W.I.S.E. Wednesday Spotlight: Mimi Chizever, Vice President of Emerging Technology at Nationwide

Mimi Chizever is the Vice President of Emerging Technology at Nationwide, where she leads efforts to integrate generative AI in a responsible and impactful way. Her career began as a Nationwide intern before she joined full-time as a software developer and built a strong foundation in application development. Her journey has included earning a master’s degree while working, leading development teams, supporting large-scale modernization initiatives, and overseeing critical infrastructure. She shares how her experiences shaped her leadership path, the growing impact of emerging technologies, and the importance of curiosity, persistence, collaboration, and responsible innovation.

Question 1: Can you introduce yourself and share a bit about your STEM background and what you do at Nationwide today?

My name is Mimi Chizever, and I currently serve as the Vice President of Emerging Technology at Nationwide. I began my journey at Nationwide as an intern and joined full-time after college as a software developer in the claims organization. Early in my career, I grew up on the application development side, where I built a strong technical foundation. While working full-time, I took advantage of Nationwide’s tuition reimbursement program to earn my master’s degree, allowing me to continue developing both technically and professionally. Over the years, I moved into a variety of technology leadership roles, including leading application development teams, driving large-scale core modernization efforts within claims, and working in infrastructure engineering and operations, overseeing critical infrastructure. These experiences ultimately led me to my current role, where, for the past three years, I have been leading emerging technologies, with a focus on bringing generative AI to life at Nationwide in a responsible and impactful way.

Question 2: What first sparked your interest in STEM, and was there a moment when you realized this could become a career for you?

I actually started out in fashion design, so it's kind of an interesting story how I ended up in computer science. I grew up around retail because my dad was a retail executive, so that industry was a big part of what I knew growing up. Going into college, I thought I wanted to pursue fashion design, so that's what I majored in at first. As I got further into the program, though, I realized it wasn't the right fit for me. Through conversations with my dad and others, I started thinking more about what I wanted from my education. I was looking for something that felt like it would give me a practical skill set that I could build a career around. At the same time, I reflected on what I had always enjoyed in school. I had always liked problem-solving, and math was probably my favorite subject throughout high school. As I explored different options, computer science came up as a possibility. The idea of programming really interested me, so I decided to switch my major from fashion design to computer science. It turned out to be a great fit, and I really enjoyed the coursework. Looking back, I sometimes wonder what my career would have looked like if I had stayed in fashion design, but I'm very glad I made the transition. I've enjoyed the different roles I've had throughout my career, and I'm grateful for where that decision has led me.

Question 3: Generative AI gets a lot of attention right now. What does it actually look like in practice, beyond the hype, in a large organization like Nationwide?

I see generative AI as a way to work more efficiently with large amounts of data. It can support tasks such as research, data analysis, and content generation, which means it has a significant impact on knowledge workers. In the past, much of the focus on automation was centered on blue-collar roles, particularly in areas such as manufacturing. What is different about generative AI is that it is beginning to automate or support work traditionally performed by white-collar employees. This includes people who work with large amounts of data, analyze information, and make decisions based on that information. Since this represents much of the work we do at Nationwide, generative AI is an important technology for us to begin integrating into our daily work because of the potential productivity benefits. One point I often make when presenting on AI is that it may not necessarily be AI that replaces someone’s job, but rather a person who knows how to work effectively with AI. Because of this, I believe it is important for knowledge workers, especially those who regularly work with data, to understand how they can use generative AI tools such as ChatGPT as a thought partner. Regardless of the specific role, employees can consider how generative AI can help them think through problems, accelerate tasks, and improve the work they are already doing. This creates two major opportunities for Nationwide. The first is determining how we can provide associates with the tools they need to use generative AI as a thought partner. The second is identifying how we can transform the products and services we provide to customers through the use of AI. From a customer perspective, AI also creates opportunities to provide more personalized experiences. It allows us to process data in ways that may not have been possible before and provide services that are tailored to an individual customer rather than a broader persona or user group. I believe a company’s ability to integrate AI into its products and services will increasingly influence its ability to remain competitive. Organizations that successfully use AI to improve their operations and customer experiences may be better positioned to lead, while organizations that do not adapt may face greater challenges over the next five to ten years. 

Question 4: What challenges did you face along the way, either academically or professionally, and how did you work through them?

One of the main lessons I have learned is the importance of making sure my voice is heard as a woman. I experienced this when I was moving into a leadership role earlier in my career. I was often in rooms with people who were older than me, and where most of the participants were men. There were situations where I would share an idea, but it would not receive much attention or recognition. The conversation would continue, and later, a male colleague would offer the same recommendation. At that point, the idea would receive a much more positive response. In those moments, I felt that I had already shared the same thought, but my contribution had not been acknowledged. Experiences like this taught me that I needed to become more intentional about making sure my voice was heard. I have always been naturally introverted, especially when I first entered the organization. I often describe myself as a born introvert and a learned extrovert. Over time, I learned how to take a bolder approach and communicate my ideas more clearly and confidently. Public speaking was also an important area of development for me. I was initially very shy and nervous about presenting in front of others. To improve, I joined Toastmasters, a national organization that helps people develop their communication and presentation skills. Through that experience and continued practice, I became more comfortable speaking publicly and more confident in delivering a clear message in professional settings. I think many women and girls in STEM will eventually find themselves as one of the only women at the table. When that happens, it is natural to recognize that you may be the only woman in the room. However, I do not think that should prevent someone from engaging confidently in the discussion. Instead, I view it as a responsibility to bring a perspective that may otherwise be missing. Diversity is important because different people bring different experiences and viewpoints to the conversation. When I am one of the only women at the table, I try to use that awareness as motivation to participate, communicate confidently, and make sure my perspective is represented. I also believe it is important to help amplify the voices of others. This may include other women, introverts, or anyone who may not feel as comfortable speaking up. In the situation I described earlier, it would have been helpful if someone had acknowledged my contribution by saying that they supported my idea or by pointing out that a later suggestion was similar to what I had already shared. Because of those experiences, I now try to do that for others. I look for opportunities to recognize their ideas, bring attention to their contributions, and support people whose voices may not be as strong in a conversation. Learning to strengthen my own voice while also helping others be heard has been one of the most important lessons and challenges of my career.

