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From supplier delays to mismatched records and missed deadlines, logistics issues can slow down even the largest companies. And when mistakes in logistics or data go unnoticed, the cost multiplies quickly.
Many of the world’s biggest companies—Fortune 50 and 100 firms—rely on analytics teams to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. When problems pile up, they often turn to outside experts who understand both the technical side and the business realities.
One of those experts is Devang Joshi, a highly sought-after data strategist and AI consultant who’s helping reshape how major organizations use data to drive results. As a Senior Consultant at Ernst & Young, Joshi plays a hands-on role in the firm’s four-person AI strategy team, advising clients on how to identify the right use cases, build smarter systems, and make more informed decisions. The practices he has implemented in these areas have had a significant impact on the field.
“My focus is always on turning data into decisions that matter,” he says. “Whether it’s improving data quality or launching scalable AI projects, I try to connect the technical work to the real problems businesses are facing.”
Joshi brings over five years of experience across the U.S., India, Dubai, and Indonesia, earning a reputation for tackling complex analytics and governance challenges in industries such as manufacturing and consumer goods.
“I’ve always believed that the core challenge is the same no matter where you are: how do you turn raw data into meaningful action?” he says. “What changes is the context—culture, systems, processes. You can’t approach them all the same way.”
His path into analytics started in Manipal, where he studied Electrical and Electronics Engineering as an undergrad. When Satya Nadella became Microsoft CEO in 2014, it shifted how Joshi thought about his career: “His journey made me realize that technical skills on their own aren’t enough,” Joshi says. “You need to understand the business layer to create real impact.”
He studied Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the Manipal Institute of Technology– diving into Microsoft-led trainings that focused on cloud platforms and sentiment analysis: “Those projects helped me connect theory with real-world tools,” he says. “It was the first time I saw how something like sentiment analysis could influence strategy at scale.”
Later, he pursued a master’s degree in Business Analytics at the University of Cincinnati, where he delved deeper into tools such as Python, SQL, and statistical modeling.
“That program helped me connect the dots,” Joshi says. “It showed me how data could be used to solve problems that mattered.”
High-Stakes Data Fixes
Joshi has been brought in to solve complex, high-stakes data problems—especially in manufacturing and consumer goods, where even minor errors can result in millions of dollars in costs. He is frequently brought in when operations are at risk and millions of dollars are on the line.
One of his most critical assignments involved a leading HVAC manufacturer in the United States. The company faced nearly $800,000 in penalties due to discrepancies between its shipping and product data. Joshi was asked to lead the creation of a new governance model and data quality strategy.
“It was a high-pressure situation,” Joshi recalls. “We had to uncover the root cause quickly—why shipments weren’t matching product records—and build a structure that could prevent these breakdowns from happening again.”
He assembled and led a 20-person analyst team, applying a custom-built data governance framework to restore system-wide integrity. To reconcile the mismatches, Joshi’s team used PySpark, Pandas, and Databricks — but not just for technical tasks.
“These tools helped us dig into the messiest corners of the data,” he explains. “They allowed us to pinpoint where errors were creeping in and clean up inconsistencies across systems that had never talked to each other before.”
He didn’t stop at fixing the problem. Joshi also introduced the company’s first automated data quality monitoring dashboards, built with Power BI and Databricks. The system improved data accuracy across 1,200 attributes and unlocked a $5 million digital transformation program that had previously stalled due to data issues.
These dashboard processes are now adopted universally when using Power BI and Databricks, changing previous practices.
Colleagues credit Devang's decisive and meticulous approach with this success. Cory Whited, Manager in Ernst & Young's AI & Data practice, says: "Devang's impact on high-stakes operations has been extraordinary. He oversaw a significant supply chain data project that I witnessed, and the client saved millions of dollars thanks to his careful attention to data quality and process enhancement. He is skilled at breaking down difficult operational problems under duress and coming up with long-term fixes that boost an organization's productivity and adaptability.''
Training the Front Lines
A key part of Joshi’s approach includes working directly with the people behind the data. At the same HVAC firm, he led training and alignment sessions with factory managers who were not familiar with digital systems.
“I led training sessions and workshops to demonstrate how digital tools could enhance their existing skills,” says Joshi. “Many of these team members had years of operational experience, but limited exposure to modern analytics. My goal was to show them that data wasn’t replacing their expertise, but it was amplifying it.”
He also developed recorded video materials and helped integrate them into the company’s internal onboarding processes.
“Seeing the company’s culture evolve to embrace data-driven practices was incredibly satisfying,” Joshi reflects. “There was initial resistance, but over time, managers started coming to me with ideas on how to use data proactively. That shift in mindset was the real success.”
In another engagement, Joshi helped improve warehouse logistics for a global food and beverage company. Delivery drivers were experiencing frequent delays due to lack of coordination on shipment readiness. Joshi analyzed the company’s data to understand the bottlenecks and provided a solution that improved throughput and reduced waiting times.
“The problem wasn’t just the data—it was the timing,” Joshi explains. “By aligning analytics with on-the-ground operations, we made sure that warehouse teams and drivers were finally working in sync. It was a small change that made a big impact.” he added.
He visualized this data using Python and Tableau, making it accessible to the company’s operations staff and enabling real-time adjustments.
