In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, the demand for leadership grounded in empathy, foresight, and human values has never been more critical. Navigating this complex intersection is Rashmi Sharma, a spirited leader adeptly merging deep technological expertise with a profound understanding of human potential. As Accenture’s Data & AI Leader for AI Tech Reinvention in Melbourne, and contributing her expertise to AI regulation efforts with the Tech Council of Australia, Rashmi is at the forefront of shaping how industries embrace innovation responsibly.
Her distinguished career, recognized with accolades like the Top Influential Woman in Tech Leadership of the Year Award (2025), Global Women of Influence Award (2024) and Woman Tech Champion of the Year (2023), reflects her ability to drive transformative solutions. Yet, Rashmi’s journey isn’t a conventional march up the corporate ladder. It’s a dynamic narrative woven over two decades, fuelled by relentless curiosity and a unique philosophy where technology meets humanity. Think less rigid blueprint, more responsive choreography – a path defined by adapting to the rhythm of innovation while always steering towards impactful, human-centric outcomes.
Beginnings: A Spark at the Crossroads
Rashmi Sharma’s initial career steps laid a solid foundation in the operational heart of banking and telecommunications. While grounded in service delivery and network operations, it was here that a crucial realization sparked: technology offered more than streamlined processes.
“I was fascinated by how technology could streamline operations,” Rashmi reflects, “but even more by how it could elevate human potential.” This insight marked a crossroads. Driven by an expanding curiosity, her focus pivoted towards digital transformation. Leading initiatives at Telenor and later spearheading product and innovation at Genpact, Rashmi actively explored technology’s power to reshape businesses, asking bigger questions about disruption and human benefit with each project.
This relentless questioning led her to pursue specialized studies in Artificial Intelligence at the Illinois Institute of Technology, deliberately equipping herself for the future she envisioned. “AI is an incredibly exciting technology that could help humanity… It is also one that will be dominated in large part by responsibility.” This duality – immense potential balanced with profound ethical considerations – would come to define her leadership.
At Accenture: The Engine Room of Innovation
Joining Accenture marked a pivotal chapter, amplifying Rashmi’s impact onto a global stage. Her role evolved from applying innovative ideas (Associate CTO, THR) to architecting transformative strategies (Generative AI Leader; Data & AI Leader for AI Tech Reinvention). Here, she focused on envisioning and enabling profound systemic and cultural shifts through AI and digital transformation.
Accenture provided fertile ground for such innovation – an environment nurturing pioneering ideas and global collaboration. “What excites me most,” she shares, “is building the future together with people.” For Rashmi, the true engine of innovation lies in collaborative co-creation.
Rashmi’s Leadership Philosophy
Rashmi believes that effective leadership hinges on three essentials: attentive listening, distributed ownership, and deliberate space for creativity. She begins by tuning in—tracking shifting conditions, emerging ideas, and the needs of each team member before acting. Rather than issuing rigid directives from the top, she sets a clear strategic theme and then delegates real decision making power to the people closest to the work. This approach accelerates problem solving, because individuals feel trusted to test solutions, learn from experiments, and refine quickly without waiting for top down approval.
Central to her style is the conviction that influence is earned through enabling others to thrive. She focuses on removing blockers, routing information transparently, and matching resources with opportunity hotspots. Team members are encouraged to contribute distinct perspectives, and the best ideas—regardless of source—are quickly integrated into the broader plan. Rashmi rewards constructive risk taking and ensures feedback flows in all directions so that lessons learned become shared knowledge.
In the fast moving technology sector, she emphasises psychological safety: people speak up early about potential flaws, voice unconventional proposals, and feel confident that their expertise will be respected. By cultivating an environment where every individual’s insight is valued and acted upon, Rashmi achieves outcomes that are both innovative and cohesive.
Advocating For AI Responsibility
For Rashmi Sharma, leading in the age of AI means innovation and responsibility must walk hand-in-hand. She champions the principle that technological advancement cannot occur in isolation from its ethical implications. “We can’t afford to develop technology in a vacuum,” she asserts.
