Naveen Shankar Pentakota is an accomplished Associate Director of Data Science with over 18 years of experience leading cutting-edge initiatives in data science, machine learning, and AI. Currently at Novartis, Naveen spearheads AI-driven solutions, such as Generative AI (GenAI) and Next Best Action for sales representatives, driving omni-channel marketing efforts for Health Care Providers (HCPs). His career has spanned various industries, including pharmaceuticals, financial services, e-commerce, and risk modeling, where he has consistently demonstrated his expertise in leveraging data science to enhance business outcomes. With a strong technical foundation and proven leadership skills, Naveen is known for building and scaling data science teams, mentoring future leaders, and implementing innovative AI-driven solutions that contribute to significant revenue growth.
Naveen is a highly strategic thinker with deep expertise in advanced analytics, risk modeling, marketing data science, and customer personalization. He has led major AI initiatives at Novartis, such as HybridBERT4REC and contextual multi-armed bandit reinforcement learning, resulting in a 2-3% incremental revenue per brand. His experience extends to building robust frameworks for marketing optimization, having managed a 20-member global team of data scientists, engineers, and vendors. He has also excelled in financial services, developing credit decision systems and working with major credit bureaus like Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
Characterized by his deep technical expertise and passion for innovation, Naveen has driven groundbreaking advancements in AI, including conversational assistants and RAG-based solutions. His technical proficiencies include deep learning frameworks, machine learning models, and AI tools like PyTorch, Keras, AWS SageMaker, and LangChain. Additionally, he holds a specialization in NLP from DeepLearning.ai and has worked extensively with cloud platforms like AWS and Snowflake to manage large-scale datasets. His expertise in supervised and unsupervised learning models, along with his ability to design and implement sophisticated AI solutions, has positioned him as a leader in the rapidly evolving data science landscape.
Naveen’s strategic leadership has been instrumental in aligning data science initiatives with business goals, fostering collaboration across diverse teams, and delivering high-impact solutions that drive revenue and operational efficiency. He has a proven ability to work closely with C-suite executives and senior leadership, translating complex data insights into actionable strategies. Throughout his career, he has built and led high-performing teams, successfully establishing data science operations from the ground up and ensuring their continued growth and innovation.
As a strong communicator and leader, Naveen excels in articulating technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring alignment across cross-functional teams. He is skilled at mentoring and developing talent, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and guiding teams toward achieving their full potential. His collaborative approach and ability to navigate complex, matrixed organizations have allowed him to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of the healthcare and technology sectors.
Character:
Naveen is characterized by his technical depth and innovation-driven mindset, consistently pushing boundaries in AI and machine learning. His ability to stay at the forefront of technology, while mentoring teams, underscores his commitment to both professional and organizational growth.
Knowledge:
His extensive expertise spans across various industries, from pharmaceuticals to financial services, showcasing his adaptability and in-depth understanding of data science. Naveen’s technical acumen in AI, risk modeling, and marketing analytics is supported by practical, impactful leadership.
Strategic:
Naveen has consistently aligned technical solutions with broader business objectives, optimizing both team performance and revenue generation. His strategic oversight has resulted in tangible business outcomes, including significant revenue growth through innovative AI solutions.
Communication:
A skilled communicator, Naveen seamlessly bridges the gap between technical teams and senior leadership. His ability to articulate complex concepts in a clear, actionable way ensures alignment across stakeholders, enabling efficient decision-making and collaboration.
