Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Awards Recognition
Publications
Patents
Timeline
Generic

Zahra Heidary

Data Science, AI&Innovation
Princeton,NJ

Summary

Visionary executive with 20+ years of global experience leading enterprise AI, data strategy, and digital transformation across healthcare, diagnostics, pharmaceutical, and CPG industries. Proven success in shaping and executing AI-first operating models, ethical AI governance frameworks, and patient-centric digital health innovations. Trusted advisor to executive leadership, aligning AI investments with measurable business outcomes. Deep expertise in Gen AI, machine learning, SDLC automation, clinical data science, and AI-driven product development.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience
2018
2018
years of post-secondary education

Work History

Executive Director, Head of Data Science & AI

Novartis
04.2023 - Current
  • Spearhead the U.S Enterprise GenAI and data strategy for Pharma and Oncology, aligning AI investments with business transformation and patient outcomes
  • Developed and implemented organizational strategies to achieve set goals and objectives and secured long-term success.
  • Chair the Generative AI Council to drive responsible innovation and regulatory-compliant deployment at scale
  • Developed and implemented AI agents and GenAI copilots delivering real-time actionable insights to field force, marketing, and physician-facing tools
  • Integrated AI across the SDLC in collaboration with IT, enhancing testing automation, model deployment, and DevOps operations
  • Partner with medical affairs, HEOR, and commercial teams to integrate data science into diagnostic pathways and real-world evidence generation
  • Lead a multifunctional team of data scientists, AI engineers, and software engineers to drive full lifecycle development and adoption of AI products

Global Head, Data Science (Center of Excellence)

Mondelez International
04.2022 - 04.2023
  • Built and led a global data science CoE across four regions (US, LATAM, AMEA, EU), embedding AI capabilities into operational and commercial processes
  • Defined and executed a multi-year AI strategy aligned with enterprise productivity, growth, and customer-centricity
  • Established a data governance framework, standardizing data access, quality, and lifecycle controls across business units
  • Partnered with software engineering to embed AI into SDLC, supporting model testing, deployment, and automation pipelines

Director, Data Science AI & Innovation

Novartis
01.2021 - 04.2022
  • Led omnichannel personalization initiatives through predictive modeling and AI-driven decision engines for NPP and field optimization
  • Developed next-best-action solutions and real-time feedback loops to improve HCP engagement and customer satisfaction
  • Created Voice of Customer (VoC) models spanning touchpoints across the patient and HCP journey
  • Served as innovation hub lead, incubating AI methodologies and governing their strategic implementation
  • Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.

Sr. Manager / Associate Director, Data Science

Otsuka Pharmaceutical
09.2017 - 12.2020
  • Led the Digital Accelerator Lab focused on AI applications in digital medicine, behavioral monitoring, and adherence tracking
  • Collaborated with HEOR and bioinformatics teams to integrate algorithms into patient-level data pipelines and product R&D
  • Oversaw engineering and data platform development tailored to digital health signal processing
  • Created social listening and behavioral modeling tools to guide development of AI-enhanced digital therapeutics

Risk Modeling Lead

BMO Harris Bank
01.2016 - 09.2017
  • Built forecasting and risk analytics models across commercial portfolios, aligned to model governance requirements
  • Developed enterprise data infrastructure and cross-functional alignment for data strategy and analytics enablement

Senior Risk Modeler

GE Capital
09.2014 - 01.2016
  • Designed regulatory risk models (LGD, IFRS9, AIRB) and partnered globally to standardize model and data governance
  • Introduced machine learning methods to enhance predictive accuracy and modeling efficiency

Research Assistant

University of Illinois at Chicago
09.2012 - 12.2014
  • Developed diagnostic models using multi-physics simulations for health monitoring of complex systems
  • Contributed to NAVAIR and Argonne-funded research in predictive analytics and diagnostics

Senior Scientist

MMD Engineers
12.2005 - 12.2010
  • Designed prognostic algorithms for structural health and anomaly detection, deploying AI for fault diagnostics and RUL prediction
  • Led multi-disciplinary R&D teams from concept through implementation

