For Lindsay Hua, technology is only as powerful as the people it serves. As Vice President of Global Deployment and Head of Diversity in Technology at Afiniti, she drives AI-powered customer experience rollouts across industries while ensuring inclusion starts at the design table. Her mission is clear: “Diversity in technology isn’t about checking boxes; it’s about empowering individuals to lead, share their insights, and shape the future together.”
Lindsay sees inclusive design as the foundation for smarter, human-centered solutions. Every project she leads, whether in telecom, healthcare, hospitality, or finance, carries the dual intent: to deliver impact and elevate unheard voices. She believes innovation happens when different perspectives collide, challenge the status quo, and co-create purposefully. At Afiniti, inclusion is not an afterthought but a core principle. “Diverse teams create better technology,” she says, proving it every day.
As Head of Diversity in Technology, Lindsay doesn’t define success in terms of metrics or milestones. She measures it in moments: when someone finds their voice, when teams begin to listen, when belonging becomes real. A piece of advice once given to her still resonates: “If even one person has been empowered, then it’s been worth it.” She also observes the ripple effects. Retention, for her, is about whether people feel safe, supported, and seen. Engagement surveys and pulse checks offer insight into that experience. Reach is reflected in the momentum of programs like EmpowHER and IGNITE Worldwide—initiatives she believes continue to drive meaningful change.
But the numbers are only one part of the equation. What matters most is what shifts: the confidence sparked in mentorship, the community born in cross-functional connection, and the transformation that happens when inclusion becomes practice. Lindsay feels success is when individuals lead with empathy and lift others along the way. That’s when diversity evolves into movement.
Read on this exclusive conversation with Lindsay, the trailblazer!
Turning Roadblocks into Relationships
One market in particular tested every facet of Lindsay’s leadership. The client held high expectations around customer experience, yet existing AI solutions missed addressing the nuanced pain points. Lindsay observed that the challenges weren’t rooted in volume or the dynamic environment alone, but in the deeper need for customers to feel heard, valued, and connected at every touchpoint.
Rather than rushing to apply a quick fix, she chose to slow down and dive deep. Her first instinct was to listen, truly listen, to what the client was facing. Through thoughtful inquiry and direct engagement, she and her team were able to isolate the core of the problem. It became clear that what the client needed was not just optimization but empathy engineered into the solution itself.
She and her team built and implemented and AI-focused customer experience capability that prioritized both performance and human connection that’s bespoke to the client’s needs. Lindsay emphasized relationship-building throughout the process, positioning her team not as vendors but as trusted partners. That shift laid the foundation for trust, measurable improvements, and meaningful collaboration.
KPIs with Purpose: Gauging Result, Not Just Triumphs
Recognized as one of ‘The Most Influential Business Leaders to Watch in 2025,’ Lindsay is a forewoman who makes tech feel less like a machine and more like a helpful partner. For her, even the strongest relationships must deliver results. She believes the true measure of success in Global Deployment goes far beyond simply “going live” — it’s about tangible outcomes that align with the client’s broader business goals.
Her team balances operational KPIs like time-to-deployment, budget adherence, and system reliability with metrics such as customer satisfaction, AI performance improvements, and internal stakeholder engagement. If a deployment doesn’t elevate the client experience or drive innovation, it’s not a true win.
To ensure alignment from day one, Lindsay’s team maps each project’s KPIs to key strategic priorities, revenue growth, operational efficiency, or customer retention. She also champions qualitative feedback through post-deployment reviews and team pulse checks. “KPIs aren’t just numbers; they tell the story of impact,” she expresses. The results spoke for themselves: enhanced satisfaction, stronger operations, and a partnership that extended far beyond the scope of delivery. It reaffirmed Lindsay’s belief that real transformation begins when empathy is woven into execution, and success is measured by the value left behind.
Cultivating an Inclusive Tech Future Through Empowering Women
Lindsay passionately highlights how she has made diversity and inclusion an integral part of the company culture. Among these is the innovative dual-format mentoring program, which focuses on leadership, career progression, and navigating the challenges of working parenthood. This program has created a supportive network of women that equips them with the tools to advance their careers and break through barriers.
