Postgres Woman of the Year February 2026 - Subathra Shanmugam

Introduction:

My name is Subathra, and I’m currently working with Cognizant. I’m based out of Coimbatore. I started out as a SQL Server support engineer with Microsoft and currently working as a database architect with Cognizant. My focus is on designing scalable solutions and leading cloud migration projects and helping organizations modernize their database infrastructure. Within the database community, I focus on both technical contributions and mentorship.

Journey in PostgreSQL

My journey with databases began early in my career when I was first introduced to relational database systems. I started by working on SQL Server, focusing on administration, performance tuning, and query optimization. Over time, I developed a strong interest in database design and architecture, which led me to explore other databases like PostgreSQL . As I gained experience, I moved into roles that required designing scalable solutions, ensuring data integrity, and supporting enterprise applications. This naturally evolved into specialization in cloud database migration, where I now help organizations modernize their SQL Server and PostgreSQL workloads. Today, as a Database Architect, I focus on building robust architectures, guiding migration strategies, and contributing to best practices within the database community.

Can you share a pivotal moment or project in your PostgreSQL career that has been particularly meaningful to you?

One of the most pivotal projects in my database career was leading a large-scale cloud migration initiative for a client where we transitioned mission-critical SQL Server and PostgreSQL workloads to a modern cloud platform. Managing the migration of complex schemas, large datasets, and high-availability configurations under tight timelines was a challenge, but it ultimately gave me greater confidence in building resilient architectures and scaling solutions effectively.

Contributions and Achievements:

I am proud of designing and implementing scalable architectures for SQL Server and PostgreSQL that significantly improved system performance and reliability. Additionally, I’ve contributed to practice initiatives by developing best practices for Backup/Recovery, HA and disaster recovery and sharing my learning with the team and organization.

(II)  Have you faced any challenges in your work with PostgreSQL, and how did you overcome them?

There are many challenges that I have faced while working with databases, however one challenge that I recently faced was ensuring seamless cloud migrations of mission-critical workloads from SQL Server to PostgreSQL. I addressed this by carefully planning prerequisites, validating schema compatibility, and using phased migration strategies to minimize downtime. These experiences showed me how essential it is to stay proactive with monitoring, work closely with cross-functional team and best-practice adoption are for building reliable and scalable systems.

Community Involvement:

I engage with the database community by contributing to technical discussions, sharing best practices on SQL Server and PostgreSQL, and supporting cloud migration initiatives. I also attend conferences to stay connected — most recently PGConf Bangalore in 2025, where I had the opportunity to learn from experts.

(II) Can you share your experience with mentoring or supporting other women in the PostgreSQL ecosystem?

Mentoring and supporting women in tech has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my professional journey. Through Cognizant’s Nurture Her program, I connect with college students to provide mentorship, helping them build confidence, develop technical skills, and prepare for future opportunities in the industry. In addition, I contribute to Cognizant’s GenC training and mentoring initiatives, where I support freshers in building strong foundations in database concepts, architecture, and best practices.
 

Insights and Advice:

My advice to women starting their careers in technology, especially in database management and PostgreSQL, is to build a strong foundation in core concepts like data modeling, indexing, and query optimization. They have to explore open-source communities like PWI for PostgreSQL that has a vibrant ecosystem where you can learn, contribute, and grow. Seek out mentors and peer networks, because guidance and support can make a big difference in navigating challenges and building confidence.

(II)  Are there any resources (books, courses, forums) you’d recommend to someone looking to deepen their PostgreSQL knowledge?

Understanding database architecture is fundamental to learning how databases work efficiently and reliably. The initial steps involve exploring the foundational concepts and internal components that make up a typical database system. When I started with SQL Server, Guru’s guide to internals was our mantra.
The Guru’s Guide to SQL Server Architecture and Internals – Ken Henderson
SQL Authority with Pinal Dave – has been a lifesaver and a “go-to” reference whenever teams hit a roadblock
https://www.postgresql.org/community/ – The community knowledgebase and support is extremely good for PostgreSQL
Udemy – PostgreSQL for Everybody: Beginner-friendly, with hands-on labs – Additionally I have found this Udemy course helpful

Looking Forward:

AI is the hot topic, and I am excited about the integration of AI and machine learning directly within databases.

(II)  Do you have any upcoming projects or goals within the PostgreSQL community that you can share?

Lately we are seeing lot of project demands for PostgreSQL and I’m looking forward to learning and contributing more actively to PostgreSQL technology. I am also planning to form a group for women database professionals within Cognizant Coimbatore with a strong focus on encouraging women and freshers to explore PostgreSQL.

Personal Reflection:

Being part of the PostgreSQL community means belonging to a group that values collaboration, openness, and continuous learning. Those weekend PostgreSQL training batches really show the spirit of the community. The fact that professionals dedicate their time, without charging, reflects a genuine commitment to knowledge-sharing and building a stronger ecosystem. It’s not just about teaching syntax or commands; it’s about creating opportunities for people to grow, gain confidence, and feel supported in their careers. Kudos to Aarti, Kalyani, Brahmini and the other trainers who has made this happen.

(II)  How do you balance your professional and personal life, especially in a field that is constantly evolving?

Balancing professional and personal life takes conscious effort. I make it a priority to safeguard my personal time by cutting boundaries, prioritizing family, and treating downtime as essential for long-term productivity. I’ve found that mentoring and community engagement, such as with PGConf, Nurture Her, Women Empowered group within my organization also helps me integrate passion with profession, making the balance more natural.

Message to the Community:

PostgreSQL community is all about collaboration, and growth. I would really encourage women to be part of this wonderful group as it’s a space where you can learn, contribute, and build confidence.