Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Awards
Timeline
Generic

SWATHI JILLELLA

Columbus,OH

Summary

Visionary technology leader with 20+ years of expertise spearheading enterprise-wide digital transformations and pioneering technology initiatives, particularly in Generative AI. Proven ability to leverage emerging technologies to deliver high-value projects, drive strategic growth, and enhance operational efficiency.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Emerging Technologies - Technology Enablement Leader

Nationwide
10.2021 - Current
  • Specialized in Idea-to-Impact Transformation: At Nationwide, transformed conceptual ideas into scalable, impactful solutions by leveraging advanced technology. Delivered transformative outcomes by moving projects from ideation through experimentation to production pilots and enterprise-scale deployment.
  • Accelerated AI-Driven Innovation:
    Developed and implemented a comprehensive technology roadmap for Generative AI, addressing key pillars like Platforms/Models, Data, Integration, Security, and Operations, ensuring enterprise readiness for emerging AI technologies.
    Conducted a comparative analysis of cloud platforms in 3 months, producing an authoritative viewpoint that influenced enterprise decisions. Enabled Azure Cognitive Services and GCP Vertex AI platforms, providing Generative AI "Model as a Service" capabilities for streamlined adoption.
  • Rapid Application Development and Deployment: Built the Gen AI Playground as a production pilot within 2 months, enabling experimentation and adoption of Generative AI technologies.
    Delivered the Chat with Your Data application within 5 months, integrating features for multiple file types (Excel, Word, PDF, TXT, PowerPoint). Rolled out to 24,000 associates, significantly enhancing productivity and collaboration.
  • Driving Experimentation and Scaling Results:
    Created over 10 "art of the possible" experiments in one year, showcasing cutting-edge Generative AI technologies. Successfully transitioned 3 experiments to production, scaling them enterprise-wide.
    Introduced advanced techniques like prompt engineering, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and Agentic AI patterns to enhance AI-powered user experiences.
  • Industry Recognition and Leadership:
    Received the prestigious Nationwide CEO Award for Innovation, acknowledging leadership in scaling Generative AI adoption across the organization.
    Directed a high-performing team of 10+ specialists, including data engineers, data scientists, and full-stack developers, to deliver strategic solutions and establish robust guidelines for production-grade applications.
  • Data Strategy Leadership:
    As the Generative AI enablement lead, established a systematic data readiness approach, focusing on unstructured data. Delivered a roadmap within 4-6 months that included vector database integration, data pipelines, and cataloging systems, ensuring scalable and efficient data solutions.
  • Cutting-Edge Product Delivery Beyond AI:
    Spearheaded the launch of parametric insurance for wildfires and the Home Journey guide, accelerating time-to-market through agile delivery methodologies

Product Architect

Nationwide
08.2018 - 09.2021
  • As a Product Architect, I have been instrumental in driving Nationwide’s digital transformation by turning visionary ideas into consistent distribution patterns that deliver measurable business impact. My leadership in architecting scalable, innovative solutions has fundamentally transformed how Nationwide distributes products and collaborates with partners.
  • One of my signature achievements is architecting a private labeling solution that revolutionized insurance product distribution. This self-service platform empowered agents to autonomously create private label websites through a custom portal architecture, enabling them to configure and bind quotes. The solution generated over $1M in direct written premium within its first year of distribution channel launch, demonstrating the power of scalable, agent-centric innovation.
  • In 2018, I led the rapid scaling of Nationwide Express, extending its reach from a single state to over 20 states in just three months. This effort facilitated broader access for external agents and direct customers, showcasing my ability to scale complex platforms at a rapid pace while ensuring reliability and consistency.
  • Additionally, I played a key role in integrating strategic partners such as Toyota, Amazon, and comparative rater solutions with Nationwide Express and Policy Center. I devised architectural patterns and provided strategic guidance that enabled seamless integrations, creating a consistent and reusable framework for partner collaboration.
  • Recognizing the need for scalable content management, I led the evaluation of headless CMS solutions, culminating in the enterprise-wide adoption of Contentful. This effort standardized Nationwide’s content delivery approach, enabling cross-functional collaboration and setting a foundation for future scalability across business lines.
  • As Nationwide embarked on its cloud transformation journey, I empowered engineering teams by offering architectural support for the development of web and microservice applications in AWS. I also strategized the migration of legacy applications to the cloud, ensuring a seamless transition while maintaining operational integrity.
  • In every initiative, I have focused on turning innovative concepts into repeatable patterns that benefit both technology teams and the business. My contributions have consistently delivered value, from enabling agents to succeed through self-service platforms to driving strategic partnerships and ensuring enterprise-wide technology standardization.

