New Product & Product Management Awards Judging Committee
Chair:
Sagar Ganapaneni, Head of Data Science, Data Powered Services
Intuit, San Jose, California, United States
Sagar Ganapaneni is a distinguished leader with over a decade of experience in data science, algorithmic marketing optimization, and advertising technology, driving innovation at the intersection of data, AI, product, and business strategy. As Chair of the New Product & Product Management Awards Judging Committee for the 2025 American Business Awards, he brings deep expertise in data-driven decision-making to evaluate and recognize groundbreaking advancements in data-centric product innovation. At Intuit, Sagar leads data science for a suite of data-powered services, including SMB MediaLabs, the first-of-its-kind B2B media network for small businesses. Focused on addressing the challenges of targeting SMBs in the evolving digital advertising landscape, he oversees a team of data scientists and engineers, driving the creation and commercialization of resilient data assets while ensuring regulatory compliance and strategic alignment.
Previously, Sagar played a pivotal role in scaling Teladoc Health’s AI-driven growth programs, contributing to multimillion-dollar ARR expansion. His career spans key positions at Adobe, Expedia, Cypress Semiconductor, and Sabre, where he built AI and data science solutions enhancing product intelligence, personalization, marketing optimization, and operational efficiency. Beyond corporate leadership, Sagar is a highly regarded figure in data science and marketing technology, shaping the industry through advisory roles and thought leadership. He serves on advisory boards and leadership committees for organizations like MMA Global and the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), contributing to industry standards and innovation. As a Gartner Peer Community Ambassador and AIM Leaders Council member and an IEEE senior member he collaborates with global experts. A passionate advocate for AI education, Sagar mentors emerging professionals through Google’s KaggleX Fellowship and advises Texas A&M University’s MS Analytics Program, bridging academia and industry. His contributions to AI governance and responsible data practices earned him recognition as one of the 100 Most Influential AI Leaders in the USA for 2024 by AI100.
A seasoned judge, Sagar has evaluated industry-leading innovations for the Stevie Awards, MMA Smarties, ECHO Awards, and ANA B2 Awards. His ability to identify transformative technologies and assess product excellence makes him a key figure in recognizing business innovation. While his achievements define his professional success, his deep-rooted values set him apart. He aspires to be remembered not just for his career accomplishments but for his positive impact on society and those around him. Committed to driving AI-powered business transformation, he continues to foster innovation and honor groundbreaking achievements as Chair of the 2025 Stevie Awards Judging Committee.
Committee:
Keshav Agrawal, Senior Director of Product
Walmart, Jersey City, New Jersey, United States
Keshav is a product leader with 10+ years of experience in eCommerce and technology. As Senior Director of Product at Walmart eCommerce, he leads teams driving product search and discovery. Previously at Deloitte and Quantcast, he holds an MBA from Wharton, an MS from UCLA, and a BTech from IIT Kanpur.
Oluwadamilola Alajogun, Product Manager
Microsoft, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Dami Alajogun is a Product Manager at Microsoft building AI capabilities for low code software. She is extremely passionate about building software that helps people to do their jobs more effectively. She obtained her Bachelor's in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech and her MBA from Harvard Business School.
Tushar Chopra, Data Science Advisor, Consumer AI
CVS Health, New York City, New York, United States
Tushar is a practicing AI Expert in the consumer retail vertical. His areas of specialization encompass three domains– Behavioral Economics, Revenue Growth Management, and Healthcare Marketing. With a decade of experience in AI practice across CPG giants, Direct-to-Consumer Retailers, and Healthcare organizations, his executions have changed the status quo of actionable AI.
Saurabh Deochake, Staff Cloud Infrastructure Engineer
SentinelOne, Boulder, Colorado, United States
As a Staff Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, Saurabh works on building software solutions that scale SentinelOne’s complex and highly scalable multi-cloud infrastructure for the AI-powered cybersecurity platform. His areas of expertise and interests include cloud computing, big data, and intelligent systems. He is actively focused on solving the problems in multi-agent systems.
Parth Desai, Founding Engineer
Litmus Automation Inc, Santa Clara, California, United States
Parth Desai, founding engineer at Litmus Automation since June 2016, brings over a decade of expertise in product management and software development. Leading industrial driver development for Litmus Edge, he has significantly contributed to advancing industries' IIOT adoption through numerous solutions.
Raveendra Babu Gangavaram, Business Relationship Manager
TATA Consultancy Services, Irving, Texas, United States
Raveendra Babu Gangavaram is a seasoned Data Warehousing Consultant with Tata Consultancy Services with over 15 years of experience in Data Warehousing, Informatica (PowerCenter and IICS), and Master Data Management. He specializes in designing and implementing scalable data integration solutions and has a proven track record of delivering enterprise-level data management projects.
Vivian Gomes, Chief Design Officer
Shnorh Design Studio, San Francisco, California, United States
Vivian Gomes is a visionary design leader, expert writer, and strategist specializing in AI-driven UX, human-centered design, and digital transformation. With 20+ years of experience, he has shaped enterprise solutions, mentored startups, and led award-winning innovations. As Chief Design Officer at SHNORH, he pioneers AI-integrated, user-focused experiences globally.
