Digital Version In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is redefining business practices across industries, leaders like Suman Bhattacharya stand at the intersection of innovation and impact. As the Senior Director of Data Science at DocuSign, Suman is pioneering advancements that not only enhance the user experience but are also reshaping the foundational processes of digital transactions. His journey into the world of data science and AI is rooted in a solid academic background and has evolved into a career marked by foresight, adaptability, and a clear sense of purpose. This exclusive interview for our upcoming edition, Tech Trailblazers Advancing the Next Wave of Innovation – 2025, delves deep into Suman’s trajectory, his work at DocuSign, and the broader role of AI in transforming enterprise SaaS. From driving intelligent agreement management to building ethical and scalable AI systems, Suman offers critical insights into where the future is heading and how we can prepare for it. A Physicist’s Journey into Data Science Suman’s story begins in the world of physics. While pursuing his Ph.D., and later during his tenure at esteemed research institutions such as Los Alamos and Argonne National Laboratories, he found himself applying advanced statistical methods and early machine learning techniques to decipher complex data sets. “I started applying different ML/AI and statistical techniques to process and distinguish signals from noise in the data,” he recalls. Long before “data science” became a buzzword in the tech industry, Suman was already engaging in its core practices. The natural progression from academia to industry came when data science began gaining traction in the corporate world. “When data science exploded in the industry, I decided to take my skills I learned in academia and apply them in industry problems,” Suman notes. His deep understanding of theory, coupled with real-world application, allowed for a seamless transition and positioned him at the forefront of an evolving field. Intelligent Agreement Management: The Next Frontier As Senior Director of Data Science at DocuSign, Suman plays a pivotal role in driving innovation through AI and machine learning. With the advent of Intelligent Agreement Management (IAM), AI is no longer just an enhancement, it is integral to the product’s architecture. “AI plays an important role in extracting information from agreements, creating workflows, and searching stored agreements,” he explains. One standout example is Navigator, a DocuSign product that allows users to store and search through past agreements, even if those agreements were signed with other platforms. This capability marks a shift from static digital signatures to dynamic, AI-powered contract intelligence. “We also apply ML/AI to optimize customer experience as they navigate through the product,” adds Suman, reinforcing the role of data science in creating intuitive, frictionless digital experiences. Elevating Customer Experience and Automation with AI At the heart of Suman’s team’s work lies a commitment to personalization, automation, and security. By leveraging AI to deliver timely, tailored information, they are redefining the digital agreement experience. A prime example of this is the use of AI agents to craft personalized campaign messages. “The campaign the customers receive actually speaks to their business needs, as opposed to a generic email,” he explains. Another high-impact initiative involves AI-led lead scoring. With millions of users exploring DocuSign’s services, manually qualifying each lead would be impossible. Instead, Suman’s team has developed models that prioritize leads based on use cases and behavioral signals. “We apply AI to create a prioritized list of leads to follow up with,” he says. These efforts not only streamline internal workflows but also create meaningful business value. Scaling Innovation Through Applied Data Science Among the most exciting projects Suman has spearheaded is the recommendation engine that helps DocuSign’s sellers match products to customer needs. “We use AI to identify which product to recommend to our customers based on various signals,” he shares. The approach blends traditional machine learning with cutting-edge generative AI, producing tailored value propositions at scale. “For instance, if we know a prospective customer is in the legal industry, we can showcase how different IAM products like Navigator, Maestro, and Unlimited Sends help manage the end-to-end lifecycle of an agreement in a law firm,” he explains. These capabilities provide sales teams with not just data, but context-rich insights delivered with the power of AI. Responsible AI: Balancing Speed with Ethics In an age where AI adoption often outpaces regulation, Suman remains grounded in responsible innovation. “We have a strong governance in place around any AI use cases we productionize,” he emphasizes. The team ensures that ethical standards remain central to their work. One cornerstone of their ethical framework is the “human-in-the-loop” approach. Before any AI-generated content