Systems Architect

Nationwide
02.2014 - 07.2018


  • As a Systems Architect, I have led the modernization of critical back-office applications, transforming traditional processes in Treasury, Reconciliation, and Supplier Management into agile, scalable, and API-driven systems that meet the evolving needs of the enterprise. My approach has been centered on introducing cutting-edge technology, streamlining operations, and aligning IT capabilities with business objectives.
  • I played a key role in modernizing integration patterns, transitioning from legacy file-based integrations to robust API-driven architectures. A significant milestone in this journey was designing and deploying Finance IT's first REST APIusing Apigee, which enabled seamless check status inquiries and set a precedent for future integrations.
  • In partnership with the Treasury business, I developed and presented a comprehensive application suite roadmap that aligned technical capabilities with strategic business goals. This roadmap provided a clear vision for modernizing critical systems and optimizing workflows, ensuring alignment between IT management and business leadership.
  • Recognizing the importance of modern SaaS solutions, I strategically contributed to the RFP and tool selection process that resulted in the successful migration from Peoplefluent to Fieldglass. This transition brought improved functionality, streamlined supplier management processes, and reduced operational complexity.
  • I have also led infrastructure refreshes, transitioning back-office applications from outdated systems to standardized technology platforms, ensuring scalability, reliability, and improved performance. These efforts were pivotal in maintaining operational continuity while enabling future innovation.


Contractor/Tech Lead

Nationwide
08.2010 - 01.2014


  • As a Technical Lead, I have consistently delivered high-quality, end-to-end project execution by combining strong technical leadership with a focus on team enablement and strategic planning. My expertise spans the entire software development lifecycle, from technical design to performance testing and release planning, ensuring successful outcomes for critical initiatives.
  • I played a pivotal role in decomposing Epics into actionable user stories and technical tasks, creating a clear and prioritized project backlog for initiatives supporting Retirement Plans Private and the Application Development Center. By performing in-depth technical analysis of user stories, I identified and resolved technical dependencies, ensuring seamless project execution.
  • To maintain high standards of code quality, I scheduled and conducted code reviews, providing constructive feedback and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the development team. I also collaborated on performance testing efforts, ensuring robust, scalable, and efficient solutions that met or exceeded performance benchmarks.
  • Recognizing the importance of team growth and consistency, I onboarded six new developers, creating a structured onboarding backlog to accelerate their integration into the team and establish a foundation for success. This initiative enhanced team productivity and ensured seamless project delivery.
  • I partnered with Iteration Managers to identify and mitigate risks and issues for both current and upcoming projects, enabling proactive problem-solving and maintaining project momentum. Additionally, I prioritized and managed the technical debt backlog, balancing long-term system health with immediate project needs.
  • Through my leadership, I ensured that projects were delivered with precision, efficiency, and collaboration, while fostering a team culture that emphasized technical excellence and innovation. By combining strategic vision with hands-on execution, I have consistently delivered value to both the business and the engineering team, establishing myself as a trusted leader in driving technical success.

Senior Programmer Analyst - Contractor

US DOE, USDA Forest Service
06.2009 - 07.2010
  • During my tenure with the US Department of Energy and the USDA Forest Service, I focused on the design and delivery of web applications, leveraging Java/J2EE technologies alongside frameworks like Spring and Hibernate. I worked on developing and implementing solutions on enterprise platforms, ensuring scalability, reliability, and adherence to best practices.
  • Collaborating with diverse teams, I gained valuable insights into packaged applications and their integration within larger enterprise ecosystems. This experience enhanced my understanding of end-to-end application lifecycles, from architecture and design to delivery.
  • These roles allowed me to refine my technical acumen while embracing opportunities to learn and implement emerging frameworks and methodologies, laying a strong foundation for delivering impactful solutions in dynamic environments.