Her approach is comprehensive, integrating ethical design frameworks, robust governance, transparency, and meaningful human oversight. This advocacy extends to the national stage through her involvement with the Tech Council of Australia, contributing to AI policy discussions to ensure progress aligns with societal values. Her conviction is clear: “It’s not just about what AI can do, but what it should do… We have to make sure that technology remains human-centered.”
Sponsorship: Championing New Voices
Rashmi’s leadership extends significantly beyond strategic planning; she is deeply invested in actively championing and mentoring the next generation of tech talent, fostering inclusive ecosystems. She combines guidance (“Mentorship isn’t just about giving advice – it’s about unlocking potential”) with active sponsorship – using her platform to promote deserving individuals. “I will always be an advocate for making them visible and exposing them to the resources that could set them up for success,” she affirms.
This dedication stems from deep understanding. As a woman who has navigated the complexities of the STEM landscape, Rashmi is acutely aware of the challenges many face, fuelling her drive to ensure talent, regardless of background, can flourish.
Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges
Navigating spaces where women are often underrepresented, Rashmi’s approach was defined by resilience and impact. “There were times when I had to prove my credibility twice over — but I chose to let excellence speak for itself,” she reflects. Through unwavering discipline and quality focus, she not only excelled but helped pave the way for others.
Today, she actively uses her influence to build bridges, championing concrete changes like holistic hiring practices, equitable promotions, and psychological safety. “Real inclusion is not just a metric – it is a mindset,” she asserts firmly. “And it starts with leaders.”
Writing the Human Story of Technology
In 2024, Rashmi added ‘author’ to her accomplishments with “Evolution of Technology: The Human Story, Upgraded.” Far more than a technical chronicle, the book explores the intricate co-evolution of humankind and our tools – from fire to AI. “I wanted to zoom out, to tell the larger story we often miss,” Rashmi explains. “Technology isn’t just code or circuitry. It is a mirror reflecting our values, ambitions, and fears.”
The book examines how ingenuity drives progress while grappling with ethical dilemmas. It serves as both chronicle and examination, challenging readers towards active engagement in shaping a future where innovation truly uplifts humanity—a call to become conscious architects of our ongoing technological story.
Recognition as Responsibility
Accolades mark milestones in Rashmi’s career, including Woman Tech Champion of the Year (2023), Global Women of Influence Award (2024), and Top Influential Woman in Tech Leadership of the Year 2025. Yet, her perspective remains grounded. “Yes, it feels gratifying, but more importantly, motivating.”
Awards aren’t destinations but fuel—validation and encouragement to continue pushing boundaries. This perspective is tied to a deep sense of duty. “The more visible you are, the more responsibility you have,” she believes. She sees honours as opportunities—and obligations—to inspire the next generation and advocate for positive change.
Advocating For Her Community
Rashmi’s commitment to community impact is deeply woven into her professional life rather than traditional volunteering. Her advocacy centers on ensuring technology evolves as an accessible, benevolent force. “While I may not participate in formal charity work, my mission is integrated within my daily activities,” she explains, through mentorship, knowledge sharing, and advocating for responsible tech practices. “I am attempting to develop a more equitable and inclusive future in technology through mentorship, teaching, and advocacy.”
This commitment is evident in the guidance she offers, distilled into core advice: “Master the fundamentals. Speak up. Stay curious. Be bold, and remember to lift others as you rise.” Empowering individuals and shaping the tech ecosystem is how Rashmi channels her contribution.
Powering the Next Frontier
Today, Rashmi remains at the cutting edge—guiding AI driven programmes, championing responsible technology, and contributing to global innovation forums. She recognises that the dialogue between humans and machines is still unfolding, and she actively invites others to join the conversation and influence the next phase.
Her leadership vision centres on collaboration. She creates environments where diverse experts exchange ideas freely, align around a shared purpose, and elevate one another’s work. As technological progress accelerates, Rashmi is determined to keep it aligned with human well being—building a future that is brighter, more inclusive, and firmly centred on human potential.