Sowmya Tejha Kandregula | Senior Manager | Cognizant Technology Solutions | College Station, Taxas, United States

Sowmya Tejha Kandregula is a seasoned Data Management professional with over 14 years of experience in Data Governance, Data Privacy, Data Security, Regulatory Compliance, Financial Risk Management and Metadata Management. Sowmya’s proficiency lies in developing cohesive solutions for large and complex projects spanning multiple divisions and/or platforms.

Sowmya has served as a judge for several Information Technology business events and excellence awards, published author, and follows creativity to express his subject expertise. He has mentored more than 2,000 enthusiasts across the globe to get them into the Information Technology space to become future thought leaders.

What do achievements mean to you?

A milestone towards which one should march with positivity and professionalism.

What excites you most about the work that you do?

Customer satisfaction, team building (and) training & development. Treat every moment on the job as an opportunity to learn something new.

Do you have a mantra or motto that you live by?

Knowledge shared is knowledge gained…

What makes you yourself

Looking at the bigger picture while not losing focus towards smaller details.

First job

As a high school student (12th grade), I mentored my juniors (9/10th grade) in math and science.

Work philosophy

Work smart not hard…

Currently occupied with (business/job related activities)

– Supporting one of the fortune 500 clients.
– Advisory Board Member at Association of Data and Cyber Governance.
– Mentoring graduating students, job aspirants in the field of data governance and data privacy.

Recent successes

Gold Winner. Information Technology Professional of the Year | Training and Development

What was your journey like to get where you are today

To keep it short and simple – a rollercoaster. For someone that hails from a small coastal town in India, it is like a (wild) dream to reach the shores of the USA. Thanks to my family and their support, I was able to come to the land of unlimited opportunities and make a mark for myself in my chosen field of endeavor.

How do you stay motivated

While teaching is a passion of mine, I learn a lot from the young folks that I mentor. That energy keeps me going.

Guiding principle

The harder you work, the luckier you get.

Definition of leadership

To inspire by actions not by words, mentor and guide. Maintain tough mental balance during adversity.

Best mentor

My father

One word that best describes you

Innovative

How you’ve approached change

With an open mind. I treat every change as an opportunity to learn.

What are you really into outside of work?

Travel and Technology

Pet peeve

Folks who desert common sense

Most important lesson learned

Everyone learns at their own pace

Greatest fear

Losing loved ones

Idea of perfect happiness

Friends and family

Greatest strength

Persistence

Characteristic most admired

Hard work, willingness to learn, Risk taking

Characteristic least admired

Lethargy

Current state of mind

Vaccine for COVID

Exercise of choice

Walking

How do you learn?

By investing in my learning and education.

Most influential book read

How to win friends and influence people

Most ecstatic moment

Graduation

When it’s all over, how do you want to be remembered?

A great mentor

Favorite word

Love

Countries you would like to visit

Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica.

Favorite airline

British

Favorite hotel (brand)

Marriott

Favorite apparel (brand)

Zara

Favorite restaurant

Am a foodie so love every kind of cuisine

Favorite car (brand)

Tesla