At Bridgenext, our engineering leadership team is at the heart of driving innovation and transformation. In this edition of our Meet the Team series, we shine the spotlight on Nandakumar Sivaraman (Nanda), the leader of our Data and Insights Practice. With nearly a decade at Bridgenext and a wealth of industry experience, Nanda brings deep expertise, strategic thinking, and an unwavering commitment to driving digital realization. He also has a great sense of humor, making everyone around him feel at ease and fostering a strong sense of camaraderie within the team. His wit and lighthearted nature make him a favorite among colleagues.
Let’s dive into his journey, insights, and leadership philosophy.
Bridgenext Team Stats:
- Name: Nandakumar Sivaraman (Nanda)
- Location (City, Country): Pune, India
- Role at Bridgenext: Leads the Data and Insights Practice
- How long have you been with Bridgenext? ~10 Years
- What’s your favorite go-to snack or drink to power through a workday? I always prefer black coffee!
- What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know? I sing really well when no one is around!
- How did you get into the field of engineering and technology? Share your career journey:
My professional journey began in the Y2K era (year 2000) with the Engineering Services division of Patni Computers, one of the largest IT firms at the time. I focused on automating asset e-publishing processes and building rapid applications to enhance customer experiences. Over eight years at Patni, I progressed through diverse roles, including Tech Lead, Program Lead, Pre-Sales Lead, Enterprise Architect, and Account Lead. This journey also included a three-year stint in the U.S., providing me with global exposure. Patni served as a robust foundation for my career in the services industry, where I honed my ability to leverage platforms and technology effectively.Subsequently, I worked with esteemed organizations such as Mphasis (an HP company), Nalco (an Ecolab company), and Aptify. These roles deepened my expertise in solution design and enterprise architecture across a range of domains including airlines, supply chain management, healthcare, water and energy, home appliances, and automobiles. Each experience contributed to shaping my skills and broadening my perspective in delivering technology-driven solutions.
In October 2015, I joined Emtec Technologies (now Bridgenext) as a Senior Technical Manager, spearheading digital engineering solutions for one of the world’s largest oil and gas conglomerates. Today, I work closely with my team across diverse practices and accounts, leveraging my expertise to drive value and business growth.
- What excites you most about leading transformational digital initiatives at Bridgenext? At Bridgenext, we bring together deep experience and expertise to deliver meaningful value to clients across a diverse set of industries. This gives us a rare opportunity to truly understand how customers perceive digitization, identify potential risks, and identify quick wins that can help them advance with confidence. This is an exciting time, as digital transformation, AI, data, and cloud technologies have become essential drivers of business success. Being at the forefront of these advancements inspires me to apply my expertise strategically to drive real impact for our clients while also contributing to Bridgenext’s continued success.
- Tell us about a project that you’re particularly proud of. What was the impact? One of the most rewarding projects at Bridgenext was our collaboration with an oil and gas company. Sitting in the customer’s boardroom alongside over 30 representatives from seven different vendors was an enriching experience – filled with debates, brainstorming, and collaboration to design a scalable enterprise integration architecture. Beyond the technical challenges, the project’s success rested on navigating multi-vendor relationships with patience and fostering an open exchange of ideas. It was a true testament to the power of collaboration and thoughtful leadership.
- What’s a tech trend that you think will reshape the industry in the next 5 years? Without a doubt – AI enablement, driven by the power of data, will shape the future! Key advancements are expected in areas like:
- Personalization at scale (AI + ML) to boost customer satisfaction
- AI-powered cybersecurity solutions
- AI-led innovation
While these developments are exciting, they are often occurring in isolated efforts and face significant challenges. Progress in this space will rely on robust, scalable data sets, tools, and processes. Organizations venturing into AI initiatives without prioritizing strong data architecture and management may find themselves struggling.
- What’s one innovation in digital transformation that you find particularly exciting? Beyond the innovation itself, I find the way customers respond to digital transformation particularly fascinating. Each customer is unique, and aligning them with long-term digital strategies is often challenging. That’s why focusing on short-term, high-impact goals is crucial to help demonstrate value at multiple levels. Moving forward, an exciting area to explore will be the Maturity Index of Digital Transformation for customers. To measure digital transformation progress effectively, we need a framework that is realistic, reliable, and scalable.
- What do you love most about working with your team at Bridgenext? Their brilliance in execution and strong collaboration skills sets them apart! Our team stays at the forefront of industry trends, enabling us to confidently deliver best practices and innovative solutions to our customers with pride.
- How do you foster innovation and collaboration within your team? My team actively monitors market trends as part of their professional growth. Many team members are versatile, skilled across multiple platforms, and able to adapt seamlessly between projects. Their flexibility and knowledge enables them to tackle challenges that align with their passions and interests, keeping them engaged and motivated while avoiding stagnation in their roles.We also foster innovation through small collaborative initiatives, both within teams and across accounts. By working on real-world problem statements, team members explore creative solutions that go beyond conventional approaches, driving fresh perspectives and meaningful outcomes.
- What’s a defining moment in your career that shaped your leadership style? I believe leadership development is not a single defining moment but an ongoing journey. Over the years, I’ve come to realize that every experience, no matter how small, offers an opportunity to grow and evolve as a leader. At the heart of effective leadership are people- our teams and our customers. They are at the core of everything we do. Recognizing this has been pivotal to shaping my leadership style – grounded in empathy, connection and continuous growth.
- What’s your favorite productivity hack or habit? Reading books (mostly tech centric), playing chess and enjoying time with family.
- Favorite quote or motto that inspires you? “Everything you want is on the other side of fear”– Jack Canfield!
With a career spanning a decade across multiple industries and leadership roles, Nanda continues to drive impactful change at Bridgenext. His deep technical expertise, passion for innovation, and commitment to fostering collaboration make him an indispensable leader within our organization. When he’s not crafting data engineering strategies for our clients, you might just find him belting out a tune – only when no one’s listening, of course.
Stay tuned for more insights from our engineering leadership team in future editions of Meet the Team.
