STAND OUT 50 | Leader Spotlight| October Insider
An exclusive Q&A with Stand Out 50 leader Dr. Angela Thomas on AI as a revenue engine, the power of intentional recognition, what keeps her grounded through adversity, and the person who shaped everything she knows about leadership.
Dr. Angela Thomas is GM of Business Intelligence and Strategy for Global Services at GE Healthcare. She brings a deep background in strategy, analytics, and service transformation, and carries with her a perspective shaped by both professional excellence and personal conviction. Her answers are generous, grounded, and worth reading carefully.
What trend or challenge is top of mind for you at the moment, and why?
Artificial intelligence. Specifically, the evolution beyond generative and agentic systems is the trend most on my mind right now because it represents the next major shift in how industries deliver value. We're moving from AI as a cost saving tool to AI as a revenue generating engine, reshaping service models, customer engagement, and operational decision making across every sector.
Describe what being named a Stand Out 50 leader meant to you.
Being named a Stand Out 50 Leader was deeply meaningful to me. As one of the few Black female leaders in the industry, I am proud of the representation that my peers bestowed upon me. This honor affirmed not only my work but also the perseverance required to excel in spaces where people who look like me are still underrepresented. Entering a new segment of the industry and mastering it demanded humility, discipline, and a commitment to being a lifelong learner. This recognition symbolized more than achievement. It reflected resilience, growth, and the responsibility I carry to open doors for others.
“This recognition symbolized more than achievement. It reflected resilience, growth, and the responsibility I carry to open doors for others.”
Please share one tangible action you feel creates a positive culture for your team.
A tangible action that consistently creates a positive team culture is practicing intentional recognition: calling out great work in the moment and tying it directly to the team's shared goals. When people see that their contributions are noticed, valued, and connected to something bigger, it builds trust, motivation, and psychological safety. Even a simple, specific acknowledgment, like, 'Your analysis sharpened our strategy and moved us forward', shifts a team's energy. It signals respect, reinforces excellence, and encourages others to lean in with the same level of commitment.
How do you stay motivated when you've hit a rough patch?
When things get difficult, I anchor myself in purpose, people, and progress. I reconnect with why the work matters, lean on my support system, and break challenges into small, winnable steps so momentum becomes visible again. I also give myself permission to pause, whether that's a beach trip, a baseball game with family, or a karaoke night, because clarity and motivation return faster when I'm recharged rather than pushing through exhaustion.
Name one thing you can't live without.
I can't live without my faith in God. It's the foundation that steadies me, guides my decisions, and keeps me grounded no matter what season I'm in. My faith gives me clarity when life feels chaotic, strength when challenges show up unexpectedly, and peace that reminds me I'm never walking alone. It's the daily anchor that shapes how I lead, how I teach, how I show up for my family, and how I move through the world with purpose and gratitude.
Please share a quote or person that inspires you.
The person who inspires me most is my mother. She raised me with unwavering determination, working multiple jobs to ensure I had every opportunity she never had. She was the first in her family to graduate from college, breaking generational barriers through sheer grit and faith. In her career as a social worker, she faced racism, sexism, underemployment, and systems that were not built to support her, yet she kept fighting for families, for justice, and for dignity. Watching her navigate those challenges with courage and compassion shaped the core of who I am. Her example taught me resilience, discipline, empathy, and the importance of advocating for others. She showed me what it means to work hard, stay grounded in purpose, and rise above adversity with grace. Everything I strive for in leadership, teaching, and service is rooted in the strength she models every day.
“Everything I strive for in leadership, teaching, and service is rooted in the strength she models every day.”
What's a regular source of information or insight you find valuable?
A regular source of insight I rely on is Harvard Business Review. It consistently gives me thoughtful, research-based perspectives on leadership, strategy, and the future of work. It sharpens how I teach and how I lead. I also find value in McKinsey Insights for its data-driven analysis of global trends, especially around AI, digital transformation, and healthcare. Both help me stay grounded in what's happening now while thinking ahead to what's coming next.
About the Stand Out 50
The Stand Out 50 is Future of Field Service's annual recognition program celebrating 50 exceptional service leaders who are driving meaningful change in their organizations and the broader industry. Leaders are nominated by peers, colleagues, and members of the FoFS community, and selected by a panel of distinguished judges across three criteria: purposeful innovation, authenticity, and ability to execute.
The 2026 Stand Out 50 winners were announced live at Future of Field Service Live London on September 24, 2026.
View this year's winners and past years' winners here.