Four countries, four perspectives, one continuous learning journey

Four countries, four different ways of working

For Sonam, a career in technology has been shaped by working across different countries, cultures and banking environments.

Originally from India, she began her career in software development and business analysis, developing a strong interest in solving business challenges through technology and digital transformation. Over the years, her work took her to Switzerland, Poland and Finland, with each move broadening her perspective.

"Working and living across four countries has given me a unique perspective on both technology and leadership."

India provided a strong technical foundation and the ability to adapt quickly. Switzerland introduced her to global banking standards and regulatory complexity, while Poland strengthened her experience in large-scale agile delivery and international teamwork. Finland, she says, has taught her the value of trust, transparency, autonomy and people-centric leadership.

Together, these experiences have helped her become "a more adaptable leader, a better communicator, and someone who appreciates the value that different cultures and perspectives bring to solving complex business problems."

Finding a culture built on trust and ownership

Sonam was attracted by the chance to work in one of the largest banking technology organisations in the Nordics and contribute to card and payment solutions that impact millions of customers every day. She was also drawn to Nordea's focus on innovation, digital transformation and customer-centric financial services.

Since moving to Finland, she has been particularly impressed by the culture and the trust placed in employees.

The combination of autonomy, collaboration and a flat organisational structure has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her experience so far.

Bringing people together to solve complex challenges

As an ART Lead / Expert (IT Solution Analysis & AI Transformation) in Cards Technology, Sonam works at the intersection of technology, business and transformation.

"My role combines technology leadership, solution analysis, and business transformation."

A large part of her role involves bridging business needs and technology delivery. Working closely with stakeholders across different functions, she helps ensure solutions are practical, scalable and aligned with business objectives.

One project that stands out is a regulatory compliance initiative within card services. The challenge required multiple systems and teams to align around new requirements while ensuring the customer experience remained unaffected.

"My role was to bring together business stakeholders, architects, developers, and operations teams, clarify requirements, identify dependencies, and translate complex regulatory expectations into actionable user stories and solution designs."

For Sonam, projects like this show how collaboration and clear communication help teams navigate complexity and deliver effective solutions.

Helping others build confidence with new technology

Alongside her work in solution analysis, Sonam is actively involved in helping teams explore how AI can improve the way they work.

A key focus has been supporting AI adoption within Cards Technology through learning initiatives, knowledge-sharing communities and practical use cases designed to enhance productivity and decision-making.

What motivates her most is seeing colleagues gain confidence in using new technologies.

"What makes this meaningful is seeing people gain confidence in using new technologies and witnessing measurable improvements in the way teams collaborate and deliver value."

At the same time, she believes innovation must always be approached responsibly.

"Innovation is important, but in financial services it must always be responsible."

According to Sonam, AI and data analytics create opportunities to improve productivity, decision-making and customer experiences. However, trust, security, compliance and resilience must remain at the centre of every decision.

Why stepping outside your comfort zone matters

Since joining Nordea, Sonam has continued to expand her knowledge by working alongside experienced colleagues across technology, business and operations. 

Looking back on her international career, she encourages others to stay open to new opportunities.

"I would say: be open to the opportunity and embrace the journey."

She believes some of the most valuable development happens when people step outside their comfort zone and remain open to new experiences.

For professionals considering an international move, her advice is simple: stay curious, invest in building relationships and bring your own perspective to the table.

Reflecting on her own journey, she says:

"Looking back, moving countries has never just been about changing jobs. It has been about growing as a professional, a leader, and a person. Joining Nordea and building a life in Finland has been one of the most rewarding chapters of that journey.