Where numbers meet narratives
Micky Chhabda is transforming data into impact.
Some careers are driven by data. Others by imagination. For Micky Chhabda, it’s been both, and a whole lot more. “My career bridges the precision of engineering with the impact of business strategy, where numbers meet narratives,” he says. And it’s this blend of logic and storytelling that’s propelled him from student engineer to global analytics leader, TEDx speaker, and proud MIET member.
But let’s rewind.
A full-circle moment
Micky’s connection with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) goes back more than a decade to a student competition that left a lasting mark. “My journey to becoming an IET member began in 2014 when I participated in the IET’s Present Around The World (PATW) competition during my second year of engineering,” he explains. “What started as a passion for public speaking turned into a multi-year pursuit of growth, grit, and personal transformation.”
He didn’t win immediately, there were bumps along the way, including setbacks at local and regional rounds. But he kept going. Eventually, in 2018, he won the IET Pune Local Network competition. “That experience stayed with me and laid the foundation for my relationship with the IET. Years later, I applied for membership, progressed through the stages, and proudly earned the MIET designation.”
Connecting data, business, and people
Today, Micky works as a Manager at Ipsos MMA, leading high-impact analytics projects that directly influence over $1 billion in revenue. “I help gold-standard US and global brands make data-driven decisions and optimise millions of marketing spend dollars to drive billions of revenue,” he explains. It’s an impressive role, but it’s clear he sees himself as more than just a ‘numbers guy’.
He’s passionate about “storytelling with data”, about helping people understand (not just analyse) what data is telling them. It’s a theme that runs through his work, from marketing mix modelling to predictive analytics to his recent selection as a TEDx speaker. “Had I not participated in PATW during my college days, I might never have pursued platforms like TEDx early in my career. The IET has helped amplify my voice far beyond the technical sphere.”
His TEDx talks focus on a topic close to his heart: data literacy. “We all know how to read, but do we truly read data?” he asks. For Micky, it’s not enough to know the numbers, you have to understand the story behind them.
Finding community and paying it forward
For all his accolades, Micky is quick to turn the spotlight on others. He’s mentored more than 200 analysts and guided over 100 high school students through marketing and analytics competitions. “Engineering is not just about solving problems, it’s about creating possibilities,” he says. That philosophy shapes how he leads, teaches, and engages with the wider community.
And that’s where the IET comes back in.
“My favourite thing is the sense of belonging to a global community of innovators and changemakers,” he says. “Whether through events, professional engagements, or collaborations, there’s always an opportunity to learn, share, and grow. The IET doesn’t just celebrate engineering excellence, it cultivates it, and that’s a community I’m proud to be a part of.”
“Start where you are”
His advice for young engineers thinking about joining the IET? Don’t overthink it. “Becoming an IET member isn’t just a badge on your CV, it’s a catalyst for growth,” Micky says. “Don’t wait for the ‘perfect moment’ to get involved. Participate in events, speak up, share your ideas, and most importantly, stay curious.”
Because, as Micky’s story shows, growth doesn’t happen in a straight line, it loops, pivots, and sometimes comes full circle. “Every day is an opportunity to step forward and perform,” he says. And if you ask him, the best place to start? Exactly where you are.