“Technology must always serve humanity, not the other way around.”
Jagathi Gade is a seasoned engineering executive whose 25-year career stands as a testament to the transformative power of technology when guided by a values-driven, trust-first mindset. Her journey through the fast-paced corridors of FinTech, EdTech, and enterprise software has been marked by an unwavering commitment to building systems that not only perform at scale but uphold the highest standards of trust, safety, and compliance. Whether leading anti-fraud initiatives for financial platforms handling hundreds of billions in volume or architecting solutions for global education marketplaces, Jagathi’s work reflects both a masterful command of complex engineering challenges and a deep understanding of their human implications.
Jagathi’s current role as Head of Engineering for Square Risk at Block is the latest chapter in a career defined by impact. There, she leads a multidisciplinary team of software, machine learning, and data engineers responsible for managing risk across Square’s $200 billion annual Gross Payment Volume. Under her guidance, risk management evolved from a reactive function into a strategic differentiator—an integrated pillar of growth and customer experience. She oversaw the development of low-latency platforms that slashed high-severity incidents by 80% and championed AI-based risk tooling that cut churn by 13%. Her influence extended beyond engineering, reshaping cross-functional dynamics with product, policy, and operations teams, and solidifying risk as a core enabler of innovation.
Before Block, Jagathi served as Head of Engineering for Customer Trust and Safety at Robinhood, leading a 130-person organization through a period of intense scrutiny and high-stakes transformation. Facing elevated fraud typologies and increasing regulatory expectations, she pioneered a dual approach that blended technical excellence with operational agility. She introduced graduated risk management frameworks that prioritized both control and customer retention, and built systems that linked AML surveillance, SAR filings, and fraud investigations within an integrated AWS cloud infrastructure. Her leadership not only improved operational throughput by 40% but also restored internal and external confidence at a pivotal moment for the company.
Jagathi’s tenure at Capital One further underscores her ability to drive strategic change within highly regulated environments. As Director of Software Engineering, she spearheaded the development of a next-generation AML platform that dramatically improved investigation quality while reducing processing time by over 60%. Her success in scaling RPA capabilities and overseeing rigorous audit processes highlighted her strengths in enterprise-level execution and stakeholder alignment. Earlier, she led efforts to modernize messaging systems supporting security and marketing communications, demonstrating her capacity to lead with foresight and versatility.
Her earlier career with Blackboard (now Anthology) showcases a different but equally important dimension of her leadership—entrepreneurial growth within digital ecosystems. As Director of Consulting and later as Senior Architect, she played a critical role in scaling a cloud-based educational content marketplace across multiple geographies, generating $20 million in revenue. Here, she honed her skills in platform architecture, partner integrations, and go-to-market enablement, balancing product velocity with platform stability. It was also at Blackboard where her knack for mentorship and team-building began to shine, fostering a collaborative engineering culture that endured well beyond her tenure.
Jagathi’s foundational years at ATPCO, USAA, and Tata Consultancy Services laid the groundwork for her future leadership. From re-engineering legacy insurance systems to building enterprise-wide frameworks for data processing, she developed a systems-oriented mindset and an adaptive problem-solving approach that would later distinguish her in executive roles. Her early exposure to global teams and high-volume infrastructure projects instilled a fluency in both the technical and cultural complexities of global technology delivery.
Her academic background is equally robust, holding a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and an Executive Leadership Certificate from Cornell University. These academic foundations fuel her holistic view of leadership—one that bridges analytical rigor with emotional intelligence, and strategic planning with hands-on guidance. Jagathi continues to invest in lifelong learning, frequently participating in forums on AI ethics, risk tech, and platform engineering.
Fluent in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, and experienced in scaling teams across Europe, South America, and Asia, Jagathi brings a truly global perspective to her work. Her international exposure enriches her ability to design systems that are not only technically sound but also culturally aware. She has worked extensively with cross-border compliance frameworks and is adept at leading multicultural teams through complex regulatory and operational landscapes.
Beyond her executive achievements, Jagathi is deeply invested in community and cultural preservation. She has served as a treasurer for nonprofit boards, volunteered as a school CFO, and coordinated fundraising initiatives for educational causes. As a teacher at Chinmaya Mission and a coach for creative youth programs like Odyssey of the Mind, she has long championed the intersection of creativity, ethics, and intellectual development. Her passions for painting and fine arts speak to a worldview in which innovation and introspection go hand in hand.
Now, with decades of experience navigating the waves of internet, mobile, and cloud revolutions, Jagathi is entering a new phase—bringing her wealth of knowledge to boards and advisory roles. She believes the next generation of companies deserves leaders who understand both the power and the perils of technology, and who can guide them with integrity, foresight, and empathy. Her voice is one that challenges, inspires, and aligns, and she is eager to help emerging enterprises grow wisely and sustainably.
Character:
Jagathi leads with integrity and a deep commitment to the ethical application of technology. Her track record across industries demonstrates a consistent focus on enabling human potential through responsible engineering.
Knowledge:
With over two decades at the forefront of FinTech, compliance, and platform innovation, Jagathi brings unparalleled domain expertise. Her academic and professional experiences are complemented by a lifelong dedication to learning and cross-industry fluency.
Strategic:
She excels at aligning technical roadmaps with business objectives, turning risk functions into competitive advantages. Jagathi’s strategic mindset is evident in the transformative impact she has had on both startups and large enterprises.
Communication:
Whether mentoring engineers, influencing C-level executives, or addressing regulators, Jagathi communicates with clarity, empathy, and impact. Her ability to bridge technical complexity with business value makes her an indispensable voice in any leadership forum.
