Mitra Heravizadeh

Meet Mitra Heravizadeh, UBS Technology Fellow and industry leader with over 20 years of experience working across large, globally focused, and fast-paced organizations.

What excites you most about working in technology at UBS?

Tech at UBS is indeed a great place to be, and I’m privileged to have the opportunity to work here. When working for a truly global firm, you see that the level of talent and professionalism is outstanding. I really like our culture. It emphasizes adaptability and flexibility, lifelong learning, and learning on the job. Our Certified Engineers program is probably the most visible example of our commitment to lifelong learning for all engineers and aspiring engineers across UBS. We have a clear top-down technology strategy that drives our business, with a strong focus on execution. I’m excited about our continuous transformation agenda that is modernizing our platforms, rolling out AI, and driving cloud transformation that fundamentally shifts the paradigm of how we deliver technology solutions.

Did your career follow the path you always thought it would?

My initial career choice was in medical science, which I studied in Iran. When I relocated to Australia, I faced some challenges in having my credentials recognized in order to work in the medical field in Australia. This created a turning point for me. I pivoted to software engineering, which started my career in technology. I’ve always wanted to help people, which is what drew me to medical science in the first place. When I was considering what to study in Australia, I could see how rapidly technology was advancing, and could see how it was evolving into a great lever through which to help people. That was really exciting for me as I have an inquisitive mind and am curious by nature. Both medical science and engineering heavily focus on progress and scientific inquiry, so they lie on the same scientific continuum. I saw, and still see, many parallels between the two.

Mitra with colleague
Mitra presenting on the stage
Mitra discussing over a meeting
When I started my career, I could see how rapidly technology was advancing – and I knew I wanted to be a part of it. Today, it’s clear more than ever that this was my destination all along.

With your experience, what do you think is a benefit of being part of a large organization like UBS?

Large-scale organizations provide an incredible array of opportunities for both professional and personal growth. These opportunities allow us to truly embrace the concept of lifelong learning. And while these opportunities are abundant, it's essential to remember that we’re the primary drivers of our career journey. It’s up to us to demonstrate our commitment to our personal growth and make the most out of these offerings, while still having impact day-to-day. From job rotations and internal mobility to talent programs and various technical and soft skills trainings, there is a wealth of resources available to us.

And how we can make an impact?

To make a significant impact, it's crucial to truly connect with different parts of the organization and harness the power of collaboration. By working together and leveraging diverse perspectives, we can drive innovation and achieve greater success.

How do you find a sense of meaning and purpose in yourself when being part of something big (project, team, the company)?

Being true to my core values is essential. It’s like having an anchor that keeps me grounded and ensures I don't lose my authentic self but still navigating the world around me. Connecting with others is another important aspect. Creating shared experiences and fostering camaraderie within the team helps with sense of belonging. Most importantly, instilling a sense of psychological safety among all team members to feel safe to be themselves and bring their best to whatever they do.

Can you highlight a project or career moment where you felt you had an impact?

As Chief Technology Officer for WMPC Technology and a Tech Fellow at UBS, I have many opportunities to drive various engineering and transformation topics across the firm. However, one initiative that stands out and is worth mentioning is the creation of our internal WMPC Technology Engineers Marketplace. This platform has allowed like-minded engineers to come together, collaborate, and tackle challenges while innovating with the latest technologies and trends. It's been incredibly rewarding to see how much the community has grown because of the Marketplace, and witness the positive impact we're making, together.

Success in three words? Women Tech Connect! 

Our Women in Tech network created a dynamic platform for sharing tech expertise and building connections. And the workshops, lectures and networking opportunities helped us grow even stronger.

The takeaway? When knowledge flows, ideas spark. Creating space like this gives us the chance to continue dismantling stereotypes about women in the tech industr