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Captivated by how data drives the world and can bring real-time solutions, Data Engineer Shriya Agarwal is committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation in technology. She aims to use machine learning, data engineering, and AI to make meaningful contributions to global industries and society.
Data engineering is being increasingly used to address global challenges. Recent studies by the World Economic Forum show that data-driven solutions are expected to contribute as much as $3.9 trillion annually towards global challenges by the year 2030. Shriya’s skilled work has been instrumental in solving complex real-world problems, and she has dedicated her career to making an impact on individuals’ and communities’ lives.
Shriya’s work has ranged from building tech solutions for dementia care to leading critical data projects for a major international retailer. She applied her technical expertise to improve finance, sourcing, and supply chain operations, helping the company maintain its leadership in global retail innovation.
One standout moment in her journey was leading an Oracle Transportation and Management (OTM) implementation project early in her career. Selected as one of the youngest project leads, she traveled to Canada to help guide the effort—an experience she describes as “life-changing.”
“My career has been a series of transformative experiences,” Shriya shares. “Every project has taught me something new and pushed me to think bigger.”
Leading change and transformation through data innovations
In her current role, Shriya leads data engineering efforts for the data lake team, serving millions of customers across international markets. With extensive expertise in sourcing, finance, and supply chain data, she plays a critical role in delivering high-quality, AI-ready datasets that power advanced analytics, business intelligence, and operational decision-making across global business units.
As a Lead data engineer, she also designs and architects scalable data solutions by integrating modern technologies such as cloud computing, data streaming, machine learning, and advanced data modeling.
Her work ensures the integrity, accessibility, and strategic use of complex datasets supporting initiatives like Geo Demand Placement, Luminate, and global sourcing optimization. Among her many achievements, she has successfully streamlined data pipelines that deliver near real-time insights, improving operational efficiency and business responsiveness across multiple international markets.
In addition, she leads cross-functional collaborations with engineering, product, and business teams, with a focus on building user-centric, reliable data products that drive measurable outcomes. Whether enabling AI-driven demand forecasting or supporting critical decision-making in supply chain logistics, her mission is to transform raw data into valuable, actionable intelligence that enhances innovation and customer experience on a global scale.
Her projects in retail have helped to create solutions for real business challenges. She has helped with the migration of 3,500+ Hadoop workloads across eight international markets to GCP (Google Cloud Platform), including architectural and technical reviews. She has created data infrastructures to ensure timely updates, enhance data accuracy, and empower stakeholders with up-to-date reports for more informed and agile decision-making in supply chain operations. Her data systems have helped to create consistency in store sales values and eliminate variances.
This kind of work is no easy feat, and yet Shriya has not only excelled at its execution but has been sought out by industry professionals to share her knowledge and expertise with others.
Solving real-world problems through technology
Deeply passionate about leveraging technology for humanitarian causes, Shriya is driven to explore AI-driven solutions for healthcare and social good. Her team recently developed a prototype for a personal care assistant bot for dementia patients, which won accolades at a Women in Tech Hackathon. She says that this kind of application is an example of how AI is opening a way for hyper-personalised healthcare and in retail.
Another key focus for her team has been applying data strategies to optimise inventory and demand forecasting. She develops data workflows that ingest store-level sales, supply chain metrics, and external signals, enabling predictive models to generate more accurate, actionable insights. This helps reduce overstock and stockouts, improving both customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
By harnessing AI and data engineering together, she aims to empower retail teams with real-time visibility, smarter automation, and scalable insights, driving measurable improvements in performance and delivering more connected, personalized shopping experiences.
The impact of AI in breaking boundaries in data engineering
Shriya speaks of the advent of AI as being incredibly exciting for her as a professional and how AI has become the ‘missing link’ for success in her mission to leave a lasting impact on the world around her.
“There are many compelling real-world examples of how data engineering and AI are teaming up to transform healthcare and other public services, and to solve real-world problems,” she says. “The impact of partnering data engineering with AI in the retail sector has been witnessed firsthand. Through AI-powered technologies in the world of retail, she has helped the company reduce finances and enhance operational efficiency.”
Tasked with enhancing operations, Shriya has designed international and domestic inbound and outbound solutions for clients, helping them reduce costs by up to 15%. Her work has helped increase supply chain visibility for on-time delivery and reduce cross-functional waste through intelligent solutions.
Embracing this new technology, Shriya says she wants to continue to strive to push the boundaries of what is possible with technology, while staying grounded in the values of inclusivity, empathy, and social good.
A thought leader driving change
Beyond her technical achievements, Shriya is an advocate for diversity and inclusion in technology. She actively mentors aspiring women in tech and participates in hackathons to foster innovation and collaboration.
As a thought leader in her profession, Shriya hopes to empower other women to follow in her legacy of impacting businesses and economies through intelligent datasets and innovations. She is committed to empowering more women to drive business and economic transformation through intelligent data and innovation.
She recently spoke at one of her first major events, the Women in Technology of Northwest Arkansas conference. As the youngest speaker on a panel of CEOs and prominent industry leaders, Shriya shared her perspectives on the evolving role of AI in retail. She discussed how data-driven technologies are reshaping customer experiences, operational efficiency, and innovation strategies. Shriya hopes her journey inspires more women to lead with confidence in the fields of data engineering and artificial intelligence.
She is also currently pursuing an MBA with a focus on Strategic Management, where she is learning to integrate technological innovation with high-level business strategy. With her blend of technical acumen and strategic thinking, she is able to approach data challenges holistically, ensuring measurable impact on business outcomes.
What sets Shriya apart is her unique blend of technical expertise, strategic acumen, and a relentless drive to make a difference. As someone who thrives at the intersection of data and strategy, Shriya has consistently delivered impactful solutions that balance innovation with practicality. She is excited about the endless possibilities ahead and is committed to using her skills and platform to help shape a better and more equitable future for all.
