Renowned Technology Expert to Inspire Northwestern Engineering’s Class of 2024

Sanjay Sood, senior vice president and chief technology officer at CDW, will be the keynote speaker at Northwestern Engineering's PhD Hooding and Master’s Degree Recognition Ceremony on Saturday, December 14, at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. This prestigious event brings together the graduating Class of 2024 to celebrate their academic achievements.

Sood, a trailblazer in the tech industry with over 15 years of experience, joined CDW in 2020. His extensive background has equipped him with expertise in driving innovative change within complex technology environments. He is responsible for shaping the company's technological roadmap and ensuring its infrastructure remains robust, secure, and scalable to meet evolving stakeholder needs.

The dean of Northwestern Engineering, Christopher A. Schuh, expressed enthusiasm about Sood's visit, saying, "Sanjay has an impressive history of delivering impact at the intersection of technology and business. I'm excited for him to join us and share his inspirational message with our graduates."

Before joining CDW, Sood served as vice president of Highly Automated Driving & Core Map Engineering unit at HERE Technologies, where he played a crucial role in advancing autonomous driving technologies. Additionally, he was senior vice president of consumer platforms at YP, The Real Yellow Pages (formerly AT&T Interactive), which developed and managed platforms connecting millions of users with local businesses.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Sood is dedicated to using technology for social good as the board director at Per Scholas, a nonprofit organization providing technology education and job training to underserved communities. He also advises Northwestern's MBAi Program, sharing his expertise with future business leaders.

Sood holds a remarkable 13 patents in machine learning, information retrieval, and digital mapping, having earned both his BS and PhD degrees – both in computer science – from Northwestern Engineering.

More about Sanjay Sood can be found in the upcoming issue of Northwestern Engineering magazine.