Women Powering Raiffeisen Tech – Meet Ania

What does the female power driving Raiffeisen Tech look like? How can you find your place in the technology landscape? What sets us apart and how do we collaborate in an international environment? We invite you to read second interview in the Women Powering Raiffeisen Tech series and meet Anna Kuziemska – Delivery Manager at Raiffeisen Tech Poland. The interview was conducted by Magdalena Jaros-Szmidt, Communication Expert.

I’ve been with Raiffeisen since 2005. I started as a System Analyst, then became a project manager in the IT department. After several years in IT, I decided to transition to the business side, joining the Strategy Department and the PMO, where I worked on several key initiatives, including the integration with Polbank and preparing the bank to implement an advanced risk management method. Over the years, I led many complex projects, both within IT and across other areas of the bank. In 2017 I moved to PwC in consulting, then spent four years at VISA and came to Raiffeisen Tech in August 2024. So, in a way, my career has came full circle.

I agree with that idea. Coming back to an organization means it’s no longer the same as before. But at Raiffeisen, the key element has always been – and still is – the people. The company places significant trust in its employees, giving them responsibility at all levels of the organization. This unique approach isn’t always common in other companies. For me, it’s a great fit, because it empowers you to shape reality rather than simply follow someone else’s. The spirit of agency is very much alive here.

I have quite a diverse academic background. I’m an instrumental musician, specializing in piano–that’s chronologically my first profession. I’m also an electronics technician with a specialization in computer science. I graduated from the Wrocław University of Technology with a master's degree in computer science, focusing on information systems. I’ve also completed postgraduate studies in accounting and finance, as well as management studies in neuroleadership-learning how to manage ourselves and others based on how our brains work. I am also a CliftonStrength (Gallup) certified coach and am currently in the process of obtaining ICFcoaching certification.

I’m a manager in the IT Delivery Business Services Department. My team has over thirty people, all incredibly skilled professionals, and I’m proud to work with them. Although they’re employed by Raiffeisen Tech Poland, they’re involved in projects for the Head Office, often being the sole representatives from Raiffeisen Tech on those projects. Most of the team works remotely, so I really admire them, as the feedback I hear about their work is always positive.

My core belief is that every person is different. I don’t see my team as a collective mass, but as a group of individuals with distinct needs, personalities, and stages in their careers. Diversity is vital to me, and I embrace it, while also recognizing the commonalities that unite us. Managing a dispersed team has its challenges. . About one-third of the team members have been with the company for many years and previously worked in other Raiffeisen Tech teams, but the majority are relatively new, with some having joined only recently. Our team has existed for 1.5 years and has grown threefold during that time. My challenge is to foster unity and a sense of community, even though we don’t meet face-to-face every day. Luckily, we have remote channels to help bridge that gap and foster a sense of camaraderie. Our MS Teams group proudly bears our informal team name - "SWAT: Swag Wisła and Technology" - which was chosen in a contest.

I spend a lot of time in meetings, but I always smake time for addressing personal concerns from my team. Not a day goes by without someone reaching out with a question or a problem. My role at Raiffeisen Tech involves multiple responsibilities: managing my team, being part of the management team with additional tasks, and maintaining relationships with colleagues in Vienna, who are essentially our internal clients. It’s crucial for me to ensure that they know who to turn to within my team. I also have ongoing conversations with team members about their well-being, whether they need anything, and how I can support them. My goal is not to code for them but to remove any obstacles in their way so they can reach their full potential.

I’d like to focus on several levels. On an individual level, I want each team member to continue growing, both professionally and personally, and to take steps toward realizing their goals. At the team level, I’d love for us to reach maturity, developing closer bonds and becoming true friends. Finally, in terms of our relationship with the internal client, RBI, I aim for our team to grow in both size and visibility, gaining more recognition within the company. Long-term, I want those who are interested and have the opportunity to influence not just their own projects, but the development of ideas across RBI, and even the wider market.

I’m passionate about music. I have a grand piano and am exploring composition, while also learning jazz.

Chopin is my absolute favorite. I have a bookshelf full of books about him. Sport is also important to me – I love playing tennis to stay fit. I used to ride horses, but I had to give it up due to back issues. Horses are wonderful creatures, and I still miss riding. I keep a small circle of real friends, and knowing they’re there for me is a great comfort. Nature is another source of relaxation for me, especially the Baltic Sea. I enjoy walking on quiet beaches, away from the crowds. I haven’t swum in the Baltic in years, but the sound of the sea or the forest, combined with reading a book, is enough for me.

In 2013, I was diagnosed with cancer at a very advanced stage. It was a shock, and I was given only about an 18% chance of surviving five years. But after such a diagnosis, everything else stops mattering. You learn what really counts – what’s truly a problem and what’s not. Once you’ve faced life-threatening situations, day-to-day stressors become manageable. I always remind myself that as long as there’s no immediate threat to my life or health, there’s always a way to overcome challenges. That perspective has stayed with me. That situation also showed me how vital it is to have close, supportive people around us - family, friends, or simply someone we can always rely on, who will stand by us no matter how challenging our circumstances may be. The experience also made me more attuned to my body and emotions. I’ve become more conscious of my needs, my desires, and what I want to leave behind in life. I think self-awareness is key – it helps me stay on course, even if the path is not always straightforward. Life is about making choices and being aware of where we’re headed.

Absolutely. I’m in tune with when I need to recharge and when I can push forward. I can sense when I need to take a break or when some - thing like meditation will help me regain focus. It’s about recognizing what I need for my mental well-being and giving myself permission to do it. I’ve also learned to accept my emotions without judgment – if I’m sad, I allow myself to feel that sadness rather than rushing to change it. Emotions are part of life, and I believe it's important to live consciously. The sooner we notice what’s happening within us, the easier it is to manage those emotions and navigate life’s ups and downs.

I like my positive energy and the fact that I always believe there’s a way out of any situation. Life has tested me many times, and I know I can handle whatever comes my way. I’m not afraid of new challenges, and I’ve learned not to expect perfection from myself. I used to struggle with that, but over time, I've managed to let go of perfectionism. I also appreciate how I’ve learned patience and come to value deferred gratification – something music school taught me. It’s so much sweeter when you wait for it.

First, I’d wish for everyone to have the courage to pursue what they truly want in life once they discover it. Second, I’d wish for people to give others the freedom to live their own lives, without judging how they should live or what choices they should make. Each of us truly knows what's best for ourselves, and no one else can live our lives for us.