Laurence D. Chalem (b. 1963), an insulin-dependent—type 1—diabetic, received both his B.A. in Economics, (1986), and M.B.A., (1996), from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Based in San Jose, California, Mr. Chalem currently serves as global sourcing manager with Cisco Systems, Inc., the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate, and collaborate. He is the 2009 recipient of the Above-and-Beyond Award, presented by Diversity Best Practices and Working Mother Media, which recognized Network and Affinity Group Leaders whose determination have led to the success of their group. Laurence served as Co-Chair of the Cisco Disabilities Awareness Network (CDAN) in 2008.

Laurence’s HbA1c has been significantly below 7% since 2006. He eats a very low-calorie diet, consisting of approximately 60% fat, largely coconut oil, 30% protein, and less than 10% carbohydrates, typically in the form of vegetables. Besides coconut oil, his favorite oils are macadamia nut, pecan, almond, olive, and avocado, all predominantly mono-unsaturated, and supplements his diet with vitamins and fish oil.

He is the author of Thrive With Diabetes: Lead an Optimistic, Fun, Challenging, Fit, Tenacious, Enlightened, Innovative & Heroic Life and the upcoming book Essential Diabetes Leadership (October, 2009).