Aysha Handley '04: Woman on the Rise
04/28/2010
Aysha Handley, MPIA ’04, has been chosen to participate in a year-long leadership development program called “California Issues & Trends.” As part of this prestigious program for promising women leaders, Aysha will have the chance to tap into a network of more than 1,000 leaders in California. She’ll also be able to share the ideas and best practices she learns with her colleagues inside McKesson Corporation, a health care information technology company.
In her role as manager of the Corporate Integration Office, she has helped build, manage, and develop a library that serves as a repository of best practices for integrating acquired companies. Aysha helped start the Corporate Integration Office two years ago following McKesson’s integration of Per-Se Technologies.
Aysha’s job requires her to help prepare, coach, and influence integration leaders while streamlining integration processes and assuring compliance with McKesson’s corporate policies. According to her boss, Jennifer Lee, Senior Director of Corporate Integration, what makes Aysha extraordinary is that she never shies away from a challenge. “She is always willing to go the extra mile. ‘How can I help?’ are her favorite words.”
Aysha says she’s learned a lot from all the leaders who’ve coached her through the years. “I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have worked with brilliant leaders, who have shown me how to take initiative and build strong relationships ... and I’ve especially admired those who pull up everyone around them as they become more successful.” She’s put these lessons into action, serving as an outreach committee co-chair of McKesson’s Diversity Council and as a founding member of McKesson’s first employee resource group, OWN IT (Outstanding Women Networking, Inspiring and Taking Charge).
Over the course of the next year, in addition to her full-time job, Aysha will be participating in a series of programs and lectures geared to help her better understand issues and challenges facing California. “I will develop stronger leadership skills, build enhanced relationships in the community and learn more about the idiosyncrasies of our fine state. I expect this will allow me to give better counsel to my customers, and that is ultimately what I want.”
