Thoughtworker Spotlight: Sanya Pecenovic

Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

Deep thoughts, long walks and weekend adventures – that’s what you’ll find Sanya Pecenovic, Delivery Principal at Thoughtworks Canada, doing when she’s not building teams and leading complex transformation journeys for future-focused enterprises. Possessed with an edacious curiosity and contagious outlook, her ability to approach challenges as learning opportunities consistently turns team roadblocks into stepping stones, making her a partner and practitioner favourite. With a passion for strategy, execution and technology, it’s no wonder she turns to her favourite product to give her some downtime for deep thinking and creative work. Can you guess what it is? Here’s a hint – you probably read 3-5 LinkedIn posts about it daily! Click below to find out what it is in this week’s Thoughtworker Spotlight.

Tell us about what you do in 50 words or less.

I lead complex transformation programs for future-focused enterprises. As a Delivery Principal, I ensure value creation for clients by forming high-performing teams that leverage product and engineering best practices to solve our client’s complex problems.

What’s the most interesting challenge you’re working on?

Defining governance models for systems and platforms that enable product, agile and digital transformation for companies (e.g. governance for design systems, data mesh, evolutionary architectures etc.). My primary focus is metrics that measure the value and performance of these systems against business objectives. 

What inspired you to have the career you have today?

I’ve been able to combine my passion for technology, strategy and execution to solve complex problems for our clients that have had a tangible impact on people’s lives. A lot of strategy goes into successful delivery, especially when it comes to driving transformation within big enterprises. 

What achievement are you most proud of in your career to date?

I drove a culture of learning and experimentation within an account that scaled to 120+ team members over one year. I’m also proud of consistently trying to embrace and learn from my failures. Maintaining and growing this perspective has helped me focus on delivering value to our customers and company over everything else as it turns what were once roadblocks into stepping stones. 

If you could go back in time and give yourself career advice, what would it be?

It’s ok to fail as long as you learn and continuously improve. 

What do you love to do outside of work?

Spend time with my family, listen to podcasts, take long walks and have weekend adventures. 

If you were stuck on a deserted island, what album, movie, and book would you take with you?

Album –  Get Happy by Pink Martini
Movie – Inglorious Bastards by Quentin T.
Book – The Art of Learning by Josh Waitzkin

And finally, what’s your favourite product and why? 

ChatGPT. Although very new, ChatGPT has significantly accelerated my productivity. I’ve cut down time on researching on the internet and can spend more time doing deep and creative work.