Vancouver Pavilion Member Spotlight: Sebastian Kasza, Director of Strategy and Business Development
Sebastian was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, and considers himself fortunate to have grown up in a community surrounded by great people. He began his post-secondary education at the University of Alberta, where he initially planned to pursue medical school, driven by a desire to help others. Like many students, his career path evolved over time, eventually leading him to pursue a degree in Business at the University of Victoria.
His experience at UVic opened the door to opportunities abroad. Through the university’s co-op program, he spent four months living in Tokyo as an Executive Search Intern, followed by another four months studying on exchange in Hong Kong. His time in Tokyo provided his first exposure to the world of sales, where he worked as a generalist consultant and gained firsthand experience with the sales process. That experience left a lasting impression, and to this day, he considers sales to be one of the most valuable skills a person can develop.
Beyond professional experience, living abroad taught Sebastian important lessons about professionalism, awareness, and consideration for others. One phrase that has stayed with him from Japan translates roughly to “reading the air”, which is the ability to understand context, pick up on unspoken cues, and navigate interpersonal dynamics with empathy and awareness. It is a concept that continues to influence how he approaches both business and relationships today.
Throughout his career, Sebastian has helped build partnership programs, launch new initiatives, and support teams across a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, apparel, retail, and the non-profit sector. The variety of experiences helped him develop a knack for quickly understanding new challenges, navigating different environments, and finding practical solutions.
After working as a Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company, an opportunity at ZestyAI appeared at the right time. The role appealed to him because no two days were the same, requiring both close attention to detail and the ability to navigate a wide variety of challenges. More than three and a half years later, that diversity of work remains one of his favourite aspects of the job. He works closely with CEO Attila Toth, whom he describes as an exceptional leader, and enjoys collaborating with talented colleagues across the organization.
Today, Sebastian serves as Director of Strategy and Business Development at ZestyAI, a company that develops AI-powered solutions for the insurance industry. Working at the intersection of technology and a traditionally risk-conscious industry, he helps bring new products and ideas to market while working closely with customers to understand their needs. He is particularly focused on helping insurers make more informed decisions, which can ultimately improve access to insurance in markets where coverage may otherwise be difficult to obtain.
If you see Sebastian in the office, don’t hesitate to introduce yourself!
