Behind the Numbers: How Hitali Shah Drives Player Insights at EA

When I learned I had won, it was both humbling and energizing. Personally, it validated years of persistent effort, learning, and sometimes taking the road less traveled. Professionally, it affirmed that responsible, impactful data work can and should be recognized. It’s also a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come as women in data—and how much further we can go.

I was inspired by TITAN’s commitment to celebrating women who lead with both innovation and purpose. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working at the intersection of technology and business, delivering insights that have helped shape user experiences, product design, and organizational strategies.

What gave me confidence was the multidimensional nature of my journey: blending deep technical skills with a focus on mentorship and community engagement. I believed this holistic perspective on leadership through data could stand out.

A real turning point came when I was tasked with driving insight for a high-visibility initiative that had a direct impact on user engagement and business outcomes. The stakes were high, and the challenge required not just technical excellence but clear communication, stakeholder alignment, and strategic thinking.

Navigating that experience helped me step into a more cross-functional, leadership-oriented role. It reinforced my belief that data work isn't just about numbers; it's about influence, empathy, and storytelling.

One ongoing challenge is navigating underrepresentation as a woman in a technical field. I’ve faced skepticism and systemic biases, but I’ve relied on mentorship, continuous learning, and a strong support system. Building credibility through outcomes, staying grounded in purpose, and mentoring others has been my way of turning challenges into momentum.

I plan to use this platform to advocate more boldly for inclusive hiring and mentorship in STEM. This recognition opens doors to new collaborations, speaking engagements, and leadership opportunities where I can amplify the importance of using data responsibly and the value of diverse voices in shaping that data.

The process forces you to pause and reflect on your impact—something we often overlook in fast-paced careers. It’s a chance to articulate your value, benchmark against industry peers, and gain visibility in ways that can catalyze growth, partnerships, and confidence.

Absolutely. I’m grateful to the cross-functional partners at EA and LinkedIn who brought curiosity, rigor, and collaboration to every project, as well as to the mentors who challenged and championed me throughout this journey.

AI continues to evolve rapidly, bringing both opportunity and responsibility. I see ethical AI, explainability, and user-centric design becoming non-negotiable.

Trust the compound effect of small, consistent efforts. Be curious, not just about tools but about people. And don’t underestimate the power of storytelling—it’s what transforms data into decisions.

Focus on outcomes, not just outputs. Highlight the ‘why’ behind your work, the impact it created, and the innovation it embodied. And stay authentic—judges can sense when a story is genuine and purpose-driven.

I’m exploring opportunities to scale my impact through mentorship programs and thought leadership.

Recognition like this is never the finish line; rather, it’s a checkpoint. Let’s keep building inclusive, ethical, and forward-thinking ecosystems where data empowers everyone. To the next generation of women in tech, I want to highlight that your seat at the table is not just earned, it’s essential.