Starting at community college, I built a 30-year career at Bank of America through hard work and resilience, proving where you start does not define where you finish.
Satwant Sehra · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Satwant
Satwant Sehra is a Vice President, Business Strategy & Integration Manager at Bank of America with nearly three decades of experience in information technology, mortgage operations, and large-scale banking systems. She specializes in User Acceptance Testing (UAT), release and change management, production support, and quality assurance for complex financial and mortgage platforms. Over the course of her career, she has led cross-functional teams, managed high-impact technology releases, and played a key role in ensuring operational stability and system integrity across enterprise environments. She began her career while attending community college and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from California State University, Northridge. Starting in an entry-level payment processing role, she steadily advanced through multiple technical and leadership positions, including software engineering, production support management, and release project management. Her deep technical foundation, combined with strong leadership and process improvement expertise, has enabled her to successfully oversee large-scale projects, including current responsibilities supporting UAT for AI and GenAI initiatives within the bank. Throughout her career, Satwant has been recognized for her leadership, dedication, and commitment to service, including receiving the Presidential Award for Volunteering. She is actively involved in mentorship, professional networking groups, and community-based volunteer work, including teaching Punjabi at the Valley Sikh Temple Punjabi School. Fluent in English and Punjabi, she is known for her disciplined work ethic, hard work, operational excellence, and belief in continuous growth, while also maintaining a strong commitment to family (supporting her husband and 2 boys (UCLA & USC Football player #40), community service, and lifelong learning.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Satwant
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to longevity, consistency, and adaptability. I have stayed with one organization for nearly 30 years, continuously evolving with changing technologies and business needs. I started in a part-time role while attending college and quickly demonstrated initiative by taking on additional responsibilities beyond my initial job. My willingness to learn, contribute beyond expectations, and step into new technical and leadership roles allowed me to grow steadily from production support into senior leadership.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The most important lesson I learned is that you must show what you are capable of, even if your role does not initially reflect your full skill set. Early in my career, I was encouraged to speak up about my IT capabilities, which led to opportunities beyond my initial position. I learned that initiative, visibility, and consistent performance are key to being recognized and advancing in your career.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women to stay proactive, build strong professional networks, and never underestimate the value of small opportunities. Even entry-level roles can become launching pads if you demonstrate reliability, curiosity, and willingness to learn. Volunteering and contributing beyond your job description can also help you build leadership skills and open unexpected doors.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is the rapid pace of technological change, along with organizational shifts such as restructuring and workforce changes. At the same time, this creates major opportunities, especially in emerging areas like artificial intelligence and large-scale digital transformation. Working in UAT for AI-driven initiatives shows how critical testing, governance, and operational readiness are in shaping the future of financial technology.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are staying active, being efficient with my time, and maintaining a strong commitment to both family and community. I believe in hard work, discipline, take projects that others are scared to take on and continuous engagement rather than inactivity. I also value service—whether through professional work or volunteering—because even small contributions can create meaningful impact. Supporting my family, staying involved in community service, and maintaining a hands-on, practical approach to life are central to who I am.
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