is deployed at scale, it is reviewed for quality, accuracy, and hallucination. “This pilot phase helps us maintain integrity while testing new AI capabilities,” Suman adds. Generative AI Meets SaaS: A Paradigm Shift Looking ahead, Suman sees enormous potential in the convergence of generative AI and enterprise SaaS platforms like DocuSign. In his view, while GenAI is making waves in B2C ecommerce through innovations in search and checkout, its true power in B2B lies in augmenting relationship-driven workflows. “AI has the potential to streamline the entire deal lifecycle in B2B through automation and personalization,” he observes. From shortening sales cycles to empowering customers with faster access to relevant information, GenAI is poised to reshape how enterprise platforms operate. Developing the Next Generation of Data Scientists Suman is deeply passionate about mentorship and fostering future leaders in data science. He highlights that aspiring professionals must be versatile. “A data scientist would require statistics and analytics skills as well as engineering skills to build ML/AI systems in production,” he says. However, technical skills alone are not enough. Suman believes business acumen is what sets great data scientists apart. “It is critical because a data scientist is in a unique position to drive data-driven decisions,” he adds. Being able to communicate complex insights in a language business stakeholders understand is invaluable. Nurturing a Culture of Learning and Experimentation Fostering a culture of continuous learning is central to Suman’s leadership

Digital Version In today’s fast-evolving digital economy, leaders who can align technology, commerce, and purpose are the ones shaping the future. Among the influential figures driving innovation at Mastercard is David Budzevski, Senior Vice President of Business Development & Commercialisation in the Global Acceptance & Merchant Solutions division. With a career journey marked by unexpected beginnings, transformative pivots, and a steadfast focus on innovation, David exemplifies what it means to lead with vision and impact in the global financial services space. In the fast-moving world of digital finance, few leaders blend innovation and inclusion as seamlessly as David Budzevski. With a career that spans startups, national banks, and global platforms, David’s trajectory reflects more than professional growth — it’s a story of vision, reinvention, and grounded leadership. What sets him apart isn’t just his strategic clarity or global expertise, but his unwavering belief that impact must be both scalable and human. Whether guiding merchant solutions across continents or co-creating technology from the ground up, he leads with empathy, listens with intention, and acts with purpose. In every chapter of his journey, David has stayed anchored to the idea that progress isn’t measured only by reach — but by relevance, resilience, and responsibility. From Startups to Global Platforms: A Journey Fueled by Purpose David’s entry into the financial services world was neither planned nor conventional. It began with a startup focused on helping local governments manage and optimize their underground infrastructure. “This was before VC funding was widespread,” David recalls. “Our journey lasted just two years before we had to shut down the business.” While the outcome was not what he had hoped for, the experience proved to be a springboard into the world of technology-driven customer solutions. He transitioned into financial services with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, where he led their Merchant Solutions division. That role introduced him to the intricacies of the payments industry—a domain that would ultimately define his professional passion. “From that moment on, his interest became unwavering,” he reflects. David went on to take on several product roles across the Australian banking landscape, culminating in a leadership position overseeing Merchant Acquiring for the country’s largest financial institution. With an unquenchable thirst for learning and growth, he joined Mastercard in 2020. There, he co-founded and led the commercial product strategy for the Gateway solution. This role not only gave him global exposure but also an opportunity to partner closely with engineering, manage profit and loss accountability, and drive innovation from concept to market. His successful leadership within Mastercard led to a relocation to the United Kingdom, where he expanded his focus on go-to-market strategies and emerging markets. Today, David oversees global business development and commercialization efforts for Mastercard’s Merchant Solutions portfolio. Learning from the Greats: Mentorship and Leadership Style Reflecting on his development as a leader, David credits several influential mentors for shaping his path. “There were several individuals in both Australia and the UK who have significantly impacted my career,” he says. Notable among them are Sam Itzcovitz, Keith Douglas, Martijn van Os, and Kaushik Gopal. One mentor, in particular, helped shape