Nupur Shah, Senior Data Scientist on Influential Women

Influential Woman · Data Analytics

Nupur Shah

Senior Data Scientist, CVS Health

New York City, NJ 10001

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's in Technology in Computer Science from SRM University (2019) Degree Master's in Data Analytics Engineering from Northeastern University Degree Boston (2023) Member Grace Hopper Member Anita B. Grace Hopper organization

Her Story

About Nupur

Nupur Shah is a data analytics professional with a strong educational foundation and diverse experience across industries. She earned a Bachelor's in Technology in Computer Science from SRM University in 2019 and a Master's in Data Analytics Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston in 2023. Her career began in the data industry after completing her master's, initially pivoting into marketing where she worked at Marina Decisions for about a year, gaining exposure to major companies such as Google and Indeed. She later transitioned to healthcare within the data field, joining CVS Health, where she supported the Aetna team by helping reduce insurance costs, improve healthcare efficiency, and contribute to negotiations with healthcare providers. Nupur is affiliated with the Grace Hopper organization and credits her professional growth to the guidance of mentors and peers. She values a stress-free work environment and maintaining balance through personal routines, continuous learning, and meaningful connections while advising others to explore projects and focus on embracing challenges, and staying curious about emerging technologies. She encourages others to step outside their comfort zones, take initiative in building hands-on experience, and develop strong communication skills alongside technical expertise, as both are essential for long-term success.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Nupur

01What do you attribute your success to?

I would definitely say the people that I have around me. I have been fortunate to have supportive family members, mentors, and peers who have guided me, encouraged me to pursue my goals, and helped me navigate challenges along the way and I have looked out for mentors in the same industry who I could talk to, who could advice me, and guide me in the right direction. I think that has been significant both personally and professionally.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

Professionally, work is work. You have to put in the effort, and there are no shortcuts to that. However, the way you communicate and collaborate with people is just as important as the work itself. Building strong relationships and creating a positive work environment can have an even greater impact on long-term success and helps teams come together to build great things.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

My advice to young women entering the industry is to explore and try different things before committing to a specific path. Depending on where you are in your career, take advantage of the technology available today, including AI, to experiment with different fields and understand what interests you. Work on small projects, connect with people in the industry, and get a sense of what the day-to-day work looks like before making a decision.

It is also important to remember that it is okay to pivot. Your first choice does not have to define your entire career, and exploring different opportunities can help you discover what you truly enjoy and want to pursue in the long run. Once you find your area of interest, stay focused, continue building your skills, and keep growing with each experience.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

One of the biggest challenges in the data industry today is the rapid pace of change. With new technologies, tools, and approaches emerging constantly, professionals need to continuously learn and adapt to stay relevant. Another challenge is ensuring that data is not only available but also accurate, reliable, and used effectively to make meaningful business decisions.

At the same time, this creates a significant opportunity. There is tremendous potential for people who can combine technical skills with business understanding to uncover valuable insights, solve complex problems, and answer questions that others may not have considered. By using data strategically, businesses can innovate, improve decision-making, and gain a competitive advantage.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

In work life, I believe it is important to have a supportive and positive environment where people feel comfortable sharing ideas, collaborating, and doing their best work. Since we spend most of our day at work, having the right environment plays an important role in overall growth and productivity. In personal life, I love having a routine and doing things that you genuinely enjoy. Not letting work overpower your personal life is something I feel helps keep both areas balanced and under control.

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