Discovering the Path to Data Leadership Excellence

We sat down with one of Nineleaps’ superstar employees, Sambit Chakraborty. His 13-year professional journey in various domains makes him one of the most sought-after mentors at Nineleaps. With experience across four companies, he has evolved from a market researcher to a data leader, now heading one of the most important client engagements at Nineleaps. In this candid interview, Sambit talks about various aspects of his career journey, his role at Nineleaps, and about his “Life at Nineleaps.” His story is one of passion, hard work, and ensuring empathy with excellence- a perfect reflection of Nineleaps’ core values.

Q: A brief introduction about you.

A: Hi everyone! I am Sambit, I work as a Director of Data Engineering at Nineleaps. My professional journey spans over 13 years, and I have been associated with 4 companies throughout my journey. The most exciting part about my journey is the diversity of domains I have worked in. I started as a market researcher for the US CPG industry setting the foundation for my career. From there I joined as a business analyst for a product-based company, which is where my interest in data science blossomed. My big break came when I got an opportunity to work as an apprentice leader for one of the biggest data science firms in India. I was left in charge of various data science projects, and this helped me gain deeper knowledge and also built my confidence. Today I work at Nineleaps and I have been given the responsibility of one of the most important clients in our portfolio.

Q: How long have you been with the company, and what initially attracted you to this position?

A: I have been associated with Nineleaps for over 4 4.5 years now, and it has been a rollercoaster ride. Initially what attracted me here was the opportunity I got to build a lasting and continuing relationship with the client. This need for a long-lasting engagement became important to me when I was working at my previous company. In my previous role, the projects had a short turn-around time and I was not able to be a part of their entire digital transformation journey. Nineleaps has helped me fulfill this career aspiration and has enabled me to make a bigger and more lasting impact on the client.

Q: What is your day-to-day like in your current role?

A: In my current role no two days are the same and the tasks vary in severity and complexity. A big part of my responsibilities includes monitoring and managing my client’s health metrics and understanding the initiatives that the clients are taking. I then use these initiates as an opportunity for resource augmentation for Nineleaps. However, if I were to talk about the most exciting part of my job, it would have to be tackling unforeseen challenges and putting out fires that may arise! Even though I am in a client-facing role I still have the opportunity to work closely with various cross-functional teams like, recruitment, LND, and marketing all this while maintaining and upskilling the dedicated bench for my account. I have a truly diverse and fulfilling role in the organization.

Q: How have you grown professionally since joining the company?

A: My journey at Nineleaps has been exciting and deeply enriching. The plethora of responsibilities and a team that helps me achieve these responsibilities has made my time at this organization delightful and rewarding. I built my communication and relationship-building skills while interacting with the stakeholders. As I invested more time and effort into my account I have had the satisfaction of seeing the revenue and headcount of the account grow and prosper.

My early passion for data sciences inspired me to spearhead a community-building initiative at Nineleaps for Data Analytics, where the aim is to nurture future leaders in the field.

Q: What skills have you developed or honed during your time here?

A: Nineleaps has allowed me to become an ‘Intrapreneur’, and I have honed this skill over time. When you are entrusted with the responsibility of building an entire account from the ground up, you learn how to drive growth and strategy independently. From profit and loss to risk assessment, I oversee all aspects of this account, while being the main point of contact on both, the client side and the organization side. This role has also allowed me to cultivate a growth mindset that remains firmly focused on the customer. These skills have been instrumental in helping me thrive in my role.

Q: How would you describe the company culture?

A: The company culture of Nineleaps is a unique blend of ‘excellence’ and ‘empathy’. What I mean by that is that the organization is committed to achieving the highest standards, yet always places people at the heart of everything. This combination creates a truly collaborative atmosphere, where everyone feels valued, supported, and inspired to do their best every day.

Q: Can you share an example of a time when the company’s values aligned with your personal values?

A: Once, we were urgently trying to fill a critical position and had two qualified candidates lined up. Both, however, had genuine reasons for needing a delayed start. We had past bad experiences with people who needed delayed starts, however rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach, we chose to respect their circumstances — reflecting Nineleaps’ commitment to empathy and treating each situation uniquely.

