Faculty Feature: Durgam Vahia, D’Amore-McKim School of Business

by Jussara Oliveira Barbosa, MS in Project Management ’25

Meet Durgam Vahia, a seasoned tech professional and dedicated educator. Durgam’s journey into teaching was inspired by his family’s legacy of educators. As a part-time lecturer for D’Amore-McKim School of Business, Vahia brings a wealth of industry experience to the classroom, sharing his insights on AI for business and inspiring students to embrace the future of technology.

With over two decades of experience in engineering, product management, and entrepreneurship, Durgam Vahia is a respected figure in the tech industry. Currently, he leads the Big Data product management team at Google, where he oversees the development of machine learning, experimentation, and analytics tools for some of the world’s largest consumer experiences.

Prior to his role at Google, Vahia held leadership positions at DoorDash and LinkedIn, where he built platforms and consumer products. He also founded an enterprise SaaS company, demonstrating his entrepreneurial acumen and expertise in building and scaling businesses.

Before his career in software, he gained valuable experience in semiconductor and hardware systems at Sun Microsystems and Oracle. His diverse background equips him with a unique perspective on the intersection of technology and business.

Vahia’s academic credentials are equally impressive. He holds an MBA from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and an MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His education, combined with his extensive industry experience, make him a highly qualified and sought-after educator.

In his role as a lecturer, Vahia shares his expertise on AI for business, providing students with practical insights into harnessing the power of artificial intelligence. He emphasizes the importance of specializing in a particular field early in one’s career and the value of understanding data in today’s digital age. Additionally, Vahia stresses the importance of human connection and empathy in the workplace, even as technology continues to advance.

Outside of the classroom, Durgam is a passionate lifelong learner. He enjoys running, is currently learning to play the piano, and actively explores new frontiers in AI research. His dedication to personal growth mirrors his professional ethos, demonstrating a constant pursuit of knowledge and self-improvement in both his work and personal life. This commitment to learning inspires his students, showing them that success in technology is not just about mastering technical skills but also about cultivating curiosity and a willingness to evolve.