Shashi Prabha Singh: A trailblazing technologist driving innovation and diversity

She continuously seeks to expand her horizons, staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in technology. As she herself tells it:

- I pursued a degree in data science and advanced business analysis from Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad. That was my passion - working on driving innovations in chip technology. However, due to limited opportunities, I joined a software organization, gaining hands-on experience in different technologies. Since then, my journey in the technological area has lasted for over two decades.

Shashi continues:

- First, I engaged in various hands-on activities such as requirement gathering, programming, and testing, marking the beginning of my learning journey. Gradually, I transitioned into a delivery management role and started leading teams. As I delved deeper into working with SMAC technologies, my interest in analytics and data science grew. Consequently, I pursued a degree in data science and advanced business analysis. While working in business process management, I realized that addressing customer needs requires considering not only the technologies but also the underlying business problems. To broaden my perspective, I completed a postgraduate course from MIT Sloan in Digital Strategy for New Age organizations and another course on digital marketing from Columbia Business School. This comprehensive approach provided me with a full playbook.

Today, Shashi is a Vice President at Tietoevry Create, leading the digital innovation team dealing with different technologies, including augmented reality, extended reality, metaverse, conversational AI, and the Internet of Things. Her journey from a software developer position to a leadership role in a team dealing with modern technologies was shaped by comprehensive education and learning.

Shashi sees diversity not just as a goal, but as a driving force behind innovation. She firmly believes that diverse perspectives and experiences are crucial in creating groundbreaking solutions. By bringing together individuals from different backgrounds, cultures, and skill sets, Shashi's team can approach problems from multiple angles and uncover unique insights:

- In my current role, I am immersed in the fascinating and challenging realm of diverse cutting-edge technologies, and I am continuously learning alongside my team. It is undoubtedly the best part of my current role, and I firmly believe in the value of a culture where everyone constantly learns, unlearns, and relearns. Another important lesson is that success is not solely dependent on individual efforts but also on effective teamwork and collaboration. The support and cooperation of both the team and the ecosystem play a vital role in achieving success.

Shashi continues:

- I am the first girl in my family to pursue engineering, despite facing resistance. I have set an example for others, and now there are more women in our community pursuing engineering. It is crucial to encourage girls to pursue education and provide support when they face decisions about marriage or a career in technology. Society plays a vital role in providing this support. Organizations like Tietoevry also make a difference by offering flexible work hours and part-time opportunities, allowing women to continue their professional journey alongside their family responsibilities, which are equally important.

- I really want to see the change happening, especially in a country like India. I want to see women no longer perceive themselves as the weaker part of society. Being the first woman engineer in my community and family, I believe I have the privilege to go back and inspire many.

Shashi is not just a visionary leader in the world of technology but also a catalyst for diversity and progress. We hope to see many following in her footsteps. It is by recognizing and appreciating the value of diversity that we can build a more equitable society and work life, where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed and contribute.