Her Story
About Nikita
Nikita Suryawanshi serves as Product and Process Improvements Manager at Thrive Financial, a startup in the financial services sector, where she focuses on enhancing customer experiences, resolving complaints, and refining processes based on feedback. With a bachelor's degree in electronic instrumentation and a master's in business analytics from Carnegie Mellon University, which she completed in May 2025, Nikita transitioned from e-commerce product development at Pepsi to her current role. She attributes her success to her supportive parents who encouraged her to take risks and pursue her passions. Nikita values transparency and accountability in professional settings and personally admires those who embrace new experiences and take calculated risks. She is also committed to mentoring through Breakthrough Tech at Cornell, drawing from her own recent experiences as a recent graduate navigating the job market.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nikita
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would attribute it to my parents, because they have been the rocks in my life. They have taught me to put myself out there, take the risk, not to think too much about what-ifs, and I've been able to take the risks I have talen and experiment with my options because they have been so supportive about it.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Embrace that flexibility, and to not be afraid of losing anything, because honestly, at this point, there is nothing to lose. So, just be open to change, go head first into whatever you're passionate about, or whatever you're thinking about, even if it's just a random idea.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
One advice I would definitely give is don't be afraid to speak up. Even the most unrefined thought said out loud is better than a well-planned idea never spoken. Ask the questions and share your thoughts. People want to hear from you more than you would have accounted for.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I would say one of the biggest opportunities in financial services right now is the use of AI to improve efficiency, customer experience, and decision-making, especially in areas like complaints management, fraud detection, and risk analysis. The biggest challenge, however, is trust. Because AI models can sometimes hallucinate or generate inaccurate insights, organizations in a highly regulated industry can’t rely on them blindly. The real challenge is finding the right balance between leveraging AI’s speed and analytical capabilities while ensuring the data is accurate, explainable, and validated through strong governance and human oversight.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my work, I value integrity, accountability, and transparency. I appreciate working with colleagues who are open about their progress, challenges, and decisions because that transparency builds trust and naturally creates accountability within the team.
In my personal life, I really admire people who are willing to take risks, step outside their comfort zones, and try new things, even if it is something as simple as a new cuisine. I think that mindset leads to growth, resilience, and continuous learning, which are qualities I value both personally and professionally.
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