Stevie-Ann Dovico: Leadership Tips for Tech and Transformation
With a career spanning consulting, banking, digital transformation, and technology leadership, Stevie-Ann Dovico has carved out a unique and unconventional path to the C-suite. Now serving as Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Beyond Bank, she leads its end-to-end technology strategy, overseeing everything from IT operations to AI innovation.
Stevie-Ann’s career began consulting at KPMG and EY, where she built a strong advisory foundation before transitioning into banking. Over the next two decades, she honed her expertise across compliance, product development, strategy, transformation, and digital platforms at Westpac and NAB, gaining experience across retail, business, corporate, and institutional banking.
Beyond her corporate role, Stevie-Ann is an advocate for diversity, leadership development, and workplace transformation. Passionate about building strong teams and empowering others, she champions mentorship, inclusivity, and strategic innovation in the evolving financial technology landscape.
From Consultant to CIO: A Non-Traditional Career Path
You’ve had a fascinating and non-traditional career path to your current role. Can you share an overview of your journey?
I'm currently the CIO of Beyond Bank, one of the largest mutual banks. My career hasn't followed a typical CIO trajectory. I started in consulting at KPMG and then at EY. Consulting firms hired many accounting graduates back then, but I was in a small advisory practice. It was an exceptional experience, giving me a strong consulting toolkit I still use today. After the GFC hit, advisory work dried up, and the chargeable work was mostly risk and compliance. That led me to Westpac, where I spent 12 years doing everything from compliance and product development to strategy, transformation, innovation, and technology.
"At Westpac, I focused on retail banking, covering every product line over the course of my tenure and even martech."
Then, I moved to NAB to run their digital platforms across retail, business, corporate, and institutional banking. It was a massive role with a global team and gave me depth in business and corporate banking, which was very different from my retail focus. I chased the learning opportunities throughout my career.
Stepping into Leadership: The Move to Beyond Bank
What prompted your move to Beyond Bank?
I wanted to do more. Even as an executive in a large corporation, you are only responsible for a small piece of the puzzle. After almost 20 years in big banks, I wanted to see the whole picture. The opportunity at Beyond Bank came up, and now I oversee everything tech-related, from a broken laptop to the bank's AI strategy. It's exciting! The learning opportunity here is the close interaction with the board. I'm learning how a bank runs end-to-end and how we can leverage technology to drive business outcomes. These boardroom conversations are invaluable.
Falling in Love with Banking
Did you always plan for a career in banking, or did you fall into it?
I definitely fell into it. In high school, I was good at business studies and tech, but tech wasn't considered cool back then. I ended up doing a combined business and tech degree, which was new. Consulting led me to banking, and I discovered I really love it. Banking offers a fundamental opportunity to impact customers' lives. Money is a constant, and we can be part of those exceptional moments in people's lives, from their first paycheck to buying a house, even dealing with death. Using our money management and technology knowledge to create excellent experiences is a compelling proposition.
The Biggest Learning Curve: From Specialisation to Strategy
You've been in your current role for about twleve months. What's been the biggest learning curve going from a siloed role in a larger organisation to a smaller one where you have a broader remit and interact with the board?
It's the in-depth understanding of how a bank really works. I knew the basics– lending, deposits, payments– but the intricacies, like treasury and securitisation, are complex and fascinating. My biggest learning curve has been working with the board and understanding their priorities. Co-crafting the bank's strategy is completely different. In a big organisation, you might craft the tech strategy to support the bank's strategy, several layers removed. Here, I'm part of the executive team deciding the overall plan. It's about ensuring we're doing the right things for our customers and the long-term health of the bank.
"The opportunity for technologists to participate in business strategy conversations is unparalleled."
I'm naturally curious and love understanding how things work, so this role is very exciting.
Keys to Success: The Importance of Teamwork
What factors have been critical to your success?
I used to think hard work and talent were enough, but that only gets you so far. The biggest realisation has been that you're only as good as your team. Our collective success depends on having a strong team. Early in my career, I felt pressure to be the smartest person in the room, which is impossible and inefficient. Now I focus on hiring the best people, empowering them to thrive, and then, as a leader, bringing it all together, giving clarity on the direction, ensuring they have what they need, and motivating them.
From Individual Contributor to Team Enabler
When did you realise leadership was about enabling others rather than just personal contribution?
