We recently had the chance to connect with Gautami Nadkarni and have shared our conversation below.
Gautami, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
When I think about recent moments that made me both a little nervous and incredibly proud, I immediately think of the Women Impact Tech Accelerate conference I was recently a panelist talking about “Real world applications of AI: Transforming Development and Engineering”.
This past Thursday, September 18th, I was in the heart of NYC for a day of innovation and impact, standing on a stage in front of around 750 women in tech. I was one of four panelists, and I have to admit, I was a little intimidated. The other three were all fantastic executives, and I was probably one of the youngest person on the panel.
Despite the initial nerves, I spoke about my perspective on how AI is rapidly changing the engineering and development landscape. What made me feel truly proud was the response afterward. So many women came up to me—from engineers to leaders—to discuss the topics, share their own experiences, and ask questions. In fact, many were relating to my own story, and a few even mentioned they were inspired by how confident I was alongside the other seasoned panelists.
I vividly remember a time when I was genuinely terrified of public speaking. To be able to look back and realize I’ve now done over 40 talks across the US in the past seven years is a powerful reminder of how far I’ve come. Being up there, representing a strong voice in AI and connecting with hundreds of other women in the field, I had this overwhelming, proud feeling that I am absolutely on the right track. It was a deeply rewarding moment of realization and validation.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello everyone! I’m Gautami, and I currently focus on the cutting edge of cloud technology as a Cloud Architect specializing in Data modernization and AI/ML solutions on Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
What makes my work particularly exciting right now is my deep professional focus on integrating Data and AI for Enterprise organizations. I spend my time diving into the architecture and frameworks of these multi-agent systems, helping enterprises not just use AI, but build intelligent, autonomous workflows. It’s about moving from simple chatbots to sophisticated, action-oriented digital partners, or modernization legacy data solutions to expedite innovation and I’m passionate about making that a reality on GCP.
Beyond my professional roles, I’m fiercely dedicated to giving back to the community. I’m an active mentor for technical professionals, particularly focused on championing women in STEM and technical development. I believe strongly in helping others build their brand and find their path in this rapidly evolving industry.
And for a little something personal: I am also a dancer and choreographer. Dance is a massive passion of mine—it’s a wonderful creative outlet and a great way to connect with the community, even choreographing workshops for my fellow Googlers!
Ultimately, whether I’m architecting a new AI solution or mentoring the next generation of women leaders, my goal is to build, innovate, and inspire.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
The answer to this question is unequivocally my Mom.
Long before I had any clear idea of my own potential, she was the one who saw a superstar in me (often times I don’t feel like one). She didn’t just encourage me; she actively laid the groundwork for the person I would become. I remember simply following her lead when she enrolled me in both dance and academic pursuits—she had an unshakeable confidence that I would excel in both.
She is my absolute biggest cheerleader, but just as importantly, she is also my toughest critic. Every action she took, every expectation she set, and every word of guidance ultimately shaped how I see myself and how I approach the world.
Even now, I sometimes feel that her belief in me is stronger than my own self-belief. That early, unwavering faith—the feeling of being completely seen and championed by the person who knows you best—is a powerful force. Her vision became the blueprint for my confidence, and it continues to propel me forward in everything I do, from a technical challenge to stepping onto a stage.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
What did suffering teach me that success never could? It taught me the true meaning of self-reliance and the profound power of investing in my own growth.
There were definitely moments, especially being so far away from my family here in the US, when I felt truly and completely alone. I believe everyone goes through these dark corners—periods where you question everything and wonder, “How can I possibly rise up from this?” They were tough, and at times, it felt overwhelming.
I also learned a hard lesson from certain relationships that made me feel like I was never good enough. The critical realization from all of these experiences, however, was this: I am the only one that truly matters in my own journey. And if I choose myself, things meant for me will choose me too,
Suffering stripped away the noise and the external validation I thought I needed. It forced me to confront the fundamental truth that, ultimately, every person in this world walks their path alone. This isn’t a depressing thought; it’s an incredibly empowering one. It drove me to stop seeking external approval and instead, to commit all my energy to investing time in myself to grow. Success is validating, but solitude gave me an unshakeable core that no external achievement ever could.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
The cultural value I protect at all costs is Equitable Empowerment—the commitment to making sure everyone, regardless of their background, has the support and access needed to achieve their highest potential.
In my work as a Cloud Architect and an active mentor, I have seen firsthand how much talent is left untapped simply due to a lack of guidance or an unequal playing field. I am fiercely protective of the principle that talent and ambition should be the only limits to success, not someone’s gender, background, or starting point.
This translates into actively championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in every professional space I inhabit. I will always push for a culture where opportunity is truly earned, not inherited, and where everyone feels seen, supported, and ready to soar.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What light inside you have you been dimming?
If I were to identify a light inside me that I’ve been dimming, it would be my own unapologetic visibility, specifically through worrying about other people’s perceptions of me.
In the world of tech, it’s easy to fall into the habit of staying grounded, keeping your head down, and letting the work speak for itself. For a long time, my biggest hurdle wasn’t a technical challenge; it was the fear that by celebrating my successes or even just speaking my truth, I would somehow appear too ambitious, too loud, or too confident—especially as a young woman on executive-level panels.
This worry about “how I’m being seen” is the filter that dims the light. It leads to holding back that extra-bold idea in a meeting, downplaying a major achievement, or hesitating to share my full, multi-faceted story (the Cloud Architect and the dancer).
However, my journey, particularly with public speaking, has taught me that the opposite is true: dimming your light doesn’t create humility; it robs others of inspiration. The light I’m learning to shine brightly is the understanding that my unique perspective and my hard-won confidence are my greatest assets. I’m actively working on letting go of external judgment and allowing my full, authentic self to lead.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancewithgauti/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gautaminadkarni/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DancewithGauti
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