Leaders

Data is no longer just an enabler, it is the core driver of business strategy, innovation, and growth. Organizations that effectively harness data and AI are not just optimizing processes but creating new revenue streams, enhancing decision-making, and transforming industries. However, realizing the full potential of data requires more than just technology. It demands a strategic approach to governance, monetization, and scalability, ensuring AI moves from experimentation to real-world impact.

Shradha Samantray has built her career around this vision, elevating data from a supporting function to a core business enabler. As Senior Director of Data & Analytics at Informa’s IIRIS division, she leads initiatives that integrate AI, analytics, and governance into business strategy, ensuring data is trusted, scalable, and revenue-generating. Her expertise spans AI-driven decision intelligence, operational efficiency, and data monetization, all while championing diversity in STEM. Through her leadership, Shradha not only drives AI adoption but also bridges the gap between technology and business impact, making data work smarter for Informa’s B2B brands and businesses.

Below is an excerpt of Shradha’s exclusive interaction with Women Entrepreneurs Review magazine where she talks about various aspects of her life and work.

What were some important early life influences that shaped you as an individual?

I hail from Bhubaneswar, Odisha, where I completed my education before beginning my career in Kolkata. My career choices were often rooted in staying close to home. For an instance, I currently live in Dubai which allows me to visit home (India) within hours.

Family has always been my strongest foundation. I grew up in a progressive joint family where education and career aspirations were encouraged, especially for women. My grandmother, a strong advocate for women’s education, and my mother, a retired professor who seamlessly balanced work and home, deeply influenced my perspective. Their experiences shaped my belief in the importance of an environment that nurtures growth. The men in my family, namely my father and brother, have always upheld the same progressive mindset, championing education and independence for women. After marriage, I have received support from my husband and my 11-year-old son, allowing me to maintain both professional ambition and personal fulfillment.

Take us through your education journey. Beyond technical expertise, what are your other areas of interest?

I am a Computer Science and Information Technology Engineering graduate, who have always been committed to continuous learning. I follow the 70-20-10 learning framework, with 70 percent learning by doing, 20 percent from engaging with experts and communities, and 10 percent through formal education.

After completing my B.Tech, I pursued a postgraduate program in AI and Machine Learning from the University of Texas during the peak of COVID. This was a time when, instead of slowing down, my workload quadrupled due to the shift from physical to digital platforms in my industry.

To further refine my expertise, I recently completed the Chief Data Analytics and AI Officer Program at the University of Singapore, an eight-month journey that strengthened my understanding of data-driven decision-making at an enterprise level. Beyond academics, I focus on bridging AI, data science, and critical thinking with business transformation, helping organizations not just adopt AI but integrate it meaningfully into their strategies.

My interest also extends to mentoring and advocacy. I actively participate in AI and data science groups in the UAE, including Women in AI, promoting diversity in a traditionally male-dominated field. Also, encouraging more women to enter and thrive in STEM is something I deeply care about.

Tell us about your extensive professional journey and some of the most crucial milestones throughout the journey.

My career has been defined by a strategic vision to transform data into a business asset, bridging the gap between data, AI, and business impact. After completing my B.Tech, I began my professional journey at Cognizant Technology Solutions as a program­mer. A defining moment came when I was chosen to join a newly formed Data Architecture Center of Excellence, a small but highly skilled team of experts. Being one of the first fresh graduates in this group was a pivotal experience. Over four years, I worked on large-scale projects, travelled to the U.S. twice, and was introduced as a Data Architect to a team of industry veterans just two years into my role. The challenge was immense, but it ultimately earned me a letter of appreciation from the customer’s Director of Tech­nology.

After getting married, I moved to Dubai and joined Emirates, which was undergoing a major transformation, evolving into a technology-driven enterprise. I contributed to some of its largest implementations, gaining deep insights into how technology fuels business transformation.

In 2017, I joined Informa, marking another significant milestone. My role placed me at the intersection of business and technology, allowing me to lead transformation initiatives. This was when big data was still emerging, and I was at the forefront of implementing large-scale data platforms. The COVID era, despite its disruptions, accelerated our work, as we expanded data lakes, explored AI-driven insights, and strengthened our expertise in data science.

Could you share insights into your role at Informa and the key challenges you navigate?

Informa has played a crucial role in my journey, not just through my work but also through its inclusive culture, which fosters growth at both individual and organizational levels. The company’s emphasis on growth is evident in its programs and expansion strategies.

