Powering Progress Beyond the Screen

The following is an excerpt from a Q&A with Paul Omond, director, Information Systems for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region about how he is keeping up with the pace of change in technology, building relationships with teammates across multiple time zones, and creating special moments with his wife and newborn baby.

Can you please confirm your title? What does your role at Integra entail?
I am the director, Information Systems for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Strategically, I focus on understanding our business and identifying how Information Systems (IS) can enable our goals through new solutions or by ensuring the APAC team has the right tools in place. Operationally, I oversee regional initiatives, coordinate with cross-functional teams, and work closely with our global IS organization to ensure successful project delivery.

What sparked your interest to pursue a career in Information Technology (IT)?
My father, who worked in finance for one of Australia's major banks, knew that computers would transform the world and bought one for me at a young age. I only saw that computers were good for gaming. But everything changed when I was 16 with "The Internet". Suddenly I could read things and talk to people on the other side of the world from my home in Australia. I taught myself how to build websites and found it rewarding to create something that people - not just friends or family - were using. That sparked my passion for technology and planted the seed for a career in IS.

Can you tell us more about your career journey?
Growing up, I was torn between IT and Accounting. Ultimately, I chose to pursue a degree in IT. My university program was a three-year course with the option to extend to four by completing a year in industry. I took that opportunity and worked at a pharmaceutical company building web applications integrated with their ERP system. This deepened my technical skills and gave me an appreciation for how technology supports business operations. After graduation, I continued at the same company, progressing in a variety of roles. It was in the role of IT business relationship management when a general manager shared how a website I had delivered was opening doors for their wound care sales team. That five-minute conversation sparked a lasting belief in the power of well-executed systems to drive business impact.

Fast forward to joining Integra. I was the first IS team member in APAC, supporting a region of 80 people. I was hired into Infrastructure and Operations, the team responsible for keeping everything running behind the scenes: servers, networks, laptops, and phones. However, being the only IS person in the region, and with a strong background in applications, I naturally took on responsibility for all aspects of IT and IS. With the Codman integration, the region grew rapidly. We've grown our IS presence in APAC to a high-performing team of nine, spanning Japan, China, and Australia.

What would you like people to know about you on a personal level? What are your favorite foods, places to travel, movies, sports?
Last year, I married my wife and three months ago, we welcomed our first child into the world. Balancing parenthood, work, and exercise has definitely been an adjustment! My wife and I love to travel, though with a newborn, our adventures will look a little different for the next few years. Fortunately, we're lucky to have a family holiday home - a great spot to unwind, go fishing, spend time at the beach, or just relax on the balcony with our dog watching kangaroos.

I'm a big fan of Australian Rules Football and Cricket. I also listen to a lot of podcasts-while commuting, walking, or at the gym, especially investing podcasts. And of course, I mix in the occasional comedy podcast for balance.

What is a moment or accomplishment in your career at Integra that stands out?
The most significant project I've worked on was the Codman integration. It completely reshaped the APAC landscape, driving major expansions in both China and Japan. Everyone involved was committed to making it a success, supported by strong governance and collaborative project management. I truly valued being part of a team that pushed each other in a positive way to deliver outstanding results.

What do you think is most positive about working at Integra?
When I reflect on my time here, it's the informal experiences: having lunch with the Japan team in a tiny okonomiyaki restaurant, attending an Oracle meeting in Dublin where I finally met people in person after months of virtual calls, spending time with the China team in the height of summer as we fitted out a new office, or just having a laugh with the Australia team during lunch. These moments have given me the chance to learn about my colleagues - their stories, backgrounds, and what motivates them. These connections help us better understand the challenges each department faces and ultimately make us a stronger, more collaborative company.

How do you navigate working with multiple stakeholders across different time zones-what is the key to your success?

This is probably one of the most challenging parts of the role. These are a few things I do to try and succeed.

• Education around time zones impact: I try to raise awareness with global teams about the time zone challenges we face in APAC. For example, a delayed email response can mean losing an entire day of progress. Helping others understand this creates more empathy and urgency.
• Manage late night meetings: With global projects, late meetings are often unavoidable. I aim to limit these to one or two nights a week to reduce fatigue and maintain balance with family life.
• Be intentional with attendance: I assess whether I need to be present live or if I can catch up via a recording. The ability to watch recorded meetings has been a game-changer-it allows me to stay informed without compromising rest or productivity.
• Learn from others: I'm fortunate to work alongside strong leaders across the APAC region. We share tools, techniques, and strategies to improve how we engage globally and support one another.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in IT?
Take time to understand the business and processes. That knowledge will help you identify how you can truly add value-whether by improving efficiency, enabling growth, or solving real problems. Being able to fix a computer or build a website is useful but understanding how to apply technology to drive business outcomes is what will set you apart.

What is the best piece of professional advice you've ever received?
• Grow people, not just projects: You will remember the leaders you develop not the projects you delivered. Give space for your team to take ownership, to fail safely, and to ultimately grow.
• If you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room: Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you. That's where the real learning happens.

How have you approached your own professional development?
In technology, the moment you stop learning is the moment you fall behind. The pace of change is so rapid that staying current requires constant effort. I focus on:

• Actively listening, reading, and staying informed about developments in technology. Right now, I've gone down the YouTube rabbit hole on Artificial Intelligence, exploring how it can help me be more effective in my role.
• Surrounding myself with strong leaders, learning from their experiences and how they build great teams.
• Reading or listening to leadership books. A few that stand out for me are "The Ride of a Lifetime" by Bob Iger, "Creativity, Inc." by Ed Catmull, and "Good to Great" by Jim Collins.

Never stop learning, and don't be afraid to fail-just fail fast, fix fast, and learn from it. Growth often comes from the challenges we face and how we respond to them.

What is the most rewarding aspect of working in IS at Integra?
There are two aspects I find rewarding. First, is the impact our work has on patients. Every system and solution we implement can indirectly contribute to someone receiving better care. That sense of purpose is incredibly motivating. Second is collaboration. At Integra, IS isn't just seen as the 'team that fixes computers'. We're viewed as strategic partners who help solve complex commercial challenges. Working alongside like-minded professionals to drive innovation and deliver value to the business is both energizing and fulfilling.