Back
Nithya Kappini

Nithya Kappini

Senior Director, Cognizant

Rising Leaders ForumPanel DiscussionMentorship

Design Mentorship & Portfolio Review

Sept 2711:05 AM

About

Senior Director and Head of Design Strategy & Growth, shaping experiences and strategies where design, business, and technology converge to drive innovation and meaningful impact. With a foundation in both agency and consulting environments, I bring a dual lens: creative leadership to craft meaningful customer experiences, and strategic acumen to align those experiences with business growth. Across roles at Cognizant (Cognizant Moment), Infosys (WongDoody), and HARMAN (a Samsung company), I've worked with Fortune 100 clients on initiatives spanning design strategy, brand evolution, digital marketing, and experience innovation. I've also led go-to-market initiatives with strategic partners including Microsoft and Adobe, co-creating offerings, shaping joint value propositions, and accelerating market traction. I've played a key role in three consecutive mergers & acquisitions, positioning design as a core differentiator within broader M&A and growth strategies. I've helped shape offerings that speak to evolving buying centers, CMOs, CDOs, and business transformation leaders, while building teams that blend design excellence with commercial impact. Recognitions include the Red Dot Award, iF Award, LinkedIn Innovative Campaign Award, multiple Deal Catalyst honors, and being the youngest recipient of the CEO’s Excellence Award.


Talk details

Rising Leaders ForumPanel DiscussionMentorship
Sept 2711:05 AM

Design Mentorship & Portfolio Review