Sandbox AQ announced that the company hired Nadia Carlsten as its new vice president of product.
Carlsten was most recently Head of Product at the AWS Center for Quantum Computing. In that role she helped define strategic direction and drive product development for quantum technologies for a team leading the development of quantum algorithms, quantum hardware, and control software to build Amazon’s first fault-tolerant quantum computer. She also helped launch Amazon Braket, AWS’s quantum computing service, which provides customers access to multiple types of quantum computers and simulators, enabling them to build quantum applications that leverage hybrid quantum/classical systems. She began her career at Amazon helping AWS software partners innovate in security and machine learning.
Prior to Amazon, she was Director of Commercialization at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where she led innovation initiatives and managed a technology accelerator program that successfully launched several startups and brought new cybersecurity technologies to market. Earlier, she was also the Chief Innovation Strategist at the Department of Energy, responsible for strategic planning and implementation of Open Innovation and Technology Transfer activities.
“Nadia combines a rare mix of technical and product expertise, academic and scientific excellence, and experience working in both industry and government. We are proud to have her join the Sandbox AQ team, where her knowledge and experience will have an immediate impact,” said Jack D. Hidary. CEO of Sandbox AQ. “Nadia is very attuned to the state of the industry, what’s realistic and what’s hype. The fact that she has joined Sandbox AQ, after an illustrious career at Amazon, the U.S. Government and others, speaks volumes about our company and its prospects.”
At Sandbox AQ, Carlsten will align all product development teams behind a single vision and make sure that customers benefit from the entire spectrum of what Sandbox AQ can offer – in quantum security, sensing, and simulation and optimization. Her goal is to make sure that every idea, product and roadmap we develop addresses customers’ needs, is rooted in innovative technology, and ties into long-term business strategy.
When asked why she joined the company, Carlsten said, “Sandbox AQ is approaching quantum in a very different way. Its focus on security, sensing, simulation and other AI and quantum solutions goes beyond quantum computing, allowing Sandbox AQ to take on some of the world’s biggest computing challenges without relying on quantum hardware itself. Sandbox AQ is not building a mass market product for one particular sector or function, it’s looking to leverage AI and quantum to address unique customer needs and challenges to deliver value today. This bigger business vision means a bigger, more robust product vision and deeper customer interactions across a broad range of industries.”
Carlsten’s business and technical experience will prove invaluable as we deploy AQ solutions broadly via the company’s Global System Integration partners Deloitte and EY. Her government expertise and involvement in the leadership of several quantum industry groups, including the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C) and the Mid-Atlantic Quantum Alliance (MQA), will help us build bridges across the entire quantum ecosystem and better navigate policy decisions. She also holds a Ph.D. in engineering from UC Berkeley and degrees in Chemistry and Physics from the University of Virginia, so she’s able to speak the language of engineers, scientists, Ph.D. residents and academic partners. And finally, beyond her impeccable credentials and pedigree, the company is also excited that Carlsten will be a role model for other women looking to get into STEM careers like quantum and bring a much-needed perspective to the male-dominated tech industry.
