Humans of ToU: Zana Pekmez on Driving Inclusive Growth Through Tech and Sustainability

🎓 MSc in Sustainability, Entrepreneurship & Technology, Class of 2022

📍 Vienna, Austria

🌱 SDGs: 8 – Decent Work & Economic Growth, 9 – Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure

💼 Global Client Technology Lead at Microsoft | Speaker | Mentor

Inclusive Growth and Sustainability through Technology

Dr. Zana Pekmez, an accomplished IT and data leader, has dedicated her career to advancing business value through innovative technology solutions. Originally from Bosnia, Zana’s unique perspective is shaped by her deep cultural roots and her experiences in diverse environments. Today, as the Global Client Technology Lead at Microsoft, she drives impactful change across multiple industries—banking, insurance, construction, and manufacturing. Her focus is clear: enable sustainable digital transformations through agile leadership, data analytics, and cloud computing, all while fostering an inclusive approach to technology.

“I believe in technology’s power to reshape economies, enhance customer experiences, and drive inclusive growth. It’s not just about innovation; it’s about using tech for the benefit of people, planet, and profit.”

A Career Built on Strategic Innovation and Leadership

Zana’s path in technology leadership spans over two decades holding very strong roles in Bosnia, her home country where she was also the youngest appointed COO in the banking sector. Before joining Microsoft, she led globally distributed agile teams at Raiffeisen Bank International, focusing on data-driven solutions for customer engagement. As the Head of Customer Intelligence Analytics, she played a pivotal role in creating the bank’s data strategy, implementing cloud-based solutions, and optimizing customer data integration across multiple platforms. Zana has always been following a value-driven approach to technology, aligning it closely with business goals and sustainable outcomes. She frequently shares her expertise at conferences and mentors rising talent, particularly in promoting gender inclusivity in tech. Her vision is rooted in making tech accessible, bridging digital divides, and advocating for sustainability and economic growth.

Choosing Tomorrow University: Advancing Sustainability in Business

In her pursuit of driving sustainable innovation, Zana, who at that time already held a PhD in International Development, chose to further deepen her knowledge by enrolling in the MSc in Sustainability, Entrepreneurship & Technology at Tomorrow University. This choice stemmed from her desire to explore the intersections of digitalization, technology, and sustainability to create scalable solutions for social and environmental challenges. “I wanted a program that wasn’t just academic but transformative,” she reflects.

Mission-Driven Leadership: Empowering Inclusive Economic Growth

Zana’s mission is straightforward yet powerful: to promote inclusive economic growth. She believes that technology, when used thoughtfully, can be a catalyst for equitable progress and sustainable development. Her work at Microsoft embodies this philosophy—by advising clients on leveraging cloud and AI technologies for efficiency and long-term growth, she helps them achieve competitive advantages that are both profitable and sustainable.

In her spare time, Zana explores the circular economy and sustainable practices through digital innovation, seeking ways to integrate these principles into her work. She supports cross-sector partnerships and encourages efforts that advance collective solutions for global challenges.

Advocate for Lifelong Learning

Zana’s journey is a testament to the power of purposeful leadership and continuous learning. For aspiring tech leaders and change-makers, her advice is clear:

‍“Lead with empathy, stay curious, and be willing to adapt.”

She emphasizes the importance of aligning technology with real-world needs and fostering inclusive growth by making technology accessible to all. As a mentor, Zana encourages the next generation to embrace diverse perspectives, understand the bigger picture, and commit to creating positive change.

Want to accompany Zana on her journey? Follow her on LinkedIn

👉🏻 Zana at a Glance:

• Career: Global Client Technology Lead at Microsoft, former IT Tribe Lead at Raiffeisen Bank, with a focus on data analytics and cloud strategy.
• Key Experiences: Led digital transformation initiatives, built data-driven customer engagement solutions, and mentored diverse tech teams across continents.
• Why ToU: Chose Tomorrow University for its practical approach to sustainability, entrepreneurship, and technology, aligning with her goals of impactful, inclusive leadership.
• Mission: To drive inclusive economic growth by leveraging technology for sustainable business transformation.
• Advice: “Lead with empathy, stay curious, and continually learn to adapt to changing landscapes.”