Question 5: In your day-to-day work, who do you collaborate with, and what does a typical day look like when you’re leading enterprise AI initiatives?

A large part of my work involves meetings because Nationwide has a very collaborative and relationship-driven culture. The culture of a company influences how people work, and for us, collaboration often happens through meetings and ongoing conversations. During these meetings, we spend a lot of time strategizing, solving problems, brainstorming, and managing work. We discuss how projects are progressing, what support people need, and what barriers we can help remove. One skill I think is important in any STEM-related role, regardless of someone’s position or leadership level, is the ability to zoom in and zoom out when looking at work. Zooming in means focusing on the details of what I am doing each day. I may look at whether I am completing what I expected to complete, how a project is progressing, and what specific issues need attention. At the same time, I also need to zoom out and consider the larger picture. This includes asking whether I am still working on the right priorities, whether we are focused on the original problem, and whether our customers’ needs have changed from the assumptions we made at the beginning. I see this as a skill that needs to be practiced throughout the day. It is important to pay attention to the details without becoming so focused on them that I lose sight of the overall purpose of the work. A significant part of my role also involves strategy, brainstorming, and creativity. We regularly consider new ways to solve problems for our customers. Many of our conversations keep the customer at the center by focusing on their needs and identifying creative ways to address them.

Question 6: And then what's one misconception that people have about working in AI or just like the STEM field in general, that you wish more students understood?

I would identify two common misconceptions about working in STEM. The first is that people in STEM simply sit at a desk and look at a computer all day. From my experience, that is not the case. There is a significant amount of collaboration involved, including working with peers, discussing ideas, solving problems, and contributing to team projects.

I am speaking mainly from a computer science perspective, and I recognize that the experience may look different across other STEM fields. However, one thing that applies broadly is the wide variety of opportunities available. No single person can fully understand the range of career paths that exist, even within a field they know well.

For example, someone may have a general understanding of what an engineer does, but there are many more paths within engineering than they may initially realize. There are opportunities for people who enjoy creativity, mathematics, analysis, discovery, research, or a combination of different interests. Building a strong foundation in STEM is important because those skills can be applied across many industries and areas of interest. For example, someone who is interested in photography could learn the engineering and technology behind how cameras and imaging systems work. They could then combine that technical knowledge with their interest in photography and explore related career opportunities. The second misconception is that STEM is only for people who are naturally gifted or exceptionally intelligent. It can sometimes appear that people in these fields never struggle and that the work comes easily to them. In reality, that is not usually the case. Success in STEM requires curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to work hard. I believe that people who are interested in learning, willing to continue through challenges, and committed to improving can accomplish the goals they set for themselves. STEM is not limited to a small group of people who make everything look easy. As you get to know individuals in these fields, you often realize that they face challenges and learning experiences just like everyone else. Overall, I see STEM as a space for everyone. Diversity in experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds is especially important because there is such a wide range of roles and problems to solve. Bringing different viewpoints to these careers strengthens the work and helps ensure that the variety of opportunities in STEM is supported by an equally diverse group of people.

Question 7: If you could give one piece of advice to students, especially young women, who may doubt whether they belong in STEM what would it be?

I would say not to treat doubt as a stop sign. Instead, I try to use it as a signal to learn, ask questions, and try again. The process is often about continuing to learn, ask, and improve rather than allowing uncertainty to prevent me from moving forward. Very few people feel completely ready or fully confident that they belong. I have found that showing up, doing the work, and remaining curious can gradually help create that sense of belonging. Another important lesson from my career has been the value of surrounding myself with people who believe in me. When I look back, one of the biggest differences was having people in my life who saw my potential, sometimes more clearly than I did. I think it is important to have at least one person who encourages you, especially on days when you may feel discouraged or less confident. Having someone who continues to support you, challenge you, and believe in your abilities can make a meaningful difference.

Question 8: What excites you most about the future of STEM and the role today students will play in shaping it?

I believe we are entering a new era of technology, and the younger generations growing up today will have an important role in shaping what that future looks like. It is exciting to think about the potential they have and the impact they may be able to make. At the same time, I think it is important for the next generation to understand that innovation must be balanced with responsibility. Progress should not focus only on developing new technologies as quickly as possible, but also on considering ethics, security, and governance. I believe we need to make sure that values such as ethics are not sacrificed for the sake of speed or innovation. Encouraging future generations to understand and maintain that balance will be an important part of developing technology responsibly.