In addition, Afiniti’s “Career Reboot” program welcomes women back into the workforce after a career break, providing invaluable resources and mentorship. She led the partnership with CodeGirls, that has brought opportunities to young women eager to enter tech, offering internships and a gateway into the field.
Lindsay also highlights the company’s quarterly Speaker Series, a vibrant forum that sparks conversation on leadership, diversity, and the intersection of technology and human impact. These events encourage women to explore leadership roles and promote diversity of thought in an industry that continues to evolve.
Further reinforcing the company’s commitment to diversity, Lindsay is proud of the company’s long-standing partnership with IGNITE Worldwide. This initiative introduces young girls and gender-diverse youth to STEM through interactive AI/ML workshops and field trips. By nurturing their curiosity and providing hands-on learning experiences, the organization is helping shape the next generation of tech leaders. Lastly, her EmpowHER initiative connects women across the organization, creating an empowering space for collaboration, mentorship, and professional development. These programs exemplify Lindsay’s dedication to building an inclusive ecosystem where women not only survive but thrive.
Breaking Down Barriers to Diversity
The tech industry continues to face significant barriers to diversity, especially for underrepresented groups. Lindsay sees these obstacles as layered and persistent. She has witnessed how unconscious bias in hiring and promotion, limited access to tech education, and a lack of mentorship for diverse talent all contribute to a stagnant pipeline.
To address these issues, she believes companies must lead with intention. “At the heart of innovation is a deep understanding of both technology and its human application, because real transformation happens when tech and people come together,” she emphasizes. For her, one key step is developing mentorship and sponsorship programs that actively support women, people of color, and differently-abled individuals.
Lindsay encourages partnerships with initiatives such as CodeGirls and IGNITE Worldwide—programs previously highlighted for their role in supporting underserved youth and women in tech. These collaborations equip aspiring professionals with real-world tools and opportunities to create a name for themselves. Besides recruitment, Lindsay advocates for inclusive policies in the workplace, flexible work models, unbiased performance reviews, and thriving employee resource groups. She believes these shifts foster belonging, spark innovation, and enrich team dynamics.
Manta for Balance: Preventing Chaos
This V-suite executive shares that balancing global expansion with diversity initiatives has never been an either-or for her. Instead, it’s a unified strategy. As Afiniti expands its footprint across global markets, she ensures that diversity is not treated as an addendum but embedded directly into the business strategy. Lindsay’s background in large-scale deployment taught her that inclusive practices, when intentionally designed, are not only possible but essential in high-performance environments. Every new vertical or client rollout becomes an opportunity to operationalize equity, making it part of how success is defined.
She regards both internal teams and external clients as integral stakeholders, and believes that investing in people through inclusive policies, mentorship programs, and access to opportunity creates a multiplier effect, driving innovation, retention, and long-term business value. To Lindsay, this isn’t theory. It’s the lived philosophy that shapes every initiative she leads.
When it comes to work-life integration, Lindsay says sustainability starts with self-care. Movement grounds her, be it a quick HIIT workout, a walk accompanied by her go-to playlist, or a moment of stillness in meditation. Traveling with her family, especially to lesser-known places, renews her perspective and reminds her of the vibrant diversity that inspires her work.
In both leadership and life, Lindsay has learned that when you lead with clarity and care, growth and inclusion don’t compete. They amplify each other.
Counteracting Global Deployment with Cultural Sensitivity
Lindsay believes that cross-cultural communication is key to successful global deployments. One experience that stands out involved launching a complex initiative across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Pakistan, and Turkey. Each country brought its own distinct cultural lens, shaped by deep-rooted traditions and immigrant influences. What made the project work, Lindsay reflects, was the team’s ability to listen, adapt thoughtfully, and honor these differences.
