Not everyone can say their job improves the lives of both people and animals.
But Jignesh Patel can. The head of data analytics and AI was compelled to join pharmaceutical company Cencora six years ago because of its mission, which is to improve healthcare for people and animals by accelerating pharmaceutical access, advancing patient-centered care and fostering a sustainable, secure global supply chain.
Over the years, Patel has been struck by many aspects of the company’s culture, particularly the opportunities it offers to pursue meaningful work, collaborate with thoughtful colleagues, and take on challenging projects.
“That combination is hard to find, and it’s why I’ve enjoyed being here,” Patel said.
Staff Software Engineer Maryana Starykava found a similar work environment when she joined CAIS, which offers an alternative investment platform for independent financial advisors. She was initially struck by the company’s engineering culture and felt supported by the interview process, which focused on real problem-solving and technical tradeoffs rather than surface-level questions.
Since joining her team, Starykava sees this culture in action every day, as it empowers engineers to evaluate options, challenge assumptions, and choose what best fits the problem, rather than default to familiar tools or patterns.
“Seeing that level of ownership and technical curiosity early on made it clear I was in the right place,” Starykava said.
Consultant Simran Dhawan found a similar culture at global management and technology consultancy Capco, where team members work on impactful projects while leaning on insight and encouragement from their peers.
“There’s a strong sense of collaboration and support, where everyone is encouraged to share ideas and take ownership of their work,” Dhawan said.
Below, Patel, Starykava and Dhawan share what attracted them to their employers, what they enjoy most about their day-to-day work and the advice they’d give to job seekers interested in joining their teams.
Capco is a global management and technology consultancy that serves organizations in the financial services and energy sectors.
What is your role, and what attracted you to Capco? Describe the moment when you knew you’d found the right fit.
As a consultant at Capco, my role focuses on designing and delivering scalable, cloud-native solutions while working closely with clients to translate complex business requirements into effective technical implementations. I contribute across the full software development lifecycle, from building microservices and APIs to enhancing user interfaces and supporting cloud adoption initiatives.
What attracted me to Capco was its strong reputation for combining deep financial services expertise with cutting-edge technology innovation. The opportunity to work on impactful projects in a collaborative, fast-paced environment, while continuously learning and growing, really stood out to me. I knew I had found the right fit during my early interactions with the team, where I experienced a culture that truly values collaboration, ownership and continuous improvement. The emphasis on both technical excellence and people-first values made it clear that Capco was an environment where I could thrive and make meaningful contributions.
“The emphasis on both technical excellence and people-first values made it clear that Capco was an environment where I could thrive and make meaningful contributions.”
What’s your favorite part about working at Capco?
My favorite part about working at Capco is the team culture. There’s a strong sense of collaboration and support, where everyone is encouraged to share ideas and take ownership of their work. I also enjoy working on impactful, technology-driven projects that continuously challenge me and help me grow.
What really sets Capco apart is the emphasis on community and engagement. From organizing events to participating in games and fun activities, there are plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues beyond day-to-day work. I’m also actively involved in internal communities such as R/ED, Wellbeing and Women@Capco, which further foster inclusivity, personal growth and a strong sense of belonging. At the same time, Capco offers great opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement, allowing me to grow both technically and professionally.
What advice would you give to jobseekers looking to join your growing team?
My advice to jobseekers looking to join Capco would be to come in with a strong willingness to learn and adapt. Capco values individuals who are not only technically skilled but also proactive, collaborative and open to new challenges. It’s important to have a solid foundation in your core skills, but equally important is your ability to communicate effectively and work well within a team. Being comfortable in an agile environment and having a problem-solving mindset will really help you succeed. Lastly, be yourself and show genuine enthusiasm. Capco has a “Be Yourself At Work” culture, so demonstrating curiosity, initiative and a positive attitude can make a big difference.
Cencora is a pharmaceutical solutions business focused on improving the lives of both people and animals.
What is your role, and what attracted you to Cencora? Describe the moment when you knew you’d found the right fit.
I currently serve as senior vice president of enterprise data, analytics and AI, where I’m responsible for modernizing our data foundation, scaling analytics and translating AI into real business outcomes. I focus on driving tangible outcomes for the enterprise.
What attracted me to Cencora was our purpose of creating healthier futures. The moment I knew it was the right fit was when I saw how decisions were made in service of our customers and ultimately the patient, not the bottom line.
What’s your favorite part about working at Cencora?
For me, it’s the intersection of meaningful projects, talented team members and an awesome mission. The work matters, the teams are thoughtful and collaborative, and there’s a real opportunity to keep learning and taking on bigger challenges. That combination is hard to find, and it’s why I’ve enjoyed being here.
“The work matters, the teams are thoughtful and collaborative, and there’s a real opportunity to keep learning and taking on bigger challenges.”
What advice would you give to jobseekers looking to join your growing team?
Be curious, be outcome-oriented, and be ready to collaborate. I always say, fall in love with the problem, not the solution. We value people who think beyond their role, take ownership, and are excited to learn in a fast moving environment.
CAIS’ platform connects independent financial advisors with alternative asset managers, offering greater access to and education about alternative investment funds and products.
What is your role, and what attracted you to CAIS? Describe the moment when you knew you’d found the right fit.
I’m a staff software engineer at CAIS, and what initially stood out was the strength of the engineering culture. The interview process felt intentionally designed by engineers, focused on real problem-solving and technical tradeoffs rather than surface-level questions.
That signal held true once I joined. At CAIS, the value “Find a Way, Find a Better Way” shows up in how teams approach system design and decision-making. Engineers don’t default to familiar tools or patterns; they evaluate options, challenge assumptions, and choose what best fits the problem, even if it means learning something new. Seeing that level of ownership and technical curiosity early on made it clear I was in the right place.
“Engineers don’t default to familiar tools or patterns; they evaluate options, challenge assumptions, and choose what best fits the problem, even if it means learning something new.”
What’s your favorite part about working at CAIS?
The engineering culture at CAIS is highly collaborative, with strong cross-team engagement. It’s common to work closely with engineers across different domains, which leads to better solutions and a deeper understanding of the broader system.
There’s also a strong emphasis on continuous learning. Engineers regularly run sessions on topics like new frameworks, architecture decisions or practical applications of AI-assisted development tools. These aren’t theoretical; they’re grounded in real work happening across the CAIS platform.
Equally important is the level of ownership. Engineers are trusted to drive initiatives, influence technical direction, and improve how systems are built. That combination of autonomy and collaboration creates an environment where you can have real impact.
What advice would you give to jobseekers looking to join your growing team?
Bring curiosity and a willingness to engage deeply with problems. At CAIS, people are open to sharing knowledge and expect thoughtful discussion, whether it’s in design reviews, technical sessions or day-to-day collaboration.
It’s also a strong fit for engineers who enjoy working with evolving technologies. Teams actively explore modern tools, including AI-powered development workflows, and think critically about how to apply them in production environments.
Most importantly, come ready to contribute. Engineers at CAIS are trusted to take ownership, challenge ideas, and help shape how systems evolve. If you’re looking for a place where you can grow while working on meaningful technical problems, you’ll likely find that here.
