From Pharmacy Graduate to Tech CEO, UOC Alumna Follows Her Curiosity

Woman in Tech Award recipient Sharmila Gunasekaran credits her UOC education with shaping her approach to decision-making and leadership.

When Sharmila Gunasekaran graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) in 2012, she did not imagine she would one day lead a risk intelligence company. Her studies at the University of Cyberjaya (UOC), then known as Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences (CUCMS), gave her a grounding in precision and responsibility that she would carry into each new stage of her career.

Today, she is Chief Executive Officer of Venovox, which specialises in background screening and risk intelligence, and a recipient of the Woman in Tech Award at the PIKOM Digital Excellence Awards (PDEA) 2026, supported by MDEC.

Looking back, Sharmila traces much of her curiosity to her university years. Clinical attachments and presentations taught her to consider different perspectives, while questions from lecturers encouraged her to explain her reasoning and think beyond textbooks.

“At the time, it could feel challenging, but today I recognise how much that process shaped the way I think, question and make decisions,” she said.

Studying in a relatively small cohort also meant close relationships with lecturers, who offered guidance on life beyond university. Those conversations helped her develop the confidence and resilience to take on unfamiliar responsibilities.

Her career began in East Malaysia, where she completed compulsory service and obtained her professional licence. She later returned to West Malaysia and entered retail, progressing from managing pharmacy operations to serving as Chief Operating Officer. Her responsibilities expanded into people management and commercial decision-making.

A subsequent move into the pharmaceutical industry broadened her corporate experience and professional networks. Moving between sectors meant learning new terminology and working with different stakeholders. When the opportunity to lead Venovox arose, she accepted the challenge of strengthening its market position and driving international expansion.

“Pharmacy taught me precision and responsibility; retail taught me operations and people leadership; the pharmaceutical industry gave me commercial and corporate exposure; and Venovox has given me the opportunity to bring all of those experiences together to build and lead an organisation with ambitions beyond Malaysia,” she said.

At Venovox, her responsibilities range from reviewing financial performance and operational issues to discussions with clients and teams about technology and new business opportunities.

Her pharmacy training still influences how she solves business problems. She assesses the information available, identifies what may be missing and considers different possibilities before reaching a decision. Her healthcare background also informs her concern for the people affected by those decisions.

Meanwhile, Associate Professor Masro Mohamad, Deputy Dean of Student Affairs and Networking at UOC’s Faculty of Pharmacy, expressed the Faculty’s pride in her achievement.

“We are proud to see Sharmila recognised for her achievements and to hear how her pharmacy education continues to influence her leadership. Her journey demonstrates how analytical thinking, ethical judgement and a sense of responsibility can serve graduates across different industries. For our students, she offers an encouraging example of what is possible when a strong educational foundation is coupled with the willingness to keep learning and take on new challenges,” he said.

Sharmila continues to pursue relevant certifications and professional development. As CEO, she needs to understand subjects ranging from technology and finance to governance and cybersecurity well enough to ask informed questions. She sees the award as encouragement to keep learning and contributing to the industry.
“Ultimately, I see the award as both recognition and responsibility. It celebrates how far I have come, but it also raises the expectations I have for myself and for Venovox,” she said.She encourages students and young graduates to seek mentors, build relationships and remain open to opportunities beyond their original plans.

“My biggest advice would be: don't feel pressured to have your entire career figured out when you graduate. A degree gives you knowledge and a foundation, but it does not have to define the boundaries of your career,” she said.