

Other Contributions

In addition to her corporate endeavors, Diana co-founded the Silicon Valley Women’s CIO Network in 2017 and serves as an advisor to World50’s CIO community. She is also deeply involved in philanthropy as a board member of the T200 Foundation, supporting women in technology.

Certifications and Continued Learning

Diana's dedication to continual learning and her extensive certifications underscore her commitment to excellence. She holds a Directorship Certification from the National Association of Corporate Directors, a Carnegie Mellon SEI Certificate in Cybersecurity Oversight, a Public Directors Certificate from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, and a CIO Certificate from UCLA.

Leadership and Impact

Throughout her career, Diana has been praised for her unique combination of intellect and charisma, enabling her to lead effectively and achieve organizational goals. Her contributions have significantly impacted global businesses, particularly in growing and transforming their operations.

Conclusion

Diana McKenzie’s career is a testament to her leadership and expertise in technology, making her a role model and influential figure in the industry.