Ananya‘s Bio
As a Data & AI Specialist at Deloitte, Ananya plays the role of an orchestrator bringing customers, partners, and teams together to solve business problems creatively with Design Thinking, Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and IoT. She has helped businesses make better decisions and improve performance by unleashing the power of their data through Business Intelligence & Analytics. Her journey so far has taken her from helping C-suite execs and senior stakeholders in public and private sector organizations in designing their Data Strategies, Data Management, and Data Governance practices. Along the way, she has led, built, and mentored teams to design and deliver Data and AI solutions.
Ananya enjoys discussing artificial intelligence, the complexities of the human brain, the role of artificial intelligence in battling climate change & the (unfortunate) stigma surrounding mental health. She is also fond of traveling solo, sky diving, playing the piano, and baking a great cheesecake.
WITH GROUPS CREATING PROGRAMS TO ENCOURAGE FEMALES TO CONSIDER STEM, WHAT IS THE BIGGEST BARRIER TO ENTRY THAT IS STILL PREVALENT TODAY?
The threat of gender stereotyping and the implicit bias play a major role in dissuading more women to pursue STEM, especially those from minority groups. While the number of role models, scholarships and opportunities for women in STEM is on the rise, women often feel great pressure to prove their own professional worth repeatedly. There is a dire need for female mentorship programs to actively address how to handle situations that may be tricky for new-comers – especially workplace biases, negotiations for promotions or salaries, and overall life-balancing mechanisms.
WHAT OR WHO INSPIRES YOU?
My grandfather was a Physics professor at one of India’s most reputed engineering colleges, IIT Delhi. He would bring me science experiment kits and teach me various concepts of mathematics and technology that sparked a deeper curiosity in me as a child to learn more about the universe and design innovations that would positively impact human health and quality of life. He has been an incredible mentor whose passion for STEM continues to inspire me to this day.
WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT/ACCOMPLISHMENT?
Some of my proudest accomplishments include being a published author, a mental health awareness advocate, and a Microsoft certified AI Specialist.