Describe your company and its product.

PAI Health is a health software company providing data insights rooted in the proven science of cardiorespiratory fitness, one of the leading predictors of longevity and health. Our mission is to optimize anyone’s path to better health by making the science-backed Personal Activity Intelligence (PAI) metric the new global health standard for physical activity through partnerships with insurers, employee wellness programs, technology platforms, health care providers, and other industry partners.

What year did your company start?

2018.

Which city (or cities) are you located? 

Our head office is in Vancouver, Canada, but we have employees worldwide including in Europe, the US, and Asia.

Describe your company culture in three words.

Passionate, creative, motivated

How do you celebrate company or employee wins? 

We share our wins in many ways, including giving weekly kudos for employees that go above and beyond and sharing accomplishments in monthly Town Halls.

What is the problem that you are trying to solve?

Inactivity is killing millions of people each year as it is one of the main lifestyle factors that contributes to cardiovascular disease. We help insurers, employers and healthcare providers engage and motivate their members to better health through an approachable solution that fits any lifestyle and tracks any type of activity. Our PAI technology makes sense of heart rate and physical activity data and gives people one personalized number to follow to improve their health and extend their lifespan.

What is your biggest milestone to date? 

We are really proud of our official partnership with Prudential Corporation Asia, which will bring our PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence) metric into their Pulse digital health app across 11 markets in Asia. The PAI metric will be introduced to millions of users, giving more people the tools to improve their health in a meaningful, actionable way.

What is your biggest challenge?

Since PAI is a novel metric, it is challenging to educate people on how it is calculated based on heart rate and their personal profile, versus counting steps which was a previous framework that people understood. However, once people get it, PAI can be life-changing, as it gives them a sense of control over their health and it provides a much more personalized, motivating experience.

What is your motto?

PAI is the new global health standard for physical activity.

How are you making an impact?

We are making an impact with our science-backed system, empowering people to build their health resiliency through PAI which is more important today than ever. This means they can strengthen their immune system, improve their sleep and mood, and give themselves the maximum protection from lifestyle-related disease mortality.

What is your hope for the future of tech in BC?

We hope the tech sector can push through these unprecedented times, and continue to innovate and grow in the face of today’s challenges.

Lightning Round with Sally Powell, General Manager of PAI Health

What excites you about your job?

The diversity of our partnerships across many verticals and geographical regions is very exciting in terms of the scale of our positive impact on global health. The reach and scalability of our digital solutions makes them inclusive and accessible which are personally important to me.

What was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome?

Being “too early” as an innovative digital solution for some verticals but this is a challenge that we have overcome with tenacity and time.

If you can give advice to your 20 year-old self, what would you say?

You only think you know all the facts, so ask better questions.

Words of wisdom to other tech CEOs or founders?

Manage yourself so you can manage others. Recognize that you are likely to always be on “show” so be self-aware on how your communications and actions affect the team around you.

Favourite city you visited?

Siem Reap, Cambodia

What is your formula for success?

Being strong on execution and by prioritizing building trusting relationships as a foundation for effective collaboration.

Name one book that everyone should read.

“The Art of Happiness” by Dalai Lama

How do you decompress?

Laughing with friends and family.

Favourite movie?

The Usual Suspects