Kavindra Yerolkar
Senior Data Executive
Transforming Industry Landscapes through AL/ML Innovation & Strategic Data Solutions
A highly experienced professional with years of leadership and progressively increased responsibilities directing data management in large-scale, complex, and matrixed organizations. Renowned for building and guiding global teams to create and manage advanced data systems, data warehouses, enterprise analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and data science initiatives. A polished and articulate communicator, confident and capable of delivering to all leadership levels using technical and non-technical approaches.
Currently located in Foster City, CA. Available for on-site, hybrid, or remote opportunities.
Demonstrated success in:
• Utilizing multi-cloud expertise (Azure/Google/AWS) to provide innovative data services and business intelligence (BI) for leading retailers, enhancing reporting, analytics, and marketing in high-stakes industries.
• Founding comprehensive data and MarTech practices at Sephora, overseeing data and marketing platforms, governance, privacy, and advanced analytics powered by data science and ML.
• Fostered global data teams to build and manage petabyte-scale data solutions at Walmart, the world's largest retail company, through leadership, engineering, and innovation.
• Offering specialized data and analytics solutions in crypto, payments, and loyalty, servicing major banking and travel clients, including Chase, Wells Fargo, BofA, Citibank, PNC, United, and Delta Airlines.
EXPERIENCE
Jun 2022 - Jul 2023
VP, Head of Engineering-Data, Analytics & MarTech
Directed the comprehensive scope of enterprise data management, areas that are crucial in driving the sectors of crypto, payments, loyalty, and rewards. Provided strategic direction and execution of vital projects. The portfolio encompassed B2C and B2B sectors, serving elite banks and airlines.
Oct 2016 - June 2022
Senior Director Data Engineering, Analytics & Marketing Insights
Responsible for establishing data strategy and roadmap and constructing a comprehensive enterprise data governance and marketing platform. This included a comprehensive customer data platform (CDP), real-time analytics, data sciences, AI-based insights platform, and marketing services aimed at providing a top-tier experiential retail platform. Led transformative CRM and Martech initiatives such as Adobe integration, multi-arm bandit (MAB), customer 360, targeted offers, third-party ads monetization, Google clean room, Facebook S2S integration, and Epsilon orchestration.
May 2001 - Aug 2016
Director of Engineering, Database Systems, Data Architecture & Data Services
Architected, built, operated, and managed all data systems for Walmart Global eCommerce. Led a world-class team across India, China, and the US, consisting of over 150 members with a budget exceeding $100M, dedicated to Wal-Mart's data platform and infrastructure resources and solutions. Oversaw team efforts in relational and database virtualization, NoSQL, and Open Stack, managing data architecture, engineering, and data platform.
RESULTS
Positioned $10M in projected annual subscription revenue and increased team
productivity by 30% by architecting an enterprise analytics portal, providing key
marketing insights for key B2B clients like Chase, BofA, and Wells Fargo
Impacted over $450M over 3 years in experiential retail by facilitating the build and
adoption of a distributed multi-cloud data platform that integrated CDP, personalization, and paid media platforms with data privacy and governance, leveraging AI/ML and data science.
Saved $30M annually in customer acquisition costs by engaging C-suite to establish a Data Governance Council and Data Office, leading to effective data standards,
definitions, and integration into platforms for campaign management.
Achieved approximately $10M annual savings for Walmart Labs by developing
container solutions (Dockers) for Cassandra (patented) to be used over 50 applications.
EXPERTISE
• Leadership & Strategy
• Communication and Collaboration
• Critical Thinking
• Business Acumen
• Empathy & Self-awareness
• Data Engineering
• Business Intelligence & Advanced Analytics
• MarTech & Personalization
• AI/ML & Data Science
• Multi-Cloud Data Systems
• Enterprise Data Warehouse & Reporting
• Data Architecture
• Databases
• Data Platforms
• Enterprise Data Management & Governance
• Data Security & Privacy
MEET KAVINDRA
EDUCATION
Master of Science (MS)
Computer Science
TESTIMONIALS
Madhavan Vasantham, Vice President, Engineering and Data Science @ Stitch Fix
Kavi is an amazing data leader. It is a pleasure to work with him, who is calm and composed and does not succumb to pressure. His ability to manage chaos is outstanding. He has built a strong data foundation at Walmart, and I wish to work with him again.
Avadhani Yanamandra, Sr. Distinguished Architect@Walmart Labs
Kavi is a Very Humble, extremely intelligent, Highly Analytical, collaborative, and down-to-earth professional. His in-depth knowledge of data and application foundation and engineering continues to enlighten colleagues, business partners, and the organization. Kavi has great depth and breadth in data and database architecture and technology spanning RDS & NoSQL systems on diverse platforms at large scale.
Sonali Niswander, Senior Vice President, Global Technology Office @MetLifeSenior Vice President
Kavindra is an extremely talented professional in database architecture and data services. He has a rare mix of in-depth technical and people management skills. I’ve worked with Kavi in several different roles, including peer and direct supervisor, and have been very impressed with his willingness to get into the trenches to solve a problem. He is a great motivational manager who believes in influencing his team members to do their best.
Q & A
Why did you choose your profession?
Early video game adventures and science fiction TV sparked a lifelong fascination with technology, culminating in a natural aptitude for programming thanks to my love of math and logic. Conviction in the transformative power of software and data led me to pursue higher education in the US, fortuitously coinciding with the software wave's peak and the subsequent data and AI revolution. Driven by a passion for objectivity, analytics, and problem-solving, I've honed my data, analytics, and AI skills, and I am eager to contribute to this rapidly evolving field.
Who are your main influences?
The most significant influence in my life is my father, Avinash Yerolkar. Originating from humble beginnings in rural India, he became the chief engineer of the world's largest sugar factory. His attributes of simplicity, humility, and an unwavering passion for hard work, coupled with dedication to family, have been a profound source of inspiration for me. Additionally, impactful figures such as Swami Vivekananda, Bill Gates, and, more recently, Satya Nadella have played crucial roles in shaping my perspectives. Their guidance has motivated me to embrace a life of simplicity while harboring grand dreams.
What are some accomplishments outside of your professional work?
I am deeply engaged in community service, focusing on assisting children with education and families with healthcare. Despite hailing from rural India, I was privileged to receive a private education in top-tier institutions. Now, it is my turn to contribute to the community. Over the past 25 years, we have established multi-specialty hospitals and educational institutions for schools and colleges, aiming to impact the lives of those in need positively.
What advice would you give someone just starting in your profession?
We all shine brightest in roles that tap into our natural talents, ignite our passions, and offer deep rewards. Sometimes, finding the perfect fit means juggling priorities, maybe prioritizing two out of three pillars. So, learn to code like a pro, but don't forget the human touch. Master the language of technology while understanding the hearts and minds of users, businesses, and customers. This balanced cocktail is the recipe for a truly fulfilling career path.
INTERESTS & HOBBIES
