Ria grew up in India fascinated by numbers, and was also naturally a “people person” - so studying Business Management with a focus on Finance felt like the perfect combination. She moved to England to build her career in banking and finance, starting as a cashier and financial adviser, before moving on to roles managing operations teams at major banks.
Ria’s move into technology came about almost by accident. While working with a team using a flexible way of working called “Agile” to build software for her department, she discovered a whole new world she’d never considered before. Nine years ago, she made the leap into the technology industry - despite having no IT degree, no technical background, and not knowing anyone working in IT.
“You can’t be what you can’t see - which is why seeing women thriving in STEM, at all levels, matters so much.”
It wasn’t an easy decision. Ria had previously assumed that “IT” only meant coding and engineering, without realising how many different roles - like business analysis, design, and product management - are needed to bring technology to life. After nine years, Ria has built her career back up to the same level she had reached in banking, but now in technology.
One of Ria’s biggest challenges came early in her career, when she moved to the UK at twenty-three, knowing absolutely nobody. She felt homesick and full of self-doubt, but her determination kept her going. In 2024, Ria was a finalist for the Asian Women of Achievement Award in the Tech and Digital category.