PA Consulting has partnered with Women in Data to support and empower women in the data and technology sectors, fostering inclusion and diversity within an industry that often lacks representation. This collaboration highlights our commitment to closing the gender gap by providing mentorship, career development opportunities and access to a supportive network of professionals. By partnering with Women in Data, we not only help to build a more inclusive workforce but also nurture innovation and drive the growth of diverse talent in the data and AI fields. This partnership reflects our dedication to creating a more balanced and equitable future.
At PA Consulting, we believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future, and Data is one element that will help us achieve this vision. It is an exciting time to be in Data, with demand for our skills being omni-present. AI is revolutionizing organisations and while existing services will not disappear, new ones will gradually come. We will need new paradigms to guide a transformation where lines are more blurred and end-to-end is the norm.
For organisations to be able to fully capitalize on and scale AI, we predict there will be a strong need for defining the strategies and governance required, creating data architectures, building platforms and pipelines, as well as analytics solutions. Experimentation will go hand-in-hand with the creation of “Intelligent Foundations” which leverage AI as a tool and are AI-focused in terms of outcomes. This will give opportunities to the rise of a new generation of Data talent, which is AI-enabled and AI-focused.
We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future.
As strategies, technologies, and innovation collide, we create opportunity from complexity.
Our diverse teams of experts combine innovative thinking and breakthrough technologies to progress further, faster. Our clients adapt and transform, and together we achieve enduring results.
We are about 4,000 strategists, innovators, designers, consultants, digital experts, scientists, engineers, and technologists. And we have deep expertise in consumer and manufacturing, defence and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government and public services, health and life sciences, and transport.
Our teams operate globally from offices across the UK, Ireland, US, Nordics, and Netherlands.
Sneha Shekharan is an expert in Data & AI Strategy at PA Consulting
Sneha.Shekharan@PACONSULTING.COM
I lead PA’s Data Products, Data Governance and Management propositions, as well as contribute to AI Foundational initiatives & projects. With over 15 years of experience across Data and AI strategy, I’ve delivered data transformation programmes at a global scale, helping clients across various industries financial services, transport, energy and utilities, and healthcare embed data as a strategic asset unlocking business outcomes. My unique career journey from hands-on development to executive advisory enables me to bridge strategy with delivery. I’ve shaped enterprise data foundations, operating models, and analytics functions for leading organisations, including serving as Head of Data & MI at a financial firm.
I’m also PA’s Women in Data (WiD) Lead, where I champion inclusion and mentor the next generation of talent in tech and data. I firmly believe success isn’t defined by gender or background, but by the drive to achieve your goals — and I’m committed to creating spaces where others feel empowered to do the same.
Outside of work, I’m an avid traveller and travel blogger, visiting a new country every month and documenting my extreme weekend adventures. Drop me a note with your dream destination — I’ll happily design a trip you’ll never forget!
shivani.gulati@paconsulting.com
With over 10 years of experience in Talent Acquisition, I am a deeply people-centric TA professional passionate about connecting talent with opportunities where they can truly thrive. As a management graduate with a strong understanding of human behaviour, I bring a warm, collaborative, and insight-driven approach to every interaction, with a particular commitment to advancing diversity and championing female talent.
My enthusiasm for modern technologies and my active embrace of AI in my day-to-day work continues to fuel my curiosity, creativity, and growth, and I draw daily inspiration from the Women in Data community, which reinforces the importance of visibility, confidence, and representation in shaping the future of tech. For me, ingenuity isn’t just a PA ethos; it’s a personal mindset that underpins how I partner with people, solve problems, and build inclusive hiring strategies that make a
lasting impact.
gomathi.rajendran@paconsulting.com
I am Gomathi Rajendran, a Solution Architect with 15 years of experience in designing, developing, delivering, and supporting complex technology projects across the financial services sector. My expertise includes payments integration (Card, BACS, SEPA, Faster Payments), regulatory compliance (AML, GDPR, PCIDSS), enterprise integration, application modernisation, and capital market solutions. I have had the privilege of leading critical modernisation and automation projects for organisations such as The Bank of New York Mellon, Citigroup, and Close Brothers Premium Finance, introducing innovative approaches to both technology and governance.
At PA, I play a key role in architecting integrations and migrations, designing governance frameworks, and delivering enterprise solutions that balance innovation with operational resilience. I relish the challenge of transforming legacy systems and upholding high standards across diverse teams and complex projects.
