New Product & Product Management Awards Judging Committee
Chair:
Sagar Ganapaneni, Head of Data Science, Data Powered Services
Intuit, San Jose, California, United States
Sagar Ganapaneni is a distinguished leader with over a decade of experience in data science, algorithmic marketing optimization, and advertising technology, driving innovation at the intersection of data, AI, product, and business strategy. As Chair of the New Product & Product Management Awards Judging Committee for the 2025 American Business Awards, he brings deep expertise in data-driven decision-making to evaluate and recognize groundbreaking advancements in data-centric product innovation. At Intuit, Sagar leads data science for a suite of data-powered services, including SMB MediaLabs, the first-of-its-kind B2B media network for small businesses. Focused on addressing the challenges of targeting SMBs in the evolving digital advertising landscape, he oversees a team of data scientists and engineers, driving the creation and commercialization of resilient data assets while ensuring regulatory compliance and strategic alignment.
Previously, Sagar played a pivotal role in scaling Teladoc Health’s AI-driven growth programs, contributing to multimillion-dollar ARR expansion. His career spans key positions at Adobe, Expedia, Cypress Semiconductor, and Sabre, where he built AI and data science solutions enhancing product intelligence, personalization, marketing optimization, and operational efficiency. Beyond corporate leadership, Sagar is a highly regarded figure in data science and marketing technology, shaping the industry through advisory roles and thought leadership. He serves on advisory boards and leadership committees for organizations like MMA Global and the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), contributing to industry standards and innovation. As a Gartner Peer Community Ambassador and AIM Leaders Council member and an IEEE senior member he collaborates with global experts. A passionate advocate for AI education, Sagar mentors emerging professionals through Google’s KaggleX Fellowship and advises Texas A&M University’s MS Analytics Program, bridging academia and industry. His contributions to AI governance and responsible data practices earned him recognition as one of the 100 Most Influential AI Leaders in the USA for 2024 by AI100.
A seasoned judge, Sagar has evaluated industry-leading innovations for the Stevie Awards, MMA Smarties, ECHO Awards, and ANA B2 Awards. His ability to identify transformative technologies and assess product excellence makes him a key figure in recognizing business innovation. While his achievements define his professional success, his deep-rooted values set him apart. He aspires to be remembered not just for his career accomplishments but for his positive impact on society and those around him. Committed to driving AI-powered business transformation, he continues to foster innovation and honor groundbreaking achievements as Chair of the 2025 Stevie Awards Judging Committee.
Committee:
Keshav Agrawal, Senior Director of Product
Walmart, Jersey City, New Jersey, United States
Keshav is a product leader with 10+ years of experience in eCommerce and technology. As Senior Director of Product at Walmart eCommerce, he leads teams driving product search and discovery. Previously at Deloitte and Quantcast, he holds an MBA from Wharton, an MS from UCLA, and a BTech from IIT Kanpur.
Parth Desai, Founding Engineer
Litmus Automation Inc, Santa Clara, California, United States
Parth Desai, founding engineer at Litmus Automation since June 2016, brings over a decade of expertise in product management and software development. Leading industrial driver development for Litmus Edge, he has significantly contributed to advancing industries' IIOT adoption through numerous solutions.
Shafeeq Ur Rahaman, Associate Director
Monks, Dublin, California, United States
Shafeeq Ur Rahaman is the Associate Director of Analytics & Data Infrastructure at Monks. With over 12 years of experience in data analytics, cloud automation, and business intelligence, he leads large-scale data transformation projects. He holds a Master’s in Management Information Systems from the University of Illinois Springfield.
Jawahar Thangavelu, Software Engineer
Joby Aviation, Santa Cruz, California, United States
Jawahar has been a software engineer at Joby Aviation since 2021. He has been working in the Aerospace industry for the past 18 years and has expertise in Program Management, Real Time Embedded aerospace applications, and Software life cycle processes including Design, Development, Verification, and Validation activities for safety systems.