Throughout the month of March, Women’s History Month, the IU India Gateway has been collecting profiles of successful alumni in the region and sharing them on LinkedIn. Read on for a summary of all seven profiles, then follow the Gateway on LinkedIn to see the full details.
As a part of Women’s History Month, IU India Gateway is excited to share this year’s IU Women Of The World feature showcasing Indian women who have an Indiana University degree. These women were invited to reflect on their academic and career achievements since graduation. In case you missed their individual profiles throughout the month on our social media platforms, we’ve collated the details in this feature to inspire women to step out to shape their world.
Whether they are on this short list or simply out in the world making a difference, we would like to cheer on all women who walk the unknown roads and continue to rise and raise opportunities and hopes for future generations. IU India Gateway is grateful to the featured IU alumnae for sharing their achievements and thoughts. Want to be featured next year? We will be searching for next year’s cohort in January 2024. If you know of an outstanding IU alum who you think should be featured, let us know!
Sambhavi Chilukuri, Class of 2009
Sambhavi Chilukuri is an entrepreneur and co-founder of Rapidious, an AI-driven dynamic pricing platform for retailers and brands. The skills she gained during her career—from coding and architecture to consulting and working with external partners –helped her get to where she is today. She is also thankful to have mentors like Kishore Rajgopal, a visionary, leader, and mentor who gently nudged her into her current role – something she never imagined for herself before working with him! She shares her passion for mentoring women returning to the workforce with Sanghamithra Penesetti, goZeal. The decision to pursue an MSIS program at Indiana University Bloomington she states, is also one of the biggest influences in her life.
Fledgling start-ups provide a daily crash course in dealing with uncertainty.
Sambhavi takes her role as a mom seriously, but it took her a while to figure out how to efficiently balance demands on her time. She builds her schedule around what’s non-negotiable – such as giving her son an hour of undivided attention daily. Sambhavi is a trained singer with a diploma in Hindustani classical music, and now training in Carnatic music. She is passionate about her terrace/rooftop garden where she grows organic vegetables and pollinator-friendly flowers.
Sambhavi’s academic journey includes a B. Tech, Mechanical Engineering, 2005, Andhra University, an MS in Information Systems, 2009, Indiana University – Kelley School of Business, and an Advanced Certification in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, 2020, IIIT Hyderabad.
Tejaswini Vavilala, Class of 2014
Tejaswini Vavilala is an International Development and Communications professional with experience in Public Affairs-related roles across nonprofits and corporate entities in India and the US. She previously worked with the International Rescue Committee, Global Policy Forum, CA Technologies, and United Nations (UNFPA), among others.
Tejaswini co-leads the non-profit Sphoorti Foundation in Hyderabad, India, an organization that supports over 1500 children from underserved communities with comprehensive health and educational care. As Director of Projects at the Sphoorti Foundation, she builds strategies to deliver impactful results. She has her own podcast on Mental Health (Just me with Tejaswini Vavilala and Gayatri Uppalapati).
I am an ardent learner – I enjoy learning about various subjects which have helped me build my personality. In particular, I believe that the skills learned in development studies, research, and analysis, combined with an interdisciplinary understanding of international affairs helped me succeed in my roles.
Tejaswini enjoys meeting people from different backgrounds. She learned Carnatic classical music in the early years and got opportunities to perform while at IUPUI. Tejaswini also has a degree in Reiki and regularly practices yoga for health.
Tejaswini’s academic journey includes a BA in Mass Communication and Journalism, Literature, and Political Science, in 2009 from St. Francis College for Women, Osmania University, a MA in Public Relations, in 2014, from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis & an MS in International Affairs, 2021, The New School, New York.
Shahin Kachwala, Class of 2018
Shahin Kachwala is an Assistant Professor, in the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, at the State University of New York, Oneonta. As a Muslim woman in India and a first-generation college student, her parents found her desire to leave home for a foreign one, difficult to accept. It took several years to persuade them, but they eventually supported her decision to study in the United States—a decision that transformed her life.
Shahin’s research focuses on the interconnections between gender, violence, and political cultures. She feels indebted to all the brilliant educators and mentors who influenced her educational journey, a debt Shahin hopes to repay through her own teaching She enjoys teaching and mentoring students in her classes and uses gender theory to encourage students to make connections between classroom learning and their lives. Shahin is a compassionate listener, and a detail-oriented professional, who recognizes and respects differences while working towards developing cultural competency. In her free time, Shahin loves to read fiction, travel, and learn to bake!
