When Puneet joined the Department of Treasury and Finance, he was drawn by the opportunity to work at scale and contribute to whole‑of‑government outcomes.

Applying passion and purpose to digital platforms at scale

Working in the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), he saw DTF as a place where modern, secure digital platforms could directly support agencies to deliver better services to the community.

As the M365 Power Platform Product Owner, Puneet plays a key role in supporting agencies to adopt low‑code and no‑code tools safely and effectively. His work focuses on governance, standards and guidance that help agencies navigate complexity while enabling innovation across government.

From the outset, Puneet expected a technically challenging role. What surprised him most in his first six months was the strength of collaboration across teams and agencies, and how openly people shared knowledge and supported one another. He also gained a deeper appreciation of the scale and complexity of whole‑of‑government platforms, and how even small improvements can have far‑reaching impacts.

“I was surprised by how willing people were to help and collaborate,” Puneet explains. “Working at this scale really highlights how interconnected agencies are, and how important shared platforms and standards can be.”

Puneet’s passion for giving back to society shapes how he approaches his work. He actively supports agencies and colleagues to unblock issues, build capability and navigate challenges. This mindset also extends beyond his core role, through his ongoing involvement in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives and working groups that support a respectful and inclusive workplace culture at DTF.

Growing into strategic impact

When Puneet started at DTF, his responsibilities focused on supporting Power Platform governance activities, assisting agencies with environment requests, and providing guidance on security and licensing. Over time, his role has expanded to include greater ownership of governance, strategy and decision‑making, balancing innovation with risk, security and sustainability.

As his scope has grown, so too have his capabilities. Puneet has developed deep expertise in Power Platform governance, licensing and capacity management, as well as confidence in influencing outcomes and translating technical concepts into clear, practical guidance for diverse audiences across government.

“My focus shifted from operational support to shaping standards and advising agencies at a strategic level,” he says. “That exposure to complex work has accelerated my learning and helped me build confidence in making balanced decisions.”

Making digital work easier across government

The impact of Puneet’s work extends well beyond his immediate team. By strengthening governance and enabling safe, scalable use of low‑code tools, he helps reduce duplication and risk while improving how agencies deliver digital services. These improvements support better outcomes for teams, organisations and the broader South Australian community.

Purpose, growth and community impact

Looking back, Puneet is most proud of growing into a role where he can support people and agencies at scale while staying true to his values. Contributing to whole‑of‑government platforms and communities of practice has allowed him to help others succeed, while continuously improving how government works.

For Puneet, DTF has provided the opportunity to combine purpose, growth and impact, applying his passion for helping others to work that shapes digital capability across government.