Published 15th May 2025
"Skills are subject to inflation. If you stop learning, their value declines over time. Keep learning to keep up and learn more to get ahead."
— Daniel H.
From psychologist in Colombia to talent strategist in Canada, Maria rebuilt her career from scratch in a new country. Born without her left arm, she's now opening doors at SAP that others tried to close—for herself and everyone who's been told they're different.
Xin Chen joined SAP fresh from her PhD with one belief: abstract algorithms should solve real problems. A decade later, she's building responsible AI on HANA that transforms how businesses operate, and she's never looked back.
The doubt was real, but Chioma built something bigger. From technology consultant to trusted advisor for SAP's most strategic accounts, she's proven that belonging isn't given—it's created. She co-founded Black Women in Tech DACH to make sure others don't have to build it alone.
Brings his analytical mindset and resilience.
Builds transformation pathways for premium customers.
He belongs at SAP.
“I never imagined that studying physics with astronomy would lead me to managing a team of 28 people at one of the world's largest software companies. My journey began in 2015 as an intern on what was then called the Tech DB team. Coming from a pure mathematics and physics background, the tech world was completely foreign to me, but that's what I love about SAP, we're all learning specialized technologies from scratch.
The internship was eye-opening. I was doing technical performance optimization services, database analysis, and SAP application layer performance work for customers. It was challenging, exciting, and utterly different from anything I'd experienced working in retail during college. By the time I finished my degree, I knew I wanted to pursue tech, not spend my days in a physics lab.
When I returned to SAP full-time as a support engineer, the real learning began with on-site customer work. I'll never forget my first major engagement: a 10-day service in Texas. It was high-intensity, high-stakes, and exactly the kind of experience where you learn how to handle pressure and deliver results when everything's on the line.”
“As my responsibilities grew, so did my understanding of what leadership really means. When I moved into management, I discovered it wasn't about being the most technical person anymore – it was about people. Managing 28 people means dealing with 28 different sets of challenges, ambitions, and career journeys. It's 90% about people; relationships and conversations, and I love that aspect of the role.
SAP's commitment to learning and development has been phenomenal throughout my journey. When I transitioned to management, the company provided comprehensive training programs, but I wanted to go deeper. So, I decided to pursue an MBA part-time over two years, completing it last year. SAP supported this through their educational sponsorship program, and it's made an enormous difference in giving me strategic perspective beyond my technical expertise.
I've also completed about 15 certifications over the past few years, plus I'm currently working on a CIPD qualification to strengthen my HR skills. The learning never stops, and that's exactly how I like it. Especially with AI disrupting everything, continuous upskilling isn't just beneficial, it's essential for staying ahead.”
“Today, my team works with SAP's premium engagement customers, companies like Coca-Cola, BP, Unilever, and Ericsson. These are the biggest names with the most complex challenges, and they get our white-glove service. We might work with 200 customers in a year, helping them transition from non-HANA databases to our latest S/4HANA systems. The impact is tangible – when Coca-Cola has a supply chain issue affecting their factory output, my team might identify inefficiencies that could double their production capacity.
The best career advice I give to new hires and interns is simple: get to know people and constantly ask questions. Technical skills matter, but relationships and curiosity are what accelerate your career. I was quite shy when I started, and I wish I'd networked more early on. The biggest accelerator for anyone is knowing people, building rapport, and never being afraid to step outside your comfort zone.
Looking ahead, I'm focused on ensuring my team is ready for the AI-driven disruptions coming our way. SAP has supported every step of this journey – from intern to director, from physics student to technology leader. The people here have been incredibly supportive, the learning opportunities are endless, and the work we do genuinely impacts businesses worldwide. It's exactly where I belong.”
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