Q1. Why are you nominating this person?  What contribution(s) and achievement(s) qualify the nominee for this award? Was their contribution(s)/achievement(s) for their organization, business, or client?

I want to nominate Ruchi Birla because of her outstanding contribution to the success of an extremely complicated and value adding project moving the client from a legacy platform to a strategic platform. The client, UK's leading hospitality brand, had failed with the adoption of the strategic platform multiple times in the past. Ruchi was instrumental in the success of the multi million dollar, multi year project. As a lead BA, she became the face of Cognizant, liaising between the business & the project team. She has been involved in all the phases of the projects, right from requirements elicitation to development to deployment, managing client client relationship very well. She has received appreciation on various occasions by the client as well as from the project team for her continuous involvement in the project.

Q2. What metrics, if any, coincide with this nomination (e.g., financial, business growth, or client satisfaction impact)?

Owing to Ruchi's contribution and relation building skills, we have been able to grow the account with our key client by 30%. Her role, contribution and relationship with the client has helped Cognizant secure the extension of the project, onboard more resources and increase the project scope. As a lead BA, she will be on the project post deployment as well, during hyper care - this shows how much the client values her.

Q3. Please describe their influence. Is it internal via leadership roles, chairing groups, etc. or external via social media, speaking engagements, thought leadership, etc.?

Ruchi has led the team comprised of various functional and non functional groups and steered the team to success in delivering key project goals. She has kept the whole team motivated, engaged and collaborate towards a common goal. Throughout the course of the project, she has conducted various knowledge sharing sessions as well workshops to ensure the team moved and progressed at a smooth pace.  For our consulting practice, she has been facilitating monthly practice team meeting. She works with various members of the SLT and her peers to put together all the current updates of the practice covering business updates & people updates thereby making the practice feel like a cohesive family.

Q4. What personal qualities have they demonstrated that would qualify them for this nomination (e.g., promotes collaboration, great communicator, supports other women, leads by example)?

Ruchi has demonstrated excellent communication skills, collaborative attitude, leads by example, keeps the team motivated and focused on key deliverables in her current lead BA role. She is a very good team player and excels in building good, trustworthy relationship. Her success in her current assignment is reflective of her qualities.

Q5. Is there any other information you would like us to consider?

Ruchi has an interesting professional background. She was involved in her own tech startup, successfully delivering a software product. Her career in Cognizant so far has been very successful and has followed a steep upwards trajectory. She is a very well established member of the practice and shares a good relationship with all. Her inter personal skills are an asset.  Outside of her professional life, Ruchi is an avid reader, dancer, traveler and a good cook. A mother of two boys, she has managed her personal & professional life very well, giving her best at all times.

Nomination Summary

I am nominating Ruchi Birla, a consultant in our practice, for this award category. Her outstanding contribution to the project, her instrumental part in the project extension, her dedication towards her work, her relationship with her client as well as her peers and her forever positive attitude make her well suited for this nomination.

In which of the following years did the nominee demonstrate these qualities/achieve these results? Select all that apply.

2022, 2023