Gayathri Pingali
Gayathri Pingali is a seasoned product leader with 12+ years of experience driving digital transformation across healthcare, automotive IoT, retail analytics, and financial services. As a Principal Product Manager at Walgreens, she leads strategic initiatives that enhance customer experience, operational efficiency, and enterprise digitization at scale. Her work spans launching large customer feedback platforms, streamlining team member workflows, modernizing store operations, and developing AI-powered tools—resulting in multi millions in revenue impact and significant cost savings across the organization. Known for her strong technical acumen and customer-centric approach, Gayathri has successfully delivered complex SaaS, cloud, and AI-driven products throughout her career. Prior to joining Walgreens, she led the development of BMW’s Open Mobility Cloud, managing a predictive analytics and IoT platform that improved service availability from 80% to 99.9% and saved $$ million in operating costs. She has also built large-scale product intelligence systems at SPINS and drove cross-functional initiatives. At Bank of America, she also worked in retail division improving client experience. Across roles, she is recognized for building high-performing teams, aligning diverse stakeholders, and translating intricate business challenges into scalable, intuitive digital solutions. Gayathri holds a Master of Science in Software Engineering from Seattle University and a Bachelor of Technology in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from RMCE Engineering college (Affliated to Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University). She is regarded by peers and leaders alike as a collaborative, steady, and inspiring product leader who thrives in dynamic environments. Based in Miami, Florida, she continues to champion innovation at the intersection of customer experience, AI, and enterprise transformation.
• Data Modelling
• Seattle University - Master of Science
• Women in Product
What do you attribute your success to?
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
When my eldest daughter was two years old, I was working at a company called SPINS and had a female manager named Amy Frankel. She gave me a piece of advice I’ll never forget: never quit my career for personal reasons. She explained that if I wanted to grow as a leader, it was essential to learn how to effectively balance being a mother and being a product leader. That conversation planted a seed in my mind, and I have been very disciplined ever since—both as a mother and as a product leader.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering product development in the technology industry to stay curious and to continue learning. Product development is constantly evolving, and this space offers some of the greatest opportunities to innovate, build, and serve customers globally. I encourage them to ask questions — even if they feel shy or intimidated — and to remain persistent, as opportunities often arise only after consistent effort. Most importantly, I urge women to trust their abilities, even when others may underestimate them. I want young women to feel confident in pursuing their goals, leadership roles, and global opportunities, because the industry benefits greatly from diverse voices and perspectives.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?