When Dinandra Arhisy began questioning how technology shapes decision-making within large financial institutions, she found herself drawn not only to innovation but also to leadership. She is an M.S. in Technology Management (TMGT) student whose academic and leadership journey reflects a commitment to bridging technology, strategy, and community impact. With a professional background in banking and financial services, she brings experience across credit policy, digital lending, and technology-driven transformation initiatives—work that sparked a deeper interest in how technology can be designed and governed within complex organizations.
As Arhisy explains, “Over time, I became increasingly interested in not just using technology, but in understanding how it can be designed, governed, and scaled strategically, particularly as data, automation, and AI become more embedded in financial decision-making.”
Before coming to Columbia, Arhisy earned a dual bachelor’s degree in economics from Padjadjaran University in Indonesia and business administration from South Champagne Business School in France. She also holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, supported by the SPS Academic & Professional Development Grant. She chose the TMGT program for its applied, interdisciplinary approach to business strategy, technology, and leadership, as well as the opportunity to learn through hands-on projects and real-world engagement in New York City.
Arhisy has valued the program’s emphasis on execution and experimentation. Her coursework challenged her to prototype solutions, question assumptions, and balance analytical rigor with creative problem-solving. A defining experience was her graduate capstone project in partnership with Deloitte, where her team developed an AI-driven operational due diligence tool for mergers and acquisitions. The project mirrored a real-world product development cycle and reinforced the importance of building technology that aligns with how professionals actually work and make decisions. Reflecting on her experience, Arhisy says that TMGT helped her grow “not only as a technologist and strategist, but also as a creative and adaptable leader, someone who is comfortable turning ideas into action.”
Alongside her academic work, Arhisy has served as an active member of the SPS Student Government (SPSSG). She joined SPSSG in her first semester as an at-large representative, serving two consecutive terms representing students across SPS programs. She later joined the Executive Board as treasurer and chair of the Alumni Committee, overseeing budgeting for student initiatives and leading efforts to strengthen engagement between current students and SPS alumni through networking and community-building events. Serving in SPSSG, she notes, has been “one of the most meaningful parts” of her Columbia experience and has allowed her to grow as a leader while helping foster “a more connected, inclusive, and supportive SPS community.”
For Arhisy, the SPS community is defined by students who balance coursework with professional and personal commitments, creating a culture of empathy, collaboration, and shared purpose. Through SPSSG and her involvement with the Columbia Women in Data and Technology (CWDT) student club, she has seen firsthand how diverse perspectives strengthen leadership and problem-solving.
Looking ahead, Arhisy plans to carry forward the TMGT program’s emphasis on turning complex challenges into actionable solutions, learning through iteration, and staying adaptable as technology evolves. Her advice to incoming students is to get involved early, build genuine relationships, and remain open to growth beyond the classroom. For her, the SPS experience has been shaped as much by community and leadership as by academic rigor.
About the Program
The Master of Science in Technology Management at Columbia University prepares graduates to lead digital transformation, and align technology and business strategy with an ethical lens. Through experiential learning, industry partnerships, and Columbia-supported research, students gain fluency in digital platforms and emerging technologies, and learn to design human-centered solutions that drive innovation and sustainable impact.
The program is available for part-time or full-time enrollment online or on campus in NYC. Learn more about the program here.
