SheTech Interns Interview Bharathi Rajan
SheTech Media interns interviewed Women Tech Awards finalist Bharathi Rajan at Swire Coca-Cola, USA, discussing her career path, leadership insights, AI in beverages, and advice for women in STEM.
People & Culture
Breaking Barriers in Tech: Bharathi Rajan's Journey and Advice for Future Innovators
SheTech Media Interns Serena Dearden and Arianna Berchan Bridges recently sat down with Women Tech Awards finalist Bharathi Rajan at Swire Coca-Cola, USA in Draper, Utah. Rajan, a trailblazer in data and analytics, shared insights on her career journey, leadership philosophy, and advice for women aspiring to enter STEM fields.
The Women Tech Awards celebrate women who are pushing the boundaries of technology, creating innovative solutions, and making a lasting impact in the industry. As Vice President of Enterprise Data, Applications, and Insights at Swire Coca-Cola, USA, Rajan is doing just that. She plays a critical role in managing data and analytics, helping the company solve complex business challenges.
From Finance to Data Analytics: A Career Evolution
Rajan’s journey to tech leadership wasn’t a conventional one. “I actually wanted to be in finance,” she revealed, reflecting on her high school aspirations. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance, followed by a master’s in software engineering. However, after working as a software engineer for less than a year, she quickly realized that coding behind a screen wasn’t her passion. “I didn’t want to sit behind a computer all day,” she admitted. Instead, she found her niche in data analytics, where she could bridge technology with business strategy.
Over the years, Rajan honed her skills at major companies like Goldman Sachs and Optum. At Goldman Sachs (Salt Lake City office) she worked in product management and governance, navigating the intense, fast-paced environment. “Everyone there is a ‘Type A’ person,” she said. “The intensity shaped my work ethic today.”
At Optum, a healthcare company that provides pharmacy services, health care operations, and population health management, she worked remotely as Senior Director of Data Engineering, where she learned the value of trust in leadership. “You have to trust the people you work with because you’re not seeing them every day,” she noted, emphasizing the need for strong communication and collaboration skills.
Leadership and Innovation at Swire Coca-Cola
In her current position at Swire Coca-Cola, Rajan leads a team dedicated to leveraging data for business insights. A typical day for her involves troubleshooting data issues and working with her team to ensure data integrity. “Some problems arise from mismatches in data, so we work to figure out why they happen and how to fix them,” she explained.
Rajan has been with Swire Coca-Cola for three years; she started working there after meeting the prior CIO, Julie Simmons, in an interview. Rajan describes the interactions as follows: "She and I clicked right away. It's very rare that you get an opportunity to work for a female tech leader."
She also sees exciting opportunities for artificial intelligence in the beverage industry. “AI hasn’t been widely used in this sector yet, but when it is, it will focus on areas like predicting new flavor combinations based on data trends,” she said, hinting at the future of tech-driven innovation in consumer products.
Advice for Aspiring Women in Tech
Reflecting on her journey, Rajan has no regrets. “I wouldn’t change a thing. I love working in data—it’s what I live and breathe,” she said.
For young women considering careers in STEM, her advice is simple yet powerful: “Follow your passion. Figure out what excites you and build a career around it.” She encourages continuous learning and growth, emphasizing that knowledge is key to success. “Just keep learning—that’s the only way to grow. Learning is a lifelong opportunity, so take it every chance you get.”
As a leader, Rajan believes in empowering her team through trust and support. “I’m a very hands-off leader—I trust my team and focus on ensuring they have everything they need to succeed,” she explained.
Her journey from finance to tech, combined with her leadership philosophy, serves as an inspiration for women looking to break into and thrive in the technology industry. Through her work and mentorship, Rajan continues to pave the way for future innovators, proving that with passion, adaptability, and continuous learning, anything is possible.
Serena Dearden and Arianna Berchan-Bridges are SheTech student board members and SheTech Media Interns for 2024-2025. The SheTech Media Internship, provided through TechBuzz News, provides Serena and Arianna with networking opportunities and journalism experience. Their articles are published on TechBuzz News, Silicon Slopes, and in other media channels.
Serena and Arianna have founded clubs at their school to advocate for female representation in STEM fields. Serena, a senior at NUAMES, is set to graduate with her associate’s degree from Weber State. Arianna, a junior at Highland High School, is passionate about electrical and software engineering. Together they are committed to inspiring other women to pursue careers in STEM.
SheTech Explorer Day, the premiere annual SheTech event bringing together over 3,100 young women to learn about STEM careers, will take place this week, February 25, 2025 at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy, Utah.