Akash Nikam

About Akash Nikam

Akash is an AI/ML leader with deep expertise in analytics, machine learning engineering, and applied research, driving responsible AI adoption in financial services.At Vanguard’s Center for Analytics & Insights, he leads delivery of large-scale generative AI applications and enterprise-wide evaluation frameworks, taking AI initiatives from experimentation to production with measurable business impact. His work bridges ML engineering excellence with enterprise delivery, ensuring AI systems are performant, governed, and aligned with regulatory standards.Previously, Akash contributed to Vanguard’s Enterprise Security & Fraud group, developing ML systems for cyber defense and fraud prevention. Earlier, he collaborated with Marshall University and the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center on applied ML research in infrastructure and engineering.He is passionate about scaling AI responsibly in regulated industries, building high-impact engineering teams, and shaping the future of enterprise AI strategy.

Experience

1. Head of Ai Engineering, Cai-aicoe

   Vanguard

   Feb 2026 — Present · Charlotte, NC, US

Education

• Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology

  Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.), Civil Engineering

• North Carolina State University

  Master of Science (M.S.), Structural Engineering

• Georgia Institute of Technology

  Master of Science - MS, Analytics

Skills

• C++
• Staad-Pro
• Structural Engineering
• Construction
• Sap2000
• Teamwork
• Structural Analysis
• Etabs
• C
• Microsoft Office
• Matlab
• Revit
• Powerpoint
• Microsoft Excel
• Research
• Microsoft Powerpoint
• Civil Engineering
• Bim
• Project Management
• Concrete
• Autocad
• Engineering