Another standout aspect of Nineleaps is our dedication to transparency. In previous roles, I often saw a gap between internal discussions and what was shared with clients. Here, we’re encouraged to be fully open — even when things don’t go as planned. We acknowledge mistakes, take corrective actions, and build trust through honesty, strengthening our relationships along the way.

Q: What do you enjoy most about working here?

A: Two things truly excite me about working at Nineleaps. First, my close connection with the leadership team has been an invaluable learning experience, helping me not only develop but also sharpen my leadership skills. Second, I have the privilege of working alongside a 100-member team of incredibly talented and hardworking individuals. Being part of such a motivated team is both inspiring and deeply rewarding.

Q: What’s the most rewarding (professionally/ personally) project or task you’ve worked on?

A: I believe that personal growth goes hand-in-hand with professional growth. One of my most rewarding experiences at Nineleaps has been growing my account from 10 to over 100 resources in just two years. This journey taught me a lot — how to plan strategies, stay disciplined, adapt quickly, and make fast decisions, especially when unexpected challenges arise. Each of these skills has been key to scaling the account successfully and has greatly contributed to my growth, both personally and professionally.

Q: Can you tell us about a challenge you faced and how the company supported you through it? technical/personal

A: Even though my expertise is in data, I once took on a product engineering project — new territory for me! Nineleaps had partnered with a data science firm to automate auditing for a Big Four client, but after a few months, they decided to bring it in-house. It was a tough break, but Nineleaps’ management had my back. They saw potential in me and brought me on board for an even bigger project. That challenge not only boosted my skills but led to my promotion!

Q: You work closely with the leadership, how has that been for you?

A: Working closely with the leadership team has been incredibly rewarding. The trust, support, and flexibility they’ve shown me have empowered me to give my best and approach my work with confidence. It’s the kind of environment where you feel encouraged to take ownership, make decisions, and truly grow — both professionally and personally. The confidence I’ve gained here has been a huge part of my success!

Q: What are your thoughts on heading an entire client ecosystem here?

A: It’s a role that comes with a lot of responsibility, but it’s also incredibly empowering. You’re not just shaping client relationships — you’re helping your team grow professionally too. It’s your chance to lead by example, set strong business ethics, and create a unique value proposition that sets the organization apart. Every day brings the opportunity to make a meaningful impact!

Q: What advice would you give to someone considering joining the company?

A: If I could offer one piece of advice for anyone joining Nineleaps, it would be to come with the right intent and a willingness to learn. When I joined, being paired with a mentor made all the difference for me — it helped me understand the culture and provided the support I needed to grow. Whether you’re in a technical or non-technical role, always speak up and share your ideas. Trust me, when you do, success will follow you naturally.

Q: What makes this company stand out from others in the industry?

A: What I truly appreciate about Nineleaps is how it blends excellence with empathy. This isn’t just something the company says — it’s built into our policies and the way we work. The core values we live by, especially IMPACT, shape the very fabric of our culture. What’s been most inspiring to me is seeing tenured employees consistently demonstrate these values in their work. It’s a great feeling to be part of a team where everyone walks the talk, creating such a positive and supportive work environment.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience working here?

A: My journey at Nineleaps has been incredibly fulfilling. From an outsider’s perspective, Nineleaps might not come across as a flashy, PR-driven company, but what I’ve come to realize in my four years here is that it’s a company built on solid foundations. Whether it’s our values, financials, or culture, everything about Nineleaps speaks to its strength. This strong, authentic approach is what sets us apart from other companies of similar size.

Sambit’s journey at Nineleaps has been marked by continuous growth and opportunity, from managing key client accounts to leading large teams. Reflecting on his time here, he shares how the trust and support from leadership have empowered him to excel in his role. For Sambit, the most rewarding part of his journey has been seeing both his personal and professional growth, especially as he scaled his account from 10 to over 100 resources in just two years. As he puts it, “Personal growth is tied to professional growth,” and his experience at Nineleaps has truly embodied this belief, making it a fulfilling and transformative chapter in his career.