Anita M. Sands

Dr. Anita Sands is a global technology and business leader, public speaker, and advocate for the advancement of women. She currently serves on the board of three Silicon Valley public companies – Symantec Corporation, Service Now, and Pure Storage, and is a board director at private companies ThoughtWorks and AppBus. She is also an active advisory board member at Docusign, Accompany, and Box.

Anita earned both her Ph.D. in Atomic and Molecular Physics and bachelor’s degree in Physics & Applied Math from Queen’s University Belfast, and a Masters in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh where she was a Fulbright Scholar.

Prior to her latest career pivot into technology, Anita spent a decade in the financial services sector, specializing in enterprise transformation- and technology-led innovation. She was the youngest ever-Senior Vice President at the Royal Bank of Canada where she served as the Head of Innovation and Process Design. At the age of 33, she was appointed as Chief Operating Officer, and subsequently as Head of Change Leadership, for UBS Wealth Management Americas, responsible for technology, operations, and corporate services.

Anita has been honored on many occasions for her contribution to technology leadership and the advancement of women. She holds a diploma in piano from the London School of Music, and has travelled to all seven continents, including on an expedition to Antarctica. Anita is a former all-Ireland public speaking champion and a frequent commentator on digital transformation and women’s leadership.