In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, women leaders are emerging as powerful catalysts for change. By challenging the status quo and bringing diverse viewpoints, they are instrumental in creating more equitable and dynamic digital landscapes. Their leadership is marked by a blend of strong technical acumen, people skills, and entrepreneurial spirit, essential for navigating the rapidly evolving digital world.

Rashi Srivastava, Chief Digital Officer at Qentelli, is a visionary leader with over two decades of experience across various industry verticals and geographies. Her career is a testament to her relentless pursuit of innovation and value-driven delivery. At Qentelli, she is known for crafting future-proof and scalable software solutions and driving excellence across teams. In an exclusive interview with Women Entrepreneur, Rashi Srivastava sheds light on her professional journey and provides insights into the workings of Qentelli.

Give a brief account of your educational background and professional experiences. What motivated you to foray into the field of engineering?

I was born in Uttar Pradesh and grew up in Bengaluru. In my early career, I had the opportunity to work with leading mobile network providers and phone manufacturers and was fortunate to be associated with the launch of several innovative technologies. At Wipro, I progressed from engineering management to pre-sales consulting and business development. Joining Qentelli as the Chief Digital Officer marked an inflection point in my career, leading the company from its inception to a global presence with 1200 employees across diverse technologies and industries.

My fascination for problem-solving and an inherent engineering mindset drew me into STEM. Growing up in a defense background and witnessing my father's experiences with technology sparked my desire to contribute to this field. Supportive mentors and managers emphasized the importance of holistic growth, shaping my career path. Today, I advocate for continuous learning, and genuine human connections as keys to a successful career.

Intrduce us to Qentelli. Tell us about the various responsibilities you shoulder as the Chief Digital Officer.

Qentelli is a Dallas-based digital and cloud technology company positioned at the intersection of disruptive technologies and transformative business strategies. We guide clients in building a digital future with a range of comprehensive services. As Chief Digital Officer, I oversee service delivery, solution engineering, HR, talent acquisition, ITOps, and operations. I collaborate closely with founders in Dallas, contributing to strategic roadmaps and translating plans into actionable outcomes for our teams. Client engagement is pivotal; I regularly meet with partners to enhance program efficiency and ensure high-quality project outcomes. My leadership style prioritizes people-topeople skills, human values, and fostering innovation through regular team meetings and investment in learning.

Tell us about the most significant milestone achieved in your professional journey so far.

A standout milestone in my professional journey was the recent celebration of Qentelli's eighth anniversary. As the first employee, witnessing the company's evolution from a startup to a thriving organization with established functions and leaders was a significant moment. Our industry recognitions, such as Great Place to Work and Deloitte Technology Fast 500, and periodic mentions in reports by analyst firms, serve as testaments to our impact and excellence. The trust and pride of our clients and team members have been the most rewarding aspects of steering Qentelli's growth.

How do you foresee technology trends evolving in the near future?

The technology landscape is poised for significant transformations, with key trends such as Gen AI simplifying tasks and streamlining workflows. Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important due to the exposure to disruptive technologies. Data's transformative impact on business models necessitates strategic analysis and utilization. The importance of software testing is amplified in the era of next-gen technologies, requiring automated processes integrated into DevOps pipelines. Process automation's widespread adoption is propelling digitization and streamlining manual tasks across industries.

Any advice for the aspiring women entrepreneurs/business leaders?

For budding women entrepreneurs and leaders, my advice is to commit fully, be resilient, and face challenges head-on. Stick to your vision, validate it regularly, and review your progress systematically. Stay connected to human values, be kind, and embrace continuous learning. Go with the flow, learn from others, and believe that nothing is impossible if you persevere in your chosen path.

Rashi Srivastava, Chief Digital Officer, Qentelli

Rashi Srivastava is multi-faceted leader with over two decades of experience across varied industries and geographies. Hailing from UP and brought up in Bengaluru, she has always been drawn towards problem-solving and had an engineering mindset. She has experience of working with mobile network providers & phone manufacturers and handling presales consulting and business development for IT firms. As Qentelli’s Chief Digital Officer, she is known for crafting future-proof and scalable software solutions and driving excellence across teams.

• Awards of Recognitions won so far-

• Active participation in speaker conferences and panel discussions: SHRN HR Summit-2021, SHRN Tech-2023.

• Panelist at Women Expo discussion.

• Jury member for the ToT Awards.

• A business leader you admire- Steve Jobs is a leader I greatly admire for his ability to perceive people's needs, introduce disruptive technology, and challenge the status quo. His approach to simplicity, passion for breakthrough experiences, and commitment to human values set him apart as a leader.