Dr. Nitin Bajaj

Nitin was born in Bombay and studied at St. Sebastian and St. Xavier’s High School. At 14, he realized he wanted to be a commercial pilot though his parents insisted he become an engineer instead. Nitin took admission to an engineering school but dropped out after 4 months to pursue a business, to fund his dream of becoming a pilot. After a break from education, Nitin completed his undergraduate in Computer Science from Pune University and eventually earned Masters and Doctorate degrees in Business in the United States.

Nitin needed money to fund his pilot’s course so he decided to start a business. He went door to door in industrial areas and sold whatever they wanted to buy. His first orders were for detergent soap, followed by various industrial items such as nuts/ bolts, tungsten carbide wires, acetone, hand gloves, etc. 

This was in the early/mid-90s, and Nitin saw an opportunity to assemble and sell computers. Eventually he expanded into computer education, maintenance services, and rentals. The business grew exponentially in revenues and team size over the next few years. His customers included mostly small businesses but some big names such as the Indian Army, Income Tax of India, Samsonite, and Siemens. 

The business grew to a point where expanding any further would require opening lines of credit and then adding resources to handle collections. This was neither appealing nor something Nitin had experience in or wanted to deal with.

“Immaturity, lack of experience and lack of knowledge made me move on from my business. I could have got a mentor or worst case, sold the business, but I didn’t know either of these were even options.”

After handing over the business to his dedicated employees, Nitin did a brief stint at IBM and Wipro, where he worked with international clients in Europe and the United States. The stark differences in cultures (personal and work) across these geographies piqued his curiosity, and he decided to explore opportunities abroad.

Nitin’s professional journey began with an entrepreneurial spirit. To fund his ambitions to become a commercial pilot – he started his company as a teenager, bootstrapping it into a thriving business with a team of 40. His clients included the Indian Army, the Income Tax of India (IRS), the Road Transport Office (DMV), Samsonite, Siemens, and several others. This early venture laid the foundation for his future as an accomplished leader in the tech world, where he held senior positions at global giants such as IBM and Wipro. His natural flair for leadership and innovation set him on a course to make a mark across geographies and industries, particularly at Esri and Thomson Reuters, where his contributions helped shape entire sectors.

At Thomson Reuters, Nitin led multiple pioneering initiatives that pushed the boundaries of what technology could achieve for data and information solutions. His strategic approach extended to spearheading key acquisitions, through which he reinforced the company’s leadership in its field. Nitin played a key role in launching the first mobile ERP system for the legal community. His work at Thomson Reuters was marked by a clear focus on innovation and growth, helping to build a robust ecosystem of products that served a global audience.

Nitin’s work at Esri – the global leader in geographic information systems (GIS) – further solidified his reputation as an industry innovator. As a senior leader at Esri, Nitin led the launch of several cutting-edge products, including ArcGIS Indoors, an industry-first mapping solution that brought the power of GIS indoors, transforming how large organizations manage and optimize indoor spaces. Esri’s tagline at the time was “The Science of Where”. While pitching the product to his seniors, Nitin quipped “science doesn’t and shouldn’t stop at the door”. Under his direction, ArcGIS Indoors became a flagship product, revolutionizing space management and facility operations for Esri’s clients worldwide. Nitin not only led the development of this product but also the creation of a thriving Esri Beta program and Community, where he connected several thousands of users globally to shape and enhance the technology through their feedback. Additionally, he guided multiple acquisitions at Esri, strategically positioning the company at the forefront of innovation and expansion in the GIS space.

Today, Nitin’s focus is on building and strengthening community networks that celebrate the rich diversity of South Asians in the United States. With the American South Asian Network (ASAN), he has created a vibrant platform that bridges generational gaps and unites individuals across backgrounds. ASAN brings together one of the fastest-growing communities in the U.S. to foster professional connections, cultural exchange, and economic opportunities. The organization steers clear of politics and religion, focusing instead on nurturing a sense of belonging and shared purpose within the South Asian diaspora, especially the younger generation and the ones born and raised in the United States.