Member Spotlight: Surabhi Jain
Surabhi has over 17 years of experience across Financial Services, Telecommunication, Media, and Aviation industries, working in startups to large multinational global firms. An avid technologist, Surabhi is a people person at heart. She is passionate about diversity and inclusion and is involved in several industry initiatives across the globe, including Enterprise Data Management Council Women in Data and various LGBTi inclusion groups.
Interview Questions
Can you describe your current role?
I am the Chief Data Officer for Westpac Institutional Banking. I am responsible for establishing and driving data strategy across all facets of institutional banking. This includes setting up a data management practice and embedding processes and controls across key pillars of Data Governance, Data Quality, Privacy, Information Lifecycle Management, and Regulatory Compliance. This role is also accountable for embedding a data-driven culture via active communication, engagement, advocacy, and the firm’s change agenda.
How long have you been in your current role and what is your most recent experience that brought you there?
I recently joined Westpac Institutional Bank 2 months ago. Westpac is Australia’s first bank and company, with a rich history of supporting women in Australia. Prior to this role, I had the privilege of leading Hong Kong and Shanghai bank’s largest market, Hong Kong, as their Chief Data Officer. I was with HSBC for over a decade and had the opportunity to work in several different roles spanning three continents, ranging from Technology, Finance, and lastly, Data. The experience of working across multiple cultures and environments helped me become adaptable and resilient, enabling me to thrive in several situations.
Throughout your experience, can you talk about what you see as the biggest challenge for women in the field of Data and Analytics?
The challenges for women in Data and Analytics are not very different from other fields—the seats around the leadership table are still largely male. Although that is changing, the pace of change is far from where it needs to be. Until we get there, female leaders have to learn to navigate the existing playing field and confound expectations, and that is the biggest challenge I see for women.
Very wise words from Michelle Obama:
“If you don’t get out there and define yourself, you’ll be quickly and inaccurately defined by others.”
What is your best advice for women coming along in the field?
Do not let fear hold you back. It is OK to be afraid, but say yes anyway. Sharing my own personal experience: For my last role, I packed up my life in London, left my family behind for a period of time, and moved to Hong Kong. The challenge was huge, arriving at a new place not knowing anyone, in a new culture, and working my way through it to set up a new major function within the firm. I constantly sought to rise above expectations of me, not just from other people but also from myself. All of us (men and women) doubt our abilities from time to time, but do not let that hold you back.
I love the following by Michelle Obama:
"Confidence, I’d learned then, sometimes needs to be called from within. I’ve repeated the same words to myself many times now, through many climbs. Am I good enough? Yes, I am."
What was your first paying job and what did you learn from it?
My first paying job was working at the local book fair during summer holidays. I worked as a salesperson within a team of other young people. It was a very valuable experience as it taught me the value of teamwork and what could be achieved by people working together.
Who and what inspires you and excites your imagination and energy?
Two female leaders that immediately come to mind are Michelle Obama and Jacinda Ardern. These are strong, intelligent women that are the epitome of authentic leadership.
Jacinda Ardern is the current Prime Minister of New Zealand. She is a phenomenal leader who is not afraid to make tough decisions but does so with empathy and humility. Jacinda balances her career and personal life without any apologies.
Michelle Obama is one of the most iconic leaders of our times. She is clever, funny, and has broken all barriers.
Closer to home, someone who has inspired me all through my life and encouraged me to do more and be more is my brother, Dr. Saurabh Jain.
Saurabh is my older sibling and has been better at everything throughout our lives growing up. He is an eye surgeon in the UK, specializing in children’s eyes.
He was recently called to serve on the front line at the COVID emergency ward at a London hospital. We all knew that the chances of him contracting COVID were very high, but he did it anyway without any hesitation. And yes, Saurabh did contract COVID and was very ill, but there was not an ounce of regret. It was truly inspirational to see the dedication that he showed to his profession and the wellbeing of others.
So where can we find you on a Saturday morning at 10 a.m.?
Eating pastries, sipping coffee, and reading the paper at my local café.
Any parting words or last thoughts to include?
Believe in yourself. You can achieve anything that you set your heart at. The door is not always open. Sometimes it must be pushed at.
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