2025

Technology and Software Engineering Judging Panel

Global Recognition Awards
Judge - Nitya Sri Nellore
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Nitya Sri Nellore

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Profile

Nitya Sri Nellore is a software engineer at Amazon with expertise in scalable system architecture, cloud computing, and microservices development. She has played a key role in implementing critical APIs and middleware solutions, ensuring high-performance standards in complex engineering environments. Proficient in Java, Spring Framework, and AWS, Nellore has contributed to software development across companies like Virgin Pulse and CDK Global, overseeing projects from architecture design to deployment. Her experience in large-scale systems enables her to evaluate technical innovations based on scalability and practical application. Nellore combines technical expertise with real-world implementation to assess software engineering advancements effectively.

Judge Priyanka Das (1)
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Priyanka Das

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Profile

Priyanka Das is a manufacturing controls engineer specializing in robotics and intelligent autonomous systems. She focuses on developing and implementing advanced control systems that optimize production processes in the automotive manufacturing industry. Her expertise includes integrating automation technologies to enhance efficiency, reliability, and quality in high-pressure manufacturing environments. With a strong background in engineering, she applies her technical knowledge to address complex challenges, ensuring the seamless operation of intricate systems. Das also works on advancing autonomous vehicle technologies and unmanned systems, blending theoretical concepts with practical applications to drive innovation and improve outcomes in modern manufacturing and engineering environments.



GRA Judge Sai Kumar Arava
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Sai Kumar Arava

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Profile

Sai Kumar Arava is a Machine Learning Manager at Adobe, known for his expertise in machine learning and AI. He has led high-impact projects, developed advanced models, and integrated Generative AI into Adobe’s products, enhancing their usability. With over 15 years of experience, including roles at PayPal, he has built and deployed solutions for content attribution, churn prediction, and optimization. Arava is also dedicated to mentorship, guiding aspiring AI professionals through platforms like Springboard. His innovative leadership and technical proficiency have significantly advanced AI capabilities, making him a prominent figure in the industry.

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Anantharaj Thalaimalai Vanaraj

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Profile

Dr. Anantharaj Thalaimalaivanaraj, a Functional Verification Lead at Samsung Austin Research and Development Center, specializes in GPU design verification. With a doctorate in Quantum-dot Cellular Automata, he has extensive experience in cache management and flash memory systems verification from his tenure at Western Digital. A Senior Member of IEEE and IETE Fellow, Dr. Thalaimalaivanaraj is dedicated to advancing verification methodologies and functional safety standards. His leadership and expertise significantly contribute to semiconductor technology innovation.

GRA Kodanda Manukonda (1)
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Kodanda Rami Reddy Manukonda

Company

IBM

Profile

Kodanda Rami Reddy Manukonda is a seasoned expert in telecom applications technology with over 20 years of experience. Serving as a Test Architect at IBM since 2005, he has been pivotal in designing, developing, and deploying end-to-end operations algorithms crucial for Telecom Billing, Service Delivery, Service Assurance, and Telecom Ordering applications. Manukonda’s contributions include authoring over 30 research papers and serving as a judge and reviewer for multiple organizations. His profound understanding of telecom technology and his innovative solutions have significantly advanced the industry, establishing him as an exemplary figure in his field.

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Naga Lalitha Sree Thatavarthi

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Profile

Naga Lalitha Sree Thatavarthi is a Senior Full Stack Developer at Gabriella White, specializing in advanced technology solutions. Her expertise spans front-end and back-end development, utilizing frameworks like React and Angular, alongside .NET and C#. Thatavarthi led the development of UPS’s enhanced Web Shipping Application, achieving a 30 percent increase in processing speed and reducing operational costs by 15 percent. Her work includes integrating AI and IoT technologies, enhancing customer satisfaction by 25 percent. With 17 research articles published on logistics optimization and AI, Thatavarthi’s innovative solutions and thought leadership make her a valuable asset in evaluating technological excellence.

