Making History with Relentless Determination and Technological Excellence
“Make history or be part of it” is a quote by Phil Knight that describes Koushik Sundar’s life. His intense determination to accomplish goals has earned him over 40 awards over his professional career. A technologist, he is a problem solver who wants to make the world a truly better place.
Since early on, he has been more inclined and aligned with technology, which he feels is a big enabler in business operations. He acknowledges that being a technologist means understanding business, which is crucial for grasping clients’ unspoken needs and providing effective support. Currently, he is working on an exchange-traded derivatives platform, a fast-paced environment that requires adapting to rapid changes in global markets. He states, “This role is fascinating because events worldwide can impact markets across continents, illustrating the butterfly effect. For instance, a client trading in Japan can influence the U.S. market. As a technologist, I encounter various algorithmic challenges, highlighting the importance of math and statistics in developing technology that impacts business.”
As in the constantly evolving nature of business and technology, Koushik finds it imperative to stay ahead of the curve. He evaluates emerging technologies to determine their potential benefits for business and make relevant recommendations. He feels that addressing technical debt is crucial, as outdated systems can be vulnerable. Throughout his career, he has modernised various business-critical components, ensuring his team finds the right balance—avoiding the pitfalls of adopting the latest technology without understanding its impact while not compromising security and stability.
His passion has always stemmed from problem-solving, which also serves as a motivating factor for him. He particularly excels in tackling technical challenges and business issues. He feels that the latest advancements, including Generative AI, provide opportunities to improve our work and world. He stays ahead by reading extensively and focusing on learning and sharing knowledge, which helps him remain distinguished and at the top of my field.
Koushik’s leadership style is defined by his energy to influence and motivate a team, his transparency, and his ability to provide clear direction, focus, and commitment. He firmly believes that leadership is not about a title but about shaping oneself. When pursued with passion, success and recognition will follow, bringing a sense of fulfilment. He also emphasizes the importance of taking breaks to recharge and bounce back, as the journey of leadership can lead to burnout.
Since childhood, he has been inspired by many ingenious people, including Phil Knight, the co-founder of Nike Inc. He read about him and his humble journey, beginning with a trip to Japan to build over $45 billion net worth. He was particularly influenced by his leadership style, which is hands-off with minimal delegation and embodies a fearless approach to risk-taking. Despite his immense wealth, he has contributed significantly to charity, donating millions to research aimed at combating poverty and climate change, which is truly something of value to me personally.
He shares his life mantra and states, “Be open-minded, curious to learn, and respectful towards others. Practice empathy, as we often don’t know the challenges others face. Engaging with people can lead to learning and inspiration. Dedicate yourself fully to your work, and success will follow. Remember, success is not a race or destination and varies for everyone. It is a journey, so enjoy it with your loved ones, creating beautiful memories to look back on and share.”
Regarding his strengths in life, Koushik feels he is persistent, resilient, affirmative, and committed. Being a person who doesn’t easily give up on things, he believes it is worth trying and failing because it reveals what he needs to improve, rather than not trying at all. He seeks knowledge by learning from others’ experiences and understanding what worked for them and what didn’t. On the other hand, he feels his weakness is an intense focus and feels it is necessary to refocus on the bigger picture to stay aligned with the goals. He says, “I have been taking a more holistic approach to advance my professional and personal goals, and it’s helping shape this side of me.”
Koushik has been bestowed with over 40 awards from his current and previous employers for his various contributions. He has been honoured to serve on the review and judging panels for prestigious awards such as the Globee Awards, Stevie Awards, Technovation Girls, NCWIT, and various hackathons. He remarks, “Another achievement I am proud of is receiving a Guinness World Record certificate for the longest line of batteries. In this initiative, I volunteered and assisted young students (who run the NGO) dedicated to recycling batteries for a sustainable environment.”