Through good coaching. Early in my first national leadership role, I felt huge imposter syndrome. Someone told me to hire people smarter than me, which initially felt threatening. But it's true! Your success depends on your team. Your role as a leader is to empower them to achieve outcomes. Early in my career, trial and error, especially a lot of error, helped me understand this. Your goal should be to build a team so strong that you're no longer needed! That's a sign of true success.
Career Advice: Embrace Discomfort and Seek Challenges
Where do you see your career going next?
I advise everyone to think two moves ahead. There are a few options for me. Ideally, I'd like a combined CIO-COO role, or I could go back to a big corporate in a senior role, but I'm not sure I'd adjust back to operating in a small box. I love transformation and delivering large portfolios. Problems excite me, and I tend to say yes to every opportunity, even if haven’t worked in the space before. That's how my next role usually comes about. Be open to opportunities, but also have a formal plan. Know your strengths and weaknesses. When you consider your next role, look for opportunities to develop your weaker areas. Seek experiences that will prepare you.
"Your next role should scare you! Otherwise, you’ll get bored."
Don't be afraid to talk to people already doing your desired role. Learn from their experiences. And when applying for roles, think about what the job is about. Focus on the essential things.
Most Valuable Career Advice
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
Two things:
- Hire people smarter than you. Surround yourself with the best talent and empower them to succeed.
- Make sure your next role feels uncomfortable. If you’re too comfortable, you’re not growing.
Advice for Women in Tech
What advice would you give to women pursuing a career in technology?
Put yourself out there! Go for positions even if you don't meet every single criterion. Don't focus on the barriers to entry. If you enjoy technology and want a tech career, nothing can stop you. If you're in an environment where you feel held back, you're in the wrong company. Many companies are desperate for women in technology and offer supportive environments.
"Don't get too hung up on, 'I'm going to be the only woman in the room.' I've been the only woman 1000 times. It doesn't matter."
Just go for it!
Motherhood: The Most Challenging Transition
What would you say is the most challenging situation in your career?
Stevie-Ann: Funnily enough, it's not actually in my career. The most challenging situation I've ever faced is becoming a mum. No one can prepare you for this. I'm used to being good at things, and I believe if you work hard enough, you can learn and master anything. But motherhood… there are no instructions. It doesn't matter how many books you read. Coming back to the workforce, sleep-deprived and fundamentally shifted as a human was complex. But you get through it.
If I Could Do It All Again...
What would you do differently if you were starting your career again now?
Part of me wants to say nothing because I really enjoyed the ride. I'm not afraid to make mistakes. But if I could do it all again, I would have put myself forward for more things.
Addressing Bias and the Importance of Technical Expertise
Have you encountered any stereotypes or biases related to your non-traditional career path or your gender, and how have you addressed those challenges?
Surprisingly, it is not related to gender. I've always chosen companies that support equality and encourage women in tech. However, there's a bias towards classical engineering backgrounds in technology. You need that technical foundation. So I sought out those experiences and got my certifications.
Respecting Specialisation and Leading with Clarity
Have you ever faced challenges where someone with a technical background didn’t respect your decisions because you hadn’t been an architect or held a specific technical role?
Not overtly. My style is to seek to learn first, especially outside my niche. That's why it's important to hire people with those backgrounds. I wouldn't argue with a specialist about their specialisation. You might disagree respectfully about how that piece fits into the bigger picture. But if you encounter that kind of disrespect, it's probably because you haven't been clear enough about the overall direction. Your role as a leader is to guide the team and provide clarity.
Building a Diverse Team
How do you approach building a diverse team?
I'm a big fan of psychometric testing, not the math and shapes, but the personality profiling. I'm really strict about hiring for diversity, not just gender, cultural background, etc., but diversity of thought. I like to hire people who are different from me. You need that yin and yang, that balance of personalities and approaches.
Final Thoughts
This interview illuminated a remarkable career trajectory marked by continuous learning, strategic risk-taking, and a profound understanding of leadership. From consulting to CIO, Stevie-Ann's journey underscores the value of embracing unconventional paths, seeking challenges that foster growth, and prioritising team empowerment. Key takeaways include hiring individuals with diverse skills and perspectives, actively pursuing technical expertise, and leading clearly and respectfully. Ultimately, Stevie-Ann's success highlights that a willingness to learn, adapt, and empower others is paramount in navigating the dynamic landscape of technology and leadership.