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Shivaprakash Nagaraj

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Profile

Shivaprakash Nagaraj, Associate Vice President at InfoVision Inc., specializes in IT product engineering, platform development, and retail innovation. He has led significant projects, including product engineering for Digit7, showcasing his expertise in digital transformation. With experience in pivotal roles at United Airlines and Infosys, Nagaraj has consistently managed complex software development and integration initiatives. His leadership in emerging technologies and cross-functional team management, across onshore and offshore environments, underscores his strategic approach and technical proficiency, making him highly respected in the IT industry.

GRA Mohammed Saleem Sultan
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Mohammed Saleem Sultan

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Profile

Mohammed Saleem Sultan, a technology management leader, has been selected as a judge for the 2024 Global Recognition Awards, recognizing his significant contributions in AI, semiconductors, and business management. His roles in driving strategic initiatives in healthcare and technology, along with his senior membership in IEEE and advisory position with Harvard Business Review, underscore his impact on global technology. With over 10 international research publications and leadership in global teams, Saleem’s expertise in delivering innovative solutions makes him an ideal candidate for evaluating excellence in the industry.

GRA Judge Devendra Singh Parmar
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Devendra Singh Parmar

Company

Profile

Devendra Singh Parmar, an Enterprise Principal Product Owner at Discover Financial Services, is recognized for his leadership in product development, AI-driven banking innovation, and digital transformation. With over 13 years of experience, Parmar has led initiatives in payment systems, fraud detection, and risk management. His career highlights include his work at HSBC, where he implemented credit risk models and improved regulatory compliance. Parmar is also a strong advocate for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, particularly through consultancy roles, and has published several articles on AI’s potential in the financial sector.

GRA Judge Animesh Kumar
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Animesh Kumar

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Animesh Kumar is an experienced IT professional with over 22 years in the industry, specializing in enterprise IT and solution architecture. He focuses on designing and implementing highly scalable, fault-tolerant cloud-based systems using platforms like Azure, AWS, and Oracle. Kumar leads multi-million-dollar projects, aligning business goals with cutting-edge technologies such as AI, machine learning, and cloud computing. He conducts research on emerging technologies, peer-reviews complex software designs, and collaborates with senior management to develop strategic technical directions. His expertise lies in creating secure, reliable, and maintainable IT solutions that drive process improvements and business growth.

GRA Judge Sagar Mehta
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Sagar Mehta

Company

Profile

Sagar Mehta is a Senior Software Engineer at General Motors, specializing in software verification and automation engineering. He focuses on developing and testing embedded infotainment systems for vehicles, using technologies such as Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL), Simulink, MATLAB, Python, and dSPACE. His expertise includes creating automation scripts for performance and stability testing, integrating advanced communication protocols like CAN and LIN, and ensuring the reliability of infotainment features in upcoming vehicle models. Mehta plays a key role in optimizing testing frameworks and developing scalable solutions, contributing to the improvement of vehicle software systems at General Motors.

GRA Judge Ratnangi Nirek
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Ratnangi Nirek

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Ratnangi Nirek has been appointed as a judge, highlighting her extensive expertise and significant contributions to the technology sector. With 5-10 years of experience in IT, she excels in developing and implementing advanced technology solutions, enhancing digital infrastructure, and optimizing cloud-based systems. Nirek is renowned for guiding businesses through digital transformations and creating scalable IT solutions that boost operational capabilities. Her commitment to excellence is evident through her leadership in high-impact projects, mentoring, and fostering a culture of innovation. Her strategic problem-solving and focus on sustainable technology practices establish her as a respected thought leader in the IT community.

GRA Judge Sekhar Chittala
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Sekhar Chittala

Company

Salesforce

Profile

Sekhar Chittala is a Principal Member of the Technical Staff at Salesforce, specializing in optimizing developer workflows and enhancing operational efficiency. With over a decade of experience, Chittala has played a pivotal role in implementing the Falcon Easy Developer Experience (FEDX) initiative, which streamlines processes for more than 7,000 developers. His work focuses on reducing manual migration times and improving deployment reliability. Chittala is also known for his efforts in core release process optimization, contributing to faster and safer software rollouts across the enterprise, which drives overall productivity and performance in the tech industry.

