Exploring the intersection of strategy, technology, and gender equality, we sit down with Anuja Shah, the Head of Strategy and Information Technology at Zurich Middle East.
With a rich background in finance and a track record of successful digital transformations, our guest offers invaluable insights into the role of technology in shaping organizational priorities and customer experiences.
From overcoming challenges in the ever-evolving tech landscape to championing diversity and inclusion, join us as we delve into a thought-provoking discussion on driving innovation and fostering gender equality in the field of technology.
Tell us about what got you interested in technology, why did you choose the space and field of technology?
For me, strategy and technology go hand in hand – strategy lays down the blueprint in terms of organisational priorities and technology plays a crucial role in making them come to life. I’ve recently taken over as Head of Strategy and Information Technology at Zurich Middle East, before which I was heading Strategy and Business Transformation. We use technology and digital transformation to drive better outcomes and experiences for our customers and partners.
Could you share your journey in technology, the challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
I’m an MBA in Finance and a Gold Medalist in Trade Finance. I began my career in Commercial Banking, then got chosen as part of Retail Banking, where I had my first brush with technology. My first project involved getting an idea from the drawing board to the market and scaling it. This heavily relied on existing and new technology, weighing build/partner/buy parameters, partnerships and integrations with multiple stakeholders and laying the rails for automation for powering scale.
With this being done successfully, I was then given defunct platforms to turn around, across multiple lines of business.
This background has held me in good stead, and at Zurich, has helped me to work alongside my colleagues towards a well-mapped roadmap for driving digitalisation across the value chain – fact-finding and needs analysis, onboarding, processing, servicing and claims.
What is your take on women in technology and how is the landscape changing? What can be done to ensure there are more women in tech roles?
I strongly believe that the seat at the table, be it technology or management, is based on merit, not gender. Across the spectrum of technology, we work alongside some fantastic coders, developers, testers, UI / UX designers, infrastructure and security analysts, business analysts and scrum masters who happen to be women.
At Zurich Middle East, we’ve got an equal gender ratio – women hold key positions and play critical roles across underwriting, actuarial, claims handling, servicing, pricing, sales and distribution, marketing, compliance, legal, strategy and technology.
All colleagues – men and women, enjoy flexible working to be able to enjoy a work-life balance, participate in the Zurich Women’s Innovation Network (WIN) and Hackathons and encourage each other not just as team members but also as sounding boards, mentors and friends. We’re very proud and inspired to have women in leadership positions, not just here in the Middle East, but at all levels globally as well across the business, including in technology.
What is the biggest obstacle that women in technology face?
The sheer number of women who have qualifications across the spectrum of technology and digital transformation is quite staggering, and they undertake the effort to ensure they’re up the curve when it comes to emerging technologies and advancements. I can vouch for that as I work alongside a few of them every day.
I think we’re standing tall on the great work done by women before us, as they have shattered the glass ceiling a while ago. I would say that technology as a field, provides more flexibility when it comes to timings, working onsite or offshore, remote learning opportunities, etc. which do go a long way in encouraging women to join/continue working/rejoin the workforce in case of sabbaticals. If more organizations can encourage and actively nurture such behaviours through more inclusive policies, we would be able to address quite a few of the challenges that may be creating roadblocks.
What advice would you give women?
Don’t hold yourself back. Playing scenarios over and over in our minds often results in us second-guessing ourselves, not speaking up or standing up enough, not participating in a development opportunity, not applying for a role, etc. But if we give the world around us a fair chance, you’ll be surprised at the network effects, at how supportive your colleagues and your organization can be and at how harsh the critic inside you is.
You don’t need to have the loudest voice to have the strongest argument.
