Tanushree Butola
I've spent about 9 years in technology, focusing on digital transformation and platform modernization. My journey began as a retail consultant working with Fortune 500 clients based in the US, where I had the privilege of working with Mattel for three and a half years. I led major digital transformation projects for them, including setting up their global engagement marketing brand platform and e-commerce website, their trade promotion management tool, and consolidating their enterprise systems. I received a commendation from the CTO of Mattel for my work on their digital 2020 strategy. After that, I shifted to renewable energy, working with a small independent power producer on a complete AI transformation. That project was awarded by the World Economic Forum, and we won India's first lighthouse award in AI transformation, achieving millions of dollars in savings. I also won a Women's Achiever Award for my work there. Then I moved to work with a retail giant based in Chile, where I was a product owner helping with their checkout transformation, moving from legacy systems to a custom-built cloud platform serving all 7 countries of their presence. Recently, I moved to the US and have been freelancing for almost 2 years, working on my own product. My expertise is in enabling legacy enterprises to use modern technology, simplifying their operations by identifying business challenges and finding better ways to solve them with better tools and technologies.
• Certified Scrum Product Owner
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering
• MBA from Top 5 Business School in India
• World Economic Forum India's First Lighthouse Award in AI Transformation
• Women's Achiever Award 2022
• CTO Commendation from Mattel
• Invited by Prime Minister to Attend Republic Day Parade for Outstanding High School Performance
• Scrum Alliance
• Volunteer at Mayo Clinic
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance and resilience. I’ve gone through some major transitions in my career - most significantly, leaving behind a flourishing 8-year career in India where I had reached a level of seniority, and moving to a new country to start from scratch and rebuild my network from the ground up.
That experience taught me that success isn’t built overnight, it’s built in small, consistent steps. There were moments of uncertainty, where progress felt slow, but I focused on showing up every day, doing the work, and moving forward one step at a time. Whether it was learning something new, reaching out to people, or taking on small opportunities, I kept building steadily.
I don’t give up easily. I keep trying, adapting, and pushing forward. That mindset of persistence, combined with the willingness to start over and grow through discomfort, has been key to everything I’ve achieved so far.
For me, resilience isn’t just about bouncing back. It’s about continuing to move forward, even when the path isn’t clear, and trusting that consistent effort will eventually lead to meaningful outcomes.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve received is simple: focus on doing your best work, and don’t try to control the timing of outcomes.
Early in my career, I learned that not everything happens when we expect it to - opportunities, recognition, growth. They all come at their own pace. What you can control is the effort you put in, the skills you build, and the integrity you bring to your work.
When you stay consistent and committed to doing your best, things eventually fall into place, sometimes in ways you didn’t even plan for. That mindset has helped me stay grounded through transitions and trust the process, even when the path wasn’t clear.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice would be to stay focused on your goals and not get distracted by negativity, whether it comes from others or from within. Many women experience imposter syndrome at some point in their careers, even when they are more than qualified. It’s important to recognize that voice of self-doubt for what it is and not let it hold you back. Trust your abilities and give yourself permission to go for opportunities, even if you don’t feel 100% ready.
Every industry. every role , every career path has its challenges, and if you focus only on those, it can feel overwhelming. Instead, focus on what you can control: your effort, your growth, and your mindset.
Keep moving forward, even when things feel uncertain. Do your best in every opportunity you have, and trust that it will add up over time. Not everything will happen when you expect it to, but consistency and persistence always pay off.
Technology, especially, is evolving rapidly. The most important thing you can do is stay curious and keep learning. Be open to change, keep upgrading your skills, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone.
And most importantly, trust yourself. If you know you’ve given your best, that’s enough. The right opportunities will come. They may not always come on your timeline, but they will come when the time is right.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest shifts in my field right now is the rapid rise of AI and emerging technologies. It’s easy to see this as a challenge or even a threat but I strongly believe it’s an opportunity.
Every major technological shift brings disruption, but disruption isn’t destruction. It’s transformation. It creates space for new ideas, new roles, and better ways of working. The key is not to resist it or fear it, but to be prepared for it.
For professionals today, the real opportunity lies in staying adaptable, continuously learning, unlearning, and evolving with the change. Those who keep an open mind and embrace new technologies will not only stay relevant but will also shape the future of their industries.
In many ways, AI is not replacing us, it’s pushing us to become better thinkers, better problem-solvers, and more creative in how we approach challenges. If we lean into that, the possibilities are endless.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Respect is the foundation of everything I do. No matter the role or environment, I believe it’s essential to respect yourself—your values, your work, and your boundaries—and to be in spaces where that respect is reciprocated. When you respect yourself, it reflects in the quality of your work and the way you show up for others.
I also deeply value collaboration. No meaningful achievement happens in isolation. We’re all part of a larger ecosystem, and when we support each other, share knowledge, and build together, we create far greater impact than we ever could alone. For me, success is not just about individual accomplishment, but about lifting others along the way.
Locations
Freelance
Tempe, AZ