Continuous Learning and Sharing from Engineer to Executive with Ann Yeung

Innovation and the Digital Enterprise

Wouldn’t it be great if your boss had a user guide for achieving success under their leadership? Ann Yeung’s team at GEICO, where she serves as the Vice President of Engineering, Head of Enterprise Engineering, received one. In her “user guide,” Ann shares her expectations, values, and tools for successful collaboration that go well beyond pet peeves to establish communicative, empowered teams.

In this episode, Ann discusses her transition to GEICO and the critical role of managing corporate functions during transformation. She shares her journey from individual contributor to leader and how she applies the lessons she’s learned along the way. Ann offers how her perspective has changed over time, (ex. how experience is important but unique application to any particular scenario is key) and outlines how her leadership values match her personal values: integrity, transparency, and direct communication.

As a leader, Ann ensures that her approach includes two critical elements: understanding the problem from the lens of the business stakeholders and carving out time for reflection. Ann discusses welcoming feedback and challenging her teams with growth opportunities with intentional mentorship. She discusses how, as an engineer at heart, her love of data couples with empirical evidence to guide her decision making and the importance of responsible leadership.

• (2:10) – Enterprise engineering at GEICO
• (4:22) – Playbook for success
• (8:46) – Transition to leadership
• (13:46) – “Ann Yeung User Guide”
• (20:47) – Building relationships and trust
• (23:34) – Opening the door to feedback
• (27:52) – Recovery
• (30:09) – Decision-making
• (32:06) – Empowering your team

Ann Yeung is the Vice President of Engineering, Head of Enterprise Engineering at GEICO. Ann is a senior technology executive and business strategist with over twenty years of experience in various industries, including roles at Northwestern Mutual, Capital One, and US Foods. She is the Director of Women Who Code Chicago Network and serves on the Board of Directors for Chinese American Service League and STEM Forward. Ann earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and mathematics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

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Podcast episode production by Dante32.