David’s leadership style—a servant-leadership approach grounded in empathy, clarity, and collaboration. “I see myself as a leader who supports the team like family, gets in the trenches when needed, and sets a clear vision for success,” he shares. He often reflects on the idea that even the smallest presence can have a powerful impact—just like a tiny mosquito can disrupt an entire night.” It serves as a reminder that every contribution matters and small efforts can have big impacts. Creating the Future of Global Commerce David’s current role places him at the nexus of business development and innovation. What excites him most is the opportunity to help shape the future of commerce on a global scale. Working closely with partners around the world, he identifies strategic opportunities and brings forward solutions that create tangible value for both merchants and consumers. “Mastercard’s global footprint and our technology leadership give us a unique platform to influence the evolution of payments,” he says. From tokenization to embedded finance, the potential is immense. David is particularly passionate about empowering merchants to harness these technologies to build more seamless, secure, and inclusive payment ecosystems. He sees the role as not just commercial, but deeply impactful. “Connecting market needs with Mastercard’s capabilities allows us to unlock growth, improve customer engagement, and help businesses thrive in an increasingly digital world.” Balancing Innovation with Fundamentals Innovation is central to Mastercard’s DNA, but for David, it must be purposeful and scalable. His approach begins with a comprehensive understanding of customer needs and market dynamics. “We stay closely connected with partners, merchants, and the fintech ecosystem to identify early signals and challenges.” Innovation, for David, is not just about exploring new ideas but ensuring they are viable, scalable, and aligned with Mastercard’s principles of trust, inclusion, and security. “We rigorously test new concepts and validate them with data to ensure long-term value creation, not just short-term wins.” This disciplined approach allows his team to maintain a balance between bold vision and practical execution—a balance that is critical in a fast-paced, high-stakes industry. Global Exposure, Local Relevance Having worked across continents, David understands that while certain needs like trust and security are universal, how those needs are expressed varies dramatically by region. “One size fits all simply doesn’t work,” he explains. Instead, Mastercard scales globally by listening locally. He emphasizes the importance of cultural awareness, empathy, and agility when entering new markets. Whether it’s enabling QR payments in Southeast Asia or supporting open banking in Europe, the solutions must be contextually relevant. This global-local strategy helps ensure that Mastercard’s innovations are both impactful and inclusive. Aligning with Mastercard’s Mission of Inclusion Mastercard’s vision to power inclusive digital economies resonates deeply with David’s own professional mission. “Our goal is not just to drive commercial growth but to do so in a way that expands access and empowers underserved communities.” His current strategic priorities reflect this commitment. First,

Digital Version In an era marked by rapid digital transformation and disruptive innovation, financial leadership demands more than just precision and prudence, it requires vision, agility, and a relentless pursuit of relevance. El Lee, the Chief Operating Officer of SenSen Technology, stands at the forefront of this new wave of finance leaders. With a career defined by trailblazing ventures and a philosophy grounded in sustainable innovation, El is not just adapting to the future of finance, he’s shaping it. “Finance is no longer just about balancing books or meeting compliance—it’s about building systems that endure, evolve, and empower. My mission has always been to fuse innovation with accountability, creating platforms that deliver speed without sacrificing trust, and intelligence without losing human oversight. Every step of my career, from investment banking to fintech innovation, has been driven by one guiding principle: sustainable value. True financial evolution is not measured in quarterly spikes, but in long-term resilience, customer trust, and the ability to adapt seamlessly to what’s next.” From Investment Banking to Fintech Trailblazer El took his first professional steps within the intense environment of investment banking. There, he gained an insider’s perspective on the mechanics of financial systems, how they function, where they break down, and what they often overlook. “began my career in investment banking, which gave me a firsthand understanding of how financial systems operate — and at times, where they fall short,” El shares. “That experience made me ask harder questions about access, efficiency, and trust.” These questions became the foundation for his transition into fintech. In 2019, he co-founded Onchain Custodian, pioneering Asia’s first institutional-grade