Standard Chartered’s female leaders – Latha’s story
As the Vice President of SRE Production Engineering at Standard Chartered, I am responsible for managing and ensuring the stability of the Bank’s technical production initiatives. I have over 22 years of technological experience and I utilise my expertise in SRE, AIOPs and data science to deliver on critical projects, initiatives and production stability.
What attracted you to join the Standard Chartered technology team?
Standard Chartered’s impressive global network provides an opportunity to work on challenging projects and develop your skills to a whole new level. I was attracted to joining the technology team as my role aligned well with my skill set and I was looking forward to having the opportunity to make a significant impact at an international organisation renowned for having incredible leaders.
How has Standard Chartered recognised your achievements since starting your role?
In the ten years that I have spent with the Bank, I have been recognised for my leadership, technical skills and outstanding accomplishments. Besides being rewarded for my achievements internally, I have also received the International Innovative Future Education’s “Professional Women Achiever Award” and the Indian Achievers Forum’s “Women Excellence Award” for my professional achievements in November 2022.
Tell us about an exciting project you have worked on with Standard Chartered.
I am involved in various critical projects and initiatives that run concurrently, but the most exciting has to be the Hackathon event that I conduct every year in order to attract the best technical talents to Standard Chartered. I plan and execute the event from end to end, which is a fantastic experience.
What do you love the most about your job?
Besides the responsibilities of my role as the Vice President, I engage in a diverse range of other initiatives to keep me on my toes. I thoroughly enjoy the variety of activities I am able to engage with at Standard Chartered and I have been able to develop a well-rounded perspective of the business by doing this.
How would you describe the culture in your team?
I am very proud to be a member of my team due to our collaborative, friendly and supportive nature. My team is made up of a wide range of individuals with a unique talent base. Since joining the technology team, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders, allowing me to constantly improve my skills and acquire an immense amount of knowledge.
Are there any new skills you’re trying to learn?
I believe that one should never stop learning, which is why I am in the midst of enhancing my skills so that I can write a book centred around working with the latest technologies. This is going to be quite the challenge as I am very busy with the requirements of my role, but I am confident that with the support of Standard Chartered’s flexible working policies, I will be able to achieve my goal. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll be able to complete it this year.
How do you embody Standard Chartered values of being better together, doing the right thing and never settle?
I believe that I embody Standard Chartered’s value of doing the right thing through my dedication to giving back to my community through mentorship initiatives and volunteer work. I am an active member of various organisations that aim to educate underprivileged children that advocate for accessible clothing for all.