Honoring #IconsOfQuality: Priyanka Halder

To celebrate the relentless passion and invaluable contributions of leaders in software quality, BrowserStack is proud to honour some of the icons in the testing space. These are the visionaries who not only push the industry forward with their expertise but also enrich the entire testing community by generously sharing their knowledge and thought leadership.

Priyanka Halder is a transformative Engineering Executive who consistently aligns technology strategy with billion-dollar business outcomes. Currently serving as the Associate Vice President of AI & Engineering at Deloitte, she has a proven track record of driving large-scale AI initiatives and modernizing legacy stacks across healthtech, fintech, and consumer tech. A sought-after advisor, investor, and board member, Priyanka specializes in scaling innovation and enabling cloud-native architectures. Whether she is leading cross-functional transformations or delivering keynote speeches on AI leadership and digital strategy, she embodies the visionary spirit of an Icon of Quality.

We spoke with Priyanka about implementing responsible AI at scale, the critical skill of the "buy versus build" decision, and the importance of cutting through shiny trends.

What excites me most is the opportunity to learn constantly, stay ahead of industry trends, and work with some of the world’s leading companies. Being a trusted technology partner allows me to help organizations solve complex challenges and create meaningful, lasting impact.

I’m particularly excited about the use of responsible AI at scale. When implemented thoughtfully, AI can help organizations solve difficult testing challenges, improve decision making, and create measurable business value.

AI represents a major shift in how we work. It has made building solutions faster and more accessible, but building something is no longer the hardest part. The real challenge is creating solutions that solve genuine business problems, scale effectively, and deliver measurable ROI.

Learn to distinguish between shiny trends and the skills that will make you genuinely invaluable. Read industry blogs, learn from experienced testing leaders, and observe how they approach the most challenging problems in the field. Most importantly, start building your portfolio and professional brand, one meaningful step at a time.

I make learning a regular part of my routine. I follow industry newsletters and thought leaders such as Joe Colantonio and Angie Jones, attend conferences, and stay connected with the testing community. Conferences are especially valuable because they provide new ideas and real world perspectives from practitioners.

After nearly 20 years in the industry, I’ve realized that many of the most valuable lessons can only come through real experience. However, one concept I wish had received more attention earlier is the decision to buy versus build. Understanding when to invest in an existing tool and when to create a custom solution is a critical skill, but it is rarely taught early in a testing career.

I recently started learning Indian semi-classical dance, and I now perform at cultural celebrations such as Indian Independence Day, Holi, and Garba events. I also love preparing Indian delicacies, especially the dishes I deeply miss while living thousands of miles away from India. Both dancing and cooking help me stay connected to my culture and bring me tremendous joy.

(Responses may have been edited for clarity.)

Priyanka’s journey highlights that impactful leadership in testing requires looking beyond just the code. By championing responsible AI and a strategic focus on measurable business ROI, she exemplifies a modern quality leader who bridges the critical gap between engineering excellence and organizational growth.