Revati Borkhade – At the crossroads of Engineering, Data Analytics and Supply Chain Strategies

Revati Borkhade’s career reflects the convergence of Engineering, data analytics and supply chain strategy. With an undergraduate degree in Automobile Engineering from MAHE, Manipal, and a master’s in engineering management with a focus on supply chain analytics from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, she brings both technical expertise and managerial vision.

Her journey spans Baja SAE racing teams, automotive giants, global HVAC leaders, and micro-mobility startups, with each experience sharpening her ability to connect engineering with business outcomes. Venturing into ML for Supply chain and Logistics, Revati Borkhade has been a United Nations SDG volunteer in Bahrain and authored three technical manuscripts, with few more in development. Her work consistently underscores a larger theme, building supply chains that are smarter, more resilient, and strategically aligned and scalable for the future.

What first drew you into engineering and supply chains?

Revati: While pursuing my engineering degree, I joined the Baja racing team at the age of 18, and my tenure spanned over three full seasons. During that time, I wasn’t just building a car – I was managing procurement, logistics, deadlines, and business case presentations under real pressure. Each season reinforced that behind every successful build was a supply chain running like clockwork. That’s when I realized logistics and decision-making systems aren’t just support functions – they are the true backbone of performance.

How has managing a student run racing team shaped your thinking?

Revati: Motorsports gave me a practical crash course in decision-making under pressure. University kinds in India building a car from scratch, within a specific budget and chasing engineering excellence was something I have seen and been a part of!  I mean nineteen-year-old kids dealing with international ATA carnets, US and Indian Customs and governing bodies was an example of real-world problem solving and resilience. It was like running a start-up. Every delay, every last-minute procurement issue, every broken component taught me the value of agility. For example, once a supplier delayed a critical part just before a major race. I had to rework procurement, renegotiate, and make things happen fast. That’s when I learned supply chains are not about perfection, they’re about resilience. The decisions you make under pressure define outcomes. That lesson applies just as much in global logistics as it does during the entire car building season.

You’ve worked with both startups and industry leaders. What excites you about supply chains today?

Revati: What excites me now is how technology is fundamentally reshaping supply chains. Predictive analytics, AI-driven procurement, and digital twins are not just buzzwords – they are real solutions being implemented today to increase resilience and efficiency.

With automotive giants, I saw how data can be leveraged to optimize global logistics networks, improve forecast accuracy, and enhance supplier reliability. At the same time, my work with global HVAC leaders highlighted the importance of network design and optimization in large-scale manufacturing environments.

In contrast, working with micro-mobility startups showed me the other side of the spectrum: agility, speed, and the ability to pivot supply strategies almost overnight. Startups don’t always have large budgets or global infrastructure, so they rely heavily on real-time data, creativity, and flexible supplier relationships.

Across these diverse experiences, the common thread is clear – supply chains are evolving from being cost-driven back-end functions to becoming strategic, data-powered systems that directly impact competitiveness, customer experience, and sustainability. And that’s the transformation I find most exciting.

You’ve also been involved in global volunteering initiatives. How did that shape your perspective?

Revati: Volunteering with the United Nations SDGs in Bahrain gave me a broader outlook. Working on projects with the Bahraini Young Ladies Association showed me that societies, work best when they are inclusive and resilient. It reinforced the idea that sustainability and equity aren’t side goals – they are central to building stronger systems. It was my initiative to give back to society in whatever little way possible.

You’ve authored technical manuscripts as well. What motivated you to pursue research alongside industry work?

Revati: Research keeps me grounded in fundamentals while allowing me to push the boundaries of what’s possible. My contribution with technical manuscripts explores areas at the intersection of automotive engineering, logistics, and analytics. For me, writing is not just about academic contribution – it’s about sharing practical insights with the larger community. I have few more manuscripts in development now, all focused on supply chain strategy and AI use cases and gap analysis, part of my way of giving back – creating knowledge that others can build on.

What message would you share with young professionals entering supply chains?

Revati: Focus on learning how to make decisions with data. Tools will change, industries will evolve, but the ability to analyze, decide, and adapt will always set you apart. Don’t be afraid of complexity-supply chains are complex by nature, but they’re also where some of the most exciting problem-solving happens today. See what opportunities lie in the spectrum, connect and talk to people, learn from industry leaders.

Finally, where do you see your contribution in the future?

Revati: I see myself at the intersection of Engineering, Data Analytics and Supply Chain Strategies and venturing into AI for Supply Chains. I’m building projects in open-source spaces like Kaggle and sharing knowledge on open-source media. For me, it’s about contributing insights that help make supply chains smarter and more resilient. Long term, I want to keep working where engineering, data, and strategy converge.