ABB provides a platform where diverse backgrounds and skills come together to drive innovation. For Nazanin Azari, Digital Solution Consultant director, Europe, a passion for science and technology led her from studying electrical and automation engineering to leading a digital solutions team. Her journey has been shaped by hands-on experience, problem-solving, and navigating a traditionally male-dominated field. Through her experiences, she reflects on the challenges she has faced and the support that has helped her along the way.
Nazanin pursued a degree in electrical and automation engineering, a field mostly dominated by men. She joined a dual program in Karlsruhe, Germany, that combined study with hands-on work experience. This program allowed her to apply for work in a technical field, while being sponsored by a company. When she wasn’t studying, she was working—gaining real-world experience early in her career. Later she was relocated to Switzerland, due to her job, and saw the opportunity to study management, economics and technology at ETH-Zürich part time alongside her job.
Passion for science
Science has always been central to Nazanin’s life, “For me, it was always a choice to do something with science and technology,” she says.
Although she initially considered medicine, engineering caught her interest at a young age. As a child, she and her cousin bought electronic kits and assembled projects together. One of their first projects was a programming chip where they wrote small programs. Together with her brothers, they lovingly assembled their own PC to play video games.
“I remember my mom skillfully changing the electrical fuse in our house. We were always immersed in DIY projects, and it didn't matter who took on the task,” she says.
Now, Nazanin leads a consulting team in digital solutions within ABB’s Process Industries division. She finds solving customer challenges especially rewarding, "I love solving problems - probably like every other engineer. The best part is learning from customers, understanding their challenges, and connecting the dots to develop solutions. It’s fulfilling when you reach a shared understanding with them,” says Nazanin.
It’s not just problem solving and engineering, Nazanin also highlights how communication is crucial in her role, “Customers explain things in their own way. Our job is to translate their needs into technology-driven solutions that help them,” she says.
Being a woman in engineering
During her career, Nazanin has faced challenges as a woman in engineering.
“It depends a bit on the country. In some places, there are no issues, but at times, when I am with a male colleague, the clients expect the man to answer the questions. Even though I am the subject expert in the discussion. But I see it as a matter of trust - I need to prove myself,” she explains.
She believes the landscape is changing however, “Some people still struggle to accept women in engineering roles, but for example, digital fields have helped shift this. When I was hiring recently, I saw many highly qualified women applying. Women can make a positive contribution in any field and it’s important we encourage this attitude in all fields”.
For Nazanin, it has not always been easy. She recalls one moment early in her career where assumptions were made about her role, “I was at a fair presenting my bachelor’s thesis project. I managed the podium, stood at the booth, and explained everything. A man approached and, instead of asking about the project, asked me to bring him a glass of water. There were waiting staff serving drinks, but he assumed I was there for hospitality. When I clarified I was there to explain the project, he turned to my colleague from marketing and asked him instead. I was pleased when my colleague pointed at me and replied, ‘She made this.’”
Though it might have been an honest mistake, the incident left an impression on Nazanin. She felt fortunate that she had a colleague who recognized her expertise and supported her.
There have also been times where she has been overlooked for promotions or projects, but having support from others has continued to help.
“I wasn’t seen as the natural choice for the next step, and I didn’t ask for it either - no one told me I should. Now, at ABB, I have people encouraging me, telling me: ‘You should apply for this job - you’d be a great fit.’ That kind of support makes a difference.”
Changing the industry perception
Nazanin believes that women are increasingly well-represented in academic and emerging fields like machine learning. However, traditional engineering sectors still have less women.
“Digital fields are better represented, but there’s still room for improvement. Most applicants are men, but there are also incredibly competitive and competent women.”
Many industries maintain a tough and firm image that can discourage women.
“Technology doesn’t necessarily need to be ‘tough’. We should make engineering more relevant for female engineers by showing them the impact they can have, and how they can shape their own story,” she says.
Nazanin herself works on decarbonization and environmental sustainability. “Many female engineers are idealists - they want to make things better. We need to connect with that and appeal to that desire. There is for example a misconception that what I do is purely technical – my job is also a lot about social interaction and understanding the customer. This is something I think women excel in.”
Guidance and growth: role models, mentorship, and advice for women in engineering
When it comes to her own journey, Nazanin’s role model, Iranian mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani, taught her not to create her own limits.
“I think of her in amazement, as she is from Iran, educated, and came so far despite the limitations and barriers. She won the Fields Medal, the most prestigious award in mathematics. She makes me think that no one can restrict you, you just need to do what you are best at and not build your own limitations.”
When it comes to advising others, Nazanin encourages people to always follow their passions and not let limitations define them.
“Do what you like and let the other things such as limits or things you are not so excited about be just noise. Find a way around them. If you are passionate and think you are on the right path, everything else is secondary.”
For her biggest lesson learned during her career, Nazanin would say it is to ‘pick your battles’. “Someone once told me to pick my battles. It’s not wise to fight every battle but rather pick the things that advantage you and matter the most. It’s an important lesson to keep in mind. As I advocate to make Process Industries more environmentally friendly, it is better not to fight all the battles, just the ones you can win. It helps you to progress more for the cause.”
Thinking back over her career and when she was starting out, if she could advise her younger self, she would emphasize networking.
“Networking is very valuable. I would tell myself not to just think of it as finding a new job, but have it as a constant effort. I would also encourage anyone to ask questions and be curious. Not to think too much or judge, and not to filter yourself too much, it sets limitations.
“If you don’t ask, you end up not knowing,” she says.
What being unstoppable means to Nazanin
What does it mean to Nazanin to be Unstoppable? “Unstoppable means there are no limits - you decide where the boundary is, or if there even is one,” she says.
For women to be Unstoppable in any industry, she says it’s important that women have confidence, and that training and onboarding play a crucial role in breaking down barriers. “Unconscious bias training can make a real difference,” she says. “And good onboarding helps women integrate better into technical environments.”
It’s not down to women only to help women feel Unstoppable, “Everyone can help remove the barriers built,” she says. When Nazanin is not at work, she enjoys sports, salsa dancing and touch rugby - a sport where players tag instead of tackling, making it friendlier for mixed-gender teams. It's a sport Nazanin is passionate about. She also serves as a women’s engagement lead for Touch Switzerland to encourage more female players.
“The sport keeps me fit and helps me to shut down from work and provides a great social community with a supportive environment. It also helped me find friends in a new country.”
Nazanin’s story exemplifies what it means to be Unstoppable - breaking down barriers, proving herself, and inspiring and including others along the way.
