Based in Zurich, Andrea Wieseke is the Country Director for Switzerland and Austria, driving regional growth and partnerships in these markets.
With 17 years of experience in adtech and business development, Andrea has held leadership roles at top advertising agencies, including QUISMA GmbH, Omnicom Media Group, MediaCom, and Carat. Prior to joining Ogury, Andrea served as Managing Director of Switzerland for Dentsu.
How did you land your current role? Was it planned?
It was more of a well-timed leap than a meticulously drawn map, but it was deliberate. I wanted to return to a purely digital role, especially in ad tech, after working agency side across all channels. So, when Ogury approached me, the timing was perfect. I was ready for a new challenge, and Ogury’s privacy-first approach felt like the future I wanted to help shape, and a puzzle no one else was solving quite as successfully.
What are the key roles in your field of work, and why did you choose your current expertise?
In media and advertising, you’ll find all sorts: strategists, technologists, relationship-builders, and data analysts. My sweet spot is sitting at the intersection of all of them, with the singular focus a technology specialism offers. On the agency side, client work means juggling countless small objectives. In tech, I focus on one product— developing it and aligning it with our client’s needs.
My work now is more detailed and complex than my agency work in some areas, but in other ways it is far simpler. What I’ve maintained across both is a consultative approach, taking time to understand a client’s problems and proposing solutions I have available at the time, or developing them if there’s a gap.
Did you (or do you) have a role model in tech or business in general?
I’ve been lucky to cross paths with inspiring leaders and people who have guided me in big ways and small, though none are famous. The ones who shaped me the most balanced business with empathy, dared to innovate, and never lost their sense of humor at work.
What are you most proud of in your career, so far?
That every stage of my professional journey has felt natural and given me a sense of purpose.. Even when my path could have shifted dramatically — like being offered a role as one of Google’s first European employees to relocate to San Francisco — I’ve charted my course with no regrets.
Most of all, I’m proud of the relationships I’ve built. Many colleagues have become clients, and many clients close friends. Those connections are the true legacy of my career so far.
Are there any specific skills or traits that you notice companies look for when you’re searching for roles in your field?
Adaptability is gold, but building relationships is platinum. The digital landscape changes daily, so being open to learning is non-negotiable. Strong relationship skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to translate tech towards client needs and into tangible business outcomes are always going to be in high demand.
Has anyone ever tried to stop you from learning and developing in your professional life, or have you found the tech sector supportive?
I’ve mostly worked in environments that encouraged learning, but not every company gets it right. Like many women in tech, I’ve struggled at times to be heard while male colleagues took the limelight — often off the back of my own work and ideas.
Whenever I felt unappreciated or my knowledge was stagnating over a long period, I took it as a sign to move on.. I’ve never regretted those moves to find a more supportive and educational environment. The culture of learning is what kept me coming back to tech which, despite its stubborn cultural hangovers around female representation, is full of people who want to educate themselves and others rather than simply do their nine to five and log off.
Have you ever faced insecurities and anxieties during your career, and how did you overcome them?
Absolutely. One thing I’ve struggled with is the fear of confrontation. 20 years ago, a colleague brought it to my attention and it made a lasting impression. I’ve had to learn to say “no”, speak up, and set boundaries while keeping my sunny disposition; and I’m better for it, personally and professionally.
Big transitions and new challenges always come with their fair share of self-doubt. I was lucky and had good mentors, especially in the beginning. Over time, experience has strengthened me and I’ve developed a trust in myself to overcome these insecurities. Remembering that even the most confident people have moments of uncertainty has helped me push through.
Entering the world of work can be daunting. Do you have any words of advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed?
Start with progress, not perfection. The truth is, no one has it all figured out. Be curious, ask questions, and remember that building your career is a marathon, not a sprint.
My first role was at Google which, though hard to believe now, was not a big name back then. I didn’t join because of their reputation, but simply because the job description sounded interesting. This was straight out of university without any tech background too, I had always wanted to work in marketing (you can see why I ended up in ad tech, where my interests overlapped).
Everything I learned was through satisfying my curiosity. I asked questions, dug into reading and writing code, talked to engineers; the environment at Google made it easy to learn on the job. Too many people feel like they need to know everything to even get a foot in the door. This is especially true of women, who often won’t apply for a role unless they tick every box. There’s so much you can figure out, and can only figure out, through doing the job and being in the workplace.
What advice would you give other women wanting to reach their career goals in technology?
Own your space, literally and figuratively. Don’t wait for permission to speak up, bring your ideas, and challenge the status quo. Surround yourself with people who push you to grow and support your ambitions, and be that person for others. Most importantly: know and feel that you belong here.
