Coffee break with Kushugara:
Interview: Ecem Bengü Atakul
Interviewee: Kushugara Kushugara
For this edition of Coffee Break, we sat down with Kush, XXXX. Her goal is to build a working environment where both people and business thrive. Karina explains more about the Culture program, why human creativity is irreplaceable, and her vision for the future of Solaris.
What originally sparked your interest in the data world? Take us along your career journey
Kushagara: I started at Solaris a little over three years ago. I still remember my first day and who I started with – actually they remember me, too. It’s really sweet to have those connections and build relationships with people. This is such an important part of Solaris.
I joined as a People Business Partner in the People team. Back then we were a team of three, but as our team's setup evolved and my responsibilities grew, I transitioned into managing the function.
Solaris has always offered me a lot of possibilities to improve. The learning curve was huge, but so was my career growth. At the same time I had the chance to make a meaningful impact which always matters most to me.
At Solaris we are working on a “Unified Data Platform”. In simple terms, what does it mean and why does Solaris need it right now?
Karina: The Culture program is designed to align our values and behaviors with our future goals, ensuring that our dual-setup in Berlin and Frankfurt continues to be a powerful engine for innovation. The ultimate goal of the program is to build an entrepreneurial, cross-functional workforce equipped for the hybrid banking-tech landscape.
The program is built entirely for employees, by employees, which I appreciate a lot. Also, I love our approach because it isn’t just top-down but it’s bottom-up. Involving employees is something I care deeply about, and we’re encouraging participation at every level. Anyone can make an impact.
Our culture is completely different from when Solaris was founded over 10 years ago. We have different ambitions now. It’s important to acknowledge this shift and move forward together. Establishing this program as one of the five key pillars shows its importance, not just to the Management Board but to the whole organization.
How will a unified data platform directly help teams with fraud prevention or new products?
Karina: When working with AI it’s crucial to challenge it. I’ve always believed in questioning the status quo, both professionally and personally. I really dislike the phrase 'it is what it is.' I refuse to accept that. If something isn't working, we can always improve it rather than passively accepting a situation no one is happy with.
Thinking about AI and the future of Solaris, we need genuine human ingenuity, diverse mindsets, collaboration, real people and their creativity. You can't truly brainstorm with AI because it will never challenge you. Real progress comes from brainstorming together, being open-minded, and building strong human relationships. Once we do the human heavy-lifting, then we can hand it over to AI to execute so we can focus on what’s actually engaging and fun.
Personally, I’m welcoming AI with open arms. Even in a strategic role, there are administrative tasks that need to be taken care of. I would be thrilled if an AI agent took over those tasks so I could focus on more creative, strategic tasks, and leverage AI’s data capabilities to make truly data-driven decisions for the business.
What is one habit every Solarian should embrace when it comes to using data in their daily work?
Karina: I would have answered this question differently a year or two ago. What I really want to highlight though is the vision our CEO shared previously. He envisions Solaris as a true pioneer in Fintech, and in the banking world as a whole. That’s what gets me excited.
I believe we can achieve amazing things together. That belief is the foundation for everything we do.
Looking at Solaris’ future, what is a project or a milestone you are personally most excited about?
What are three interesting facts about you?