“He also advised a Fortune 50 pharmaceutical and medical device company, based in Europe, as it prepared to spin off its consumer goods business into a separate company. This required setting up an entirely new data and AI structure from the ground up.”
“This involved defining job descriptions, identifying required qualifications, and outlining forward-thinking capabilities: to ensure competitiveness five years out,” he says.
His work ensured that the new company could adopt AI and analytics from day one, rather than relying on legacy structures.
Ricky Rivera, an operations lead who worked with Devang's team, recalls: ''Data inconsistencies and communication breakdowns hindered our supply chain operations before Devang's intervention.”
Rivera adds: “Any entity addressing multifaceted data projects or seeking to connect technical and commercial realms would gain immensely from Devang's expertise. I eagerly anticipate him spearheading even grander efforts, and I enthusiastically endorse him for positions requiring profound knowledge alongside superior relational guidance.''
Standing Up New Systems
Joshi has reviewed internal AI service offerings, contributed to peer-reviewed project materials, and led stakeholder workshops with more than 20 participants. In one case, he helped align leadership across multiple business units, resulting in a $200,000 engagement.
He is also involved in recruiting and case study evaluations, helping Ernst & Young assess the problem-solving skills of new hires.
He continues to expand his presence in the field of data science and artificial intelligence through membership in global professional organizations. These affiliations support his efforts to stay up to date with new frameworks and technical standards.
Shaping Strategy at Scale
Joshi is known for his reliability, clear communication, and team-first approach. His five core work values include inclusivity, attention to detail, client focus, agility, and collaboration.
“In a remote work environment, I ensure my team stays connected across geographies, fostering strong relationships,” says Joshi. “We maintain regular check-ins and shared spaces for collaboration, which help us stay aligned on priorities and deliverables. I also encourage open communication and inclusivity—everyone’s perspective matters, whether they’re a developer in India or a project lead in the U.S. That culture of connection and trust is what allows us to execute effectively, even across time zones.”
He’s also valued by clients for balancing technical depth with a focus on outcomes.
In recent months, Joshi has focused on helping clients choose and implement AI use cases with measurable returns.
“Over the past six months my team has worked on developing service offerings that guide clients toward use cases with clear returns on investment,” he says.
“A lot of companies are diving into AI because it’s the hot thing,” Joshi says. “But without a clear plan, it ends up as a checklist item—something that doesn’t really solve anything.”
Prithviraj Nag, who is Joshi’s senior manager at Ernst & Young, has seen first hand how Joshi’s AI approach is making a significant impact: “Devang has played a crucial part in defining Ernst 7 Young's AI approach. He spearheaded the demand evaluation for AI strategy, rapidly digesting relevant data and advancing it with accuracy.”
But he adds his skills don’t just stop with AI: “He has organized discussions with partners and clearly conveyed the value of this initiative to secure its focus. His talent for analyzing and condensing complex survey results into executive-level PowerPoint presentations was vital to our planning efforts.
“Additionally, he was central to the Gen AI Innovation Studio project, creating content, ensuring responsibility from senior participants, and aligning across different practices and account groups to propel this key endeavor forward."
His focus is on helping teams figure out what problems are worth solving and which tools will actually get them there. That means looking at everything from the quality of their data to how ready the organization is to handle automation or forecasting.
His experience working in places like Indonesia, India, Dubai, and the U.S. has also shaped how he builds those solutions. “Each region comes with its own challenges,” he says. “Sometimes it's a tech issue—other times, it’s culture or training. You can’t just drop in a template and expect it to work. You have to adapt.”
That flexibility is part of what makes his approach work. Whether it’s food delivery or manufacturing, Joshi looks for what fits the environment—not just what looks good on paper.
Working Across Borders
Joshi’s goal is not to build complexity for the sake of sophistication. Instead, Joshi focuses on systems that support the daily work of employees—simplifying tracking, standardizing inputs, and improving the speed and accuracy of information.
“I’ve automated reports that used to take hours and built dashboards that help teams make quicker calls,” Joshi says. “The point isn’t to impress—it’s to make people’s jobs easier.” he adds
These systems help companies spot issues before they grow and free up time for more important work. For teams on the ground, that can mean fewer delays, less manual effort, and faster responses when things go off track.
Joshi’s focus is always on creating tools that are both useful and technically sound. Over the years, he’s worked with engineers, factory managers, and senior leaders—adapting to each group’s needs and pressures. Whether it’s helping a global company through a major restructuring or streamlining how data is entered on the floor, his goal stays the same: build solutions people will use.
“I want to be remembered as someone who made work easier for clients and colleagues,” Joshi says. “Whether that means automating weekly reports or building dashboards that actually get used, I care about solutions that last.”
Driving Purpose With Data
Many companies are now focusing more on practical planning and accurate operations. Joshi supports that shift by helping teams create clear systems, reduce errors, and make better use of the data they already have.
“What motivates me is seeing technology actually solve real problems,” Joshi says. “Sometimes it’s helping a company like Nestlé keep deliveries on schedule. Other times, it’s preventing a production line from stalling during a crisis like COVID. That’s the kind of impact that matters to me.”
For him, every system comes back to the people behind it—the decision-makers, the operators, the teams trying to keep things running. That’s why he puts as much focus on clarity and usability as he does on the tech itself. “If it doesn’t help someone do their job better,” he adds, “it’s not doing its job either.”