Senior Programmer Analyst - Contractor

DTE Energy
12.2006 - 03.2009
  • At DTE Energy, I worked extensively with Java/J2EE middleware technologies, leveraging frameworks like Spring and Hibernate to build reliable, scalable applications deployed on WebSphere and WebLogic platforms.
  • I played a critical role in data migration efforts, developing PL/SQL stored procedures to seamlessly transition legacy data to modern meter data management systems. My contributions ensured data integrity and smooth transitions during system upgrades.
  • On the front end, I utilized JSF and ADF frameworks to enhance user interfaces, while also creating JAXB parsers to streamline data handling between systems. I embraced Test-Driven Development (TDD) principles, writing comprehensive JUnit tests to ensure the robustness and reliability of the solutions I delivered.
  • These experiences not only deepened my technical expertise but also demonstrated my ability to quickly adapt to new tools and methodologies, contributing effectively to team success while continuously learning and growing as a developer.


Programmer Analyst - Contractor

Dow Jones
12.2004 - 11.2006
  • At Dow Jones, I contributed to the development of web applications for Dow Jones News Plus and The Wall Street Journal, focusing on building and enhancing customer-facing websites and supporting applications for publishers. My work involved designing and implementing solutions using DHTML, JavaScript, JSP, Struts, and Spring MVC, as well as integrating server-side components with Java Servlets, EJB, and JDBC.
  • This role provided me with valuable experience in working with XML feeds and persers to deliver dynamic content and honed my skills in building scalable web applications.

Programmer Analyst - Contractor

Standard & Poor's
08.2004 - 11.2004
  • During my internship at Standard & Poor’s, I was tasked with developing Java-based solutions to parse and process large XML files efficiently. This role required attention to detail and strong problem-solving skills to handle complex data structures and ensure accurate parsing for downstream applications.
  • This experience provided me with a foundational understanding of working with enterprise-level data and introduced me to best practices in Java development.

Education

Masters - Computer Science

New Jersey Institute of Technology
Newark, NJ
01.2005

Skills

  • Critical Thinking
  • Problem Solving
  • Adaptability & Risk Taking
  • Strategic Agility
  • Driving Execution
  • Impactful Delivery
  • Strategic Communication
  • Influencing & Negotiation
  • Executive Presence
  • Coaching and Mentoring
  • Strong Work Ethic
  • Creative Thinking
  • Thought Leadership
  • Self-Learner
  • Generative AI
  • Data Science and NLP
  • Data & Analytics
  • Emerging Technologies
  • Digital
  • Cloud
  • Packaged Applications
  • AWS
  • Azure
  • GCP
  • Vertex AI
  • Azure Open AI Models
  • Anthropic Claude Models
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP)
  • Azure Cognitive Services
  • Prompt Engineering
  • Retrieval Augmented Generation
  • Agentic AI Workflows
  • Function Calling
  • Fine-Tuning
  • AWS Bedrock
  • Sagemaker
  • Single Page Applications (SPA)
  • Chatbots
  • Event based
  • Serverless
  • Microservices architectures
  • Online and batch serving
  • Analytics & Data Visualization
  • Angular
  • React
  • Nodejs
  • Python
  • Java
  • Spring Framework
  • SQL
  • Cloud Pipelines
  • DevSecOps

Certification

  • AWS Solution Architect Associate
  • Certified TOGAF Architect
  • Certified Scrum Master
  • Stanford Machine Learning

Awards

  • CEO Award for Innovation- Generative AI Playground, 2024
  • NATALIE Award - NW Express Private label and portal, 2020
  • Finance IT Hackathon Winner - Escheat Solution, 2018
  • Outstanding Contribution Award - B2C Disbursements, 2017

Timeline

Emerging Technologies - Technology Enablement Leader

Nationwide
10.2021 - Current

Product Architect

Nationwide
08.2018 - 09.2021

Systems Architect

Nationwide
02.2014 - 07.2018

Contractor/Tech Lead

Nationwide
08.2010 - 01.2014

Senior Programmer Analyst - Contractor

US DOE, USDA Forest Service
06.2009 - 07.2010

Senior Programmer Analyst - Contractor

DTE Energy
12.2006 - 03.2009

Programmer Analyst - Contractor

Dow Jones
12.2004 - 11.2006

Programmer Analyst - Contractor

Standard & Poor's
08.2004 - 11.2004

Masters - Computer Science

New Jersey Institute of Technology

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SWATHI JILLELLA