Prathibha Polapragada brings over 24 years of experience in enterprise technology, AI strategy, and digital transformation to Upwardly Global. As Vice President of Technology & AI Infrastructure, she is responsible for UpGlo’s technology strategy, architecture, and delivery, partnering closely with Programs and Product to advance organization-wide AI readiness, strengthen core enterprise systems investments, and ensure data integrity and security across UpGlo’s job seeker, employer, and partner experiences.
A recognized leader in AI and enterprise architecture, Prathibha has built production AI systems and authored organizational AI governance frameworks to support responsible AI adoption at scale. She has built enterprise architecture practices from the ground up at four organizations and led teams delivering technology capabilities across core business functions. She brings deep expertise across enterprise systems modernization, AI-ready infrastructure, data and integration architecture, and technology governance.
Before joining Upwardly Global, Prathibha served as Vice President of Digital Transformation & AI Strategy at iShift, where she led the Digital Solutions Center for the National Cancer Institute’s Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology, overseeing enterprise architecture, AI enablement, technical governance, product management, and advisory services across a 60+ application portfolio. She previously served as Vice President of Enterprise Architecture & Business Systems at Teaching Strategies, where her work supported the systems, professional development, and digital tools used to strengthen and retain the early childhood educator workforce. She also held executive technology leadership roles at Management Concepts, a workforce development organization serving government agencies through certified training and ICF-certified coaching that helps professionals bridge skill gaps and grow into more senior leadership roles. Across her career, she has focused on building the digital backbone that helps mission-driven organizations support research, learning, workforce development, and career transitions during critical moments of change.
As an immigrant herself, Prathibha feels a deep personal connection to UpGlo’s mission and the opportunity to use technology to expand access, lower barriers, reduce friction, and help skilled professionals rebuild their careers with dignity.
Prathibha holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Andhra University and a master’s degree in Engineering Management and Systems Engineering from The George Washington University.