Education

Ph.D. - Civil Engineering

University of Illinois At Chicago
05.2001 - 01.2014

B.S. - Applied Mathematics

University of Bahonar

Skills

Generative AI, Agentic workflow and scable AI solution roll out

Team leadership

Financial budgeting

Strategic planning expertise

Regulatory compliance

Experienced in product management

Data strategy and governance

Awards Recognition

  • BIZ X Award, Novartis, 2021
  • Above & Beyond Award, GE Capital, 2015
  • UIC Chancellor's Graduate Research Fellowship, 2013-2014
  • Ranked Top 0.01% in Iranian National College Exam, 2000

Publications

  • Z. Heidary, J. Cochran, T. Strickland, J. Knights “A Rest Quality Metric Using a Cluster-Based Analysis of Accelerometer Data and Correlation With Digital Medicine Ingestion Data: Algorithm Development ” JMIR Form Res 2021;5(3):e17993,doi: 10.2196/17993
  • J. Cochran, Z. Heidary, J. Knights “ Characterization of activity behavior using a digital medicine system and comparison to medication ingestion in patients with serious mental illness,” npj Digital Medicine volume 4, Article number: 63 (2021)
  • J. Knights, Z. Heidary, T. Strickland, M. Ramanathan “Evaluating digital medicine ingestion data from seriously mentally ill patients with a Bayesian Hybrid Model,” npj Digital Medicine 2, Article number: 20 (2019)
  • Z. Heidary, D. Ozevin “On the Influence of Boundary Reflections to the Characteristics of Elastic Waves for Pattern Recognition Methods,” Journal of NDT&E international, DOI: 10.1007/s10921-014-0271-7.
  • Z. Heidary, D. Ozevin “The Selection of Polynomial Order and Element Size for the Spectral Element Formulation of High Frequency Elastic Wave Equation” Journal of Sound and Vibration, submitted.Z. Heidary, D. Ozevin “Ecient computation of wave propagation along axisymmetric pipes under non-axisymmetric loading,” Journal of Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, Vol. 86, pp.81-88, 2014.
  • D. Ozevin, Z. Heidary “Acoustic Emission Source Orientation Based on Time Scale,” Journal of Acoustic Emission, Vol. 29, pp. 123-132, 2011.
  • Z. Heidary, T. Strickland, J. Knights “Quality of Rest and Treatment Adherence in Seriously Mentally Ill Patients Receiving Treatment With a Digital Medicine System,” ASCP 2019 Annual meeting.
  • Z. Heidary, D. Ozevin “High Frequency Elastic Wave Propagation in Large Structures using Spectral Elements and Perfectly Matched Layers” SPIE NDE/Smart Structures International, March 2014.
  • Z. Heidary, D. Ozevin “Damage Quantification using Wave Propagation Data with Integrated Numerical and Experimental Approach,” ASME 2013 International Mechanical Engineering Congress, November 2013.
  • Z. Heidary, D. Ozevin “The E↵ectiveness of Spectral Element Method for High Frequency Wave Propagation” SPIE NDE/Smart Structures International, March 2013.
  • Z. Heidary, D. Ozevin, H.Yal¸cınkaya “2D Numerical Modeling of Pipeline Structures with Non-Axisymmetric Loads and Spectral Elements for Identifying Reliable Sensor Spacing ,“International Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring, IWSHM 2013 Stanford, CA., September 2013.

Patents

  • System and Method for Generating an Adherence Volatility Metric, 2019
  • Behavioral Anomaly Detection Based on an Adherence Volatility Metric, 2019
  • Dynamically Distorted Time Warping Distance Measure Between Discrete-Time Series, 2019

Timeline

Executive Director, Head of Data Science & AI

Novartis
04.2023 - Current

Global Head, Data Science (Center of Excellence)

Mondelez International
04.2022 - 04.2023

Director, Data Science AI & Innovation

Novartis
01.2021 - 04.2022

Sr. Manager / Associate Director, Data Science

Otsuka Pharmaceutical
09.2017 - 12.2020

Risk Modeling Lead

BMO Harris Bank
01.2016 - 09.2017

Senior Risk Modeler

GE Capital
09.2014 - 01.2016

Research Assistant

University of Illinois at Chicago
09.2012 - 12.2014

Senior Scientist

MMD Engineers
12.2005 - 12.2010

Ph.D. - Civil Engineering

University of Illinois At Chicago
05.2001 - 01.2014

B.S. - Applied Mathematics

University of Bahonar
Zahra HeidaryData Science, AI&Innovation
Resume profile created at Zety.com