I am part of IIRIS, the B2B data platform for Informa’s businesses, where I serve as Senior Director of Data Analytics, leading the Data Fabric team. Given Informa’s expansion through mergers and acquisitions, a key challenge is integrating diverse data sources into a unified, value-driven framework. Change management and adoption are critical aspects, as users must develop a data-driven mindset to maximize impact. While they may not be engineers, they need to understand how to leverage data effectively.

Another significant challenge is data quality, which isn’t something that can be fixed post-ingestion, it must be ensured from the source. Bridging the gap between technology and business functions requires translating technical concepts into functional value. Though challenging, these are rewarding, as they drive meaningful growth and innovation.

How do you foresee data and analytics evolving, and what emerging key trends stand out?

One of the key shifts already underway is that data is no longer just a byproduct, it has become a core component of business strategy. Successful companies are integrating data and analytics into their overall strategic vision, which is why leadership roles like Chief Data Officer, Chief Data & Analytics Officer, and Chief AI Officer are becoming more prominent.

Looking ahead, I see the rise of AI-powered decision intelligence accelerating, moving beyond diagnostic analytics, analyzing past trends to prescriptive and autonomous decision-making. This shift is driven by generative AI, large language models, and advancements in AGI (Agentic AI).

The shift from traditional data warehouses to data fabrics is a major evolution, embraced by Informa, where I lead the Data Fabric within IIRIS. Companies are integrating AI, automation, and intelligence into dynamic frameworks, making governance crucial. The focus has expanded from data governance to AI governance, ensuring ethical and well-regulated intelligence.

This transformation is also reshaping career opportunities. The next generation must be prepared for roles in AI governance, data strategy, and advanced analytics. Personally, I will be focusing on AI across different domains, building dynamic foundations for innovation and leading teams to engineer and deliver AI-driven solutions. At Informa, this aligns with our strategic investment in AI, particularly in ensuring a balanced integration of human and artificial intelligence.

What core values guide you, and how do you incorporate them in your work?

I've always been a continuous learner, constantly seeking knowledge from different fields to understand how people think and operate. It’s not just about work, it’s about broadening perspectives and making meaningful connections.

Family has always been important to me, and that is reflected in the way I lead at work. I’ve built a team where respect, care, and trust form the foundation. Like any family, there are moments of misunderstanding, but working through them only strengthens the bond. I also believe in the power of gratitude, as acknowledging efforts upfront foster motivation and collaboration.

As a data and AI leader, my focus is on enabling business impact. Technology doesn’t have to be perfect, what matters is delivering value. Clarity of vision is key, which is achieved by translating technical concepts into business outcomes and ensuring alignment with larger goals. Empowerment is another priority. If I’ve done my job well, my team should be able to operate independently and grow.

• Women Leaders in Tech – Recognized by Global Leaders Today under the theme “Tech Mom’s Journey”, honoring the values instilled by my mother and their impact on my leadership.

• DataIQ Finalist - 'Best Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiative' category

• Women in Tech Leadership Recognition

How do you approach work-life balance? What advice do you have for professionals navigating career growth?

Work-life balance isn’t a fixed formula, it’s a constant adjustment. No amount of planning can fully account for life’s unpredictability, but the key is sustainability, both in work culture and personal well-being.

For me, balance isn’t about rigid schedules but about flexibility and endurance. As a working mother, responsibilities are often shared but not always equally distributed. The mental load remains, and expectations, whether from family or work, are ever-present. Instead of seeking a perfect balance, I focus on adaptability, making choices that align with my priorities in the moment.

Ultimately, believing in you and setting a clear goal makes all the difference. There are no limits unless you create them. The so-called glass ceiling has already been broken, and progress comes from confidence, perseverance, and focus. With an abundance of opportunities and distractions today, staying committed to your vision is key. Keep faith in your abilities, and you’ll pave your own path forward.

To young professionals, especially Gen Z, true progress comes from setting clear goals, embracing challenges, and committing to lifelong learning. In a rapidly evolving technology landscape, adaptability and a proactive mindset are what set individuals apart.

Shradha Samantray, Senior Director (Data & Analytics Value Chain), Informa

Driven by technology's transformative power, Shradha Samantray leverages AI and data to drive business strategy, turning insights into action and technology into measurable impact