Today we’d like to introduce you to Purvi Bharani.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hi, I’m Purvi Bharani, and my story begins in the heart of New Delhi — where the streets are chaotic, the dreams are big, and the learning never stops. Growing up in a culturally rich yet competitive environment shaped my curiosity early on. I was always drawn to the “why” behind things — why people made certain decisions, how data told silent stories, and how systems could be improved to serve better outcomes.
I studied at St. Mark’s Sr. Sec. Public School, where I absorbed everything science and tech had to offer. From the start, I wasn’t just interested in memorizing formulas — I wanted to understand how things worked. That mindset carried me to Mody University, a women’s only univeristy, where I earned a BTech in Computer Science with a specialization in Cloud Computing. I wasn’t just another student; I built. I led. I served as Head Coordinator of the Robotics Society, was a member of CSI, SWE, and volunteered with Gramiksha, working for educational equity in underserved communities.
While still in college, I interned with Celebal Technologies, Tata Communications, and ICT Academy at IIT Kanpur. I explored everything from cloud architecture to AI/ML, scripting solutions, deploying in Azure, and building applications that could detect, adapt, and scale. My love for data science and ethical tech only grew stronger.
After graduation, I began my professional career at Bank of America, where I rose through three roles in two years — Apprentice, Software Engineer 1B, and then 1A — mastering systems, deadlines, and team dynamics in a fast-paced environment.
But something in me whispered louder with time: “There’s more for you out there.”
In 2023, I moved across the globe to pursue my Master’s in Information Systems (Big Data Analytics) at Georgia State University. It was a bold leap — new country, no safety net, just fire in my heart. I was awarded a Merit Scholarship by the Dean’s Office, and worked as a Graduate Assistant, leading Python and predictive analytics classes, while also conducting large-scale research scraping and analyzing 3,000+ company websites.
During my grad school journey, I also worked as a Full-stack Developer for CoreBridge, where I built Cobi, an AI-powered chatbot using Azure OpenAI, RAG, C#, Angular, and Cognitive Search. It wasn’t just a technical project — it was a masterclass in rapid innovation, stakeholder collaboration, and future-proofing enterprise tools.
Fast forward, I joined USAA as an Information Management Analyst, where I dove headfirst into data governance, AI strategy, and data management. Whether it’s enabling responsible AI use, designing “as-is” to “to-be” solutions, or working on GenAI PoCs, I’ve worn many hats—analyst, strategist, sometimes even fire-fighter when things break. Let’s just say I’ve learned the art of staying caffeinated and calm.
To back it up, I hold:
CSPO – Certified Scrum Product Owner
CDMP Associate – DAMA International
AWS Cloud & ML Certifications
Microsoft MTA Certifications in Web & Software Dev
IBM Badges in AI, Data, Cloud & Security
I’ve also served as VP of Public Relations for Toastmasters (Bank of America Chapter), and have years of volunteer service in tech, education, and women-in-STEM advocacy.
But the most profound transformation in my journey wasn’t professional — it was spiritual. Through Soka Gakkai, I learned to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, and that changed everything.
This practice taught me that I am not a victim of circumstance, but a creator of value. Whenever I was rejected, unheard, or lost — I turned to the Gohonzon, not the world. It gave me clarity, courage, and the quiet conviction that I am enough — as I am. Through faith, I learned that success isn’t about status. It’s about expanding your heart and elevating others.
I’m a builder of systems and a believer in people. A woman in tech who values ethics as much as algorithms. Someone who’s equally comfortable debugging a model and mentoring a teammate. I’m here to use my skills to build a future where tech isn’t just smart — it’s soulful.
From Old Delhi lanes to corporate data labs — I’ve never stopped asking:
“How can I create value today?”
And that’s the fire I carry into every room I walk into.
My journey hasn’t always been smooth.
But those struggles shaped my backbone. I’m still standing — and still building.
I believe your roots don’t define your limits. They define your grounding. I carry New Delhi with me every day — in my resilience, my work ethic, and my ability to keep going when things get hard.
I’m proud to call San Antonio home now. It’s a city that’s full of potential, and I’m excited to grow alongside it — personally, professionally, and maybe someday, even as a community voice for tech-forward ethics.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not really. But I’ve made peace with the bumps — because each one taught me how to rebuild.
One of my biggest challenges was leaving everything familiar behind to pursue my Master’s in the U.S. It wasn’t just a geographic shift — it was emotional, cultural, and deeply personal. I had to restart from zero. New people. New systems. Visa stress. Job search anxiety. Homesickness.
Professionally, the road’s been filled with transitions: leaving home in Delhi, landing in the U.S. alone, managing a master’s degree, jobs, and visa stress. I experienced a deep, meaningful relationship here in the U.S. that, for a while, felt like home away from home. Someone who saw the softness in me, the ambition, the spark. But despite love, effort, and genuine connection — it didn’t work out. And when it ended, it wasn’t just a breakup. It was like losing my emotional anchor during the most chaotic phase of my life.
Spiritually, my Soka Gakkai practice helped me transform that pain into wisdom. I learned not to hate the experience — but to use it. To create art from the ache.
There were nights I cried over rejection emails and days I doubted my worth entirely. But I learned how to transmute pain into progress. I upskilled. I networked. I spoke up. I built again.
And now? I look back and thank those struggles. Because they taught me grit, humility, and emotional strength no certification ever could.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Right now, I work at USAA as an Information Management Analyst, but my mindset and skillset align deeply with product thinking. My work revolves around shaping scalable, ethical, and intelligent data solutions that power real-world outcomes — especially as AI becomes central to modern product ecosystems.
My superpower? Translating complex technical systems into productized solutions that are:
-Usable by business teams
-Compliant with governance needs
I work at the intersection of data governance, product vision, and AI model governance. In simpler terms? I help ensure that as we adopt next-gen AI and data technologies, we do it responsibly, securely, and ethically.
What I’m most proud of is this: I don’t just ship solutions — I build confidence in the systems behind them. In a time when AI is moving faster than most can regulate, I make sure we’re not just building cool things, but building the right things.
Whether it’s deploying a product solution or advocating for data ethics in GenAI pilots — I operate from a place of conscious impact. And that’s what I hope I’ll be known for.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
If you’re just starting out, my biggest advice is this: stop waiting to feel “ready.” You become ready by doing — even when you’re unsure. Don’t chase perfection, chase growth. Focus not just on collecting skills, but on understanding why you want to build in the first place. Clarity is your secret weapon. Surround yourself with people who uplift you, not just roles that sound impressive. The right environment can change your life. Be okay with discomfort — it’s where the real growth happens. And most importantly, protect your self-worth. Whether it’s rejection, imposter syndrome, or being underestimated, don’t let external voices shrink your inner conviction. You are allowed to take up space. Keep showing up, even when it’s hard. And document the journey — one day, you’ll realize all the dots were connecting behind the scenes.
Contact Info:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pbharani/
