In today’s rapidly evolving data & tech landscape, compassionate leadership and genuine connection are often undervalued. But for Arshbir Malandra, Senior Vice President of Data & Technology at OSL, these qualities have been the foundation of her career. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Arshbir to discuss her experiences breaking through barriers in the data and tech field, her approach to leading with integrity, and how she empowers her team to thrive. Her journey is not only inspiring but also a powerful reminder of the impact of authenticity in leadership.
You’ve accomplished so much in your career and recently as a woman in tech, could you talk about your journey?
My journey has been anything but straightforward—it’s been filled with opportunities and experiences that have brought me to where I am today. I’ve had the privilege of working across various functions within an organization, including Finance, HR, Analytics, Data Engineering, and now IT. Each step has been a blend of growth, navigating both comfortable and challenging situations, and discovering where my confidence and strengths truly lie.
Along my journey I’ve been fortunate to have inspiring leaders—both men and women—who have encouraged me to push my boundaries and embrace discomfort as part of the learning process. Growth takes time, experience, knowledge, and, most importantly, staying true to myself.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my journey has been connecting with people beyond their job titles. Building those genuine relationships has been instrumental in shaping my career and finding meaningful connections along the way.
You mentioned building confidence. How did you approach that?
Early in my career, I was so focused on getting a seat at the table that I didn’t stop to think about what I’d do once I got there. Then a mentor asked me, ‘When you get your seat, what do you want to do with it?’ That question stuck with me. It made me realize that simply being at the table wasn’t enough. I had to make a choice: sit quietly and just be grateful to be there, or actively contribute by sharing my opinions and demonstrating my value.
My advice? Early in your career, lean into your expertise. Use your knowledge to build confidence and showcase your strengths. Over time, that confidence grows, and so do we as individuals.
That’s incredibly powerful! Speaking to that, you’ve also become known for your compassionate leadership style. How have you fostered that culture at OSL?
For me, it’s all about being there for my team. I often remind them “Love your job and do it well, don’t forget to love your life too.” I’ve been in the trenches with them—whether it’s launching a project or tackling unexpected challenges together. If I ask them to step up during tough moments, they can count on me to be right there alongside them.
Listening is just as important. Truly hearing their concerns and then advocating for them is a priority. Sometimes that means removing obstacles or handling tough conversations, so they don’t have to. Creating psychological safety is also critical to me. I want them to feel secure enough to take risks and make mistakes, knowing that as long as we learn from them, it’s okay. When things don’t go as planned, we talk it through, learn, and move forward together
That sense of safety and support must mean so much to your team. Shifting gears to data & tech strategy, how do you balance staying ahead in such a fast-paced industry?
It’s essential to identify an organization’s challenges and opportunities and then craft a strategy to address them. That’s exactly the approach I took when I joined OSL. We assessed the gaps and opportunities and developed a plan to drive progress. Our focus was on delivering value and steadily advancing along the maturity curve.
I also make it a priority to encourage continuous learning within my team. If someone is passionate about a tool and can demonstrate how it will enhance their work, my response is, ‘Go for it.’ It’s about empowering them to explore while ensuring we remain strategic in what we adopt
That’s a thoughtful approach. Looking forward to 2025, what are some of your priorities for your team and for OSL?
Well, we’ve built the data & technology house, so to speak. Now we’re focusing on actionable & predictive analytics and enabling our field teams to take proactive action. On the IT side, we’ve got a lot of exciting projects planned to advance our strategy and we’d also like to partner with the business stakeholders and showcase our value.
It’s clear you care deeply about your team’s well-being. Any final words of advice for future leaders in data & tech?
Absolutely. I always encourage my team to evaluate three key things: what they bring to the table, what they’re gaining in return, and where they have opportunities to learn and grow. As you advance, it’s important to reassess these regularly and recognize that what got you to this point won’t necessarily take you to the next level. Keep learning, building your confidence, and finding joy in what you do. When you focus on these, everything else tends to fall into place.
Thank you so much, Arshbir. Your leadership style and dedication to your team are inspiring, and we’re so grateful for the time you’ve spent sharing your wisdom with us!
Conclusion: Arshbir Malandra’s journey is a testament to the strength that comes from leading with heart, courage, and a commitment to growth. Her dedication to fostering an environment of safety and collaboration is shaping the future of data & tech leadership at OSL and beyond. As we move forward into 2025, it’s clear that Arshbir’s impact will only continue to grow. We hope her story inspires you to embrace your own leadership path with compassion and confidence.