In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, leadership in software quality assurance is crucial to the success of any technology-driven organization. Sonali Sheetal stands as a formidable force in this domain, a Senior Software QA Lead with over 14 years of rich experience in the tech industry. Currently serving at Evernorth Health Services (a Cigna subsidiary), her leadership role is defined by her ability to blend technical mastery with strategic foresight, driving innovation and operational excellence across complex systems. Her journey is not only a testament to technical brilliance but also a reflection of her steadfast commitment to quality, innovation, and inclusive technology.
Early Life and Academic Foundation
Sonali’s academic journey laid a solid groundwork for her future success. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Bioinformatics from Sathyabama University, followed by a Master’s degree in Computer Science and Technology from Andhra University College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam. This fusion of biological sciences and computing gave her a unique interdisciplinary perspective, equipping her with the analytical mindset essential for tackling the multifaceted challenges of software engineering and data-driven environments. Her education was the catalyst that propelled her into the world of enterprise technology, setting the stage for a thriving career in quality assurance.
Professional Journey: Crafting Quality in Every Role
Sonali’s professional arc spans a wide array of industries—including finance, healthcare, automotive, and agriculture—offering her a panoramic view of business-critical applications.
She began her career at Syngenta as a QA Test Engineer and rose through the ranks, delivering testing solutions for major clients such as Microsoft, Volvo, Kaiser Permanente, Northern Trust, and PennyMac Financial Services.
At PennyMac, she led a 21-member QA team in transforming mortgage CRM systems using Salesforce. By engineering automation suites and streamlining lead management, she helped reorient the business from a loan-centric to a customer-centric model.
At Cigna’s Evernorth division, she now leads testing for the XpressForce Salesforce CRM platform, focusing on pharmacy benefit management integrations with Conga CLM, DocuSign, and Marketo. Her leadership has enhanced user experiences, ensured compliance, and delivered scalable solutions that meet regulatory and market demands.
Leadership and Innovation: A Collaborative Visionary
Sonali’s leadership style is collaborative, empathetic, and outcomes-focused. Known for leading cross-functional teams, she thrives in Agile environments where feedback and iteration are key. Whether facilitating stand-ups, refining sprint backlogs, or leading retrospectives, she fosters a culture of accountability and improvement.
What sets her apart is her knack for innovating within structured systems. From integrating Provar automation into CI/CD pipelines to establishing test suites that cut regression cycles, she consistently introduces efficiencies without compromising quality. Her work isn’t just about finding bugs—it’s about enabling business value.
Notable Achievements
Sonali’s accolades speak volumes about her impact. She has received the “Young Leaders Award,” multiple “Star of the Month” recognitions, and the prestigious “Domain Champ” award for her exceptional domain expertise. Her ability to bridge business goals with technical execution has earned her consistent praise from clients and senior leadership. Notably, her contributions to accessibility testing have garnered attention, with published papers and a dedicated Book of Knowledge on the topic—a rare distinction in the QA field.
Academic Contributions: Championing Accessibility and Standards
Sonali’s influence extends beyond corporate walls. She has authored technical content on “Accessibility Testing,” contributing valuable insights into making technology more inclusive. Her work adheres to WCAG standards and explores how automated and manual testing practices can align to serve users with diverse abilities. By synthesizing academic theory with practical application, she helps teams design more ethical, user-friendly systems.
Her certifications, including Salesforce Certified Associate and TOSCA Levels 1 and 2, further underscore her commitment to continuous learning and elevating industry standards.
Future Vision and Lasting Impact
As Sonali continues her tenure at Evernorth Health Services, her vision centers on making digital ecosystems not just functional but resilient, inclusive, and intelligent. She focuses on integrating AI-driven testing tools, improving accessibility, and enhancing patient-centric healthcare platforms.
Her influence is reshaping how organizations view quality—not as a final task but as a strategic differentiator embedded throughout product development. In doing so, she is redefining the role of a QA leader in the digital era.
