Building the Bond Between Technology and Business

Nazia Raoof (MSIT '08) knows first-hand about how technology can enable businesses to drive transformation, foster collaboration, and create lasting business value.

Throughout her career, she has made critical contributions in financial services by implementing strategies that reduce costs, improve efficiency, and build bridges across silos. As vice president of business intelligence and analytics at Wintrust Wealth Management, Raoof has reduced operational costs by 20 percent, increased productivity by 30 percent, and enhanced operational efficiency.

Her ability to integrate technology with business strategy while fostering collaboration was shaped by her experience in Northwestern Engineering’s Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) program.

“I wanted to deepen my understanding of technology and how it could enable business outcomes while building connections across teams and functions,” Raoof said. “MSIT provided the foundation to bridge technical expertise with business acumen, preparing me to lead transformational initiatives, cultivate communities of practice, and break down silos.”

In her current role, Raoof creates the strategy and roadmap for digital transformation initiatives that leverage automation, innovation, and advanced analytics. Her primary responsibilities include streamlining operations, enhancing client experiences, and driving business value through data-driven strategies.

"What excites me most is the ability to create meaningful impact by leveraging technology," said Raoof, who joined Wintrust in 2023. "Whether it's building dashboards that enable better business decisions or automating manual processes to improve efficiency, every initiative we launch brings tangible results."

On a daily basis, Raoof shifts between participating in high-level strategy sessions, diving deep into analytics projects, and engaging with business leaders, vendors, and stakeholders. She also oversees direct reports and cross-functional teams, manages strategic partnerships, and ensures technology solutions align with broader business objectives.

She particularly values the opportunity to mentor team members while supporting their development and well-being.

Raoof said she became a better leader thanks to MSIT.

“I believe that building relationships and cutting across silos are critical for any transformation,” Raoof shared. “Collaboration ensures that every team feels invested in the solution, which is key to delivering lasting impact.”

Raoof displays that leadership outside of Wintrust as well. She currently is a board member at the Kohl Children's Museum in Glenview, Illinois, where she brings the same desire to align organizational goals with initiatives that positively impact the community.

In January, she self-published "Robo to the Rescue," a children's book about critical thinking and ethical decision-making.

“The MSIT program positioned me to lead at the intersection of technology and business,” she said. “It gave me the confidence to innovate in highly regulated industries, build communities, and adopt a mindset of curiosity and problem solving that’s critical in today’s dynamic business landscape.”

More than 15 years after she graduated, Raoof continues to apply the program's principles to her work.

“MSIT instilled a mindset of curiosity and problem-solving that has been invaluable throughout my career,” she said. “From driving innovation to building high-performing teams, fostering strategic partnerships, restructuring teams and processes, and creating communities of practice, the principles I learned continue to guide my journey.”