Winner. Technology Leader of the Year 2025

Puneet Dutt Sharma

Academic title, degree: Master’s in Computer Science
Field: Health Information Technology
Organization: Softrams
Position: Product Manager
City: Ellicott City, Maryland
Country: USA

Puneet Sharma is a distinguished technology leader and Product Manager with over 18 years of experience in the Healthcare, Banking, and Telecom Billing domains. Currently serving as a Product Manager at Softrams, he has been instrumental in the successful implementation of large-scale IT solutions that drive digital transformation in government and private sector projects. With a sharp strategic mind and a passion for innovation, Puneet excels in product development, Agile methodologies, release and deployment management, and business analysis. His ability to connect technical execution with business objectives has positioned him as a trusted leader in the field.

Throughout his career, Puneet has consistently demonstrated his expertise in managing complex IT projects, ensuring seamless integration, compliance with regulatory mandates, and enhanced service delivery. As a Senior Product Manager for the Maryland Primary Care Program (MDPCP) at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), he played a pivotal role in shaping project roadmaps, orchestrating software releases, and driving efficiency in healthcare service delivery. His ability to collaborate with stakeholders, manage cross-functional teams, and ensure compliance with federal regulations has contributed to the program’s success in improving patient outcomes.

Before his role at MDPCP, Puneet served as a Release and Deployment Manager at the Data Services Hub (DSH) for CMS. In this role, he oversaw the entire release management lifecycle of mission-critical data exchanges between federal and state agencies. His meticulous planning and execution ensured secure, stable, and seamless data integration while optimizing compliance and security protocols. His leadership helped maintain the integrity of essential government healthcare systems.

Beyond project execution, Puneet has been a driving force behind Agile transformation and DevOps adoption, leading efforts to modernize legacy systems, refine cloud strategies, and implement cost-effective process improvements. His expertise in decommissioning outdated IT infrastructures has resulted in millions of dollars in operational savings while enhancing efficiency and reliability.

A Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and SAFe Agilist, Puneet is well-versed in industry-standard tools, including JIRA, Confluence, HP ALM, SQL, and IBM ClearCase. His ability to bridge the gap between technical execution and strategic business goals has earned him industry-wide recognition. His dedication and results-driven approach have been acknowledged through accolades such as the STAR Employee Award from Optum and a nomination for IBM’s Delivery Excellence Award.

Puneet Sharma’s contributions to the field of Health IT are both impactful and far-reaching. His leadership in product management, release governance, and IT modernization has strengthened the healthcare industry’s technological foundation. His work at CMS, particularly with MDPCP and DSH, has been crucial in ensuring seamless data exchanges, maintaining regulatory compliance, and developing cost-effective healthcare IT solutions.

In the past five years, Puneet has spearheaded transformative projects that have optimized software release cycles, implemented secure and scalable IT infrastructures, and introduced Agile-driven methodologies that have significantly enhanced productivity. His strategic vision and meticulous execution at DSH resulted in zero-downtime releases, reinforcing the stability and security of federal and state data exchanges.

Beyond his professional roles, Puneet is a passionate thought leader in the Health IT domain. He has authored numerous white papers on Health IT, artificial intelligence, and fraud detection algorithms, contributing valuable insights to the industry. His commitment to advancing healthcare technology has earned him the prestigious International Research Star Award, recognizing his groundbreaking contributions to the field.

With a career dedicated to technological innovation, Puneet Sharma continues to shape the future of healthcare IT. His ability to inspire teams, drive advancements in regulatory compliance, and champion Agile and DevOps methodologies makes him not just a leader but a visionary in his field. His work ensures that healthcare technology remains secure, efficient, and ever-evolving to meet the needs of the industry and the people it serves.