Priya Sarathy, PhD, is a seasoned data and analytics leader with over 30 years of experience in transforming global organizations through innovative and strategic data solutions. As the Founder and Principal Consultant of Wheel Data Strategies, Priya provides advisory services that enable organizations to design and implement data-driven strategies foundational to the success of AI/ML solutions. She is an advocate for leveraging data to drive innovation, reduce risk, and optimize business operations, particularly in finance, product retail, B2B retail, healthcare, and FinTech sectors.

Priya holds a PhD and MA in Economics from Rutgers University and a BA in Economics from Delhi University. Throughout her career, she has held senior leadership roles at renowned organizations, including Equifax, SunTrust, SAS, IBM, Epsilon, and AT&T. Most recently, as Vice President of Data Strategy at Equifax, Priya led $10+ million global cloud transformation projects for identity and fraud solutions. She spearheaded initiatives to modularize feature engineering pipelines, enabling AI/ML-driven global fraud detection models while addressing data quality and legacy process defects. Her leadership reduced analytics go-to-market time by over 50%, illustrating her ability to streamline complex processes in high-stakes environments.

At SunTrust, Priya built and led the Omni-Channel Analytics team, pioneering the development of a 360-degree view of customers through advanced predictive analytics and decision-making tools. Her contributions included optimizing branch locations using consumer behavior metrics and financial data, streamlining regulatory depositions, and enhancing digital channel analytics.

Priya’s earlier work with SAS, IBM, and Epsilon further cemented her reputation as an analytics visionary. At SAS, she consulted on $4 million annual analytic opportunities in the financial industry, creating business cases and conducting C-suite consultations that helped drive data-driven strategies across banking, insurance, and credit unions. At IBM, Priya managed a global analytics platform for 400 models, reducing build time by 66% while providing value-based pricing models that improved sales cycles and enhanced product targeting.

Beyond her corporate achievements, Priya has extensive academic experience, serving as an adjunct faculty member at both Harrisburg University of Science and Technology and Georgia State University, where she taught courses in applied analytics, finance, and business. Her dedication to education and mentoring extends to her volunteer work with organizations such as Women in Identity, TAG, and INFORMS, Women in Analytics, and Junior Achievement, where she helps shape the next generation of data professionals.

Priya’s expertise spans a wide array of technical skills, including R, Python, SAS, SQL, ETL/BI tools, and cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. She is also certified in Data Management (CDMP) and holds certifications in Data Strategy, Data Governance, and Graph Data Modeling, underscoring her commitment to staying at the forefront of technological innovation.

A recognized thought leader, Priya has authored numerous publications, including Analytic Trends in the Financial Services Sector and Data Strategy Amplifies AI/ML Strategy. Her work was nominated and showcased in the annual INNOVATE GEORGIA thought leadership 2024 edition. Her speaking engagements at prestigious forums such as the INFORMS Analytics Conference and the Data Science Connect webinars have further solidified her standing as an authority in data strategy and analytics.

Priya’s dedication to diversity and inclusion is evident through her leadership roles in various diversity initiatives at IBM, AT&T, and SunTrust, where she championed efforts to foster a more inclusive workplace for women and Asian communities in technology. She currently serves as a board member of the INFORMS Atlanta Chapter and in the national Analytic society and is a member of several professional organizations, including DAMA, the Super Computing Society (ACM), and the Data Leaders Forum.

In addition to her professional pursuits, Priya is passionate about supporting non-profit organizations, helping them operate more cost-effectively through data-driven strategies. She led and advised the TAG for Good Project teams, which uses analytics to support charitable initiatives, and regularly mentors individuals in platform sustainability and student development.  Some of the innovative solutions have been developed into new applications for non-profits. Her personal interests include gardening, puzzles, and fostering meaningful connections with others.

Priya’s personal mission is to harness the power of data and analytics to build sustainable, flexible solutions that drive growth and innovation. Her vision for the future is to help organizations navigate the evolving landscape of emerging technologies, ensuring they are well-equipped to capitalize on the opportunities presented by AI, ML, and data analytics.

With her impressive track record, global experience, and commitment to mentoring the next generation of leaders, Priya Sarathy continues to be a driving force in the world of data strategy and analytics.

Character:
Priya Sarathy is a dedicated and visionary leader, known for her integrity and passion for empowering organizations through data-driven solutions. She is deeply committed to mentoring and supporting others, particularly in fostering sustainable growth and innovation in both corporate and nonprofit environments.

Knowledge:
With over 30 years of experience, Priya is an expert in data analytics, AI/ML, and business strategy across multiple industries, including finance, retail, and healthcare. Her deep understanding of global analytics and cloud technologies, combined with her technical expertise in tools like R, Python, and SAS, positions her as a leader in the field of digital transformation.

Strategic:
Priya excels at designing and implementing data strategies that align with business goals, driving innovation and reducing operational risks. She has a proven track record of streamlining processes and accelerating time-to-market for analytic solutions, enabling companies to harness the full potential of data and AI.

Communication:
A thought leader and public speaker, Priya effectively communicates complex data and technology concepts in ways that are actionable and understandable to diverse audiences, from C-suite executives to technical teams. Her ability to collaborate across functions and lead high-performance teams ensures that everyone is aligned and empowered to achieve shared goals.