Mumbai · Wake Forest · Detroit

Engineer.
Consultant.
Entrepreneur.

Business Efficiency Engineer at General Motors. Consultant to small and growing businesses. Committed to wildlife, community, and the people around me.

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Shanay Sonawala
My Life Journey

Seattle · Mumbai · Wake Forest · Detroit

Born in Seattle, raised in Mumbai from 2002, studied at Wake Forest University in North Carolina, and now based in Detroit. Every city shaped how I think, work, and show up for others.

Seattle 2001 Mumbai 2002 – 2019 Wake Forest 2019 – 2024 Detroit 2024 – Now
2001
Seattle
Washington, USA
2002 – 2019
Mumbai
India
2019 – 2024
Wake Forest
North Carolina
2024 – Now
Detroit
Michigan, USA
Family & Roots

Where I come from shapes how I work

My family is from Mumbai — a city that teaches you to move fast, think on your feet, and find a way through any obstacle. My parents instilled something more important than ambition: the value of genuine relationships and showing up for the people around you.

Every year our family returns to India's wildlife reserves — Tadoba, Ranthambore, Kanha. These trips aren't tourism. They're a ritual. Sitting in a jeep before sunrise, waiting silently for a tiger, teaches patience in a way no classroom can. That same patience I carry into every project I work on.

My brother and I grew up watching our parents build something from nothing. That work ethic, combined with the perspective of living between continents and cultures, is the most useful thing I own.

Shanay with family
The Journey

From Mumbai to General Motors

Engineering education across two continents, internships in controls and manufacturing, and a career path built at the intersection of engineering, analytics, and business strategy.

2019 – 2023
Wake Forest University — Mechanical Engineering & Mathematics Minor

Dean's List ×4. Internships at GM, Brock Solutions, SKIDATA AG. Built the foundation in engineering, data, and people.

2023 – 2024
MS Business Analytics, Wake Forest

Bridged engineering and strategy. Built real-time dashboards for Winston-Salem Fire Department. Career Peer, Student Ambassador.

2024 – Present
Business Efficiency Engineer — General Motors

EV fleet electrification dashboards. Customer segmentation. CO₂ logistics analysis. Executive dashboards. Robotics deployment analysis. Teams across US, India, Brazil.

2025 – Present
Shanay Sonawala Consulting™ — Founder

Analytics, automation, and reporting systems for small and mid-sized businesses.

Education

Wake Forest University

Wake Forest University campus

MS Business Analytics

June 2023 – May 2024. Real-time dashboard project for Winston-Salem Fire Department. Student Engagement Council, Career Peer, Student Ambassador. Dean's List.

BE Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics Minor

2019 – 2023. Dean's List ×4. Internships at General Motors, Brock Solutions, SKIDATA AG (Salzburg). People's Choice Award. PADI Rescue Diver.

Work with me

The clearest path forward starts with a conversation.

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