Sami Yalavac

Sami Yalavac

Australia

Sami is a technology executive with over 35 years’ experience at a variety of industries spanning multiple continents as a CIO, MD and a consultant. Sami’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Computer Engineering, an MBA, Master’s degree on Quality Management and also held GAICD Company Directors Certificate and sits a couple of board and board committees.

Before his conmaster’scy services, hewas with Bupa for 17 years and part of Bupa APAC’s executive team, 7 years as APAC CIO, managed all the Technology operations and transformation programmes across Asia Pacific and responsible for delivering high-quality, reliable and performance-enhancing technology services across Bupa.

Sami also served Bupa as interim managing director for Bupa’s Health Services managing Bupa’s health businesses in 2022. As Managing Director, Sami overseed Bupa’s health services portfolio. These include the dental, optical & hearing businesses, medical visa services, DVA advisory services and Australian Defence Forces health services, as well as digital health care service Blua.

During his time at Bupa, he has led the transformation of technology department, delivered significant number of transformation programs. Sami is also siting on Strategic Advisory board of Optus, Cyber Security Advisory Board of Deakin University, Digital board sub-committee of Yourtown/Kids Helpline, board member of large school group and various community working groups, not-for-profit organisations to contribute the society. He was named as #1, Australian CIO of the 2022 by CIO50 and also rankings from #3 to #15 since CIO50’s establishment.

1. Which of the 10 declarations of The Mindful CIO Manifesto (attached) resonates the most with you?
They all resonate with me but the #1: We bring Humanity to the IT Industry is the one that resonates with me the most.

2. Please elaborate on why you identify the most with this declaration.
Every declaration is relying on being a proper human being, without that, you will never be a great leader, this is the underlying quality to successfully implement all of these fantastic principles, so we need to bring humanity to everything we do so we have a chance to implement these principles in the most effective and sustainable way.

3. What is your #1 Strategy (or Ritual) for Self-Care?
It is my prayers and the associated reflections that I do multiple times in a day starting before sunrise and the last one before I go to bed. So it covers all my day and keeps reminding me of my purpose and helps me to put everything in perspective that does not let any challenges impact me or slow me down from my journey.

4. What does Mindful Leadership mean to you?
It is about constantly being aware of your responsibilities and the capabilities you have, it keeps reminding you why you are here and what really matters.

5. Why do you think The Mindful CIO movement is important? In other words, why have you accepted to become a Champion of this community?
We keep underestimating the human factor and the relevant skills and factors in our industry that are causing a lot of difficulties, failures, and stress. This movement allows us to keep on track, learning and getting inspired from each other and also create a platform where you can ask for help as well as helping others. So I have accepted to learn from others but also share my experience and learnings with my peers in the industry so we all will benefit overall.