The finalists for WashingtonExec’s 2024 Pinnacle Awards were announced Sept. 20, and we’ll be highlighting some of them until the event takes place live, in-person Nov. 21.
Next is Lakshmi Ashok, vice president of Enterprise Management Services at Leidos, and finalist in the Cloud Executive of the Year, Public Company, category. Here, she talks about primary focus areas going forward, shares career advice and more.
What are your primary focus areas going forward, and why are those so important to the mission?
I am focused on driving modernization to support and enable the mission of the customer by using innovative, emerging technologies and delivering an enhanced user experience. At Leidos we leverage secure, cloud-enabled solutions to help customers move faster in meeting their digital transformation objectives. By incorporating ubiquitous, cloud native services in various areas such as cyber, networking, and AI/ ML, we rapidly deliver solutions around the globe, while optimizing costs and helping advance the customer’s mission.
What is your best career advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
To be successful in any career, it is important to know your customers, identify their pain points, and have a deep understanding of their requirements and desired outcomes. It is equally important to be an expert in your domain and be part of a team that you can rely on. It is also valuable to build a strong network of connections. Most importantly, as you advance, be sure to help others along the way to learn and grow and to be confident in their abilities, expertise, and achievements at every stage of their career.
Fun Fact: What is something about you that most people do not know about?
I love to travel and hike and just returned from a two-week trip to Africa. My favorite trip to date was to the incredible city of Machu Picchu, Peru, where we climbed thousands of steps cut into the majestic mountains. I also enjoy growing orchids, especially the rare blue flowers, and have a showcase of more than 20 orchids in various stages of growth at any given time.