2023 Women Leaders in Technology: Swati Gokhale

Swati is an accomplished and proven executive with demonstrated excellence in revenue growth, demand generation, and innovation through strategic alliance partnerships. A leader with a strong foundation in field sales, business development, operations and marketing with a passion for developing partner business & building high-yield and mutually rewarding partnerships. Swati Gokhale is responsible for leading Strategic Alliances and Investments. Before stepping in this role Swati has held multiple leadership roles across large technology organizations where she has built alliance ecosystems.

Swati received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Pune, a Master of Science in Chemistry from the University of Alabama, Huntsville and Master of Business Administration from the joint program of the University of California, Berkeley and Columbia University in New York. Swati resides in the San Francisco Bay area with her husband and three children. She is passionate about education for children and is on board Book Trust, an organization supporting early literacy. Swati loves to cook various cuisines and is fond of traveling and enjoys hiking in the Bay Area with her family.

What has been the biggest factor in your success so far?

Ability to build trust is very critical in the work we do in Consulting. I love talking to clients and understanding their triumphs and issues. It's through building relationships we create impact and these trusted relationships are the foundation of my successful career.

What do you enjoy most about your career in the consulting industry?

Being in a consulting industry you get to see challenges an industry faces at macro and micro level. I find that very invigorating. It gives us the ability to innovate and drive a change by bringing new technology approaches and solutions. Effectively it changes the way the industry works. ZS has been at forefront of leading and shaping the thinking of the industries we serve along with our clients.

What is your proudest achievement to date?

I find the most satisfaction when I can contribute toward helping my team members succeed. Successful teams help organizations succeed and I am happy to have been part of successful teams and built some at multiple organizations.

What's the best advice you've ever been given?

Very early in my career I was mentored to value my time. While it's a cliché, as a consultant all you have is your time. Reducing noise and focusing on activities that are critical leads to impact you want. Too often we confuse activity for impact. I have taken this advice to heart and it's helped me a lot all through my career.

What does this recognition mean to you?

This recognition is a humbling experience for me. I hope it also serves as an inspiration to the new generation of technology consulting women.