Anchal Rastogi : Driving A Data-Powered Revolution In Global Healthcare And Medical Research
Anchal Rastogi
Chief Data & Digital Officer
From automating data collection to establishing ethical frameworks for its use, this approach reflects a deep understanding that data is not just information, it’s the foundation of smarter, fairer, and more connected healthcare systems.
The vision is not about the numbers and algorithms, but more concerned about how digital intelligence can be used to empower individuals build meaningful outcomes, and make sure everyone has fair access to care around the globe. The same transformational perspective motivates Anchal Rastogi, Chief Data and Digital Officer, The George Institute, in his quest to create a healthier data driven future.
With over 20+ years of experience spanning across US, EU, ANZ and the UAE, Anchal is a well-known analytics leader who specializes in data analytics, digital transformation, machine learning, and cloud data platforms. Having collaborated with cross-functional teams to provide data-based solutions to complicated enterprise issues, he combines technology with purpose.
Anchal is a strong advocate of the idea that data is the new gasoline that can propel healthcare innovation. He is also a specialist in creating automated, well managed systems that not only allow organizations to make data accessible and secure, but also enables them to record measurably meaningful results in their digital endeavors.
We are delighted to engage in an exclusive interview with Anchal, who takes us through his professional journey and leadership insights.
How do you plan to advance clinical and strategic outcomes in a global health context?
To advance clinical and strategic outcomes in a global health context it is essential to establish standardized global processes, particularly for clinical trials, research, and drug development. Harmonizing regulations, ensuring adherence to good clinical practices and implementing unified data systems and governance frameworks will enable consistency data quality and accessibility. It allows organizations to have valuable insights and make better
decisions as well as drive innovation in any part of the world through integrated global platforms and standardized practices.
What are the major challenges you've come across during your journey and how are you strategizing to resolve those challenges?
The major challenges in advancing an organization’s data maturity and transformation journey primarily stem from user adoption and the lack of clarity around strategic objectives. Technology itself is rarely the barrier; the real challenge lies in aligning data initiatives with well-defined business goals.
To address this, organizations must first establish a clear strategic direction and engage closely with functional stakeholders to understand their needs and pain points. Good cooperation among stakeholders will make sure that solutions are not merely arbitrary, the problem statements are clear, and there is a mutual agreement on the shared goals between all teams. When this is established, the technical roadmap can be developed and user adoption becomes easier.
How do you ensure that data privacy and ethical standards are upheld across all digital platforms?
Ensuring data privacy and ethical standards across digital platforms requires a strong governance framework that enforces compliance with regional and global regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA. Organizations must obtain informed consent from individuals, clearly communicate the purpose, usage, and retention of their data, and ensure transparency throughout the data lifecycle.
Strong access control should be put in place to ensure that sensitive information is manipulated only by authorized personnel in good faith. Also, universal policy, surveillance and safe technologies are to be available to ensure integrity of data, ethical conduct, and trustworthiness of all digital systems.
What are the values/traits that helped you gain recognition as a thought leader and a passionate advocate for the power of data, AI, and emerging technologies?
As a leader I have always been a firm believer in Servant leadership and driven by personal values such as be honest and transparent, it’s always a collective success or failure. Team and people are the biggest assets for any organization.
While I reflect on my journey, a few core values and traits have consistently shaped my identity
What are the major challenges you've come across during your journey and how are you strategizing to resolve those challenges?
The major challenges in advancing an organization’s data maturity and transformation journey primarily stem from user adoption and the lack of clarity around strategic objectives. Technology itself is rarely the barrier; the real challenge lies in aligning data initiatives with well-defined business goals.
To address this, organizations must first establish a clear strategic direction and engage closely with functional stakeholders to understand their needs and pain points. Good cooperation among stakeholders will make sure that solutions are not merely arbitrary, the problem statements are clear, and there is a mutual agreement on the shared goals between all teams. When this is established, the technical roadmap can be developed and user adoption becomes easier.
Sustainable digital transformation begins with a clear purpose, ethical principles, and strong stakeholder alignment—not with technology
How do you ensure that data privacy and ethical standards are upheld across all digital platforms?
Ensuring data privacy and ethical standards across digital platforms requires a strong governance framework that enforces compliance with regional and global regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA. Organizations must obtain informed consent from individuals, clearly communicate the purpose, usage, and retention of their data, and ensure transparency throughout the data lifecycle.
