We are proud to spotlight Vaishnavi Hodigere for International Women’s Month 2026! As Senior Director of Engineering at ABBYY, Vaishnavi brings a blend of technical acuity and strategic leadership to her role. Vaishnavi is a proud woman in STEM, shaping products and teams that drive meaningful outcomes for customers around the world. Her journey has been driven by curiosity and a commitment to continuous growth.
Vaishanvi continues to inspire both her colleagues and the next generation of women in technology.
Learn more about her story:
Can you share a bit about your career, and what led you to ABBYY?
My career path has been anything but linear. I earned my bachelor’s degree in medical electronics engineering in India before moving to Detroit in 2006 to pursue a master’s and PhD in biomedical engineering. While working at the Detroit Medical Center and doing robotics research, I realized how niche that field was—and even though I was fascinated by the technical challenge, it felt too narrow for me at the time. That was the pivotal moment that pushed me to re-evaluate my path, and I decided to pivot into computer science.
That change wasn’t easy, it meant stepping into a broader, more competitive space and taking on a steep learning curve. But it also opened new opportunities, a larger job market, and the chance to work on high-impact problems. Ultimately, that shift is what opened the door to the career I have today at ABBYY.
Tell us about your journey at ABBYY. What does a typical day in your role look like?
My journey at ABBYY has been both dynamic and rewarding. Every day brings a new challenge to solve, and I’ve learned a lot by leaning into the unknown. I start early to connect with my teams in Europe and India, reviewing progress from their day, unblocking issues, and aligning on technical solutions and design decisions. From there, my day is a blend of deep dives, stakeholder conversations, and quick pivots as new customer needs emerge. What keeps it energizing is our #OneABBYY culture: people show up for each other, roll up their sleeves, and collaborate across time zones to deliver meaningful outcomes.
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If you could go back in time to your first day entering the professional world, what advice would you give to your younger self?
I entered the professional world right in the middle of the 2009 job-market crash—so I learned early that uncertainty is a given. I’d tell my younger self to treat time like the valuable resource it is: invest it intentionally in learning, building relationships, and doing work you’re proud of. And don’t let distractions in the background change your style or dim your confidence. Stay focused, keep showing up, and let your results speak for you.
What advice would you give to other women aspiring to succeed in a leadership role?
Lead by example, and don’t wait for “permission” to step into leadership. Take smart risks, volunteer for the hard problems, and get comfortable being a beginner because growth usually starts right on the other side of the unknown. Build a circle of mentors and sponsors who will challenge you and advocate for you, and do the same for others along the way. Most importantly, remember that you don’t need a title to lead: if you take ownership, bring clarity, and lift others up, you’re already leading.
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What’s a personal strength or quality you’re most proud of, and how has it helped you succeed?
A strength I’m most proud of is staying steady under pressure. In fast-moving projects, a calm mindset helps me listen, separate signals from noise, and make clear decisions without spreading stress to the team. Humor also matters; it builds trust, makes tough moments more human, and reminds us to enjoy the work we’re doing together. I’m a big believer in “work hard and play harder”. When people feel supported and energized, they do their best work.
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In your view, how is the landscape changing for women in tech and AI, and what excites you most about these changes?
The landscape is moving in a positive direction: more women are entering tech and AI, and the conversation is shifting from “why diversity matters” to “how we design and build better products with diverse teams.” AI is also accelerating learning, with new tools for personalized practice, coding support, and research to help people ramp up faster and close gaps in confidence. What excites me most is the compounding effect: as more women lead teams and build AI systems, we’ll see stronger role models, better collaboration, and technology that serves a wider set of real-world needs.
What’s something you’re passionate about outside of work that helps you recharge or stay inspired?
Outside of work, I recharge in nature. Living in Austin, Texas, we’re lucky to have incredible trails, lakes, swimming holes, and so many days of great weather. Most weekends you’ll find me hiking, biking, or swimming. I also love getting my hands dirty in my backyard. Right now, I’m experimenting with a small vegetable patch and planting wildflowers. Those quiet hours outdoors help me reset, stay curious, and come back to work with fresh energy and perspective.
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Please share a fun fact about yourself.
Fun fact: I’m training for a triathlon. I didn’t grow up playing organized sports, so committing to structured coaching and a training plan has been a whole new experience—and honestly, a little humbling in the best way. It’s also been eye-opening to see what consistency and discipline can unlock, both physically and mentally. Every week I feel a little stronger and more confident, and I love how the process reminds me that small, steady progress adds up to big results.
Meet our team at ABBYY Ascend
This immersive in person event, “Turning Complexity into Clarity”, will navigate attendees from AI experimentation to delivering measurable results. You can expect to learn how purpose-built AI transforms business-critical documents into actionable insights that drive operational efficiency, enhance workforce productivity, and elevate customer experiences.
Meet us in Nashville on April 16, or in Brussels on May 6. ABBYY Ascend will be coming to Bengaluru in Summer and Singapore this Fall.
