Zayna Khayat

Dr. Zayna Khayat is an applied health futurist focused on helping individuals and organizations understand the trends and forces transforming healthcare. Khayat serves as chief program officer at AMS Healthcare and as an adjunct faculty member and executive in residence at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management. She holds a Ph.D. in the cell biology of diabetes from the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine and began her career in strategy consulting, including as principal in the health practice of Boston Consulting Group. Khayat also earned a B.Sc. (Hons) in biochemistry, receiving the President's Medal and the Board of Governor's Medal for top graduate in her program.

Throughout her career, Khayat has developed roles focused on healthcare innovation and system transformation. She led the Health System Innovation platform at MaRS Discovery District in Toronto, working with ecosystem partners to accelerate the adoption of healthcare innovation. Her work has emphasized rethinking how health systems integrate technology, laying the groundwork for future advancements in digital health and care delivery. Internationally, Khayat was seconded to the Health Innovation Lab at Radboud University Medical Centre in the Netherlands as innovation sherpa in chief and co-founded the Dutch Ministry of Health's Health Innovation School, serving as faculty across multiple regional cohorts.

As future strategist with SE Health, Khayat led the organization's futures team and co-authored the book "Future of Aging." In "The Future of Aging," she explores how public policy and healthcare systems are adapting to the needs of an aging population, including the development of resilient healthcare systems, social support frameworks, and the use of technology. Her initiatives at SE Health include the H.O.P.E. Model, which reimagines home care with patient-centered solutions, and SE Home, an approach to affordable senior housing with integrated healthcare services. Khayat's concept of tech-enabled age fluidity, the idea that technology can expand capabilities at different life stages, has influenced innovation in aging and healthcare.

Khayat holds a portfolio of roles across industry, academia, and government. She serves as health futurist in residence with the healthcare and life sciences practice of Deloitte in Canada and advises organizations including Teladoc Health, the Public Health Agency of Canada, Novartis Canada, and the Canadian Agency for Drugs & Technologies in Health. At Rotman School of Management, she is adjunct faculty and executive in residence in health sector strategy, instructing in programs such as the health MBA stream, the global executive MBA in healthcare and life sciences, and executive education. Khayat is also faculty of Singularity University’s Exponential Medicine stream. She has delivered keynote addresses at events such as Aspen Ideas Festival and SXSW, sharing insights on emerging technologies, system redesign, and the future of healthcare leadership.