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“It’s a very male-dominated field? Are you sure?” Shreya still remembers her mother asking her this when she said she was going to study engineering. “At that time in India, if you were interested in science, men usually went into engineering and women took biology. But I wanted engineering and I only applied to two schools, which was a bold move.”
Her risk paid off and she secured her spot at NSIT, Delhi College of Engineering, majoring in biotechnology, where her introduction to data analytics sparked a passion. “My favourite subject was genomics, which focused on studying genes and how data can improve health outcomes for people and society,” Shreya explains. This foundational experience led her to join a boutique consultancy firm, where she began exploring how companies could leverage data analytics, particularly within the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors.
“At that time, data was abundant, but there was uncertainty about its application. The idea of generating reports and dashboards was novel,” she says. As her career progressed, Shreya merged her knowledge of business and technology, noting that this unique intersection was “quite niche” and something she genuinely enjoyed. She took a detour into financial analytics, but felt a compelling need to return to life sciences, believing she could make a more significant impact there.
As Data and AI Lead at PwC, Shreya has noticed a shift in her Irish client’s attitudes to technological innovations over the past four years. “Ireland is becoming really experimental with technology, and we’re seeing clients move from hesitation to a genuine desire to invest in AI.”
“When I came in, I talked to the clients… and the response wasn’t that they didn’t want to do it. It was because they weren’t technically or talent-wise mature enough to take that on. And that can be the truth, so it was about bringing people on a journey – ensuring the quality of the data they have, ensuring it’s robust, and then investing in the technology, whether it’s cloud, AI or Gen AI.”
“Now I might hear things like: ‘AI sounds interesting. I want to see the use cases; I want to know how I can implement them; I want to know what the regulations are; I want to know how I can be compliant’. Our team supports them through all of this.”
She has the following advice for anyone thinking about the fast-paced world of tech: “My advice is simple: be ready to learn and unlearn; that’s how we evolve.”
When it comes to her leadership philosophy, Shreya defines two core principles: integrity and empowerment. “Being true to your values and treating people right is critical,” she says. “It is very important to do the right thing,” she says, emphasising the importance of treating people right and making principled decisions. Additionally, Shreya firmly believes that empowering others is essential for collective success.
“It is absolutely necessary,” she points out, “to bring your people up the ladder,” as this not only promotes their development but also contributes to her own as a leader. By prioritising these values, Shreya cultivates a collaborative and inclusive atmosphere where diverse perspectives are celebrated, ultimately driving innovation and progress within her team.
“As leaders, we need to develop those around us rather than see their growth as a threat to our value. It’s a natural synergy – uplifting others ultimately lifts ourselves.”
This article originally appeared in the IMAGE Autumn 2024 issue.
The “Women in Tech” series, sponsored by PwC, spotlights seven inspiring leaders who have carved out remarkable and diverse careers, while contributing to the advancement of Ireland’s technology scene and empowering other women to excel in the sector.
Credits for this photoshoot include – Photography: Barry McCall, Stylist: Sarah Rickard, Hair: Eva Kyne, Make-up: John Bowe, and Video: Dan Dunne.
Styling credits: Ashling Cunningham wears Italian crepe dress, And Tate, €850 at Emporium Kalu. Anne Sheehan wears jacquard dress, Natan, €939 at Emporium Kalu; velvet courts, Ted Baker, €135.95 at zalando.ie. Siobhan Noble wears satin pleated dress, Amsale, €1,050 at Emporium Kalu; leather courts, €65 at Marks & Spencer. Kelly McKillen wears pinstripe waistcoat, €129; and trousers, €139; both Whistles at Brown Thomas; cream boots, Dwrs, €149.99 at styledby.ie. Shreya Aggarwal wears fit and flare dress, Weekend Max Mara, €325 at Brown Thomas; suede courts, €65 at Marks & Spencer. Adebola Olomo wears blouse, Avn, €339 at Emporium Kalu; tapered trousers, €120 at Marks & Spencer.