Nikhil Jain, Senior Global Partner, Technology Manager
SmartThings, Inc, Mountain View, California, United States
Nikhil Jain is a seasoned technology leader with over 12 years of experience specializing in IoT-based home and industrial automation. He currently serves as Senior Global Partner Technology Manager at Samsung SmartThings, driving innovation through smart living solutions, including home automation, energy management, and sustainable smart communities.
Deepak Jain, Software Engineer
Arista Networks, Santa Clara, California, United States
A Technologist, Distributed Systems Specialist, an Engineering Leader, and a seasoned software engineer with 11+ years of experience specializing in building large-scale distributed systems, cloud-native platforms, and enterprise-grade storage solutions. He has led high-impact projects, delivering fault-tolerant, scalable backend infrastructure. He is an inventor with multiple patents and a published researcher.
Akash Jatangi, Director of Product
Deserve, Inc., San Francisco, California, United States
Akash is an entrepreneurially minded product leader with experience in building innovative products. Currently, as a Director of Product at Deserve, he is at the forefront of fintech innovation - creating a mobile first credit card platform.
Akhil Khunger, VP Quantitative Analytics
Barclays, New York City, New York, United States
Akhil is a seasoned professional in financial engineering and risk management. He currently serves as a QA financial modeling specialist at Barclays. With over a decade of experience, he has held significant roles at institutions like Citibank and HSBC.His expertise in time series analysis and statistical modeling has led to the creation of sophisticated financial models.
KC Lakshminarasimham, Director, Program Management
Expedia Group, Mountain House, California, United States
KC is a program management leader with two decades of experience in strategic transformations, portfolio, program, and project management. Leading teams at organizations like Expedia, Yohana, and Salesforce, KC has optimized global portfolios and consistently delivered value-driven outcomes. A fellow of distinguished global organizations, his industry influence is demonstrable.
Athanasios Lolos, Senior Data Scientist
Navy Federal Credit Union, Falls Church, Virginia, United States
Dr. Athanasios Lolos is a Senior Data Scientist at Navy Federal Credit Union, the world’s largest credit union. With a PhD in Operations Research and an MBA from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Dr. Lolos combines academic expertise with practical industry experience.
Subramanian Narayanaswamy, Executive Director
Wells Fargo, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Subramanian is a seasoned "FinTech-Banker" with over 15 years of experience at the intersection of financial technology and mainstream banking. Known for his "adaptive risk management" approach, Subbu has a unique ability to integrate regulatory guardrails for consumer protection with the need to foster innovation in today’s competitive fintech landscape.
Sharat Priya, Senior Manager
Ernst & Young, Eastvale, California, United States
Sharat specializes in providing technology consulting services to asset and wealth management firms and service providers. His responsibilities include leading client engagements within the sector, where he collaborates with clients to define and implement technology solutions. Sharat’s expertise lies in offering comprehensive technology solutions that empower asset and wealth management organizations.
Maggie Qian, Senior User Experience Researcher
Dell Technologies, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Maggie is a Senior UX Researcher at Dell, specializing in Cloud, DevOps, AI/ML, and Developer Experience. With a technology strategy consulting background for Fortune 500 clients, she drives product AI and UX innovation and has filed double-digit patents. Maggie is also an ISSIP Ambassador and top-rated ADPList mentor.
Shafeeq Ur Rahaman, Associate Director
Monks, Dublin, California, United States
Shafeeq Ur Rahaman is the Associate Director of Analytics & Data Infrastructure at Monks. With over 12 years of experience in data analytics, cloud automation, and business intelligence, he leads large-scale data transformation projects. He holds a Master’s in Management Information Systems from the University of Illinois Springfield.
Prashanth Seetharaman, AVP
Intellect Design Arena, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Prashanth is an accomplished senior leader with over 18 years of exceptional expertise in Financial services consulting, Digital product management, strategy and business transformation consulting in North America, Europe and APAC, working with various globally renowned multinational banks, fintech and Fortune 500 clients.
Hitali Shah, Advanced Analyst
Electronic Arts, Tampa, Florida, United States
Hitali Shah is an Advanced Analyst at Electronic Arts with expertise in data analytics, business strategy, and innovation. She holds two master's degrees and has worked at LinkedIn and Oracle. Passionate about leveraging data for decision-making, she holds multiple certifications and thrives on solving complex problems to enhance user experiences.
Shreya Thakkar, Senior Design Researcher
Electrolux Group, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Shreya Thakkar is a design researcher, strategist, and futurist with 7+ years of experience at the intersection of design, technology, and human behavior. She pioneers research in Gen AI, connected home ecosystems, and emerging technologies, shaping sustainable and human-centered innovations in mobility, workplace design, and smart living with global partners.
Jawahar Thangavelu, Software Engineer
Joby Aviation, Santa Cruz, California, United States
Jawahar has been a software engineer at Joby Aviation since 2021. He has been working in the Aerospace industry for the past 18 years and has expertise in Program Management, Real Time Embedded aerospace applications, and Software life cycle processes including Design, Development, Verification, and Validation activities for safety systems.
Narasimha Rao Vanaparthi, Assistant Vice President
State Street Financial Corporation, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
With over 19 years of experience in IT, he specializes in Agile project implementation, project management, team leadership, and incident management. Narasimha is an expert in Agile and SDLC methodologies, along with a strong understanding of associated frameworks. He has a proven track record of successfully delivering large-scale and complex projects.