10 eBay AI and data science leaders
Nitzan Mekel-Bobrov, Chief AI Officer, leads this list of eBay AI and data science leaders, who also include senior directors over computer vision and AI product and analytics, and directors and heads of applied science, machine learning and data science. A reader can learn how AI and data science leaders work at eBay from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
Arbel Deutsch Peled
LinkedInExperience: Director, Applied Science (Machine Learning) · eBay
Arbel Deutsch Peled has been Director, Applied Science (Machine Learning) at eBay since July 2024, based in the United Kingdom. Arbel Deutsch Peled was Director of Software Engineering, Head of Algorithmic Solutions at eBay from 2021 to 2024 and VP R&D at LocalizeOS from 2020 to 2021.
Binbin Li
LinkedInExperience: Director of Engineering, Ads Machine Learning, eBay Ads · eBay
Binbin Li has been Director of Engineering, Ads Machine Learning, eBay Ads at eBay since January 2022, based in San Francisco, California. Binbin Li was Machine Learning and Data Science Manager, Facebook Ads at Facebook from 2020 to 2022 and Head of Data Science and Machine Learning Engineering, true[X] at The Walt Disney Company from 2016 to 2020.
Heather Thibodeau
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director Leadership Roles: Customer Science, AI Product & Advanced Analytics · eBay
Heather Thibodeau has held Senior Director Leadership Roles: Customer Science, AI Product & Advanced Analytics at eBay since September 2016, based in the Berlin area. Heather Thibodeau was Director, Digital Personalization Capabilities and Products at 84.51˚ (Kroger) from 2015 to 2016 and Director, Digital Personalization Capabilities and Product at dunnhumby (Kroger) from 2012 to 2015.
Karthik Parvathaneni
LinkedInExperience: Head of Data Science - Live · eBay
Karthik Parvathaneni has been Head of Data Science - Live at eBay since February 2026, based in San Jose, California. Karthik Parvathaneni was Principal, Strategy & Operations at Google from 2019 to 2026, Team Lead at YouTube from 2017 to 2019 and Senior Strategist at Google from 2014 to 2017.
Nandini Menon
LinkedInExperience: Head of Data Science & Analytics (IAC) - Search, SEO, C2C Seller Success · eBay
Nandini Menon has been Head of Data Science & Analytics (IAC) - Search, SEO, C2C Seller Success at eBay since May 2026, leading teams across Search, SEO and C2C seller experiences. Nandini Menon was Senior Manager, Data Science & AI at Cockroach Labs from 2025 to 2026 and Manager, Data & Decision Science there from 2023 to 2025.
Nitzan Mekel-Bobrov, PhD
LinkedInExperience: Chief AI Officer · eBay
Nitzan Mekel-Bobrov has been Chief AI Officer at eBay since January 2021, based in New York. Nitzan Mekel-Bobrov was Global VP, AI & Enterprise Data at Booking.com from 2019 to 2021, Managing VP, Machine Learning at Capital One from 2016 to 2019 and Global Director of Data Science at Boston Scientific from 2011 to 2016.
Omar Javed
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director, Head of Computer Vision (Core AI) · eBay
Omar Javed has been Senior Director, Head of Computer Vision (Core AI) at eBay since September 2024, based in San Francisco, California. Omar Javed was Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer at PuppyDog.io from 2023 to 2024 and VP of Eng. & Applied Science (Discovery) at Twitch from 2020 to 2023.
Ramya Menon
LinkedInExperience: Director, AI and Data Science at eBay · eBay UK Limited
Ramya Menon has been Director, AI and Data Science at eBay at eBay UK Limited since March 2025. Ramya Menon was Head of Advanced Analytics and Data Science at eBay from 2019 to 2025, Manager, EU Compliance & Risk Analytics at eBay from 2018 to 2019 and Manager, EU C2C Advanced Analytics from 2016 to 2018.
Shahram Khadivi
LinkedInExperience: Director of Core AI · eBay
Shahram Khadivi has been Director of Core AI at eBay since January 2023, and lists foundation models, GenAI efficiency, multimodal AI and agentic systems in the profile headline. Shahram Khadivi was Principal Applied Scientist & Director of NLP/MT Research at eBay from 2018 to 2022.
Vipul Gaba
LinkedInExperience: Director - Applied Research & ML Engineering · eBay
Vipul Gaba has been Director - Applied Research & ML Engineering at eBay since March 2026, based in Bengaluru. Vipul Gaba was Head Machine Learning, AI and Data Wynk Music, XstreamPlay OTT Tech Site Lead BLR office at Airtel Digital from 2025 to 2026 and AVP(Head), Machine Learning and AI Wynk Music, Xstream OTT & IP TV there from 2023 to 2025.
Choose the right perspective
Pick the person whose own group is closest to your question, whether that is research, applied machine learning in a product area or data science for a business line. Check the start dates of each role to see how recent the experience is.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How have you decided which AI or data science problems your own group works on first?
- 02What has it taken to move a model from research or a prototype into a live product?
- 03How have you set up your group's working relationship with product and engineering leaders?
Reaching eBay AI and data science leaders
How can I contact one of these eBay AI and data science leaders?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 2 companies: eBay and eBay UK Limited, based on profile data retrieved on October 26, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach eBay AI and data science leaders?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. The offer is what the person receives, and Instant Expert's fee is added on top, so a $100 offer costs you $125. The fee is 20% of what you pay. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
Can an AI agent ask one of these eBay AI and data science leaders a question?
Yes. An agent with a USDC wallet on Base can ask one question without an Instant Expert account. It names the person, for example by the LinkedIn URL on this page, and pays per ask over x402 (HTTP 402). The person answers in writing or by voice note, and if nobody answers within 7 days, the payment goes back to the wallet automatically. Claude and ChatGPT can do the same through the Instant Expert connector: setup is at /docs/mcp for Claude and /docs/chatgpt for ChatGPT. x402 docs
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.