Winner. Scientist of the Year 2024

Karthikeyan Ilangovan

Academic title, degree: Master's in Business Administration
Fields of science: Information Technology
Research interest: Data Analytics
Career Development: Senior
Organization: Neiman Marcus
Position: Head of Business Intelligence
City: Plano, Texas
Country: USA

Karthikeyan Ilangovan stands out as a beacon of innovation and expertise in the realm of Business Insights and Data Analytics. With a robust foundation in Engineering and an MBA in Finance, Karthikeyan has dedicated over fifteen years to pioneering Data Analytics and Business Intelligence solutions across diverse sectors including Retail, Financial Services, CPG, and Restaurant Industries. His career journey reflects a series of progressive leadership roles, from spearheading the Business Intelligence suite at Neiman Marcus to driving Analytics Solutions in Corporate Finance at J.P. Morgan Chase.

Karthikeyan's tenure in the industry is marked by his strategic leadership in managing high-impact projects and teams. At Neiman Marcus, he led the evolution of business intelligence, mentoring a large team and managing a multi-million-dollar budget with a keen eye on balancing tactical and strategic objectives. His work at J.P. Morgan Chase involved leading digital transformation efforts, significantly impacting the company's tech spend and quarterly earnings visibility. Prior roles at Altice USA, Dean Foods, and as a Solutions Architect at Perficient further underscore his ability to deliver data-driven insights and innovations that drive business growth and operational efficiency.

His technical acumen spans across leading BI tools and platforms, including Tableau, Qlik Sense, Snowflake, GCP, AWS, SAP, and Alteryx, showcasing his versatility and commitment to leveraging technology to solve complex business challenges.

Beyond his professional achievements, Karthikeyan is deeply committed to community service and education, serving as a Technology & Research Director for ESAL and on the Board of Directors for the University of Wisconsin's Applied Computing Program. His role as an Enterprise Big Data Framework Ambassador highlights his dedication to promoting best practices and professionalization within the Big Data industry.

Karthikeyan's career is a testament to his strategic vision, leadership, and relentless pursuit of excellence in Data Analytics and Business Intelligence. His contributions have not only transformed business operations and strategies but have also paved the way for future innovations in the field.

Karthikeyan's distinguished contributions to the spheres of business and technology are exemplified through his judging roles at the Globee Awards, where he evaluated a diverse range of submissions across Business, Disruptor, IT World, and American Business Awards. His expertise and commitment to excellence are further showcased by his involvement in the Stevie Awards, focusing on the American business category and recognizing outstanding business and technology achievements. Additionally, Karthikeyan's selection as a judge for the CODiE Awards highlights his deep understanding of innovation and excellence in the field. His dedication extends to nurturing startups as evidenced by his judging role for Arch Grants, supporting groundbreaking entrepreneurial ventures.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Karthikeyan's passion for leveraging STEM for societal benefit shines through his directorial role at ESAL and his board membership at the University of Wisconsin's Applied Computing Program. These positions reflect his commitment to promoting STEM engagement and advancing computing education. As the Enterprise Big Data Framework Ambassador, he champions the professionalization of Big Data, advocating for best practices and knowledge enhancement in the industry.

Karthikeyan's wide-ranging roles underscore his leadership in fostering business innovation, technology advancement, and societal progress through STEM, making significant contributions across multiple domains.