Priti Dhiman

I attribute my success to the people throughout my journey who reminded me that I'm capable. I think as a woman, a lot of the times we tell ourselves, can I really do this? Like, is this really something that I deserve? Or is this something I can achieve? So really, my mentors have just been the people in my life who have told me, through and through, that you can do this, like, don't give up on yourself, you're going to go far. And sometimes that's really all it takes, in my opinion. I haven't had a steadfast mentor, but I've had people at very specific pivots in my life who maybe I only knew them a semester, maybe I only talked to them a couple times, but sometimes they just stick with you. It's not so many specific people, but the collective support and encouragement from those who believed in me when I questioned my own abilities. I also believe that being self-motivated and adaptable has been critical - you have to be willing to put in the time, take those 5 to 10 minutes a day to keep learning, and really believe that you can do it.

I’ve learned that career growth is not defined by a single mentor, but by the collective guidance of many people along the way. Throughout my journey, I’ve been fortunate to receive support from a range of colleagues, leaders, and mentors who have each contributed valuable perspectives. Their encouragement has helped me overcome moments of self-doubt and navigate the challenges of working in technology and finance as a woman. I credit much of my growth to being open to learning from different voices and applying those lessons with consistency and resilience.

I think the biggest advice I can tell people is that adaptability is super important. You know, the AI is there, utilize it to the best of its ability, use it to do your job in a more efficient and practical way, and be willing to learn and be open to technology, because in tech, it's going to change every couple years. For women specifically, I think it's important to have realistic expectations about how balancing career and family is going to affect your career, and really navigate that new part of your life, trying to fit in being a successful career woman and also a successful parent or partner. Most importantly, don't let self-doubt limit you. I want younger women to understand that it doesn't really matter where you start - you can end up anywhere, you just have to put in the time and really believe that you can do it. Don't give up on yourself, you're going to go far.

I think the challenges in my field are twofold. One is related to tech, and one is related to women specifically. With tech, the AI boom is really quite something. It is so similar, I would imagine, to what it was like when the internet kind of presented itself to the world. My role is changing so fast because it's no longer just about writing code and building something - the AI itself can probably do that. My job is now becoming way more theoretical and focused on planning, incorporating AI into our daily work and working alongside of it. I think the biggest thing is that AI is not going to go anywhere. It is here to stay, and it does have benefits. But adaptability is super important - you need to utilize it to the best of its ability and be willing to learn and be open to technology, because in tech, it's going to change every couple years. So the hardest part is continuous learning and adapting to new skill sets.

The values that guide me in both my professional and personal life include continuous learning, adaptability, integrity, perseverance, service, and personal growth. I believe learning never stops, and staying open to new knowledge and perspectives is essential for long-term success. Adaptability allows me to stay effective in fast-changing environments, while integrity ensures that I remain grounded in honesty and accountability in everything I do.

Perseverance has been key in helping me stay focused through challenges, reminding me to keep going even when outcomes are uncertain. I also place a strong emphasis on service, as I find purpose in helping others succeed and contributing to something greater than myself. Above all, I am committed to personal growth and consistently challenging myself to evolve both professionally and personally.