"Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas." - Albert Einstein

The remarkable success story of tech entrepreneur Henna Karna highlights the profound role of mathematics in digital technology and product innovation, which have revolutionized numerous industries and transformed lives for the better.

Henna's father, Arun, was the first in his family to graduate in Bihar, India, instilling in her a deep appreciation for education. Despite financial struggles while living in the US, Henna's parents prioritized her education, and it was her mother, Pushpa, who first expressed support when Henna revealed her love for mathematics.

However, Henna's academic journey was not without challenges. She encountered severe discrimination due to her ethnicity, facing ridicule from classmates who expected her to conform to American beauty and lifestyle standards. Additionally, she struggled with cultural references in literature and English classes, becoming a target for mockery.

Amidst these difficulties, math class became a refuge for Henna.

Mathematics was devoid of cultural biases, and Henna found solace in its logic and objectivity. She admitted that while her grades in other subjects fell short, math allowed her to explore multiple routes to solve problems, reinforcing the idea that there may be a single correct answer, but multiple paths to reach it. Henna recognized this as a valuable life lesson, where one can encounter closed doors but find alternative windows of opportunity, much like solving mathematical problems.

In an increasingly data-driven world, mathematicians possess the analytical skills to work with vast amounts of data, knowledge of statistics, calculus, and algebra to model and analyze new developments, and problem-solving abilities to collaborate with engineers and scientists. Henna's aptitude in math endowed her with these intellectual capabilities.

Eager to explore the practical applications of mathematics, Henna applied its principles and theorems to real-world problems. At the age of 12, she created walking canes for a woman, carving unique handles for each cane based on mathematical proofs, specifically focusing on "knot theory."

With a Bachelor's degree in Mathematical Sciences and Computer Science from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Henna embarked on a multifaceted career.

She began as an actuarial scientist before transitioning into teaching high school students and MBA classes. Later, she delved into roles as a cryptography analyst and advanced technology and analytics director.

Throughout her diverse and nonlinear career path, Henna's strength in mathematics and problem-solving remained a constant.

Her exceptional skills propelled her forward, leading her to serve as President at Verisk Digital Services, a global division of Verisk Analytics, where she oversaw operations in eight countries and generated substantial net-new revenue. She also held the positions of Executive Vice President and Global Chief Data Officer at AXA XL, covering 52 countries and overseeing $22 billion in revenue.

Henna emphasizes the analytical nature of mathematics and its integral role in data analytics, stating, "In the 600+ companies I have worked with over the last 3 years at Google, every company realizes that data is how they must drive their businesses forward in the future."

In her recent role as GM/MD Global Industry Solutions - Insurance & Risk at Google, Henna has made a significant impact, revolutionizing the insurance industry by integrating mathematical capabilities to solve problems in innovative and optimized ways. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for Essent Group, a mortgage insurance provider, and the AtSign Company, a startup dedicated to reinforcing authenticity on the internet.

Henna's contributions have generated substantial revenues, totaling $2 billion for companies such as Google, AXA, AIG, and Verisk. Her ability to double the value of every company she joins is a testament to her technological innovations

Check out Henna's LinkedIn profile here and learn more about her inspiring journey.

Henna Karna: How a Passion for Math Propelled Her to Tech Leadership

"Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas." - Albert Einstein

The remarkable success story of tech entrepreneur Henna Karna highlights the profound role of mathematics in digital technology and product innovation, which have revolutionized numerous industries and transformed lives for the better.

Henna's father, Arun, was the first in his family to graduate in Bihar, India, instilling in her a deep appreciation for education. Despite financial struggles while living in the US, Henna's parents prioritized her education, and it was her mother, Pushpa, who first expressed support when Henna revealed her love for mathematics.

However, Henna's academic journey was not without challenges. She encountered severe discrimination due to her ethnicity, facing ridicule from classmates who expected her to conform to American beauty and lifestyle standards. Additionally, she struggled with cultural references in literature and English classes, becoming a target for mockery.

Amidst these difficulties, math class became a refuge for Henna.

Mathematics was devoid of cultural biases, and Henna found solace in its logic and objectivity. She admitted that while her grades in other subjects fell short, math allowed her to explore multiple routes to solve problems, reinforcing the idea that there may be a single correct answer, but multiple paths to reach it. Henna recognized this as a valuable life lesson, where one can encounter closed doors but find alternative windows of opportunity, much like solving mathematical problems.

In an increasingly data-driven world, mathematicians possess the analytical skills to work with vast amounts of data, knowledge of statistics, calculus, and algebra to model and analyze new developments, and problem-solving abilities to collaborate with engineers and scientists. Henna's aptitude in math endowed her with these intellectual capabilities.

Eager to explore the practical applications of mathematics, Henna applied its principles and theorems to real-world problems. At the age of 12, she created walking canes for a woman, carving unique handles for each cane based on mathematical proofs, specifically focusing on "knot theory."

With a Bachelor's degree in Mathematical Sciences and Computer Science from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Henna embarked on a multifaceted career.

She began as an actuarial scientist before transitioning into teaching high school students and MBA classes. Later, she delved into roles as a cryptography analyst and advanced technology and analytics director.

Throughout her diverse and nonlinear career path, Henna's strength in mathematics and problem-solving remained a constant.

Her exceptional skills propelled her forward, leading her to serve as President at Verisk Digital Services, a global division of Verisk Analytics, where she oversaw operations in eight countries and generated substantial net-new revenue. She also held the positions of Executive Vice President and Global Chief Data Officer at AXA XL, covering 52 countries and overseeing $22 billion in revenue.

Henna emphasizes the analytical nature of mathematics and its integral role in data analytics, stating, "In the 600+ companies I have worked with over the last 3 years at Google, every company realizes that data is how they must drive their businesses forward in the future."

In her recent role as GM/MD Global Industry Solutions - Insurance & Risk at Google, Henna has made a significant impact, revolutionizing the insurance industry by integrating mathematical capabilities to solve problems in innovative and optimized ways. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for Essent Group, a mortgage insurance provider, and the AtSign Company, a startup dedicated to reinforcing authenticity on the internet.

Henna's contributions have generated substantial revenues, totaling $2 billion for companies such as Google, AXA, AIG, and Verisk. Her ability to double the value of every company she joins is a testament to her technological innovations

Check out Henna's LinkedIn profile here and learn more about her inspiring journey.