Kirti Patil

For over 35 years, my journey has taken me through teaching, manufacturing, pharma, and BFSI. Through it all, one thing has remained constant: a love for solving problems. Technology has been the medium, but people have always been the purpose. Along the way, I have led large digital transformation programs from sales and underwriting to finance, risk, compliance, and the workplace itself. What mattered most to me wasn’t just the technology, but whether it made life simpler, easier, and more meaningful for the people using it. That’s why design thinking and empathy have always guided my approach. I have had the privilege of building and leading high-performing engineering teams, setting up a GCC in Mumbai, and shaping cybersecurity and compliance functions at the board level. Some of these efforts have won awards, but the real joy has been in seeing teams come together, grow, and take pride in what they create. Relationships have also been my strength. I have worked with large partners, fintechs, and insurtechs, learning from each of them, and I’ve been lucky to be invited to share those learnings at industry forums. What matters most to me now is giving back, mentoring young professionals, especially women in technology, and encouraging students in STEM. I believe leadership isn’t about the title you hold but about the leaders you help shape. That is what I have tried to do throughout my career, and it is what keeps me inspired even today.