Episode 10 - Balancing AI and Technological Advances with Environmental, Social, and Governance Goals - with Jennifer Smith from Zions Bancorporation
11/25/24 • 30 min
In this episode of Women. Wisdom. Worth., we are thrilled to be joined by Jennifer Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology and Operations Officer of Zions Bancorporation.
In 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 Smith was honored as one of American Banker’s Most Powerful Women in Banking; was recognized by Utah Business as a CxO of the Year in 2019; received the Women Tech Council’s Technology Leadership award in 2018 and the Decade of Impact award in 2024; and received YWCA Utah’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Social and Business Innovation in 2023.
Today, Jennifer shares her journey of leading a decade-long transformation to overhaul Zions' technology infrastructure. We'll explore the challenges and triumphs of this massive undertaking, highlighting the critical role of women and sustainable innovation in tech.
Jennifer also shares insights on the importance of responsible AI use and balancing technological advances with environmental, social, and governance goals. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a leader who is not only shaping the future of banking technology but also advocating for more women in tech and sustainable initiatives.
Since 2015 Jennifer has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology and Operations Officer of Zions Bancorporation. Jennifer is responsible for overseeing all technology and operations departments including Enterprise Information Security, Enterprise Data and Analytics, Information Technology, Deposit & Treasury Operations, Enterprise Loan Operations, and the Customer Care Center.
Before joining Zions Bancorporation, Jennifer held senior management roles in technology and operations risk management and internal audit at Wells Fargo.
Jennifer holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in economics from the University of Utah. She serves on The Children’s Center of Utah’s Board of Directors, the Women’s Leadership Institute’s Board of Advisors, and the University of Utah’s College of Social and Behavioral Science’s Advancement Board. Jennifer has previously served on the boards of YWCA of Utah, United Way of Greater Salt Lake, the Berkana Institute, and People Helping People, and as a mentor with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Utah and Women Who Succeed.
Explore More: Visit uplevyl.com/podcast for show notes, resources, and more on Jennifer's insights.
Links:
- Jennifer Smith on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferannesmith
- Zions Bancorporation's website: www.zionsbancorporation.com
About Women. Wisdom. Worth.
Welcome to Women. Wisdom. Worth. - the podcast series from Uplevyl where we learn from women around the world about what they’re doing to find success and joy in this time of great digital and AI change.
For show notes, visit uplevyl.com/podcast.
About Uplevyl
Uplevyl is the global leader in women-trained generative AI, transforming society and business.
Featuring women-centric data inputs, insight, and advice, you’ll find all the answers you need in a way that works for you as you navigate the complexities of modern life.
Learn more at Uplevyl.com.
In this episode of Women. Wisdom. Worth., we are thrilled to be joined by Jennifer Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology and Operations Officer of Zions Bancorporation.
In 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 Smith was honored as one of American Banker’s Most Powerful Women in Banking; was recognized by Utah Business as a CxO of the Year in 2019; received the Women Tech Council’s Technology Leadership award in 2018 and the Decade of Impact award in 2024; and received YWCA Utah’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Social and Business Innovation in 2023.
Today, Jennifer shares her journey of leading a decade-long transformation to overhaul Zions' technology infrastructure. We'll explore the challenges and triumphs of this massive undertaking, highlighting the critical role of women and sustainable innovation in tech.
Jennifer also shares insights on the importance of responsible AI use and balancing technological advances with environmental, social, and governance goals. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a leader who is not only shaping the future of banking technology but also advocating for more women in tech and sustainable initiatives.
Since 2015 Jennifer has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology and Operations Officer of Zions Bancorporation. Jennifer is responsible for overseeing all technology and operations departments including Enterprise Information Security, Enterprise Data and Analytics, Information Technology, Deposit & Treasury Operations, Enterprise Loan Operations, and the Customer Care Center.
Before joining Zions Bancorporation, Jennifer held senior management roles in technology and operations risk management and internal audit at Wells Fargo.
