| Legendary Leaders Honored: Three Visionaries Enter IAOP's Leadership Hall of Fame | |
Legendary Leaders Honored: Three Visionaries Enter IAOP's Leadership Hall of Fame
By: Sandy Frinton, Pulse Editor
IAOP inducted three new members into its prestigious Leadership Hall of Fame in a poignant ceremony that celebrated excellence, achievement, the transformative power of leadership, and the significance of giving back to society.
This momentous event at OWS24 in Chicago inspired OWS attendees and future generations of professionals to strive for excellence and make a positive impact. Following a reception hosted by Avasant, the awards ceremony capped off the first full day of the Summit.
The three leaders recognized for their outstanding contributions were:
- Kevin Parikh, Chairman and CEO of Avasant, has redefined the tech consultancy landscape by spearheading initiatives promoting digital equity and economic inclusion across developing nations. His strategic insights have facilitated multi-billion-dollar technology deals that enhance corporate efficiency and foster global digital transformation.
- Chocko Valliappa, founder, CEO, and Managing Director of Vee Healthtek Inc. and Vee Technologies Incorporated, has been recognized for his global impact. His leadership has led to pioneering advancements in AI applications in healthcare, significantly improving patient outcomes and operational efficiencies worldwide.
- Michelle Cirocco, Televerde’s Chief Social Responsibility Officer and Executive Director of the Televerde Foundation, is renowned for her transformative approach to integrating business with social justice. Her work has directly contributed to reshaping corporate strategies towards inclusive employment, mainly through initiatives that provide career opportunities to incarcerated women, inspiring a new wave of social responsibility in the industry.
IAOP CEO Debi Hamill praised the outstanding individuals who have significantly impacted the industry and beyond. “Each of these individuals has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, innovative management practices, and a commitment to community-based economic development,” she said.
Hamill underscored that the inductees’ accomplishments extend beyond their professional success, leaving a transformative impact on society. “Their exceptional achievements are a guiding light for us all, and we are privileged to acknowledge their contributions to our industry and society.”
IAOP Chief Advisor Thought Leadership Mark Voytek presented the awards, highlighting the significance of the IAOP Leadership Hall of Fame, founded in 2006. A leading advisor, he was inducted into the Hall’s ranks last year.
“It’s an honor to be joined by such a distinguished group of individuals who have set a high standard of excellence, integrity, and excellence in our business,” Voytek said. “As I look around this room, I am reminded of the countless contributions that our inductees have made to our industry and society.”
The ceremony was a testament to the strength of the outsourcing and sourcing community. “Tonight, we gather not only to celebrate the achievements of our inductees but also to acknowledge the incredible community that we are part of,” he said. “We are a group of professionals passionate about creating value, driving innovation, and making a difference in the world.”
Voytek encouraged the OWS attendees to draw inspiration from the inductees’ stories and strive to continue positively impacting their industry and society.
Read on for stories on the 2024 IAOP Leadership Hall of Fame's newest members.
Outsourcing Pioneer Kevin Parikh Makes a Global Impact
Kevin Parikh’s entry into outsourcing was inauspicious. As a young lawyer and former presidential appointment to Bill Clinton in the early 1990s, he was struggling to build a private litigation practice when a KPMG partner approached him to assist with offshore deals in India.
Despite his initial unfamiliarity with the then-novel concept, his unique blend of legal expertise and Indian heritage of the US-born and college-educated Parikh proved valuable to the project, setting the stage for his future success in the outsourcing industry.
From these modest beginnings, he would go on to leave an indelible mark on the outsourcing industry and society at large. His contributions, spanning over two decades, were instrumental in the industry's growth and development, leading to his well-deserved induction into the IAOP Leadership Hall of Fame at OWS24 in Chicago.
"I am immensely grateful and humbled to receive this prestigious honor from IAOP's Leadership Hall of Fame," Parikh said. "It is a testament to the collective efforts and shared vision of those who have supported and inspired me throughout my journey. This recognition reaffirms my commitment to fostering innovation, driving positive change, and championing societal impact."
During the ceremony, he shared his journey and thoughts on the industry's evolution after expressing his gratitude to IAOP CEO Debi Hamill.
"I think back to the early years when we were writing some of the first outsourcing contracts," he said. "They were one-page documents with no service levels or performance-based metrics. But it was an exciting time because we were preparing for what would come when we would see a tremendous explosion of globalization in our industry."
He recounted how the firm started with large-scale technology transactions that supported hundreds of thousands of jobs in India, leading to the formation of companies like Infosys and TCS. Over the years, as a leading advisor, Parikh has met with many of these companies’ CEOs and executives and is amazed by how much the world has changed since then.
Today, Parikh is the Chairman & CEO of Avasant, a leading global management consulting firm that negotiates over $28 billion annually in technology deals, representing buyers.
As a best-selling author and keynote speaker, Parikh is renowned for his profound insights and foresight on innovation and digital transformation. He explores how emerging technologies and new business models are transforming the world of work and creating new opportunities for growth and social impact. During the event, Parikh also gave a visionary address on the Rise of the Imagination Age.
