As part of our International Women’s Day special series, #SheIsInfinite, we bring you an insightful conversation with Jayeeta Sharma, Principal Head of Retail at MathCo. With a career spanning over two decades, Jayeeta’s journey in technology has been nothing short of inspiring. From starting as a hands-on software developer in Investment Banking to spearheading AI-led innovation in Retail and Hi-Tech, she has continuously pushed boundaries in the evolving world of artificial intelligence. Jayeeta shares her experiences, challenges, and perspectives on driving meaningful change in tech, offering valuable insights for aspiring professionals.
What inspired you to pursue a career in technology and analytics, and how has your journey evolved over the past 20 years?
I grew up on the engineering campus of the National Institute of Technology, Durgapur, surrounded by conversations about computers, microprocessors, and emerging technologies. Pursuing a career in technology felt like a natural choice.
Over the past two decades, I have explored diverse industries—starting as a hands-on software developer in Investment Banking, then driving AI-led innovation in Retail and Hi-Tech, and now mentoring the next generation of AI leaders. Early in my career, I focused on solving point problems and working on modules within larger programs. Over time, I transitioned to defining and solving larger business challenges, using technology as a driver of multi-million—and even billion-dollar—impact for organizations.
Working with Fortune 100/500 companies has given me a unique perspective on industry shifts, organizational challenges, and the transformative power of technology in shaping business success.
The tech industry is still working towards greater gender diversity in leadership roles. What are the biggest challenges women face in tech leadership today?
I could write pages on this, but in short, women continue to face unconscious bias and stereotypes, especially in male-dominated industries. Bias persists in hiring, promotions, and daily interactions, limiting opportunities for advancement. The lack of women in senior leadership, gender pay gap issues, and work environments shaped by male dominated leadership continue to be issues. But if I had to pinpoint the biggest challenge, it would be unconscious bias. Pay gaps can be addressed, HR policies can improve, and empathetic leadership can help, but bias remains deeply ingrained.
Women are expected to prove their competence repeatedly in ways men aren’t and even male leaders who are inclusive are unaware of their bias. Such biases influence assumptions about leadership styles, work-life balance, and even how assertiveness is perceived. While progress has been made, true equity will come when women are seen as leaders by default, not exceptions – when their skills, decisions, and ambitions are evaluated without the filter of gender expectations.
What advice would you give to women aspiring to senior positions in the tech and analytics space?
I cannot overstate the importance of having a woman mentor for any female professional aspiring to senior positions, especially in the tech and analytics space. There are many nuanced behaviors and challenges that uniquely affect women in leadership—challenges that men often don’t have to navigate.
For example, one of my mentors once advised me to sit directly across from the client when presenting in a meeting. While men, regardless of where they sit, are naturally heard, women often need to establish a direct visual and physical presence to command the same level of attention. It may seem like a small detail—especially when conventional wisdom suggests that “knowing your content well” should be enough—but these subtle strategies make a real difference.
This kind of insight can only come from women leaders who have faced these challenges firsthand and learned how to navigate them. My advice to aspiring female leaders is to actively seek out mentorship, build a strong network of allies, and embrace the confidence to take up space, both literally and figuratively, in leadership conversations.
You drive innovation in AI and data analytics at MathCo. What emerging trends excite you the most in these fields?
As a leader in data and analytics for Retail, I’m particularly excited about Generative AI and Machine Learning-driven hyper-personalization. Retailers are increasingly leveraging AI to create tailored shopping experiences across digital and physical touchpoints, improving engagement and conversion rates.
Another major trend is Omnichannel Analytics and Customer 360—the ability to get a unified view of customers across online, in-store, and mobile platforms. By integrating siloed data, retailers can personalize interactions based on real-time customer behavior, ensuring seamless and consistent experiences.
Beyond Retail, one of the most critical priorities across industries is breaking data silos and enabling interconnected systems. While it may sound like a foundational challenge, businesses are now realizing that a centralized, holistic view of business performance is key to unlocking true AI-driven innovation. When systems can communicate effectively, organizations can move beyond fragmented insights and drive strategic, enterprise-wide decision-making.
There’s a lot happening in AI and data analytics, but at the core of all these advancements is the ability to integrate, analyze, and act on data in real time—and that’s where the next wave of innovation lies.
Balancing leadership roles with personal commitments can be challenging. How do you manage work-life integration, and what keeps you motivated?
Work-life integration is that million-dollar hack that I don’t think I’ve fully figured out yet—but I’ve learned to embrace the process. I’m a passionate individual, and when I commit to something, I give it my all. That applies not just to my work but also to my home. I need my home to be clean and organized; I prioritize nutritious meals for my family, and I make time for those all-important development moments with my children. Do I get that mix right all the time? No. But I’ve learned that perfection isn’t the goal.
My biggest motivation is to emulate success for my kids. The things we love don’t come free—they require hard work, and I want my children to see that. They know what matters to them matters to me, whether it’s hosting their school’s STEM fest or running their Chess Club. Balancing it all isn’t easy, but if something is important, you make it work. For me, work-life integration has been about making conscious choices, knowing what drives me, and embracing both personal and professional fulfillment. And while I may not have cracked the ultimate formula, I’m okay with that, because the journey itself is rewarding.
Jayeeta Sharma’s journey is all about dedication, expanding your horizon, impact of strong mentorship. As a senior tech professional and advocate for Generative AI and Machine Learning-driven hyper-personalization, she continues to shape the future of AI while inspiring the next generation of leaders. Her philosophy of work-life balance shines through in this conversation, offering a refreshing perspective on thriving in demanding industries. She advocates that the importance of having women mentors in tech and analytics cannot be overstated.
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