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Avinash Swaminathan Vaidyanathan

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Profile

Avinash Swaminathan Vaidyanathan is a Senior Manager of SRE, Quality & Performance Engineering at Dollar General who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in technology transformation. With 15 years of experience, he has spearheaded open-source initiatives and implemented robust CI/CD pipelines. His expertise spans cloud computing, project management, and performance engineering. A certified project manager from Louisiana State University, he has driven significant improvements in cloud-based application testing and quality assurance across major organizations like Macy’s and Cognizant, consistently setting new standards in technology implementation and system reliability.

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Sudheer Amgothu

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Profile

Sudheer Amgothu, Principal SRE/DevOps/Cloud at Pegasystems, is a transformative technology leader who has revolutionized cloud infrastructure and deployment processes. His innovations have led to a remarkable 98 percent reduction in build/deploy time while maintaining stringent security standards and reducing AWS infrastructure costs. With comprehensive expertise in containerization, continuous integration, and cloud-based technologies, he excels at standardizing processes across teams and implementing cutting-edge solutions. His peers recognize him for his exceptional ability to simplify complex technical challenges and guide teams toward successful outcomes.

GRA1 Serge Gusev
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Serge Gusev

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Profile

Serge Gusev is the CEO of ApproveIt, where he leads business process automation initiatives that transform enterprise workflows. His expertise spans technology implementation and strategic management, demonstrated through successful ventures, including Techstars ’23 participation. With experience at EY and Reckitt and a London School of Economics degree, Gusev brings valuable insights in evaluating business innovation. His track record in scaling technology companies and implementing enterprise solutions showcases his ability to assess operational excellence and technological advancement across industries.

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Anurag Saxena

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Profile

Anurag Saxena, the lead principal engineer at Red Hat, is a distinguished technology innovator with over 15 years of expertise in cloud-native solutions and network security. His pioneering work in OpenShift/Kubernetes orchestration and software-defined networking has shaped enterprise infrastructure development. With a pending patent in mesh Wi-Fi networking topology, Saxena demonstrates exceptional ability in evaluating technical innovations. His comprehensive experience spans key industry roles at F5 Networks and Cisco Systems, where he developed critical security solutions and advanced 4G technologies. As an ethical hacker and open-source advocate, he brings unique insight into emerging technological trends and practical implementations.

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Ruchir Nath

Company

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Ruchir Nath, Director of Product Marketing at Dell Technologies, brings extensive expertise in enterprise technology leadership and digital transformation. His career spans strategic roles at Dell and AMD, where he pioneered AI-driven sales processes and data analytics implementation. Nath excels in evaluating technological innovation through his work developing server and GPU portfolios, leading global sales transformations, and implementing enterprise-wide data solutions. His proven track record includes streamlining operations, developing comprehensive analytics frameworks, and driving multimillion-dollar efficiency improvements. His unique blend of technical knowledge and business acumen enables him to assess technological excellence across diverse platforms and implementations.

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Sukhdevsinh Dhummad

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Sukhdevsinh Dhummad, a senior systems architect at Publishers Clearing House, has engineered complex data solutions for 18 years. He manages terabyte-scale operations, having optimized over 10,000 database objects and developed fraud detection systems handling billions of data rows. His expertise spans SQL, Python, Azure, and Google Cloud platforms. Currently pursuing Azure Databricks certification and postgraduate studies in AI and Machine Learning, Dhummad bridges traditional database management with emerging technologies. His practical experience includes leading successful implementations of enterprise scale data solutions across multiple Fortune 500 companies.

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Giridhar Kankanala

Company

SAP

Profile

Giridhar Kankanala is a seasoned SAP technology leader with 17 years of enterprise systems expertise. As SAP Senior Technical Service Manager at SAP ECS, he designs and implements complex cloud solutions for Fortune 100 companies across Azure, AWS, and GCP platforms. His specialties include S/4HANA implementations, Smart Data Integration, and database optimization. At Dell EMC and Fujitsu Americas, he established new standards for system reliability and scalability. His combination of technical depth and strategic insight helps organizations navigate complex digital transformations while maintaining optimal system performance and security.

