(US and Canada) Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) has announced the appointment of Yazhene Krishnaraj as its new Chief Information and Digital Officer. In this role, she will drive the company’s technology and digital transformation efforts, enhancing service delivery to sponsors and research sites. Working closely with SCRI’s leadership, Krishnaraj will ensure that technology strategies are aligned with the organization’s core business objectives.

SCRI is part of HCA Healthcare, one of the largest healthcare providers in the U.S. McKesson and HCA formed a joint venture, integrating McKesson’s US Oncology Research (USOR) with SCRI to create a unified oncology research organization.

Krishnaraj brings a wealth of experience in digital transformation, data strategy, and artificial intelligence. Before joining SCRI, she held leadership positions across the U.S., UK, and India, spearheading innovative digital solutions for Fortune 500 companies. At Citizens Financial Group, she played a key role in modernizing the Risk Office through AI-driven risk monitoring. Before stepping into her current role, she led the Decision Intelligence unit for the U.S. Pharmaceutical, Oncology & Specialty at McKesson, where she managed large-scale AI and data initiatives that generated significant business value.

Her academic background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from Anna University in India and a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Wayne State University. She also completed an Executive Leadership Program at Harvard Business School.

Beyond her corporate contributions, Krishnaraj is recognized for her ability to bridge the gap between business and IT leadership, optimize technology investments for value creation, and foster high-performing teams. She has been featured in CDO Magazine’s Global Data Power Women list for two consecutive years and is a founding member of Women Leaders in Data and AI, advocating for diversity and inclusion in the technology sector. She holds a position on the CDO Magazine Global Editorial Board, showcasing her contributions to the field of data.

Krishnaraj shared her enthusiasm for the role in a LinkedIn post, stating, “I am truly excited to be part of such an innovative group and look forward to collaborating with all of you. Together, we’ll drive transformative digital solutions to revolutionize cancer care worldwide through cutting-edge research.”