Her Story
About Sana
Sana Shikalgar serves as an Account Manager at VML, a leading advertising agency based in Manhattan, New York. In this role, which she began at the start of 2025, she manages accounts for two Fortune 500 brands while drawing on her engineering background to bridge data, technology, and storytelling in marketing. Sana earned her Bachelor of Technology in Instrumentation Engineering from the University of Pune in 2024 and is currently completing a Master's in Integrated Marketing at New York University. She holds certifications in Google Analytics, HubSpot, and Salesforce, and maintains active membership in the American Marketing Association. Prior to her current position, Sana gained experience in product marketing and account management at a US-based drone technology startup, where she engaged with global CEOs in B2B enterprise sales. Her professional journey reflects a shift from engineering to marketing, fueled by a passion for communicating technological innovations to consumers. Sana also values collaboration, honesty, and open communication in her work, and she previously volunteered teaching underprivileged children through a nonprofit in India.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sana
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my support system of friends and family who push me during low moments and believe in me, as well as my professors' guidance. The professional climb is a lonely journey, and you cannot get where you want to be without that strong support system rooting for you.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is to be okay with failing but fail fast. Make mistakes quickly so you know how to get out of them or correct them. Make mistakes, but make them quick.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
It's intimidating out there, but you need to take a leap of faith and put yourself out there. You will find people who will help and guide you in unexpected ways. Believe in yourself, don't carry imposter syndrome. You are where you are because someone has seen potential in you. Don't give up on that momentum.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is the speed at which AI is taking over, with client expectations increasing for fast outputs, and everyone having access to the same tools leading to similar ideas from competitors worldwide. Human innovation is a challenge but also exciting. Opportunities include more scope for creative work abroad, faster workflows where projects that took 3-4 weeks now take days or hours, and technology to validate ideas and ensure campaigns resonate with target audiences.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Collaboration is extremely important because as marketers you cannot work in isolation. You need people validating your thoughts or calling you out. Honesty, open communication, and maintaining relationships whether professional or personal are key. Not all professional relationships need intention; you can have genuine conversations.
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