Bridging Technology, Business, and Leadership
By Razil Fernandes, Written Communications Specialist
AlumnaAmanda Agui (MSE ’20), Technical Product Owner at Synchrony
Motivated by a desire to learn and grow, MSE alumna Amanda Agui chose to move away from her home in Ohio to take advantage of the opportunities at the University of Connecticut. Drawn to UConn’s strong academic reputation and highly regarded STEM programs, she joined the Honors College and STEM Scholars program with the support of merit scholarships.
During her undergraduate years, attending the 2019 MS&T Conference in Portland, Oregon, stood out as a significant experience. She joined her peers from the UConn Material Advantage chapter to participate in challenges that tested their engineering skills. Her team’s entry in the Geodesic Dome Design Competition provided an opportunity to present their concept to industry professionals, offering valuable insight into real-world problem-solving. The team earned the “Best in Destruction” award and placed second overall, which was a rewarding outcome of their collaboration and effort. Reflecting on the experience, she noted, “It was a space where I could grow, ask questions, and work with my teammates to design and deliver solutions together.”
Academic challenges played an important role in her time at UConn. Retaking the challenging MSE 3002 course with Professor Brody was a significant experience. Reflecting on the course, she admitted, “I performed poorly during my first attempt at this class, to the point that I needed to retake it.” Determined to succeed, she approached the course differently the second time, focusing on improving her study habits, attending office hours, and seeking additional support. Her efforts paid off when she scored 100% on her first exam the second time around. “It is my personal reminder that I am able to overcome significant challenges,” she said.
Today, she applies those same principles as a Technical Product Owner (TPO) at Synchrony, a financial services company. In her role, she leads the development of cloud-based solutions that deliver real-time data to clients and internal stakeholders. Her work involves collaborating with engineering, credit, and portfolio management teams to design and prioritize features that align with business objectives. Managing her team’s backlog and translating complex problems for cross-functional teams are just some of the ways she combines her technical expertise with a strategic business mindset.
Her interest in the intersection of business and technology began during her undergraduate years, where she served as president of UConn’s International Business Association. Engaging with companies like Henkel, Travelers, and Pratt & Whitney solidified her interest for identifying how technology can drive business innovation. This blend of technical and strategic skills keeps her engaged in the ever-evolving digital landscape of retail and finance, and it motivates her to continue contributing to Synchrony’s cloud transformation goals.
Upskilling has been an important part of her professional development. Earning certifications in agile project management, AWS cloud technologies, and change management has broadened her skill set and sparked her interest in organizational development and adult learning. These experiences have motivated her to pursue a graduate degree in Organizational Leadership and Development, where she plans to build on her knowledge to design effective learning strategies, lead change, and foster continuous growth in the workplace.
Outside of her job, Amanda is heavily involved in Synchrony’s Diversity Networks and Employee Resource Groups. These groups seek to address challenges and opportunities and allow anyone to join in solidarity. She holds leadership positions in both the Asian Professional Engagement Network+ (APEN+) and the Hispanic Network (H+), but is also a member of the Women’s Network (WN+), EnAbled + Network (EN+) and Black Experiences+ (BE+). Amanda encourages students to connect with companies like hers which support such initiatives.
Her particular advice to current materials science and engineering students is simple: “You know yourself best. Identify disciplines that excite you and find the intersection where you can make an impact. From there, get involved in organizations that give you face-time with industry professionals, UConn alumni, or faculty members to help roadmap your early career plan.”
Published: December 18, 2024
Categories: alumni, industry, news
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