Writing the Book on Impact Sourcing
Avasant made its mark on the industry by writing the first paper defining impact sourcing in Uganda, Ghana, and South Africa for the Rockefeller Foundation. The firm went on to explore the business practice in 32 countries, supported by the Rockefeller Foundation with IAOP’s guidance.
As a result of the engagement, the Avasant Foundation was launched and has since impacted 50,000 youth in developing countries, with an impressive 98 percent of them getting jobs.
"We're proud of what we've achieved, but we know that there's still much work to be done," said Parikh, who serves as the Chairman of the Avasant Foundation. "We're committed to continuing our efforts to promote digital equity and economic inclusion, and we're grateful for the support of IAOP and our partners in this journey."
In 2023, the Avasant Foundation was awarded IAOP’s Global Impact Sourcing Award for its continuous excellence in impact sourcing.
Through his work with the Avasant Foundation, Parikh has made significant contributions to social development, particularly in education, employment, and entrepreneurship. He has partnered with several organizations to support disadvantaged youth, women's empowerment, and global sustainable development.
Parikh also holds esteemed positions on several advisory boards, including the TiE Global Board of Trustees, the CEO Board of Advisors for UCLA-Innovate, and the USC Center for Political Future Board of Councilors.
Parikh closed his remarks by paying tribute to Joe Frampus, a partner who passed away in May before the event, who strongly supported the Avasant Foundation.
From Ashes to Action: Chocko Valliappa's Inspiring Journey to IAOP's Leadership Hall of Fame
Chocko Valliappa's journey from a traumatic event in 1997 to becoming a leader in the outsourcing industry is a testament to his resilience, determination, and commitment to positively impacting the world.
In February 1997, a labor dispute at a textile factory in India escalated into a devastating fire, leaving Valliappa shaken and determined to make a change.
"I saw a factory go up in smoke because some of the employees lit fire to it," he recalled. "Surviving that, I said, I need to get out of this and look at something else."
Valliappa's transformation began with a vision to create a new kind of business that would succeed and make a difference.
His global impact over the next 25 years has earned Valliappa a prestigious place in IAOP’s Leadership Hall of Fame, a testament to his transformative leadership in the outsourcing industry.
“Had I looked at the world as a failure, then I wouldn't be here today,” he recounted when accepting the award at OWS 24 in Chicago. “I said, let's do something which can transform the world.”
As a fourth-generation entrepreneur, Valliappa has established himself as a global leader known for his innovative spirit, dedication to education, and commitment to community development. He founded Vee Technologies in 2002 and now serves as CEO of Vee Healthtek Inc., formerly the healthcare professional services of Vee Technologies.
With a passion for empowering his community, Chocko founded the Valliappa Foundation and established Sona Yukti Pvt. Ltd., a pioneering initiative that provides skill-based industry training. He is also the Vice Chairman of The Sona Group of Institutions, which has educated over 12,000 students and boasts an impressive 200,000-strong alum network.
His BPO Start Began with a Vision
Valliappa's journey to make an impact started in India around Y2K. Seeing the talent and bandwidth available, he began thinking of ways to leverage that through Business Process Outsourcing (BPO). He shared how he won a significant request for proposal (RFP) from Cigna Healthcare.
“Today, it would take us about six or eight weeks to put an RFP together,” he said. “But the entire business plan just came to me like a vision. We finished the RFP overnight, and I single-handedly handled that. I don't know how I did it.”
This milestone began his journey into the outsourcing industry, which he credits with igniting his passion for innovation and social responsibility.
Valliappa has revolutionized the outsourcing landscape in healthcare and IT services. His leadership has driven groundbreaking advancements in AI applications within healthcare, leading to substantial enhancements in patient outcomes and operational efficiencies worldwide. His initiatives have also been instrumental in strengthening India's position as a leader in technological education and innovation.
He spoke about his company's healthcare, engineering, and architecture initiatives that have made significant impacts worldwide, from safer fire trucks in the US to rocket motors that landed on the moon and Mars.
Among Valliappa’s many notable achievements is creating HireMee in 2017, a social enterprise recruitment platform that has democratized the recruitment process for recent college graduates in India and enabled three million jobs.
This innovative platform was recognized at OWS24 with the prestigious Global Impact Sourcing Award. HireMee's unique approach helps companies discover hidden talent in tier II and III cities while empowering job seekers to find roles that align with their skills and aptitudes.
Valliappa's community initiatives include Sona FM, a radio station providing educational content and health information to Salem, India, and Anadhanam, which addresses hunger by redistributing surplus food to needy people.
Valliappa supports orphanages, senior citizens, and remote villages in India through donations, scholarships, and community service. In the US, Vee Healthtek supplies hygiene products to homeless shelters, offers paid volunteer time off, and matches donations to nonprofits.
Valliappa's acceptance speech was a heartfelt tribute to his journey, company, and the outsourcing industry, which he noted touches some 100 million people.
He thanked his mentors, family, and friends for their guidance and support and his employees for their dedication and hard work, enabling the company to achieve its mission to "globalize success" and improve lives. His son and team members proudly were in the audience.
"Thinking back to that day in 1997, this could have been a reality without our teams' hard work and dedication," he said.
