Amsterdam, the Netherlands – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG AEX: PHIA) today announced that Philips Healthcare Chief Executive Officer Deborah DiSanzo has been recognized as one of the Inspiring fifty, an initiative established to motivate women, especially in high-growth technology industries, to reach for the highest leadership positions in their careers, ultimately bringing about positive change in female leadership in the Netherlands. Ms. DiSanzo was appointed to her current position in May 2012, and has since led Philips’ Healthcare sector with invaluable leadership, business acumen and industry expertise.

The Inspiring fifty initiative was created by Janneke Niessen and Joelle Frijters – founders of the leading European technology company, Improve Digital, headquartered in Amsterdam. Both Ms. Niessen and Ms. Frijters recognized the need for female role models from around the world who could inspire young women in the Netherlands to strive for careers and leadership roles in technology. Each of the Inspiring fifty has been selected by a group of industry experts for noteworthy careers in technology or business in general. The initiative shines the spotlight on this strong collective of women to celebrate and build on their success.

Prior to her position as CEO of Philips Healthcare, Ms. DiSanzo held numerous leadership positions within Philips Healthcare and other Philips acquired legacy companies. Most recently, she was the chief executive officer of Philips Healthcare’s Patient Care and Clinical Informatics business group (2008 – 2012). She also served as senior vice president and general manager of Philips Patient Monitoring business, and held a variety of management positions in Cardiac Care, Cardiac Resuscitation, and Healthcare Information Management businesses, where she was instrumental in building the Automated External Defibrillator market.

Ms. DiSanzo was born in the United States. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Babson College, Massachusetts, and was inducted into the Babson Alumni Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. Ms. DiSanzo is also a Board Member of Project HOPE, the Steering Board Chair of the World Economic Forum’s project on Health Systems Leapfrogging in Emerging Economies, and a Board Member for the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed).