Meet Sherry Gao, a people-focused IT analyst

Balance is more than a vital aspect of Sherry Gao’s role on our information technology (IT) team; it’s also key to her quality of life. As an IT analyst, she uses her admirable interpersonal skills in balance with her self-described “analytical brain” to unite different parts of IT and help people work together effectively and efficiently.

“There’s a big people aspect to the job,” Sherry notes. Fortunately, she enjoys bringing diverse individuals and teams together to focus on solutions. Of course, Sherry’s no ordinary analyst. Her official title is Office of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) senior program analyst, a position she said involves “building a lot of reports” for the Bank’s CIO.

Sherry graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in information science in 2017, and held a similar job before joining the Bank in March 2022. Raised in Northern California, she was born in the Seattle area, returned to the Emerald City for college and stayed for the work—and the weather. 

“I never minded overcast or rainy days,” she said. “I loved it here so I stayed.”

We’re glad she did. 

Having worked at a large company where the IT department alone had more than 1,000 employees, Sherry appreciates that our IT department has fewer than 100 people. 

“Everyone seems to care here. People are helpful and want to understand things,” she said, describing those in leadership as approachable and not intimidating. 

“I have guidance and the freedom to be creative and have ownership of my own work.”

When she’s not working, Sherry enjoys hiking. The Cascade and Olympic Mountain Ranges are among her favorite alpine destinations to get a workout and admire nature’s beauty. She also likes to relax by watching movies and baking goodies to share.

“Work-life balance is important to me and I have that here,” she said.