By Aparna Krishna Bhat Honored as the 130th Global Tech Hero, First Asian Woman to Win in The Connected Awards
In a landmark achievement within the global technology community, Aparna Krishna Bhat, Senior Analyst at EY, has been named the 130th Global Tech Hero by The Connected Awards, marking her as the first Asian woman to receive this prestigious recognition. Her award is a celebration of groundbreaking contributions to data engineering, full-stack development, and artificial intelligence, distinguishing her as the 27th honoree in the Data category.
Aparna’s career journey has been one of ceaseless innovation and dedication. With over nine years of hands-on experience, she has become a driving force in transforming the financial services sector through sophisticated data solutions, fraud detection models, and AI-driven applications. Her latest accolade from Business Mint Nationwide Awards 2024 for “Most Prominent Industry Expert of the Year – Texas in Full-Stack Development for Financial Services” further cements her as a standout leader in tech.
At EY, Aparna has made significant strides in advancing the organization’s data initiatives. Her expertise in data migration, extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL) processes across systems such as DB2, Snowflake, and YugabyteDB has optimized performance and provided powerful insights for strategic decision-making. Aparna’s command of Python and Java Spring Boot has facilitated the creation of scalable Restful web services that support high-performance digital solutions for some of the country’s largest financial institutions. Her work is instrumental in strengthening decision-making processes and enhancing fraud detection mechanisms, setting new benchmarks in the data engineering field.
Beyond her technical expertise, Aparna’s influence extends into academia and mentorship. As an editorial member and reviewer for high-profile journals, including the ESP Journal of Engineering and Technology Advancements (ESP-JETA), Aparna contributes thought leadership that shapes emerging research in AI, databases, and telecommunications. Her dedication to community and education is evident in her role as a judge for renowned platforms like Technovation Girls and the Globee Awards for Innovation and Technology, where she champions new ideas and upcoming talent.
Her recent recognitions as an IEEE Senior Member, an International Organization for Academic and Scientific Development (IOASD) Royal Fellow, and an SAS Eminent Fellow highlight her standing within both the professional and academic spheres. As a leader in data and a full-stack developer, Aparna’s accolades include the Best Research Paper and Young Researcher awards from IOASD, recognizing her contributions to advancements in technology.
Aparna’s achievements resonate deeply with the mission of The Connected Awards, which aim to celebrate individuals who drive meaningful impact and foster innovation across global industries. Her unique path as a woman of Asian heritage, navigating and excelling in an evolving technology landscape, is particularly inspiring. Aparna has been a vocal advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in tech, emphasizing the need for accessible mentorship, inclusive environments, and supportive platforms for underrepresented groups.
Reflecting on her journey, Aparna credits a commitment to lifelong learning and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Her advice for aspiring technologists is to embrace a growth mindset and remain adaptable within this rapidly changing field, as she continues to do so herself. Aparna’s work as a blogger on Medium, her ongoing AI and machine learning research, and her thought leadership make her a role model for rising talent.
Aparna’s latest achievement as the 130th Global Tech Hero is a celebration not just of her individual contributions, but of the broader impact that dedication and innovative spirit can have on technology and society. Her legacy continues to grow, paving the way for a more inclusive, dynamic, and forward-looking tech landscape. As Aparna Krishna Bhat joins the ranks of past Global Tech Heroes, her work and vision remind us of the boundless potential that awaits the tech industry’s brightest minds.