digital asset custodian, a venture that signaled a pivotal shift in the region’s digital finance landscape. Just two years later, he co-founded dtcpay, a fintech company that spearheaded fiat-to-token payments in Singapore, offering merchants and consumers new, legally compliant methods of transaction. Today, at SenSen Technology, El is leading the charge in developing programmable financial infrastructure. His vision is a platform where stablecoins, fiat currencies, and card payments coexist, delivering seamless and secure financial experiences. Each chapter of his journey reflects an unwavering commitment to pushing fintech boundaries while maintaining a strong foundation in compliance and real-world applicability. Redefining Success in the New Enterprise Era In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, conventional measures of success no longer capture the full picture.. El reflects on his evolving perspective: “I once believed that success was all about growth — more users, higher volumes, and continuous expansion. Over time, I have come to define success as building systems that endure.” For El, success means staying strong, focusing on lasting growth, and making a positive difference. At SenSen, this philosophy translates into platforms that deliver tangible business value, helping clients reduce costs, accelerate cash flow, and increase operational control. But it is not just about the platform. At the heart of El’s strategy lies a focus on cultivating vibrant team dynamics and a thriving organizational culture. “It’s essential to build a team that embraces accountability, understands how to navigate risks, and confidently explores new ideas within set boundaries. Sustainable momentum is harder than speed. But it lasts longer.” Understanding how financial systems work is only the beginning—real progress comes from identifying where they fall short, and building the solutions that bridge those gaps. Every venture I’ve led has been about making finance more secure, accessible, and relevant for the future. The Intelligence Revolution in Finance As AI, automation, and data-driven strategies reshape the business landscape, the role of finance is transforming dramatically. Finance has moved far beyond its traditional roles of bookkeeping and meeting compliance standards. Today, it’s about strategic intelligence. “According to El, fintech today is shifting focus from simple record-keeping to delivering deeper intelligence. “AI is already replacing routine tasks like reconciliation and anomaly detection, but the real shift is in how fintech can now inform strategy, real-time dashboards, predictive forecasting, embedded compliance.” At SenSen, programmable rule engines and automated data pipelines are utilized to manage everything from wallet limits to transaction routing. By taking this integrated route, fintech becomes a fundamental product strategy instead of just an isolated department. The goal is to make data actionable, driving not only speed but also accountability throughout the enterprise. Unified Infrastructure: A Strategic Game-Changer One of the most impactful financial strategies El has championed at SenSen is the unification of back-end infrastructure. This implies that fiat currencies, stablecoins, card issuance, and compliance functions are all managed within one unified technology stack. The result? Streamlined operations, faster execution, and greatly optimized unit economics. Moreover, introducing real-time liquidity routing across various partners has significantly enhanced the overall customer experience. It ensures better conversion rates, faster settlements, and higher transaction visibility, a benefit for SenSen, its partners, and its clients. “Most importantly,” El emphasizes, “we embedded frontier fintech into the product itself. Our customers don’t just use a platform, they manage treasury, compliance, and payments from one interface. That alignment of fintech and product with market-fit is our strategic edge.” Aligning Finance With Product and Customer Impact In a high-tech company like SenSen, the integration of finance with product development is not an afterthought, it is a strategic imperative. “Finance and financial control is a core part of the customer requirement. When a customer executes a cross-border payment or issues a card, that is finance in action,” El explains. By tightly aligning fintech and product roadmaps, SenSen reduces development cycles and increases the value delivered to clients. The platform is designed to remove friction, reduce handoffs, and build trust, all essential elements in modern financial services. “When you unify payments, compliance, and treasury into one infrastructure, you don’t just gain efficiency—you create a platform that can adapt, scale, and deliver value in ways that siloed systems never can.” Risk Management: Built Into the DNA In a space where innovation and speed are critical, risk management must be proactive and deeply embedded. At SenSen, compliance is not a siloed function; it’s infused into every layer of the organization. “We built real-time