As a Filipino-Chinese immigrant, Lindsay understands the challenge of navigating unfamiliar systems while staying connected to one’s roots. This experience guides her leadership style. In one country, trust-building took precedence over timelines. In North America, clarity and autonomy were key. In Europe, direct communication had to be softened by sensitivity to local nuances to avoid friction.
For Lindsay, success came from the team’s shared commitment to cultural humility. They held open forums, invited diverse perspectives into the planning, and made space for context. Lindsay says it’s a powerful reminder that while technology is global, trust is local. And trust, rooted in understanding, is what turns a deployment into a true partnership.
Advising the Next Generation
Lindsay encourages the next generation of leaders in global tech to claim their space with conviction, even when it feels uncomfortable. She acknowledges that many of the rooms they’ll enter weren’t historically built with them in mind, but that only makes their presence more powerful. Their perspective, she believes, is not a limitation but a strength.
She urges them to stay relentlessly curious and to challenge conventional thinking with intention. In her experience, the most impactful leaders aren’t necessarily the loudest. They’re the ones who listen deeply, lead with empathy, and intentionally create space for others to contribute and thrive.
Lindsay also stresses the importance of building strong networks of people who offer guidance, encouragement, and accountability. Just as critical, she notes, is becoming that support for others. According to her, true leadership is not about individual ascent but about collective rise.
She inspires future leaders to act with urgency and purpose, rather than waiting for permission or titles. Lindsay reminds, “Whether you’re launching an initiative, guiding a team, or simply speaking up in a meeting, every action matters.”
And perhaps most importantly, she reminds them that their success isn’t just about them. It’s about the door they leave open for the next person. That, in her eyes, is the inception of a true legacy.
AI’s Potential, Indicated by Lindsay
Lindsay recognizes the significant transformative potential of AI across various sectors, from augmenting human capabilities to streamlining intricate processes and unlocking novel efficiencies. In her view, “AI is not just a tool; it’s a catalyst for positive change, transforming industries and unlocking new efficiencies by enhancing human potential.” Simultaneously, she is keenly aware of the inherent challenges AI presents, including ethical concerns, the need for transparency, and ensuring inclusivity in systems. As a leader, Lindsay views AI as a catalyst for positive change, driven by principles like fairness and transparency. Her focus remains on creating solutions that have a practical benefit, especially in enhancing human connections.
Managing AI on a global scale requires an understanding of cultural nuances and regulatory differences. Lindsay’s leadership centers on building a diverse, cross-functional team, fostering collaboration, and balancing innovation with responsible technology use. By addressing these challenges head-on and embracing opportunities, she ensures AI remains a force for good, creating meaningful change in an evolving world.
Embedding Inclusion into Global Impact and Innovation
For Lindsay, cultivating a global mindset begins with valuing the richness of cultural differences. As a first-generation immigrant navigating multiple identities, as a woman, a person of color, and an outsider to many established systems, she understands the complexity of showing up fully in spaces not originally designed for you. Rather than seeing these identities as barriers, she considers them sources of strength that shape her inclusive approach to leadership.
At Afiniti, she has led the global deployment of AI-powered solutions that optimize human connections across diverse enterprise settings. These initiatives not only enhance customer satisfaction and drive revenue but also tackle complex challenges and deliver enduring value. Yet for Lindsay, leadership extends beyond technology. During leadership transitions, she remained committed to advancing the company’s Culture and Belonging programs, particularly the Women@Afiniti ERG, offering colleagues a sense of strength and connection during pivotal career moments.
She supports building teams that don’t just reflect diversity but operate with it at the core. In her experience, the most effective global teams are intentional about collaboration, where every voice has space and weight. More than representation, it’s about participation. For Lindsay, success in global operations hinges on honoring local nuance, where every deployment is approached not only through a tactical lens but also through a cultural one. A global mindset, she believes, isn’t just awareness of difference. Rather, it’s a commitment to environments where difference thrives and drives meaningful innovation.
Lindsay’s leadership philosophy reflects a key insight: “True leadership in tech is not just about introducing new technology—it’s about solving real, complex problems and delivering measurable impact.”
