Gartner Announces 2 Promotions, 2 New Hires

Gartner, a major presence in California public and private technology, has announced two promotions and two new hires — all working to serve state and local government (SLG) in the West.

The two newly promoted team members:

Abhi Kuzhikat has been promoted to senior managing partner with Gartner Consulting. Kuzhikat has more than 20 years’ experience of progressive IT leadership and experience. His background includes business process re-engineering and developing business and technology strategies, along with deep knowledge and understanding of system architecture, software design and application development platforms.

Kuzhikat holds a Master of Computer Applications (M.C.A.) from Shivaji University in India and an Executive Certificate in Management and Leadership from MIT Sloan School of Management. He also holds several professional certifications in project management, cloud, security, technology, IT operations, management and leadership, data science and analytics that includes PMP, PMI-ACP, Prosci Certified Change Practitioner, Certified Information Systems Auditor, Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, ITIL, CSM, CSP-SM, SAFe Agilist, Breakthrough Customer Experience (CX) Strategy, PMI-Generative AI for Project Managers, Google Data Analytics, Privacy Law and HIPAA, Game Theory, IEEE 1012 Software and Systems Engineering Standards: Verification and Validation of Systems, Software, and Hardware and IEEE Software and Systems Engineering Standards: Life Cycle Processes.

Bharat Bagaria has been promoted to senior expert partner with Gartner Consulting and has over 25 years of Enterprise Information Management (EIM) and data and analytics experience with a focus on SLG clients. His experience includes business intelligence and advanced analytics, algorithms, reference and Master Data Management, enterprise architecture, data governance, data quality, data modeling, business analysis/requirements and project management. Bagaria advises and works with multiple SLG agencies, Fortune 500 companies, health-care providers, global financial institutions, energy and utilities, retail, and sports industries.

Bagaria joined Gartner in 2019 and works out of the Gartner offices in Sacramento. He holds a Master of Science degree in chemical engineering from Drexel University and a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from the Institute of Chemical Technology, India. He also has an Advanced Professional Certification in Management Information Systems from Drexel University and has completed a variety of training programs in EIM.

The two newly hired Gartner team members are:

Kimanh Nguyen, who has been appointed as managing partner, brings deep experience and expertise to the role. As a PMP-certified practice builder and program management executive, she has 20 years' experience managing global, state and regional programs for organizations such as Amazon and Deloitte and various government agencies, including the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services, the city of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security, the city of Los Angeles Information Technology Agency, the Orange County Transportation Authority, and the state of California.

Nguyen has implemented innovative strategic plans and established program management offices overseeing portfolios valued over $45 billion. Beyond her professional achievements, Nguyen is active in the community as a member of the Advisory Board for U.S. Bank, a member of the Project Management Institute, and a member of the Small Business Diversity Network. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's in public administration from the University of Southern California.

Bryn Hughes has been named an associate partner with Gartner Consulting’s SLG team. Hughes has more than 20 years’ experience leading various engagements and cross-functional teams across the public and commercial sectors. Hughes’ functional expertise includes strategy and operations consulting; program, project and portfolio management; business process optimization and design; and agile coaching. Hughes joined Gartner in 2024 and works from San Francisco.

Before joining Gartner, Hughes served as a senior director for both large global and small consultancy firms supporting federal, state and local government clients, ultimately leading a 140-person business advisory services team covering Northern California. He graduated from the University of Sheffield with a bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical systems engineering. His current professional certifications include PMP, CSM and Prosci, and he has been a SAFe SPC for over seven years, for both delivery engagements and as a formal course trainer. He has held high security clearances in both the UK and the U.S. (currently inactive). In addition, Hughes has extensive volunteer experience, having led nonprofit organizations and currently serving as the nonprofit director of SEA (Sailing Education Adventures), based in San Rafael. Hughes is a British native, has English as a first language, and maintains business-level professional fluency in Spanish.

Eugene Martinez, Gartner’s Sacramento-based senior managing partner, said he was pleased with the promotions and new hires. Of the four, he told Industry Insider — California in an email: “They are critical members of our State and Local Government – West Team, and they demonstrate Gartner Consulting’s commitment to bringing the highest-quality partners to our public-sector clients.”