He concluded with these inspiring words for his industry peers gathered for the annual Summit. “Outsourcing is the glue that sticks the world together. Continue to do what you’re doing because you are the messiahs of peace who help make the world a better place.”
Second Chances to Success: Michelle Cirocco's Path to the IAOP Leadership Hall of Fame
Imagine leading with what many consider your greatest failure at every professional juncture. Michelle Cirocco chose to do that when appointed Chief Responsibility Officer for Televerde five years ago.
Instead of concealing that she started her career with the company while serving a nearly six-year prison sentence, she decided to be bold and authentic in her leadership style, openly sharing her personal experiences with incarceration.
Cirocco's decision to be open about her past has not only transformed her life and career but also the lives of countless women in prison. Her approach has shattered stereotypes, opened doors that were once closed, and significantly reduced the stigma associated with incarceration.
For her significant impact on the outsourcing industry through her unique integration of business with social justice, Cirocco was recognized with her induction into the prestigious IAOP Leadership Hall of Fame at OWS24. This achievement is a testament to the power of giving people a second chance and the critical role enterprises can play in making that happen.
Showing her Authenticity
Cirocco was celebrated by outsourcing professionals gathered at the annual Summit in Chicago. Due to a scheduling conflict, she shared her inspiring personal story via a video acceptance speech.
Cirocco had always been transparent about her past with those close to her and her colleagues. However, elevating this aspect of her life to the forefront of her professional narrative was a new and daunting endeavor. She described it as "leading with what many consider your greatest failure at every professional junction."
"This wasn't merely about openness,” she said. “It was about highlighting these experiences as a cornerstone of my professional identity, to underscore the critical importance of second chances."
Despite the risks, Cirocco believed that this bold move was necessary and was proven correct by the response she received. "Business leaders were not only more receptive but also deeply engaged,” she said. “The impact was immediate and profound. I showed them that those affected by incarceration were just like their mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends.”
Throughout her career, Cirocco has championed second chances, advocated for justice reform, and promoted opportunities for the often overlooked. She believes that "talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not" and that by creating opportunities for the often overlooked, we can create new pathways for growth and success.
Notable Achievements
Cirocco's commitment to education and community is evident through her MBA from Arizona State University, where she serves on the Dean's Advisory Council. Her passion for sharing ideas and empowering others is reflected in her work organizing and hosting the first TEDx talk at an Arizona prison, the Perryville Correctional Center, in 2018.
As an advocate for justice reform, Cirocco serves as an ambassador for Represent Justice and actively participates in the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice as a member of its advisory council. She also contributes her expertise as a board member of the 6th Amendment Center and sits on the boards of Conscious Capitalism and Women in Revenue.
A visionary leader, Cirocco has held various leadership positions at Televerde, including Chief Marketing Officer. She started her career with Televerde in 1999, working in the call center in an Arizona prison, and today also serves as Executive Director of the Televerde Foundation.
Her dedication to social impact has earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of the world's most influential women in conscious business by Conscious Company Magazine and the Phoenix Business Journal's Most Admired Leader.
Televerde’s Mission
Cirocco credited her late boss, Jim Hooker, with transforming Televerde from its humble beginnings in a single-wide trailer on the grounds of an Arizona women's prison to a global organization with over 650 employees, 60 percent of whom are incarcerated in five US prison facilities across Arizona, Indiana, and Florida.
“Jim believed in a purpose-driven business before it was recognized. His vision and commitment paved the way for everything we have achieved today,” she said.
Televerde’s mission is to provide currently and formerly incarcerated women with the personal and professional development programs necessary to join and advance in the global workplace successfully.
Its approach develops self-efficacy by inspiring creativity, imagination, self-confidence, and social skills while addressing issues that cause recidivism. The company enables women to break the generational cycle of poverty and incarceration by becoming positive role models to change the lives of future generations and build stronger communities.
Cirocco emphasized the importance of championing second chances and reflected on the evolution of societal norms regarding the stigma of incarceration.
“By championing second chances, we create entirely new pathways for those often overlooked,” she said. “This recognition by IAOP tonight underscores the evolution of societal norms concerning the stigma of incarceration and second chances and the powerful role that businesses can play in this transformative process.”
IAOP recognized Televerde as a leading global impact sourcing provider in 2020 with the Global Impact Sourcing Award.
Lifting Others
Cirocco takes immense pride in witnessing the success of those who have worked alongside her, crediting the achievements of "all the talented legacy members and our current team who have made this journey possible."
Cirocco defined leadership as "believing in others until they can believe in themselves" and emphasized the importance of providing unwavering support, resources, and encouragement to empower others to navigate their lives and careers.
Reflecting on her experiences, she highlighted the significance of sharing successes and failures. "The power of relationships, resilience, and yes, even grit and failure, is where the most profound growth occurs," she shared.
Expressing her gratitude to IAOP and everyone who believes in the transformative power of second chances, Cirocco ended her remarks with an inspiring call to action: "Here's to embracing the impossible, trusting in our vision, and celebrating everyone who strives to make a positive impact. “Let's continue to make a difference together."