Tell us a little about yourself – your early days, where you were born, your schooling, college, your major, when you moved to the US, how you landed at your current role.
I was born in Durgapur, India and moved to the US in 1988. I have an undergrad degree in Political Science Honors from Lady Sri Ram College in Delhi and a Masters in Social Work from Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai. I wanted to pursue Counseling in the US but soon found out that the number of hours it would take me to get licensed in California, I could do another degree. So, I decided to do a MS in Mass Communications.
I worked in a PR agency until I had my first son in 1992. I then decided to stay at home and take care of him. Two kids later, I saw myself getting involved in the community I lived…whether it was school or the public library.
As an immigrant, we all value the power of education, so I saw myself naturally focusing on education. I was appointed to the School Board and then I was introduced to Julie Clugage, the founder of Team4Tech through a mutual friend. I loved their mission to be a nonprofit impact accelerator for bridging the digital equity gap in education and to create inclusion and opportunities for learners in under-resourced communities around the world.
Leadership is a broad term and can mean different things to different people. Describe your leadership style and how you “lead” others.
I believe in collaborative leadership. It is very important to me to foster collaboration and teamwork among all the individuals with different perspectives and skills. I try to promote open communication, and create an inclusive environment where everyone feels heard and respected.
How do you manage self doubt? How have you built confidence and/or resiliency over the course of your career?
Self awareness is the key. Recognizing when self-doubt arises and understanding its underlying causes and talking to someone you trust (your partner at home for example) has helped me tremendously. Secondly, challenging negative self-talk and irrational beliefs by questioning their accuracy and validity and replacing self-limiting beliefs with more realistic and empowering affirmations has helped me overcome self doubt over the years.
How do you balance career, personal life and passions? Is there such a thing as balance?
Balancing career, personal life, and passions is indeed a challenge, and the concept of achieving perfect balance may be elusive. I identify my most important priorities in each area of my life and allocate time and energy accordingly (sometimes I have to tweak it depending on the circumstance). This might involve setting specific goals and deadlines to ensure that I am making progress in all aspects of my personal and professional life.
What are the most important qualities you look for in people? Why?
The first quality I look for in people I work with or even in my personal relationships is integrity because integrity encompasses honesty, reliability, and moral principles. People who demonstrate integrity are trustworthy, consistent, and ethical in their actions, which fosters trust and respect in relationships.
As a leader, how do you stay mindful of who’s at the table and who’s missing?
Ultimately, effective leadership is about understanding the needs and motivations of those we lead, adapting our approach accordingly, and inspiring the team to achieve their full potential. It’s a dynamic and multifaceted process that requires ongoing learning, self-awareness, and a genuine commitment to the success and well-being of others.
Actively seeking out diverse perspectives and voices, both within and outside the organization is important to me. I try to encourage input from individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints to foster innovation and avoid groupthink.
How important is it to have a mentor and/or sponsor to grow as a leader?
Having a mentor and/or sponsor can be incredibly important for personal and professional growth as a leader. A mentor can provide valuable guidance, advice, and support based on their own experiences and expertise. They can offer insights into navigating challenges, making difficult decisions, and advancing in one’s career.
Mentors and sponsors can facilitate access to valuable networking opportunities and connections within your industry or field. Mentors can help you identify and develop key leadership skills and competencies, such as communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence. They may provide constructive feedback and guidance for improvement. In terms of career advancement, sponsors, in particular, can advocate for you and champion your advancement within your organization or industry. They may nominate you for leadership opportunities, recommend you for promotions or projects, and provide visibility and recognition for your contributions. When learning from experience, mentors and sponsors have typically encountered similar challenges and obstacles in their own careers, allowing you to learn from their successes and failures. By leveraging their wisdom and insights, you can avoid common pitfalls and accelerate your growth as a leader.
Overall, having a mentor and/or sponsor can provide invaluable support, guidance, and opportunities for growth as you navigate your leadership journey. Whether you’re seeking to develop specific skills, advance in your career, or gain a broader perspective, a mentor or sponsor can offer the mentorship and sponsorship needed to thrive.
How can women support other women in their workplaces?
Women can support other women in their workplaces in various ways to foster a more inclusive and empowering environment. Women can serve as mentors or sponsors for other women in the workplace, providing guidance, support, and advocacy for career advancement. Mentorship programs can be formalized within organizations to facilitate these relationships. Women can amplify the voices of their female colleagues by actively listening to their ideas, acknowledging their contributions in meetings, and giving credit where it’s due. Women can also advocate for equal opportunities for other women in the workplace, whether it’s in project assignments, leadership roles, or professional development opportunities. This involves challenging biases and advocating for fairness and equity.
Women can create and participate in support networks (like Neythri) or affinity groups within the organization, where they can share experiences, offer advice, and provide emotional support to one another. Additionally, women can lead by example by demonstrating confidence, competence, and assertiveness in their own roles, serving as role models for other women in the organization. By showcasing their accomplishments and leadership skills, they inspire others to strive for excellence.
By actively supporting and uplifting other women in the workplace, women can create a more inclusive and empowering environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.
What’s your favorite way to relax and unwind?
Baking. I love to play my favorite music and bake. It relaxes me and the end product is always appreciated by friends and family.
If you could have dinner with anyone (living or dead), who would that be and why?
Rosa Parks: Often called the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement,” Parks’ courage and defiance in the face of injustice changed the course of history. Having dinner with her would provide an opportunity to learn about her experiences and the power of ordinary individuals to effect change.
Rapid-fire Questions
Who would you switch places with for a day?
Michelle Obama!
What’s the last book you read?
Trevor Noah’s “Born a Crime”.
What’s the next place on your travel bucket list?
The Amalfi Coast.
Are you currently binge-watching any shows?
Lessons in Chemistry.
What’s one item you can’t live without?
My IPhone.
What does Neythri mean to you?
Neythri empowers women and this is my mantra for living my life! Neythri enables and empowers women by being supportive, encouraging, and inclusive, creating environments where all women feel valued and capable and that’s why I am part of it from Day One.
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