Influential Woman · Enterprise and manufacturing
Harshitha Badeti
Data lead for AI and ML at New Balance, New Balance
Stlouis, MO
Her Story
About Harshitha
Harshitha Badeti serves as data lead for AI and ML at New Balance, where she is responsible for enterprise data initiatives, AI pilot programs, machine learning models built on that data, along with data governance and quality standards. She brings roughly eight years of experience in the enterprise and manufacturing sector, having previously worked as a data architect at Sabre Industries. Earlier in her career, she founded the startup In Robotech and manufactured a UV sanitation robot during COVID that received the Women Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2020 and additional innovation awards. Harshitha earned a Master's in Computer Science from St. Louis University and an Executive MBA from IM Bangalore in India, and she holds a CDMP certification focused on data governance. She maintains active memberships in the IEEE data chapter and the Women in Data Association, and she volunteers with Microsoft's Mint program mentoring undergrads as well as the TEALS program teaching in underprivileged schools.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Harshitha
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success comes from delivering trustworthy data that everyone can rely on, ensuring governance so no user information is compromised, and building AI models that provide context from the data. Achieving these three metrics for a data product means a successful launch.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice is to balance career and personal life as a new mom without feeling guilty. Sometimes you won't be 100% at work or 100% at home, and that's okay. It's the sacrifice we make to give a better life for the family and build your career.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
It's a very challenging field but very rewarding because the products you build are used by millions. Start slow, build something for yourself, and build your network. Networking is very important.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is that people think data is vague so you can just automate with AI, but you must build trustworthy, governed systems that respect ethics and compliance. We automate to improve lives, not replace people. With tech layoffs, we must reorganize so AI and people work hand-in-hand for efficient results.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
A good work culture is important, especially for women in manufacturing who are often few at the table. As a new mom, balancing personal and professional life is key, and the industry needs to understand that women may need extra support without killing motivation.
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