Indianness Podcast: Harini Gopalakrishnan on Learning, Integrity, and Career Growth

🎧 How does integrity and a strong foundation shape career success? In this engaging episode of the Indianness Podcast, Sanjay Puri interviews Harini Gopalakrishnan, CTO for Life Sciences at Snowflake. Harini reflects on her career journey, from her early days in Chennai to becoming a leader in healthcare technology.

📌 Topics Covered:

• The impact of growing up in a joint family
• How her grandmother’s lessons on integrity shaped her career
• The value of foundational knowledge in professional success
• Why saying "no" can build more trust than saying "yes"
• How continuous learning and adaptability are key to career longevity

🚀 Watch now to learn how Harini’s approach to integrity and learning drives her success!

Resources Mentioned:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/harinigopalakrishnan/

⏱️ Timestamps:

0:00 - Podcast Episode Highlights

1:05 - Harini’s early life: Born in Kerala, raised in Chennai, bilingual roots, and joint family upbringing.

2:05 - Emphasis on education and gender equality in her family.

3:03 - Memories of grandparents and their influence (moral values, music lessons).

4:03 - Learning veena and lifelong lessons from foundational skills.

5:15 - Career advice: Importance of foundational knowledge and adaptability.

7:34 - Balancing passion vs. practicality in career choices.

10:14 - Transition to college: Networking, curiosity, and cultural adaptability.

13:05 - Discussing integrity and saying "no" in professional settings.

17:38 - Choosing computer science: Pragmatism and societal expectations.

20:07 - Undergrad experience: Fun vs. academic rigor, soft skills.

24:27 - First job at Cognizant: Corporate challenges and self-discovery.

30:01 - Pursuing a master’s in bioinformatics: Risk-taking and career pivots.

34:06 - Career inflection points: Moving to tech, international exposure.

39:56 - Working in Europe and cultural adaptability lessons.

46:04 - Leadership style influenced by Indian values (integrity, customer focus).

50:10 - Failures and resilience: Returning to India post-master’s.

53:44 - Role of mentors: Grandmother, professors, and customer guidance.

55:34 - Lightning round: Coffee lover, remote work preference, intuition over data.

In this episode of the Indianness Podcast, we sit down with Anjana Harve, EVP & CIO at BJ’s Wholesale Club, to explore the intersection of leadership, innovation, and digital transformation. With a career spanning multiple industries, she shares insights on navigating AI advancements, leading global teams, and fostering an inclusive tech culture.

💡 Key Takeaways:

✔ How to drive large-scale digital transformation across diverse industries.

✔ The future of AI, automation, and data-driven decision-making.

✔ Lessons from leading Fortune 500 companies through technological shifts.

✔ The importance of mentorship and diverse leadership in tech.

🚀 This episode is a must-watch for aspiring leaders, tech professionals, and innovators!

Resources Mentioned:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjanaharve/

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 - Episode Highlights

01:05 - Early Life & Roots in India

03:46 - Father’s Influence: Integrity & Perception

08:11 - Leadership Lessons from a Judge

13:23 - Mother’s Role: Curiosity & Self-Improvement

17:00 - Adapting to Change & Building Connections

20:14 - Work-Life Balance & Family Feedback

25:39 - Career Journey: From India to the U.S.

30:27 - Defining Indianness in Leadership

36:09 - Mentorship & Inflection Points

44:47 - Lightning Round Q&A

52:55 - Final Takeaways

In this episode, Dr. Pradeep Khosla reflects on his career, the role of mentorship, and the importance of embracing challenges. Learn how his Indian roots influenced his approach to leadership and innovation in the U.S. education system.

Resources Mentioned:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pradeepkhosla/

https://chancellor.ucsd.edu/about/about-the-chancellor/index.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pradeep_Khosla