GRA1 Anish Menon
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Anish Menon

Company

Netflix

Profile

Anish Menon is a security architect who designs secure, user-centric systems across consumer technology and telecommunications. Currently serving as the Lead Security Engineering Architect at Netflix, he develops advanced security protocols that safeguard user data without compromising user experience. Menon leverages artificial intelligence and sophisticated tools to enhance engineering productivity and enable rapid, reliable deployments. His career includes significant contributions at Apple and Qualcomm, where he engineered embedded security solutions for mobile devices and consumer products, combining robust security with intuitive design. His expertise spans content protection, cryptography, and embedded systems debugging, influencing industry standards.

GRA1 Heena Dhawan
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Heena Dhawan

Company

Tinder

Profile

Heena Dhawan is an accomplished software engineer with over 20 years of experience in the IT sector. She has led the development of innovative software solutions, blending technical expertise with business strategy. Heena specializes in creating scalable, user-centered technology, employing agile methodologies to ensure high-quality, adaptable projects. A strong advocate for diversity in the tech industry, she mentors young engineers and promotes inclusive work environments. Heena’s leadership and focus on nurturing the next generation of talent reflect her deep commitment to advancing both technology and the opportunities available to diverse individuals within the sector.

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Arfi Siddik Mollashaik

Company

Profile

Arfi Siddik MollaShaik is a distinguished expert in data security and privacy with over 18 years of specialized experience. His innovative work in sensitive data discovery, classification, and protection has established new benchmarks in privacy compliance frameworks. As a Solution Architect at leading tech companies, he has pioneered sophisticated data security solutions and automated assessment frameworks that have transformed how organizations protect their data. His deep technical expertise spans multiple platforms and databases, while his thought leadership in implementing GDPR and CCPA regulations has influenced industry-wide practices in data protection and governance.

Seshendranath Balla Venkata (1)
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Seshendranath Balla Venkata

Company

Profile

Seshendranath Balla Venkata is a Senior Data Engineering Leader specializing in enterprise data architecture and advanced analytics. He leads large-scale data initiatives, managing sophisticated pipelines that process billions of events daily and store petabytes of data. His expertise includes building unified data architectures, implementing machine learning operations (MLOps), and optimizing workflows to reduce operational costs while improving system reliability. By integrating cutting-edge tools like Databricks and AWS SageMaker, he develops solutions that provide real-time insights and enhance decision-making. His strategic leadership and technical innovations address complex data challenges, setting industry benchmarks for operational efficiency and technical excellence.

GRA1 Sudarshan Chandrashekr
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Sudarshan Chandrashekar

Company

Profile

Sudarshan Chandrashekar brings over 16 years of experience in AI and enterprise software development, with a strong focus on evaluating complex technological solutions. His expertise spans AI, cloud computing, and digital modernization, working with Fortune 500 companies. As an AI Technical Architect at DataCaliper, he has assessed machine learning models and cloud migration strategies. His deep understanding of security, including certifications from the Department of Homeland Security and experience with Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan, ensures his evaluations uphold rigorous standards. Chandrashekar’s comprehensive approach to technical assessment strengthens the evaluation of innovative solutions and their practical business value.

Judge Kiran Nalla
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Kiran Kumar Nalla

Company

Profile

Kiran Kumar Nalla, Principal Software Engineer at Microsoft, brings extensive expertise in cloud computing and practical business acumen, making him highly qualified to assess achievements in the technology sector. With a strong background in developing scalable, secure solutions, Nalla has led teams through complex digital transformations across various industries. His innovative evaluation framework, developed through leadership roles at Microsoft and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, emphasizes technical excellence and business impact. His ability to integrate emerging technologies with regulatory and business needs positions him as a valuable judge for identifying groundbreaking, sustainable innovations.