Jennifer holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in economics from the University of Utah. She serves on The Children’s Center of Utah’s Board of Directors, the Women’s Leadership Institute’s Board of Advisors, and the University of Utah’s College of Social and Behavioral Science’s Advancement Board. Jennifer has previously served on the boards of YWCA of Utah, United Way of Greater Salt Lake, the Berkana Institute, and People Helping People, and as a mentor with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Utah and Women Who Succeed.
Explore More: Visit uplevyl.com/podcast for show notes, resources, and more on Jennifer's insights.
Links:
- Jennifer Smith on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferannesmith
- Zions Bancorporation's website: www.zionsbancorporation.com
About Women. Wisdom. Worth.
Welcome to Women. Wisdom. Worth. - the podcast series from Uplevyl where we learn from women around the world about what they’re doing to find success and joy in this time of great digital and AI change.
For show notes, visit uplevyl.com/podcast.
About Uplevyl
Uplevyl is the global leader in women-trained generative AI, transforming society and business.
Featuring women-centric data inputs, insight, and advice, you’ll find all the answers you need in a way that works for you as you navigate the complexities of modern life.
Learn more at Uplevyl.com.
Previous Episode
Episode 9 - Introducing The Future Forward Accelerator - with Shubhi Rao
In this episode, we take a deep dive into the new Future Forward Accelerator from Uplevyl.
Uplevyl's Founder and CEO, Shubhi Rao talks us through the Who, What, Why, How, and When of Future Forward.
Shubhi Rao is a global executive, board member, advisor, and CEO who has delivered strategic and operational leadership for dynamic and complex businesses including Alphabet/Google, Tesco, PwC, Tyco, and Ford and venture-backed businesses.
Shubhi was the first woman and person of color to hold the position of Treasurer at both Alphabet/Google and Tesco. She is also a member of the Board and Audit Committee & Chair of the Compensation Committee of Open Lending Corp (Nasdaq listed).
Shubhi has leveraged her experience along with her keenness for data and technology to champion equality practices that uplift professional women. This has sparked her to found Uplevyl: a First-of-its-kind, women-trained AI platform designed to bridge the gender gap in organizations.
Links
- Uplevyl Future Forward: www.uplevyl.com/future-forward
- Shubhi Rao: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shubhirao/
About Women.Wisdom. Worth.
Welcome to Women. Wisdom. Worth. - the podcast series from Uplevyl where we learn from women around the world about what they’re doing to find success and joy in this time of great digital and AI change.
For show notes, visit uplevyl.com/podcast.
About Uplevyl
Uplevyl is the global leader in women-trained generative AI, transforming society and business.
Featuring women-centric data inputs, insight, and advice, you’ll find all the answers you need in a way that works for you as you navigate the complexities of modern life.
Learn more at Uplevyl.com.
Next Episode
Episode 11 - AI Ethics and Real-World Solutions - with Natalie Meyers from the Lucy Family Institute at Notre Dame
Today we hear from Natalie Myers about the dynamic intersection of data science, ethics, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Natalie serves as Professor of the Practice in the Lucy Family Institute. Her research focuses on FAIR data management and software preservation.
Prior to joining Notre Dame, Natalie was co-owner of Content Innovations, LLC a California certified woman-owned small business in San Francisco. Natalie has a Masters in Library and Information Systems (MLIS) from UC Berkeley with a concentration in Systems Analysis and Database Design, and an MA in English from University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
In this episode, we delve into how the Lucy Family Institute at Notre Dame is pioneering in these areas and making significant strides in community impact, gender representation, and ethical AI development.
Explore More: Visit uplevyl.com/podcast for show notes, resources, and more on Natalie's insights.
Links:
- Natalie Myers on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nkmeyers
- Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society website: www.lucyinstitute.nd.edu
About Women. Wisdom. Worth.
Welcome to Women. Wisdom. Worth. - the podcast series from Uplevyl where we learn from women around the world about what they’re doing to find success and joy in this time of great digital and AI change.
For show notes, visit uplevyl.com/podcast.
About Uplevyl
Uplevyl is the global leader in women-trained generative AI, transforming society and business.
Featuring women-centric data inputs, insight, and advice, you’ll find all the answers you need in a way that works for you as you navigate the complexities of modern life.
Learn more at Uplevyl.com.
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