Meet Sruthi - Partner, Financial Advisory

Meet Sruthi Srikanthan, one of our Deloitte Access Economics (DAE) Partners in our Health team based in Melbourne.

How did your passion for healthcare start and what was the motivation for pursuing a career in healthcare?

I did a commerce arts degree majoring in economics and joined Deloitte Access Economics (DAE) as one of their first graduates in Melbourne. In a small group that handled various economic projects, I began working closely with National Health Lead, Luke Baxby and Queensland Gov Lead, Mike Kissane in Brisbane, focusing more on health-related work. My passion for healthcare developed at Deloitte and grew as I was given numerous opportunities after the acquisition and exposure to health projects.

What motivated you to pursue this specialization over other fields within the healthcare industry?

As an economist, I had various options available, but I chose to specialise in health and health economics because it allowed me to combine my interests in understanding the complexities of human behaviour and applying clear frameworks to contribute to the greater good.

What skills and capability do you bring to transform health?

I bring an economics toolkit and the ability to apply frameworks that help navigate complex social problems. I feel economics gives me an approach and language that is clear, easily communicated, and fair, enabling me to contribute meaningfully to transforming health outcomes.

What Health projects have you worked on at Deloitte, and can you tell us about some of the skills or experiences you've gained?

My work revolves around larger policy reforms in health and human services, with a focus on aged care. I also work in the disability sector, where I have the privilege of shaping the changes as the sector grows and evolves. Additionally, I am one of the lead partners in the gender economics business, actively involved in developing policies and funding measures to improve gender equity in Australia.

What notable achievements or initiatives have you led that have had a significant impact on healthcare outcomes?

As an economist, I gauge the impact of my work by its influence on public policy. I measure success by how resources are allocated and the changes in policy that result from our work. I was proud to see our work reflected in recent budgets informing changes to Medicare, aged care, out of home care and policies designed to drive gender equity.

What impact are you looking to have on the sector and what is your vision for the future of healthcare?

I want to contribute evidence to show that the right thing to do and the smart thing to do are not mutually exclusive. By focusing on improving social outcomes, we can also create economic benefits and opportunities. I believe in aligning these two aspects for a more sustainable and effective healthcare system.