Strong access control should be put in place to ensure that sensitive information is manipulated only by authorized personnel in good faith. Also, universal policy, surveillance and safe technologies are to be available to ensure integrity of data, ethical conduct, and trustworthiness of all digital systems.
What are the values/traits that helped you gain recognition as a thought leader and a passionate advocate for the power of data, AI, and emerging technologies?
As a leader I have always been a firm believer in Servant leadership and driven by personal values such as be honest and transparent, it’s always a collective success or failure. Team and people are the biggest assets for any organization.
While I reflect on my journey, a few core values and traits have consistently shaped my identity
as a thought leader are strategic fore sight, ability to anticipate shifts, curiosity with purpose, empathy for the End-User, courage to experiment and Integrity and responsible leadership. Together, these have enabled me to champion the transformative power of data and AI while grounding that transformation in purpose, trust, and long-term value for the organization.
What is your future roadmap? What kinds of opportunities do you plan to capitalize on, go?
Our roadmap focuses on leveraging clinical data and advanced AI to enhance research outcomes and accelerate medical innovation. Alongside govern- ment-funded programs that shape public health policies, we aim to responsibly commercialize our research data through global collaborations, expanding its impact and creating long-term value in healthcare.
What advice would you give to budding industry leaders?
My advice to emerging industry leaders is to adopt a top-down approach when defining digital strategies. Identifying the right problem statement should take precedence over finding a technology solution, as technology will continue to evolve rapidly.
Strategies must be driven by functional and business leaders who clearly define the organization’s vision and align stake holders around a common goal. Function based on ethical principles, high stake holder interaction and be purpose-focused: these are the pillars of sustainable meaningful digital transformation.
Anchal Rastogi, Chief Data & Digital Officer, The George Institute
Anchal, a global data and digital leader, drives innovation and governance in healthcare through advanced analytics, machine learning, and cloud technologies
•Hobbies: My hobbies include trekking, building robotics and embedded solutions, and reading about technology.
•Favorite books: I enjoy reading about Indian mythology and exploring technology-related books. One of my personal favourites is The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton Christensen. For young leaders, I highly recommend Leading Change by John P. Kotter
•Favorite travel destination: Hilly regions of the Himalayas, as I’m deeply fascinated by mountains both in India and abroad.
•Favorite cuisine: I am a vegetarian and prefer Indian cuisine above all as it’s some thing I truly enjoy.
Awards & Recognitions:
•Employee of the Year Award – Conferred by the CIO of GE Healthcare for outstanding performance across the India region.
What is your future roadmap? What kinds of opportunities do you plan to capitalize on, go?
Our roadmap focuses on leveraging clinical data and advanced AI to enhance research outcomes and accelerate medical innovation. Alongside govern- ment-funded programs that shape public health policies, we aim to responsibly commercialize our research data through global collaborations, expanding its impact and creating long-term value in healthcare.
What advice would you give to budding industry leaders?
My advice to emerging industry leaders is to adopt a top-down approach when defining digital strategies. Identifying the right problem statement should take precedence over finding a technology solution, as technology will continue to evolve rapidly.
Strategies must be driven by functional and business leaders who clearly define the organization’s vision and align stake holders around a common goal. Function based on ethical principles, high stake holder interaction and be purpose-focused: these are the pillars of sustainable meaningful digital transformation.
Anchal Rastogi, Chief Data & Digital Officer, The George Institute
Anchal, a global data and digital leader, drives innovation and governance in healthcare through advanced analytics, machine learning, and cloud technologies
•Hobbies: My hobbies include trekking, building robotics and embedded solutions, and reading about technology.
•Favorite books: I enjoy reading about Indian mythology and exploring technology-related books. One of my personal favourites is The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton Christensen. For young leaders, I highly recommend Leading Change by John P. Kotter
•Favorite travel destination: Hilly regions of the Himalayas, as I’m deeply fascinated by mountains both in India and abroad.
•Favorite cuisine: I am a vegetarian and prefer Indian cuisine above all as it’s some thing I truly enjoy.
Awards & Recognitions:
•Employee of the Year Award – Conferred by the CIO of GE Healthcare for outstanding performance across the India region.