Witad Awards 2025: Data science professional of the year (vendor)—Kaja Zupanc, Duco

What is your position within your firm?
Kaja Zupanc: I am head of machine learning at Duco.

How long have you worked in the financial services industry?
Zupanc: I have “officially” been in the financial services industry since Metamaze was acquired by Duco a year ago.  However, I’ve been providing machine learning solutions to clients—including those in financial services—for over six years

How did you get into the industry? Was it a conscious decision or did you “fall” into it?
Zupanc: I got into the financial services industry “by accident” through the acquisition. But in terms of data science, I studied mathematics and computer science and focused on machine learning throughout my career.

What does your day-to-day role entail?
Zupanc: Every day is a bit different, but I work really closely with my team on development of AI functionalities, manage my team, and work with other teams across the business to plan the future of AI for our platform.

What single project/piece of work are you most proud of during your career in the industry to date? 
Zupanc: The project I’m most proud of is developing our Adaptive Intelligent Document Processing (AIDP) capability from the ground up—a true testament to collaborative innovation. Working alongside my exceptional team, we created a solution that transforms unstructured data into structured formats, opening remarkable possibilities for reconciliation and data transformation. This achievement highlights how bringing together diverse talents and perspectives can solve complex challenges and create something truly impactful that none of us could have accomplished alone.

What are you currently working on and what makes it significant in the context of your position?
Zupanc: We are currently working on several new things, some of them are production ready, with others really at the beginning of experimentation. As head of machine learning, my role involves guiding these projects from ideation through execution while ensuring they align with our strategic vision. While I can’t share specific details, these innovations will significantly enhance our platform’s capabilities, creating more value for users through intelligent automation and advanced data processing.

The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is the transformative power of teamwork. Surrounding yourself with exceptional people who challenge and inspire you creates exponential growth

To what extent were you helped during your career by a mentor or role model within the business?
Zupanc: I was always lucky to have a very good manager who was able to guide me at whatever stage I was in my career. Having a mentor that I could turn to for guidance had a very positive impact on my career.

To what extent does your firm have a formalized framework that seeks to identify and promote talented women and ensure they have every opportunity to realize their ambitions and contribute to the business?
Zupanc: We don’t really have a specified framework that identifies and promotes talented women, but we do strive for equality, whether that’s gender, racial, religious, or any other. Really, this means that any talented woman has an opportunity to advance based on her skills, competence, and contributions, just like anyone else.

What was the greatest obstacle you had to overcome during your career in the industry to date? 
Zupanc: Probably the biggest obstacle was learning to navigate motherhood and career. Beyond maternity leave, daily challenges arise balancing work and family. Sick children, unexpected daycare closures, and sleepless nights before important meetings test your limits. 

But I firmly believe these challenges only made me more resilient and efficient. I developed stronger prioritization skills and learned to be fully present whether at work or home. This dual role ultimately enhanced my professional capabilities in surprising ways.

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned so far during your career?   
Zupanc: The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is the transformative power of teamwork. Surrounding yourself with exceptional people who challenge and inspire you creates exponential growth. Diverse perspectives solve problems more effectively than individuals could alone. Innovation thrives when you build a team of talented individuals who complement each other’s strengths. Great teammates push you beyond your perceived limits, helping you discover capabilities you never knew you possessed. Their success becomes your success.

What would you advise women just entering the industry?
Zupanc: Be curious and embrace every situation as a learning opportunity. Don’t be afraid to speak up. Your perspective is valuable and brings diversity of thought. Trust your expertise; you were hired for what you bring to the table. Don’t let impostor syndrome silence you, even as the only woman in the room. Call out when you disagree; voice your approach even when uncomfortable.

What does this award mean to you?
Zupanc: This award represents recognition that my team and I are moving in the right direction. It validates our approach, affirms our hard work, and encourages us to continue pushing boundaries. Beyond personal satisfaction, it highlights the collaborative effort behind our achievements.