Judge - Sreekanth Vinnakota
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Dr. Sreekanth Vinnakota

Company

Profile

Dr. Sreekanth Vinnakota applies technical expertise in enterprise architecture and cloud solutions to revolutionize healthcare technology systems. At Tata Consultancy Services, he pioneered large-scale EDW migration to Snowflake Cloud using AWS and managed complex data ecosystems for primary healthcare providers. His implementation of enterprise data warehousing applications has improved operational efficiency for a $40B healthcare organization. Dr. Vinnakota’s two decades of experience in IT infrastructure, coupled with his innovative approaches to data management and system architecture, positions him to evaluate technical excellence and practical implementation in emerging technologies.

Judge Hemangajit Dutta
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Hemangajit Dutta

Company

EY

Profile

Hemangajit Dutta is a Managing Director at EY with extensive experience in business transformation and digital innovation. He specializes in commercial transformation, sales modernization, implementing global CRM and CPQ systems, and optimizing business processes for Fortune 500 companies. His work spans high-tech, media, industrial products, retail, and financial services, focusing on customer engagement, operational efficiency, and cost reduction. Enabling sales teams with Generative AI and Agentic AI capabilities has been a focus area for Dutta. His business-led technology transformation methodology combines practical implementation with sustainable growth objectives for measurable business outcomes across various sectors.

Judge -Nuruddin Sheikh
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Nurudddin Sheikh

Company

Profile

Nuruddin Sheikh, lead software performance engineer at Intercontinental Exchange, specializes in enterprise architecture and distributed systems development. His twenty-year career spans high-volume low-latency cloud-based solutions, and machine-learning technologies. Sheikh has developed ten large-scale software development platforms supporting new product initiatives, each generating over $1 million USD in annual revenue. His technical innovations have achieved 99.5 percent uptime SLA, 30 percent faster deployments, and 25 percent infrastructure cost reductions. His expertise in Observability, Kubernetes, and cybersecurity, combined with his success mentoring technical teams, positions him to evaluate industry innovations and emerging talent effectively.

Judge -Kishor Yadav Kommanaboina
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Kishor Yadav Kommanaboina

Company

Snapchat

Profile

Kishor Yadav Kommanaboina specializes in data platform engineering at Snapchat, where he has worked since 2018. His expertise centers on developing robust data infrastructure and processing systems. Previously, he contributed to Twitter’s ads measurement team and built core payment processing systems at Amazon, including AmazonWallet. His technical background includes ETL application development, high-performance computing research at The Ohio State University, medical imaging software development, and construction equipment rental system implementation. With 10-20 years of experience, he focuses on creating scalable solutions that handle complex data processing challenges across various technology sectors.

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Praveen Sivathapandi

Company

Profile

Praveen Sivathapandi stands as a distinguished technology leader with over 18 years of transformative expertise in enterprise architecture. His innovative work spans healthcare, banking, and automotive sectors, where he has successfully led major digital transformation initiatives. As a TOGAF-certified and Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert, he excels in bridging complex technical challenges with strategic business objectives. His implementations of cloud computing platforms, microservices architectures, and enterprise-scale data management solutions have significantly improved organizational efficiency. His expertise in creating future state architectures and technology roadmaps demonstrates exceptional vision in digital transformation.

Judge -Maheshbhai Kansara
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Maheshbhai Kansara

Company

Profile

Maheshbhai Kansara, Database Engineering Manager at Amazon Web Services (AWS), is a highly experienced expert in cloud computing and database migration technologies. With decades of experience, he has led the development of impactful solutions, including the AWS Database Migration Service integrations and industry-standard monitoring tools. His work spans Oracle, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, and MySQL platforms, showcasing his ability to design scalable solutions tailored to enterprise needs. Kansara’s approach blends technical expertise with a keen understanding of business impact, ensuring the practical application of innovative technologies. His leadership and insights have shaped best practices and advanced industry standards in database engineering.

