Today we’d like to introduce you to Arjun Bali.
Hi Arjun, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey has been anything but conventional—and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I started my career in India with a degree in Computer Engineering, followed by an MBA in Marketing & Finance. Like many others, I took the expected route into the corporate world, working sales roles at HCL and Citibank. At Citibank, I spent my days building relationships with high-net-worth clients—often closing deals over a round of golf. While I was learning a lot, I felt a growing need to do something more analytical and purpose-driven.
That urge to pivot led me to co-found UrbanMedico, a health and wellness startup in India. Though the platform was ahead of its time and faced adoption challenges, it sparked something in me—a desire to fully embrace my analytical strengths and step into the world of data and AI.
So, I took a leap of faith and invested all my savings into pursuing a Master’s in Data Science at UT Dallas. It was one of the boldest and most rewarding decisions I’ve made. Dallas became my new home, and over the last nine years, it’s been the backdrop for both personal and professional growth. Even though I spent a year interning in Austin at SparkCognition—where I built AI models for predictive maintenance—Dallas has always been where I’ve felt most grounded.
From there, my journey took me to FedEx in Dallas, where I automated a manual 8–10 hour reconciliation process down to just 10 minutes, and then to Yum Brands (The parent company of Pizza Hut, KFC and Taco Bell), where I led projects on AI-driven site selection strategies for KFC and recommendation engines for Taco Bell.
For the past 3.5+ years, I’ve been at Rocket Mortgage, where I lead AI innovation from the data science perspective. I’ve spearheaded projects around Client Lifetime Value (CLV), Mortgage Servicing Rights (MSR), and recently built an agentic RAG-based self-service AI tool that’s transforming how our business teams interact with data. I’ve had the honor of presenting this work at several conferences, including the recently concluded Data Science Salon in Austin.
From $300 in my pocket to helping shape the AI strategy at a leading mortgage company, my story is one of reinvention, resilience, and relentless curiosity—and Dallas has been home through it all
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. In fact, the early part of my journey was full of uncertainty, self-doubt, and sacrifice.
When I moved from India to Dallas in 2016 to pursue a Master’s in Data Science, it was a high-stakes gamble. Coming from a middle-class background, the financial burden was intense. At that time, $1 was equal to around ₹47—so every dollar spent here felt like a small fortune back home. I wasn’t from a wealthy or influential family, so we had to make a lot of sacrifices just to make this opportunity possible.
While many of my peers back in India were earning comfortably in corporate roles, I was struggling to make ends meet as a full-time student in a new country. I took up a part-time job at the university’s recreational center to save a little money and stay afloat. It was a humbling experience—going from client meetings at Citibank to folding towels and checking IDs—but I embraced it because I knew what I was working toward.
Breaking into data science was another challenge. I didn’t have any prior experience in the field, and many companies were reluctant to offer internships or sponsor H1B visas for international students. I had to hustle—networking constantly, sharpening my technical skills, and applying to every opportunity I could find. After dozens of rejections, I finally landed an internship at SparkCognition in Austin, which became a launching pad for my career.
I also pushed myself academically. I didn’t just want to survive—I wanted to thrive. I studied hard and was proud to be awarded the Dean’s Merit Scholarship at UT Dallas, which gave me both financial relief and a renewed sense of purpose.
Looking back, those challenges taught me resilience, humility, and grit. They shaped my mindset and built the foundation for everything that came after. I learned that the most meaningful journeys are often the hardest ones—and I wouldn’t trade those struggles for anything
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m currently a Senior Data Scientist at Rocket Mortgage, where I lead the AI strategy from a data science perspective. Over the last 3.5+ years, I’ve driven several impactful initiatives—ranging from Client Lifetime Value (CLV) and Mortgage Servicing Rights (MSR) models to developing a self-service AI platform powered by agentic Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG). This tool allows business users to simply “ask questions” in plain English and get actionable insights instantly—essentially giving every team their own AI-powered data analyst.
This work has not only delivered real business value but also gained recognition at the highest levels. I was honored with the prestigious Rock Honors award, our CTO spotlighted my work at the AWS Conference, and it was also featured during Rocket’s Investor Day as a key example of AI innovation driving business transformation.
What truly sets me apart from other data scientists is my ability to bridge the technical and business worlds—a skill shaped by my MBA and early career in sales and marketing. I have a knack for understanding business pain points and translating them into data science solutions that are both meaningful and strategic. In many organizations, there’s a gap between what the model predicts and what the business actually needs to understand. I focus on the “why” behind the model—ensuring that insights are explainable, actionable, and aligned with business goals.
This mindset has consistently delivered results. At Yum Brands, I built an AI-powered model to determine the most profitable new KFC store locations while minimizing cannibalization. At FedEx, I automated a reconciliation process from 8–10 hours to just 10 minutes. And even during my internship at SparkCognition, I built predictive maintenance models that helped optimize operations for wind and hydro turbines.
Across every role, my mission has remained the same: use Data Science/AI not just to solve technical problems—but to drive real-world business value. And that’s what I’m most proud of.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is a good mix of family, sports, and food—and Dallas gives me all three in abundance.
Spending time with family keeps me grounded and reminds me of why I’ve worked so hard to get where I am. I’m incredibly grateful to have built a life here in Dallas over the past nine years, and having that sense of stability and belonging is something I truly value.
Outside of work, I’m a huge sports fan. I’ve always loved basketball—I used to be a die-hard Dallas Mavericks fan (until Luka got traded!), and I still follow the league closely. I also love playing tennis and golf—they’re my go-to stress busters. Tennis, in particular, gives me a competitive outlet while helping me stay focused and clear-headed.
And then there’s food. I’m a total foodie at heart. One of the things I absolutely love about Dallas is the barrage of new restaurants constantly popping up. I make it a point to explore as many as I can—whether it’s a trendy new spot or a hidden gem in a strip mall. For me, trying new cuisines and discovering flavors is a joyful adventure.
In the end, what makes me happy is pretty simple: meaningful moments with people I care about, staying active and competitive, and enjoying the amazing food culture Dallas has to offer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.arjun-bali.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjun-bali/
