Uwe Dräger: From Hamburger Sparkasse to Bhutan
1. In which institution of the Sparkassen Finance Group did you start your career and what brought you to the Sparkasse?
My involvement in the Sparkassen Finance Group came at the end of my professional career. I joined the organization in 2004 and was then responsible for project management at Hamburger Sparkasse. During my time there I also managed numerous major (IT) projects myself.
2. How long did you work for this institution? Please describe your Sparkassen-career briefly.
After more than 30 years of professional experience at the intersection of banking and IT, my last position was as head of various major projects at Hamburger Sparkasse AG. Before that, I held positions at Computer Sciences Corporation (now DXC), Siemens and Deutsche Bank. I am a banker by training and have a doctorate in business informatics.
3. When did you start your career at German Sparkassenstiftung and what motivated you to work in international cooperation?
My first contact and cooperation with German Sparkassenstiftung was in 2019 - as a short-term expert in Bhutan (supporting IT migration of a microfinance institution). Since 1st of January 2020, I am now in Bhutan as a long-term expert. I am living my dream: Since the beginning of my professional life, it was my dream to finish it in international cooperation. This desire only solidified over time – with my work I would like to pass on some of the luck and opportunities I had.
4. What valuable experience have you taken with you from your work at Sparkassen Finance Group to your project region?
In addition to my purely technical knowledge of banking and IT, I have internalized the DNA of the Sparkassen Finance Group: being close to people, no short term thinking, and instead building on long-term, sustainable structures. Furthermore - especially coming from IT: Lifelong learning and adapting to new situations is a must!
You can learn more about our projects in Bhutan here.