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Santosh Bhupathi

Company

Profile

Santosh Bhupathi, a Database Architecture Expert and AWS Senior Solutions Architect, brings over 15 years of specialized experience evaluating technological excellence. His expertise spans database technologies, cloud architecture, and enterprise solutions across IBM, Comcast, and AWS. He has led teams achieving 99.999 percent availability rates in multi-region deployments and pioneered generative AI integration in database migrations, reducing schema conversion tasks by 90 percent. His proven ability to assess technical innovation, implementation practicality, and business impact demonstrates his qualification to evaluate excellence in technology and innovation.

Judge -Athira
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Athira Varma Jayakumar

Company

Profile

Athira Varma Jayakumar is a senior software engineer at DISTek Integration with 13 years of experience in embedded software development, with a focus on safety-critical systems across automotive and off-highway industries. Her expertise spans model-based engineering, software testing optimization, and the development of advanced Model-in-the-Loop (MiL) and Hardware-In-The-Loop (HiL) testing systems. Jayakumar’s contributions to safety-critical software development have been recognized in multiple IEEE International Symposium publications, showcasing her innovative approaches to system verification and testing. Jayakumar pioneered a property-based fault injection methodology, utilizing advanced design verification tools to ensure comprehensive coverage of potential fault scenarios in safety-critical applications, particularly in the nuclear power industry. DISTek Integration has significantly benefited from Jayakumar’s expertise, leading to faster, more efficient, and more effective system testing processes across their autonomous mining truck development program, enabling earlier detection of software design issues and overall performance gains in their development lifecycle.

Judge -Lakshmi Narasimhan Srinvasagopalan
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Lakshmi Narasimhan Srinvasagopalan

Company

Microsoft

Profile

Lakshmi Narasimhan Srinivasagopalan is a seasoned professional in the Information Technology sector with over 17 years of experience. He specializes in Agile methodologies, Scrum practices, systems design, and robotics process automation. Srinivasagopalan is adept at managing the complete product lifecycle, including requirement gathering, development, testing, and post-release support. He is a certified Robotics Process Automation Developer and excels in aligning technological solutions with business objectives to enhance operational efficiency and drive growth. With global exposure and expertise in team leadership, he is known for fostering collaboration, guiding organizational change, and delivering innovative solutions tailored to evolving industry demands.

Judge - Sachin Dave
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Sachin Dave

Company

Profile

Sachin Dave is a technology architect with extensive experience in implementing enterprise solutions across fintech, IT, retail, and energy sectors. His expertise spans cloud migration, large-scale data platforms, and agile methodologies. With certifications in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and cloud architecture, he has contributed to the practical deployment of innovative technologies in regulated environments. His work at leading organizations, including Barclays and Microsoft, involved evaluating and integrating complex technical frameworks, ensuring scalability and business impact. Dave’s structured approach to enterprise architecture and deep understanding of technical implementation make him highly proficient in assessing and validating technology solutions.

Judge - Rama Krishna Prasad Bodapati
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Rama Krishna Prasad Bodapati

Company

California Student Aid Commission 

Profile

Rama Krishna Prasad Bodapati is a seasoned technical solution architect specializing in digital transformation for public sector organizations. With over two decades of experience, he designs and implements scalable architecture solutions that streamline operations and improve efficiency. He has successfully modernized critical government systems, significantly reducing processing times while maintaining high-security standards. His expertise includes enterprise technology solutions, system optimization, and evaluating technical frameworks for scalability and operational effectiveness. A senior IEEE member and PMP-certified professional, he also contributes to professional forums and research conferences, refining evaluation methodologies and promoting innovation across diverse technical platforms and enterprise systems.

Judge - Anil Kumar Ratnala
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Anil Kumar Ratnala

Company

Albertsons Companies

Profile

Anil Kumar Ratnala is a Senior Staff Engineer Software at Albertsons Companies who specializes in Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform technologies. With over 20 years of experience in CRM systems, he designs and implements enterprise-scale digital solutions. His expertise includes cloud-native architectures, DevOps practices, and automated deployment pipelines. Ratnala has developed custom solutions that serve millions of users while maintaining high reliability. He focuses on integrating business strategy with technical implementation, mentoring development teams, and establishing efficient software delivery practices across organizations.

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