I have found hope and freedom through my education in feminist, postcolonial, and antiracist texts, and I continue to use this knowledge in shaping a shared possible future.
Shahin’s academic journey includes a B.A. English Literature, 2001, from Mithibai College, Mumbai, a M.A. English Literature, 2003, from the University of Mumbai, and an M.A. Africana Studies & M.A. Women’s Studies, 2007, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, and most recently a Ph.D. in Gender Studies & Minor in History, 2018, Indiana University Bloomington.
Nidhi Khaitan Modi, Class of 2003
Nidhi Khaitan Modi has more than twenty years of experience across multiple industries (Baby/Fem Tech, Study Abroad, FMCG, and off-grid solar). Mamily, a femtech app in the area of maternity and parenting services in India, is her fifth entrepreneurial project. As a serial entrepreneur, she has built India’s largest study abroad test preparation company and India’s largest solar off-grid portable company from scratch along with running an up-and-coming baby care brand. Mamily, her latest startup was ranked in India’s top 30 under 30 by India Today in 2011.
I believe in driving value-based leadership at a larger professional and societal level.
Nidhi has a unique mix of experience across business operating (P/L), strategy, and ground-level managing and building a business from scratch. With her start-up experiences, she believes that she can scale businesses based on strong insights into consumer and human behavior. Nidhi’s other interests include meditation, trekking, organic farming, tennis, swimming, and running.
Nidhi has a BS in Business which she completed in 2003 from Indiana University of Bloomington.
Pavneet Kaur Bharaj, Class of 2022
Pavneet Kaur Bharaj, Ph.D. is currently working as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the STEM Equity project at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Her interest lies in teacher education and assessment. She has presented her work at many national and international conferences and published in journals, like the Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, Mathematics, and Frontiers in Education.
I believe that without persistence and patience, nothing can be attained in life. While deciding what you want to do, pay more attention to what you “really do not want to do” and then carve your trajectory.
To Pavneet coming to the US to study meant exposure to a new cultural, linguistic, social, and pedagogical setting. When she has free time, she loves spending time with her partner. They recently welcomed a new member to their family, Arzoie Kaur. Currently, the couple is celebrating every little action and milestone of Arzoie!
Pavneet’s academic journey includes an M.Sc. in Mathematics, in 2009, from Panjab University Chandigarh, an M.Ed., in 2011, from Panjab University Chandigarh, a P.G.D.C.A, in 2012, from Panjab University Chandigarh, and a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education & a Minor in Inquiry Methodology, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, 2022, Indiana University School of Education.
Anjali Raje, Class of 1998
Anjali Raje is currently the Associate Director, Molecule Planning at Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis. Her work experience includes a range from supply chain planning, forecasting, and managing different drug studies to associated pharmaceutical/medical informatics in a large, multinational, and time-critical environment. She also has experience with Software Process Quality, Process Improvement, Risk Analysis, Auditing, Self-assessment, Coaching/Mentoring, and Vendor Management.
Anjali believes that she is a team player, feisty, loyal, patient, dedicated, and honest. Her interests include cooking, reading, traveling, listening to Hindi music, watching films, exercising, and learning French.
Work hard to know what you don’t know. Mistakes are not obstacles but lessons in the journey of life.
Anjali’s academic journey includes an MS in Computer Science, 1998, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, a M.Sc. Statistics, 1993, from the University of Mumbai, and a B.Sc. Statistics, 1991, University of Mumbai.
Lakshmi Swaminathan, Class of 2010
Lakshmi Swaminathan currently works at Azentio as Head of Global Product Support across Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance verticals. She has close to 18 years of professional experience, working in multinational organizations like Adobe, AT&T, and Cognizant, spanning roles in people management, program management, P&L management, process excellence, and operational roles.
I believe that it is integrity, empathy, and resilience that helped me to succeed in life.
She aspires to be an empowering, empathetic, and impactful leader. According to Lakshmi, it’s important to recognize one’s strengths and work on how to apply, adapt and align them. Lakshmi loves playing badminton and would opt for this as an alternate career!
Lakshmi’s academic journey includes a BE in Electrical & Electronics, 2002, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, and an MBA in Finance & Marketing, 2010, Indiana University Kelley School of Business.
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