Alex Arzaghi & Sara Izad

Sara Izad and Alex Arzaghi’s move to Wilmington, NC in 2018 may have been for a job, but it was the city that convinced them to stay. Wilmington’s mellow winter, beautiful fall and long summer – fondly dubbed its “three-and-a-half” seasons by residents – make for some exciting adventures for the married couple.

Originally from Shiraz, Iran, Sara and Alex relocated to New Jersey and later, South Florida before both landing opportunities at nCino, a worldwide leader in cloud banking. After a visit to Wilmington, home to the company’s headquarters, a move to NC’s Career Coast was imminent.

Since their relocation, the two have seen steady career growth. Sara began as a Senior Software Engineer with nCino, transitioned to architecture after a couple of years, and is now an Associate Director of Engineering – DX. She overseas multiple engineering teams and welcomes the opportunity to problem-solve alongside some of Wilmington’s brightest innovators.

Alex also started as a Senior Software Engineer and has since transitioned to a software architecture role. He now works as a Master Architect, leading engineering and product teams in developing tangible solutions to customer needs.

As highly ambitious individuals, Sara and Alex find rewarding opportunities for professional development and community involvement in Wilmington. Alex serves on the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW)’s Computer Science Advisory Board and frequents career events with the university as part of his residency, engaging with business students and providing suggestions to the department for how to prepare students for the industry and job market. Sara currently serves on the boards of Cape Fear Museum and GLOW Academy, a leadership charter school for girls. She will also be 2024 graduate of Leadership Wilmington, a program that serves to cultivate leaders through hands-on community immersion and direct interaction with our community’s current leaders.

When Sara and Alex aren’t working, they find a plethora of lifestyle activities in the port city. As mountain lovers, the two are now much closer to the scenic views and high elevation opportunities of the region. Over a dozen craft breweries throughout Wilmington offer ample occasions for fun, as do the pristine beaches for which the city is known. And, with more than 40 locally owned restaurants in the Wilmington River District and counting, the food scene is bursting with opportunities to try new cuisines, especially as the city continues to experience booming growth. When it’s time to satisfy their wanderlust or visit out-of-state relatives, a recently expanded Wilmington International Airport offers direct, nonstop connections to 17 cities, including Miami, Florida and Newark, New Jersey.

“The growth of the city has been amazing,” says Alex. “The airport, a number of restaurants, a number of companies, more professional or actively working people – we’ve seen all this happening in Wilmington [since moving here five years ago].”

Rising stars as they are, Sara and Alex’s career trajectories are just two stories in a constellation of relocation successes. NC’s Career Coast is a welcoming and collaborative community — exposing newcomers to fresh opportunities for professional growth while promoting a work-life balance unique to the city’s laidback environment.