Tech Talent Spotlight: Nimisha Morkonda Gnanasekaran

This month, we had the privilege of interviewing Nimisha Morkonda Gnanasekaran, a well-known data scientist and leader in artificial intelligence. She currently serves as the Director of Data Science at Western Digital, leading the company’s data science team within the HDD organization.

Beyond her professional work, Nimisha is actively involved in the tech community. She serves as an advisory board member for the strategic AI program at the University of Colorado and judges hackathons and school science fair events across various categories, including technology, AI, women in tech, and leadership. 

Nimisha is passionate about mentoring and supporting the next generation of women in STEM. She mentors STEM graduates and is involved with non-profit organizations that help identify and support underprivileged women in India, sponsoring their education and helping them achieve financial and intellectual independence. 

1. Can you share the journey that led you to your current career path and brought you to where you are today?

Even though my career aspirations evolved over time –I wanted to be a doctor, then a teacher – I somehow was attracted to tech from early childhood, and I think it’s thanks to my mom, who had a home office with a computer that we could get some hands-on experience.

When I was young, one of my family’s weekend routines consisted of going to the local library. On one of these trips, I first encountered an article about robots. It appeared like a sci-fi movie poster, but to my shock, it wasn't. The article was a futurist model of where technology had the potential to advance. This was my window into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It seemed like Robotic technology was ahead of the curve in advancement. With all my passion towards technology, that seemed like the right course of education that matched my own interest. 

2. How do you think diversity impacts innovation in the tech industry, and what steps can companies take to cultivate inclusivity?

My favorite aspect of diversity is the diversity of perspectives. Perspectives are shaped by our backgrounds and our journeys in life. These are critical in how one approaches solving a problem, so having diverse teams results in a variety of ideas that are quite unique. This uniqueness is essential for developing out-of-the-box solutions.

Moreover, diversity fosters a culture of empathy and understanding, which can significantly enhance team collaboration and communication. By appreciating and valuing different viewpoints, companies can create an environment where every individual feels empowered to contribute, thus driving collective success.

To cultivate inclusivity, companies must implement comprehensive diversity and inclusion programs, provide ongoing education and training, and establish policies that promote equal opportunities. Encouraging open dialogue, actively seeking input from underrepresented groups, and creating mentorship programs can also be crucial in building an inclusive workplace.

3. What project or achievement are you most proud of in your career, and why?

Western Digital is a leading manufacturer of storage devices like HDDs and SSDs. 

An HDD is a complex electromechanical device consisting of electrical and mechanical components. It is designed and built to operate within extremely tight tolerances. Drives have many platters, the disks upon which data is stored, with dozens of heads that aerodynamically fly above them to read and write data. 

The heads fly nanometers above the platters, like hovering a hair’s width above a surface without touching it.

In the manufacturing process, every step generates hundreds of thousands of data, and it is impossible for humans to get insights from this data. To top it off, the drives are extremely complex. This is where AI-based solutions are crucial. 

Machine learning technologies are perfect for drawing conclusions from immense data sets, and they are helping us unlock unprecedented levels of manufacturing performance and efficiency. Traditional models fall short because of the complexity involved in the multidisciplinary aspects of the products.

Solutions like this are the core of the fourth industrial revolution, which is reshaping global production and factories. Looking into the future, leading the charge in the fifth industrial revolution has perfectly blended my passion for AI-driven advancements to elevate the semiconductor industry.

4. Have you had mentors who influenced your career? If so, what lessons did they impart that have stayed with you?

My mother was certainly my first inspiration and mentor. She fought gender challenges herself and became a successful entrepreneur who built a brand for herself in the town as a financial advisor. 

As I began my career, especially in the hybrid/global environment, I realized building a network of mentors was essential. My way of navigating this challenge has been to build a network of support for myself that includes three groups: people I can draw inspiration from, people I can inspire and mentor, and, most importantly, folks in the same boat as me. They help keep you sane in that you get acknowledgement and reconfirmation of your challenges as a reality check.

I don’t think one needs to limit mentors to people who are above or senior to one; anyone who empowers you is a mentor!

5. What invisible barriers have you strategically navigated or brilliantly dismantled in your professional ecosystem?

One of the most challenging barriers I've encountered has been the delicate balance between assertiveness and approachability. This is often underrated, especially among female leaders. Establishing oneself as a confident leader while remaining accessible and empathetic is a fine line to walk. I don’t see myself as successfully dismantling this, but I see it as continuous learning. A few tips that I have picked up are being transparent about decisions, especially the ones that impact the team, and adapting communication styles as needed to differentiate your objective.

6. Beyond technical skills, what emotional intelligence have you developed that makes you an exceptional engineer?

In the fast-evolving world of technology, emotional intelligence can sometimes take a back seat. However, in the fast-evolving world of AI, I think emotional intelligence will be key to distinguishing humans from AI-based systems. 

One of the key learnings as a technical leader is the importance of understanding team members on a human level, including the emotions that drive them. Before the working structure became remote, many of these connections developed organically. With remote working, this becomes a conscious effort. Often, this can help better assess the situation at work, driving cohesive collaboration. 

7. Do you have a final piece of advice for a young woman looking to start a tech career? 

Stay focused on your objective, and don’t get distracted. If I have a long-term goal, I break it down into smaller milestones so it is manageable and I don’t get distracted.

Don’t expect a reward immediately. Great things take time, and I have had many instances where the rewards took weeks, sometimes months, and sometimes years.

Focus on building a brand that speaks to your capabilities and expertise.

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, thriving is not merely about survival — it’s about flourishing, adapting, and making a meaningful impact.

If you aren’t offered a seat at the table, bring your chair, or build your table! In a metaphorical sense, obviously.

A huge thank you to Nimisha for dedicating your time to this interview; your insights and experiences are remarkable, and we are grateful you allowed us to give you this platform. If you want to learn more about Nimisha, head to her LinkedIn profile here.

If you, like Nimisha, have an inspiring story about Technology or IT Infrastructure, please contact us today so we can share it.