Most of Our Learning Comes From Doing – Walgreens Head of Pharmacy and Healthcare Data

(US & Canada) Sashi Venkatesan, Head of Pharmacy and Healthcare Data at Walgreens, speaks with Marty Poniatowski, Director at AMD, in a video interview about the culture and importance of team members, and the need and impact of an accountability-driven open culture of teams.

Venkatesan emphasizes that, alongside patient outcomes and the security of patient data, the involvement and culture of his team are a personal focus. When he began six years ago, he was tasked with building a data platform that would support strategic initiatives for the business. Recognizing the challenges of assembling the right team, Venkatesan understood that patience and clarity of purpose were essential, especially since the necessary skills are often found in tech companies.

The organization prioritized hiring individuals who aligned with the mission of ensuring patient safety as the core goal. He acknowledged the unique culture within their retail and patient-focused environment, which differs from a typical back-office setting. From a technical standpoint, his team needed solid skills—whether in Java, Spark, or Scala—but more importantly, they sought team members who were open to experimenting, learning quickly, and correcting mistakes.

To foster a strong team culture, Venkatesan identified different levels of maturity within the team, from basic to advanced, aligning them with specific products and use cases. This approach ensured that team members could address errors and develop solutions that met the required capabilities for patient data safety. The guiding principles were clear — data should never be lost or duplicated, and patients should never have to resubmit information they have already provided.

Venkatesan emphasizes the development of a culture that thrives on openness, experimentation, and collaboration, ensuring that only highly confident solutions reach stores or patients. Continuous training, supported by strong partnerships with companies like Microsoft and Databricks, has been integral to this process. However, the majority of their learning comes from doing, guided by clear, non-negotiable success criteria. This approach fosters a dynamic environment where daily learning is ingrained in the company’s culture.

Further, Venkatesan highlights the culture of complete accountability within his team, stressing that each member is responsible for the entire lifecycle of a data product. This approach encourages individuals to embrace diverse roles and responsibilities. In their open culture, team members are not confined to a single goal; they can explore different roles, such as architecture, while still ensuring that all aspects of their work, including source code efficiency and infrastructure management, are addressed.

He notes that while not everyone needs to be an expert in every area, the team maintains a broad oversight of their operations. Venkatesan explains that the organization manages extensive data teams, primarily dealing with patient data and operational systems. The impact of a pipeline failure can be significant, potentially resulting in cases like missed calls to patients who are due for medication refills. Given the critical nature of their work, the team is well aware of the stakes and focuses on developing products with the maturity required to meet these high demands.

CDO Magazine appreciates Sashi Venkatesan for sharing his insights with our global community.

*Note: This interview was originally recorded on June 25, 2024.