I believe a more inclusive sector unlocks creativity and drives better outcomes. My goal is to create opportunities for women to connect, learn, and lead, while amplifying WiD’s message and supporting the next generation to thrive in data-driven roles.
saloni.agrawal@paconsulting.com
I am a Senior Consultant specialising in business intelligence, data strategy, and cloud-enabled analytics, helping organisations across multiple sectors strengthen their data-driven decision-making. I have led the development of enterprise data strategies by assessing people, process and technology capabilities and by shaping roadmaps and governance models to build robust analytical foundations. I also deliver end-to-end BI solutions—such as data models, automated pipelines, and intuitive dashboards—that enhance operational insight and performance. Known for strong stakeholder engagement and the ability to translate complex requirements into scalable analytical products, I enable organisations to unlock meaningful value from their data.
As the Women in Data Deputy Lead, I am excited to strengthen PA’s presence in the UK’s largest community of women data professionals. I look forward to championing diversity in data science and maximising the partnership’s impact via community engagement.
dharani.thota@paconsulting.com
I’m Dharani Sri, based in Tonbridge in the southeast of England. With over 20 years of experience in Technology and Digital Transformation, I specialize in leading large-scale transformation programmes that define Digital Strategy, Enterprise Architecture, and Data & Integration blueprints. My work focuses on helping clients—including government organisations—shape their technology roadmaps and deliver innovative, secure, and future-ready solutions.
Data has always been at the heart of my career. Starting as a COBOL mainframe developer working with large datasets, I learned early on the critical importance of secure data handling and responsible AI. Over the years, I’ve built a deeply data-centric path across major ETL and integration platforms such as Informatica, webMethods, and Azure Data Factory—turning raw data into meaningful insights that empower customers and inform business decision-making.
With data comes responsibility. Throughout my work, I emphasise the essential interplay between risk assessment, ethics, compliance, and best practices. These principles are fundamental as organisations navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI, automation, and digital innovation.
At PA, we collaborate closely with organisations to understand their strategic goals and design solutions that help them achieve measurable impact. Through our partnerships, we bring deep expertise in data excellence, governance, and regulation—enabling clients to confidently progress on their data and innovation journeys.
I’m also passionate about fostering diversity in technology. Through the Women in Digital (WID) community, and with the support of the wider PA team, we are working to close the gender gap in data roles. Our mission is to encourage more women to showcase and expand their technical expertise, build confidence, and access opportunities that support long-term career growth in a data-driven world.
Laura Hooper is an expert in Data and Analytics at PA Consulting
Laura.Hooper@PACONSULTING.COM
My path into data began during my psychology degree, where I was first introduced to statistical analysis – sparking an interest in how data can uncover insights about human behaviour. I started my career in digital marketing and communications, before moving to PA Consulting, initially working in the People and Change capability.
With the support of mentors at PA, I made a career pivot into Digital and Data. I’ve since built strong experience across data analytics, data modelling, governance, and data migration. This blend of technical and business-facing roles has shown me the power of cross-functional thinking in solving complex challenges.
Beyond client work, I am passionate about making data careers more accessible. I’ve created engineering-focused workshops for women’s prisons, providing an introduction to technology and highlighting opportunities in the sector post-release.
As the Women in Data Recruitment Lead, I’m deeply committed to increasing representation in our field. Having made a career switch into data, I understand the doubts that can come with entering from a non-technical background. I always encourage women to recognise the value of their existing skills. The combination of business acumen and technical knowledge is not only powerful but increasingly essential in today’s data-driven world.
Saima Shaikh is an expert in Data Strategy and Capability at PA Consulting
Saima.Shaikh@PACONSULTING.COM
I am a Data and Information Management specialist with over 19 years of experience in management consulting. I help clients to devise their data roadmaps, understand and resolve their strategic data management and governance challenges, and support them in establishing their data capabilities. I have worked with clients across multiple sectors and have a major focus in the UK public sector and central government departments.
I have been at PA Consulting for six years and take on strong delivery-focussed roles in data strategy, governance, and capability design, with a focus on solving business problems, and my experience spans large multi-workstream programmes, small teams, and SME roles.
I am a capable project manager with extensive experience of working with senior and complex stakeholder landscapes, including remote global and blended teams. I take a values-based approach to my work and enjoy supporting others in reaching their potential. I am very excited about working with Women in Data and the opportunities it can provide to help more women reach senior leadership roles in data.
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