The Future of Program Management with Industry Leader Hashnee Subbusundaram

As a cybersecurity program manager, Hashnee is ready to lead the industry into the next chapter.

Program management is a tough industry. But fortunately, it has Hashnee Subbusundaram, an experienced professional well-known for her out-of-the-box thinking and strategic foresight. She’s enjoyed a prestigious career marked by exciting breakthroughs at tech giants like Cisco, Lending Club, and Qualcomm.

And she has invaluable insights into the future trajectory of program management. After all, who better to turn to than someone like Hashnee, who has been in the trenches of cybersecurity, digital transformation, and leadership in tech? She has an exciting vision for the discipline, marked by advocacy for agile methodologies, thoughtful alignment, data-driven decision-making, enhanced stakeholder engagement, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation tools.

Agile and Hybrid Methodologies

Hashnee has long championed the integration of agile and hybrid methodologies in program management, recognizing their potential to increase adaptability and responsiveness in today’s dynamic project environments. At Cisco, her implementation of agile practices streamlined project execution, and enhanced the company’s ability to swiftly adapt to changing market demands and technological advancements. Hashnee predicts that the future of program management will heavily lean on these methodologies, and she emphasizes flexibility and continuous improvement.

The Imperative of Digital Transformation

Digital transformation is at the heart of Hashnee’s vision for the future of program management. Her work at Lending Club exemplifies this principle, where she led the end-to-end financing platform integration with Aspen dental clinics. This initiative smoothed the financing process and significantly enhanced customer experience through digital solutions. Hashnee foresees digital transformation as a critical driver of program management, and she believes it necessitates the adoption of new technologies to optimize operational workflows and facilitate organizational adaptation.

Prioritizing Strategic Alignment

Under Hashnee’s leadership, strategic alignment has become a key component of successful program management. At Qualcomm, she has led the launch of new Snapdragon Wear microprocessors and supporting autonomous drones and smart robots through Board Support Packages (BSPs) and chipsets.

Known for her ability to align projects with overarching organizational goals, Hashnee is leading the industry toward a future where program managers will play an integral role in making sure that every initiative contributes directly to the strategic objectives of the organization. This, she believes, will enhance both relevance and impact.

Harnessing Data for Decision-Making

Data-driven decision-making is another key aspect of Hashnee’s approach to program management. She utilizes data analytics and predictive modeling so that organizations like Cisco and Visa can make informed decisions, anticipate risks, and identify opportunities for improvement. Hashnee believes that the future of program management will increasingly rely on the ability to interpret and act upon data insights. This will allow for more strategic resource allocation, risk management, and performance optimization.

Enhancing Stakeholder Engagement

Hashnee’s tenure across various organizations has demonstrated the importance of stakeholder engagement in program management. She creates open lines of communication and understands stakeholder needs, and has successfully navigated complex project landscapes. Hashnee anticipates that effective stakeholder management will continue to be critical – it will require program managers to employ sophisticated communication strategies and collaboration tools to maintain alignment and buy-in from all parties involved.

Leveraging AI and Automation for Efficiency

The adoption of AI and automation tools represents a notable leap forward in program management practices. Hashnee’s initiatives, such as the implementation of AI-driven project management software and chatbots for stakeholder communication, show the potential of these technologies to enhance efficiency and productivity. She predicts that AI and automation will become indispensable in program management – after all, automating repetitive tasks lets managers focus on strategic decision-making and innovation.

Hashnee’s Philosophy on Leadership and Innovation

As program management keeps changing and evolving with advancements in tech, Hashnee predicts that leadership skills – already critical – will become even more important. In an industry that brings change with every new day, flexibility and adaptability are key, especially for managers.

“Successful program managers have to be adept at handling technical challenges,” says Hashnee. “They also have to possess strong leadership qualities – they have to inspire and motivate teams. But they should also be empathetic and inclusive. Each team member needs to feel valued – because they are valuable. We are all cogs in the machine of progress. And we all have value and purpose.”

Hashnee’s leadership style, characterized by the willingness to listen and learn, has been instrumental in her ability to lead teams through complex transformations and achieve remarkable outcomes. It’s clear why Hashnee is looked to as a leader in program management – she’s a leader in everything she does, whether it’s navigating the complexities of cybersecurity, pioneering innovative technological solutions, or mentoring the next generation of professionals. 

A Tech Pro to Watch

Hashnee’s multifaceted educational background includes multiple degrees across areas including computer science, marketing, and information system and audit control. Her extensive experience across various sectors empower her to drive strategic initiatives with a blend of technical expertise and business acumen. 

And her leadership goes beyond project success; Hashnee has impacted industry standards and helped to create a culture of continuous improvement, inclusivity, and forward-thinking. Her holistic approach to leadership and her commitment to excellence in all endeavors solidify her status as a guiding force in program management and beyond.

And in her own words, “The hallmark of a proficient program manager extends beyond mere task execution; it lies in their capacity to lead with empathy, empower their team, and navigate adversities with finesse In the realm of program management. Success isn’t merely gauged by project completion, but also by the teams motivated and the challenges adeptly addressed.”

Learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hashnee/