At India’s biggest DE&I summit, the Rising 2024,  Aditi Sharma, engineering manager at Eventbrite, takes us on a journey to navigate from coding to leading while protecting the data of millions worldwide. 

“In our journey, we aspire to be the growth engine for creators, earning the trust of consumers and serving as an antidote for isolation. As we nurture creativity, let us equally prioritise safeguarding the data privacy of our customers,” said Sharma. 

With the true magic of adaptability and user-friendliness, Eventbrite stands as the premier destination for discovering live events. Powered by cutting-edge technology, our platform seamlessly connects individuals, nurturing meaningful social connections and endeavouring to unite the world through the power of live experiences.

The Need for DE&I in Data and Analytics 

“Thanks to the bold conversations surrounding DEI today, I stand before you with pride, having navigated these cultural hurdles. It’s a privilege to represent my hometown of Bharatpur in Rajasthan, while also being honoured to serve at Eventbrite, a global tech company, as a woman specialising in data privacy.

Let our diversity fuel innovation, and our unity foster progress,” she added at the Rising 2024 keynote, emphasising the role of DE&I in reducing data biases and unleashing AI innovations. 

Expanding on her point, she emphasised the pivotal role of ethnicity in cultivating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), underscoring how adherence to these values informs core principles like collaboration, mutual respect, and appreciation for individual strengths—vital components for achieving success. 

These ingrained values, instilled from childhood, have fueled Sharma, a decade of invaluable expertise in IT. Prior to Eventbrite, she led teams at Groupon, Deloitte, EF Education First and others. As an engineering manager at Eventbrite, currently leads data privacy initiatives, protecting customers’ data privacy, keeping in mind regulatory frameworks such as GDPR, CCPA, and more. 

The Need for Empathy 

Empathy is one powerful aspect of unleashing organisational success. “When teams feel safe to admit imperfections and open themselves to feedback and criticism, it creates a culture where growth thrives, leading to organisational success,” said Sharma. 

She said leaders who embrace vulnerability and empathy cultivate stronger trust among their employees, fostering an environment conducive to open communication and innovation. This, in turn, encourages “learning and growth.” 

Sharma also said that the key lies in actively and openly listening, with the intent of solving problems rather than merely hearing. Leaders should establish forums for encouraging open communication with employees. This includes anonymous surveys, regular one-on-one check-ins, or simply rotating the chair to invite new perspectives and opinions.

Keeping this spirit intact, Aditi highlighted an empowering initiative, the Sisterhood Program, by the WIT committee at Eventbrite. The aim is to build a vibrant community for women within the organisation. 

She believes through this program, women are connected to one another, sharing experiences and forming bonds that combat isolation and establish a dependable support network.

“To lead through the complexities of the ever-evolving world of technology, having just technical excellence is not enough for project success; it requires a profound depth of emotional intelligence to navigate,” concluded Sharma.