Manvi Madan – 2024 Emerging ICT Leader of the Year
Manvi is passionate about improving outcomes for organisations and their customers through the application of Data Science; however it was her leadership and focus on helping and developing others to support these goals which really impressed the 2024 NZ CIO Awards judges. Having demonstrated her academic credentials with a Master of Information Technology from the University of Auckland, Manvi has quickly become a significant contributor in the areas of Data Science, including Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, with a number of publications and conference presentations under her belt.
As a member of the team at the Port of Auckland, she has helped shape a common data platform migration to the Cloud, while still enabling operations via day to day data reporting activities, often stepping into temporary leadership voids to ensure successful outcomes. Manvi is a strong voice for ethics and equality in one of the fastest growing and most critical areas of Information Technology and sets the standard for emerging ICT Leaders.
Manvi’s journey is a testament to the power of technical expertise, people-first leadership, and a commitment to responsible technology. Her recent win of the ICT Emerging Leader Award at the NZ CIO Awards is a well-deserved recognition of her exceptional contributions at Port of Auckland.
In her finalist submission, Manvi highlighted her leadership of the Data Pipeline Automation project, a complex undertaking that delivered remarkable results. Working with a team of four, she spearheaded the effort to transform critical data pipelines, achieving a staggering $500,000 in annual operational cost savings for the Port. Beyond the financial impact, the project resulted in a more stable, accurate, and high-performing data portfolio.
However, Manvi’s success wasn’t solely defined by technical prowess. She emphasised the importance of her “people-first leadership,” highlighting her ability to guide her team through the “gnarliest of the technical challenges.” She recognised the human element in technology, understanding that even the most skilled engineers need support and guidance.
“I got to channelise my people-first leadership and lead the way for the people in my team when they dealt with the gnarliest of the technical challenges re-platforming these operationally critical data pipelines”
Manvi’s commitment to responsible technology use, particularly in data and AI, further solidified her leadership. She believes that a culture rooted in transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness is essential for the ethical implementation of these technologies.
A key aspect of her leadership style is her dedication to mentoring and coaching younger team members. She understood the challenges they faced and provided a supportive environment for them to brainstorm, vent, and ultimately thrive. This investment in her team proved invaluable, especially during times of uncertainty.
“One of the things that helped me navigate the challenging times during this project was investing in coaching and mentoring the younger people in my team to deliver the great outcomes, especially in the times when they felt uncertain and they needed somebody to brainstorm ideas with or to just have a little bit of a rant about how things have been,” she explained.
Manvi’s victory is more than just an individual achievement; it’s an inspiration to aspiring tech leaders across New Zealand. Her story demonstrates that technical excellence, coupled with empathetic leadership and a commitment to ethical practices, can drive significant impact.
Inspired by Manvi’s journey?
The NZ CIO Awards provide a platform to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions of IT professionals. Whether you’re an emerging leader yourself or know someone who deserves recognition, consider entering or nominating someone for the 2025 awards. Take a page from Manvi’s book and showcase your impact on the New Zealand technology landscape. Your story could be the next one celebrated…
Emerging ICT Leader of the Year Award
This award recognises and celebrates exceptional talent in New Zealand’s ICT sector— future leaders under 35 who are demonstrating outstanding ICT initiative and leadership.
The recipient will have already made a significant impact in their ICT career, demonstrated through outstanding initiative and leadership. This could include leading a high-performing ICT team in an established organisation, building a successful technology business, or mentoring underrepresented communities in digital leadership.