As a Senior Product Manager at Walmart, Sadhana Gupta leverages her background in economics and statistics to dissect the intricacies of decision-making and human-technology interaction. With a diverse skill set honed through leading initiatives in insurance innovation and pioneering several enhancements in financial technology, she specializes in refining user experiences across omnichannel journeys. Outside the office, she can be found on the basketball court, creating choreographies, or exploring new cityscapes with her love for the outdoors.
Motivation to Speak at the Conference
Are you excited to speak at the Women in Tech Global Conference and what motivated you to join our community of 100, 000 women in tech, minorities, and allies?
Certainly! Being part of the Women in Tech Global Conference and the supporting community is not just about speaking at an event or joining a group. It's about being part of a movement that seeks to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create opportunities for underrepresented groups in the tech sector. What motivates me is the chance to contribute to a positive change in the industry. By sharing experiences, strategies, and insights, we can empower young women product managers (and others in tech) to navigate challenges, embrace their unique strengths, and thrive in their careers. Additionally, being part of this community provides a platform to connect with like-minded individuals, build networks of support, and foster mentorship opportunities, all of which are essential for professional growth and advancement. Moreover, participating in events like the Women in Tech Global Conference allows us to celebrate the achievements of women in technology, showcase their talents and contributions, and inspire the next generation of leaders. It's about creating a space where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to pursue their passions and aspirations in tech, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background. So, I'm not just excited—I'm deeply honored to be part of this incredible community and conference, and I'm eager to contribute to its mission however I can. I was in awe of the platform specifically because it was other men and allies who motivated me to be a part of the community - comes to say the kind of impact it has on all genders!
Background and Inspiration
Share with us about your background, your journey in tech, and what inspired you to develop your career in this direction?
My journey in the tech industry began with a simple belief: do what you love. As I approached high school graduation, my plans to study law in India fell through, leaving me uncertain about my future path. However, rather than dwelling on setbacks, I chose to place my confidence in subjects that truly ignited my curiosity: Economics and Maths. This decision led me to Hong Kong, where I became the only (girl) child in my family to study out of the country. In this vibrant city known for its stunning landscape and bustling corporate financial scene, I found my gateway to the world of technology. Immersing myself in the tech community, I eagerly embraced opportunities to participate in hackathons and challenge myself with new ideas. Eventually, I landed my first job at a Financial Technology company, starting out as an analyst serving enterprise clients. In the early stages of my career, I was determined to make an impact beyond the confines of my role. I approached my manager with a bold request to take ownership of the product I was delivering to customers. This decision marked a turning point, as I delved into analyzing customer behaviors, crafting optimized user journeys, and constantly refining the product's value proposition. With each positive feedback email from customers, I felt a sense of fulfillment and validation. One particularly memorable message highlighted how our product had saved a client eight months of effort—an affirmation of the value I was able to contribute. Recognizing the alignment between my disciplined, outgoing, and detail-oriented personality traits and the role of a Product Manager, I made a conscious decision to pursue this path. Along the way, I remained steadfast in my commitment to leveraging my abilities, knowledge, and unique perspectives. Today, as I reflect on my journey, I am grateful for the challenges that have shaped me into the professional I am. My experiences have reinforced the importance of staying true to oneself, embracing growth opportunities, and continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible. In sharing my story, I hope to inspire others to follow their passions, overcome obstacles, and forge their own paths in the dynamic world of technology.
Why is the topic “Doubt to Dominance: Overcoming Inferiority Complex” important to you?
More than anything because of how deeply it affected me as a young girl. I experienced a very open-minded household (both in India and outside). With an overachieving mother, humble father, sensitive brother, and an extremely caring partner, I was lucky to find myself in positions where I felt empowered to be confident about my opinions in a large crowd. However, the more I spent time working in tech, I began to realize the unspoken truth about 'The Man's club'. I don't personally believe that any male co-worker, manager, or subordinate I worked with did not support me. In fact, they are some of my closest friends and pillars of strength today. What bothered me was the innate psychological effect of nervousness a woman experiences when they are surrounded by unfamiliar voices of opinion and no familiar ones to back them up. Women are still, just over a quarter of the workforce in most countries, the familiarity is lacking - hence the feeling of being an outsider and not being a part of the club seems almost natural and after a point, normal. I saw my life change in front of my eyes when my friends pointed out why I wasn't fighting back. I stopped asking questions, desperately looking for the smallest attention to my work and ignoring my long-term vision of following my heart. When I realized what I was going through was the effect of Inferiority complex, I had already lost time where I could have made a genuine impact on the world. This is why I love talking about and sharing my stories. If my topic can help young girls and women understand this behavior, we can have our share of belonging. Today, I am back to being my confident self, and my large, loud Indian family is proud of me for raising my voice.
Who would you advise to attend the Women in Tech Global Conference and why?
Anyone and everyone. The Women in Tech Global conference is not only a platform to learn about new ideas in tech but support the foundation of tech - a diverse labor force. We are talking about true experiences that are important and knowledgeable for all genders, age groups, roles, and cultures. If you are a student, come and meet inspirational leaders to learn their techniques; if you are a close-to-leadership manager in tech like myself, come to understand how to improve your current ways of working and achieve a better life at work and beyond; if you are a leader, come to motivate and provide guidance; above all, if you are a woman - come to find your club and invite your allies! With every conference, technology will sunset and rise; however, what will remain intact is your connection with other attendees and friendship for a lifetime.
