About Zeenat Hassim
Interim CIO: Digital Technology, Absa Personal and Private Banking
Zeenat Hassim is a bold and visionary technology executive with over 15 years of experience driving strategic transformation across complex, high-stakes environments in financial services. She began her career in 2008 at KPMG in the IT Advisory space, where she worked across multiple financial institutions to establish technology strategies and governance frameworks. This foundational experience laid the groundwork for her deep expertise in digital innovation and enterprise change.
In 2012, Zeenat joined Absa Group Limited, where she has since held several senior leadership roles. She currently serves as Interim CIO: PPB Digital Technology, leading the digital transformation strategy for Personal and Business Banking. Her work focuses on aligning technology capabilities with commercial outcomes and customer-centric innovation.
Zeenat is known for her ability to seamlessly navigate between strategic vision and operational delivery. She has led multi-million-rand transformation programmes, built enterprise-wide risk and control capabilities, and spearheaded initiatives with national impact—including the operationalization of the Gender-Based Violence Fund in collaboration with the South African Presidency.
Her leadership is defined by authenticity, resilience, and a relentless drive for excellence. Zeenat holds a B.Com in Information Management from the University of Johannesburg and has completed executive education in Fintech at Harvard Business School. She was also certified in CISA, CRISC, and CGEIT through ISACA.
Fireside chat
Is AI reshaping the role of Product teams?
Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept – it’s here, actively transforming how product teams design, build, and deliver. Teams are being challenged to rethink their roles, skills, and structures, as AI is prototyping, automating tasks, and amplifying individual output.
In this panel discussion hosted by Alfi Oloo, leaders from banking and telecommunications will unpack the profound shifts AI is driving across the product landscape. You can expect a candid conversation about the tension between speed and strategy, automation and empathy, and the evolving balance between individual contributors and managers.
Whether you're a practitioner, leader, or stakeholder, this session will equip you with insights to navigate the future of product work in an AI-driven world.
Co-panelists:
