Meet Gautami | Seniors Customer Engineer at Google

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gautami and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gautami, what role has risk played in your life or career?
For me, risk isn’t about being reckless; it’s about making calculated leaps towards a goal that feels almost out of reach but is incredibly important to you. It’s about believing in a potential future strongly enough to step onto an uncertain path.

Thinking back, the biggest risk wasn’t solely mine – it was the monumental leap of faith my parents took. When I first brought up wanting to study in the US, coming from our middle-class background, it seemed almost impossible. But I didn’t just present a dream; I spent a year and a half researching, saving every rupee I could from my Capgemini salary (which was 21,500 rupees a month back then), building my profile, and finally presenting a detailed plan with pros and cons. My approach was: if I’m asking my family to risk everything, I need to show them I’ve done everything possible to mitigate that risk and thought it through completely.

The pivotal risk was my parents securing that education loan against our property in Mumbai – essentially betting our home on my potential. My mom even said, ‘You are our home and investment. Just go and fulfill your dreams.’ That gesture wasn’t just financial; it was an immense emotional risk and a profound show of trust in me, their ‘only investment’. That single act defined risk for me as something deeply intertwined with responsibility and trust.

That initial decision cascaded into other risks. Moving to Buffalo on a one-way ticket, leaving the familiar chaos of Mumbai for a completely different environment, learning how to cook, juggling 40-hour weeks at the university cafe just to manage expenses – these were all personal risks. There were moments, like that day in October 2016, where the weight of it all – the homesickness, the self-doubt – felt crushing. The risk felt very real then, the risk of not being strong enough.

But ultimately, taking these risks was the only way forward. Risk has been the fundamental catalyst in my life and career. Without that first calculated risk of deciding to pursue the US dream, and without my parents’ immense risk in backing me, none of this – Masters degree at SUNY Buffalo, getting into Tech consulting at Deloitte, paying off my student loan within a year, and landing my dream job at Google– wouldn’t have happened. It was the bridge from a seemingly distant dream to reality. So, I see risk as a necessary, often daunting, but ultimately empowering force, provided you approach it with diligence, preparation, and a deep sense of accountability to those who believe in you.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My Career Path & Overcoming Challenges:

My professional journey has been about bridging the gap between complex technology and real-world impact. Currently, I’m a Senior Customer Engineer at Google Cloud, where I’ve been fortunate to work for the past 6.5 years. My role involves helping customers leverage the power of cloud computing and AI, essentially translating their business needs into scalable, effective technical solutions. Before Google, I started my US career as a Cloud Consultant at Deloitte in New York City. My placement within the cloud organization stemmed from my final year project, which involved migrating a database to AWS. I had to self learn a lot of concepts of Cloud Computing myself, since the only I knew about cloud was iCloud.

What Sets Me Apart & What I’m Proud Of:

What sets me apart, I believe, is my unwavering commitment to authenticity and a multifaceted approach to my craft. I’ve never been one to fit neatly into a single box. I’m most proud of the ability to connect with people on a human level and to spark conversations through my work.
I don’t just understand the technology; I understand the journey, the importance of practical application, and the challenges organizations face in adopting new tech because I’ve navigated significant challenges myself. This blend of technical depth, resilience, and empathy built over 9+ years working directly with customers helps me connect and build trust.
I’m incredibly proud of several things. Professionally, making a visible impact at a company like Google and having experiences like being on calls with tech pioneers felt surreal initially but became points of pride as my confidence grew. I’m also proud of actively tackling and overcoming imposter syndrome – learning to own my achievements is an ongoing but rewarding process.
Right now, I’m genuinely excited about the potential of AI, particularly how personalized agents, agentic workflows and LLMs are shaping different industries, and how cloud platforms can make these powerful tools scalable and accessible. How having a powerful data strategy can change the game for a company completely. Continuing to learn and help customers navigate this rapidly evolving landscape keeps me constantly engaged.
The opportunity to mentor, support upcoming talent and giving back to the community brings me immense joy.
We can connect with me for mentorship here: https://topmate.io/gautami_nadkarni

Lessons Learned & Message:
The biggest lessons I’ve learned are:
Perseverance Pays Off: Dreams that seem impossible can be achieved with relentless effort and determination. Don’t give up easily. If I can do it so can you. Always have a plan!
Lean on others: You don’t succeed in a vacuum. Lean on your support system and your network. You need a clan to help you grow. Finding the right mentors throughout your career is extremely important for your growth.
Calculated Risks are Necessary: Stepping outside your comfort zone, backed by research and planning, is often essential to unlock potential. Sometimes taking that risk, might change the course for you or teach you some valuable lessons.
Believe in yourself: It’s not bragging if it’s based on facts. Learning to recognize and articulating your accomplishments is crucial for confidence and growth. You are remarkable!

What do I want the world to know about my brand and story?
That it’s a testament to the power of dreaming big, even when you come from humble beginnings. It shows that with ambition, incredible hard work, a willingness to take calculated risks, and the bedrock of family support, you can navigate immense challenges and build a life you once thought impossible. It’s a story grounded in gratitude for every opportunity and every person who helped along the way.
Even with an electronics background, working on cutting-edge cloud technology is achievable. Your path will unfold through experiences, projects; regardless of your starting point. You don’t need to have everything figured out initially; self-discovery is an ongoing process that helps you navigate your journey.

Embrace Continuous Learning: Technology, especially Cloud, AI, evolves at lightning speed. Staying curious and committed to learning is non-negotiable. For me, this means pursuing relevant certifications, investing in leadership development like completing “Leadership Essentials” from Harvard Business School, and constantly diving deeper into emerging areas like personalized agents, LLMs and AI. I actively research and synthesize my learnings, often through writing papers and blogs, not just for my own understanding but to better equip myself to guide customers through these complex, high-impact transformations. The learning truly never stops if you want to stay relevant and lead effectively.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
A Day in New York City with Gauti

Living in New York City offers endless possibilities, but here are a few personal favorites for a memorable day:

Morning:
Start your day with breakfast at Semicolon Cafe in Exchange Place, Jersey City.
Take a scenic ferry to Manhattan.
Enjoy a walk around Battery Park.

Midday:
Explore Midtown near Rockefeller Center.
Head to the Top of the Rock for unique panoramic views, including Central Park.
Grab lunch at my favorite spot: Chicken Tikka Kathi Roll near 39th Street, or try some halal food.

Afternoon:
Wander through the streets of Manhattan (weather permitting).
Treat yourself to Japanese ice cream at Taiyaki NYC.

Evening:
Have dinner at Toto Ramen.
Conclude your day with a brief visit to Times Square and immerse yourself in its vibrant lights.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Wow, where do I even begin? This question really hits home because my journey is fundamentally built on the support and sacrifices of others.

First and foremost, my biggest, loudest shoutout has to go to my parents. They are the absolute heroes of my story. They sacrificed so much, instilled in me the values of hard work and frugality that made their savings possible, and gave me the courage to pursue my “American Dream”. Everything I’ve achieved rests on the foundation they built and the leap of faith they took. They deserve more credit than I can ever express.

I also want to give a shoutout to my early network – my cohort from engineering college back in India. Their ambitions and discussions really inspired me and helped me ‘think beyond the box,’ planting the seed that maybe, just maybe, studying in the US wasn’t such a distant dream after all.

And within my professional journey, a huge shoutout goes to self branding and workshops like #IamRemarkable that helped me find my inner voice. Facing imposter syndrome, especially in those early days at Google, was incredibly tough. There were times I genuinely doubted I belonged. That workshop was truly transformative. It gave me the tools and the perspective shift I needed to recognize my accomplishments, articulate them factually, and start changing that internal narrative. It taught me that acknowledging your achievements isn’t bragging if it’s based on facts, and that was crucial for building my confidence.

In the male-dominated tech industry, being a woman of color, especially as someone who didn’t grow up here, can be genuinely intimidating. However, I am deeply grateful for the women especially in Tech who inspire me throughout my journey, reminding me that the only person whose belief truly matters is “oneself”

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gautaminadkarni/

Twitter: https://x.com/gautaminadkarni

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DancewithGauti

Image Credits
Beyond the world of cloud computing and AI, dance has been a constant, vital thread woven throughout my life. It’s my creative outlet, it shapes my perspective, instills a unique kind of discipline, and is integral to who I am – reminding me that a fulfilling life embraces all its facets.