Hari Shanker

About Hari Shanker

With 17+ years of experience, I am a Cloud Transformation Leader and Solutions Architect who helps enterprises unlock the full potential of Microsoft Azure and multi-cloud platforms. My focus is on building resilient, secure, and scalable cloud foundations that accelerate digital adoption and deliver measurable business outcomes.Over the years, I’ve led $20M+ cloud transformation programs, architected CAF-aligned landing zones, and designed AI-ready infrastructures for Fortune 500 clients and various industry verticals, including BFSI, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Retail. Beyond technology, I thrive at the intersection of strategy, architecture, and leadership—bridging complex business requirements with actionable cloud solutions.Key strengths:Cloud Transformation Leadership – Delivered enterprise-scale Azure programs with 100% on-time compliance.Solutioning & Pre-Sales – Led $50M+ in RFP wins through reusable blueprints, strong proposal leadership, and architecture clarity.Architecture Excellence – Built secure hybrid environments, resilient landing zones, and modernized application estates.Team Leadership & Mentorship – Guided 15+ architects, standardized design patterns, and improved delivery quality by 35%.Stakeholder management and cross-functional team leadershipCertified in Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Cybersecurity Architect Expert, and PMP, I bring a balance of technical depth and business acumen, helping organizations adopt cloud at speed and scale, while ensuring security, cost governance, and future-readiness.I am passionate about enabling businesses and people alike—whether it’s driving transformation, shaping strategy, or mentoring teams to deliver their best. Let’s connect to explore how cloud can become a true platform for growth and innovation.

Experience

1. Associate Director Cloud Presales & Solution Architecture

   Cognizant

   Jan 2026 — Present · Delhi, IN

   Lead Azure Cloud Presales for enterprise and strategic accounts, owning end-to-end solutioning across migration, modernization, landing zones, security, data, and FinOps.Drive large and complex RFP/RFI responses, shaping technical strategy, architecture, effort estimation, timelines, and commercial assumptions for multi-million-dollar transformation programs.Act as a trusted advisor to customers and internal stakeholders, translating business outcomes into scalable, secure, and cost-optimized Azure architectures aligned with Microsoft CAF / ALZ best practices.Own presales governance and quality gates, including solution assurance, risk identification, scope clarity, and design authority alignment.Build and scale reusable IP such as migration sizing models, landing zone accelerators, and estimation frameworks to improve deal velocity and win probability.Lead and mentor a team of cloud architects and presales specialists, providing technical direction, coaching, and capability uplift.Partner closely with Microsoft, Delivery, Security, Data, and DevOps teams to ensure solution continuity from presales to execution.Support practice growth initiatives, including offering definition, capability building, standardization, and thought leadership in Azure Cloud & AI-ready infrastructure.Influence go-to-market strategy, deal prioritization, and pursuit qualification for high-impact opportunities.

Education

• Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad

  PGDM - Executive, Operations Management and Supervision

• Delhi University

  Bachelor of Commerce, commerce Stream

  2002 — 2006

Skills

• Antivirus
• Group Policy
• Microsoft Cluster
• Customer-Focused
• Active Directory
• Windows Server
• Dfs
• Microsoft Exchange
• Software Installation
• Dns
• Security
• Amazon Web Services (Aws)
• Servers
• Itil
• Symantec Endpoint Protection
• Vmware
• Domain Name System (Dns)
• Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (Dhcp)
• Microsoft Azure
• System Administration
• Dhcp
• Troubleshooting
• Vpn
• Virtual Private Network (Vpn)
• Virtualization