Women in Tech: Preethika Kalyanasundaram on Leading with Empathy in Tech

HackerNoon editorial team has launched this interview series with women in tech to celebrate their achievements and share their struggles. We need more women in technology, and by sharing stories, we can encourage many girls to follow their dreams.

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Tell us about yourself!

I am Preethika S Kalyanasundaram, a passionate product leader who thrives on shaping the enterprise customer experience landscape. With over a decade of expertise in AI-driven marketing and commerce cloud solutions, I excel at identifying innovative products that solve real-world problems and resonate with users.

Throughout my career at industry leaders like Oracle and Salesforce, I have leveraged my deep knowledge to launch successful product solutions that drive business impact. I am particularly proud of my track record of inclusive product design that prioritizes diversity and user empathy.

I hold a Master's degree in Computer Engineering with a Co-Major in Information Assurance from Iowa State University.

Why did you choose this field in the first place?

I chose this field because I'm passionate about using technology to positively impact people's lives. As a product leader, I get to immerse myself in understanding customer challenges and conceptualizing innovative solutions.

What energizes me is bringing ideas to life. I get to wear multiple hats - empathizing with users, envisioning product roadmaps, guiding engineering teams through development, and driving successful launches.

I love the collaborative nature of product development. Building outstanding experiences requires diversity of thought, skillsets, and backgrounds. I also enjoy mentoring teams and helping talented people grow.

And I'm motivated every day by my mission - leveraging technology for good. My goal is that every product I launch creates connections, expands access, and helps users achieve their potential.

For me, this field allows idealism and pragmatism to meet.

It's thrilling and humbling to see creations that once existed only in my mind become reality.

What tech are you most excited/passionate about right now and why?

I am most excited about recent advancements in AI that can connect people in positive ways. For example, using AI to provide personalized and quality education at scale or empower those with disabilities to communicate more easily. The potential to drive human progress responsibly through inclusion and accessibility inspires me.

What tech are you most worried about right now and why?

I do have concerns about the risks of AI and other emerging technologies. While innovation presents opportunities, we must consider ethics and responsibility. AI bias remains problematic. And innovations like deepfakes can erode trust if misused.

What are your hobbies and interests outside of tech?

Outside of technology, I seek adventures that push me out of my comfort zone! Each year I try to have at least one new exhilarating experience. So far, I've gone skydiving, scuba diving, flown a plane, paddle boarded by glaciers, and even summited Mount Kilimanjaro! I love exploring the world and continuing my quest to try new activities.

These thrilling hobbies may seem unexpected for an innovator. But the life lessons they've taught me - patience, empathy, resilience - have been invaluable. Early experiences volunteering and fostering dogs reinforced that purpose comes in many forms. My rescue dog opened my eyes to second chances. Each adventure strengthens my compassion and courage to take the road less traveled.

While I'm deeply passionate about technology, I believe cultivating diverse interests makes me a more balanced leader. My desire to help others, push boundaries, and broaden perspectives guides me both in and outside of work. I'm excited to see what's next and bring those lessons along to empower my teams and users. The journey continues!

Let's talk about breaking the glass ceiling. What were the biggest challenges you faced as a woman in tech, and how did you deal with them?

Navigating tech as a woman has certainly presented unique hurdles. Early in my career, qualities like empathy and collaboration were sometimes viewed as weaknesses instead of strengths. However, I never let outdated perceptions hold me back.

To break through the glass ceiling, I stayed laser-focused on outcomes and impact. I channeled my empathy into building products that truly resonate with users. And I leveraged collaboration to lead high-performing teams toward ambitious goals.

Along the way, I built a reputation for translating vision into reality and consistently delivering results. The proof is in the pudding - my track record of successful innovations and product launches speaks for itself.

My superpower is combining compassion with courage to drive positive change. I won't stop knocking down barriers until the playing field is level.

While misconceptions still exist, progress happens through open dialogue. I aim to foster inclusion by mentoring other women and advocating for increased diversity.

Any questionable misogynistic story/situation you faced/handled and you want to share with the HackerNoon Fam?

Many women in tech experience subtle biases that create an uneven playing field. Here are some questionable situations that I have faced as a woman in the tech industry:

• Being talked over or dismissed in meetings.
• Having ideas attributed to male colleagues.
• Receiving vague feedback
• Having qualifications doubted or needing to prove technical expertise more than men
• Being passed over for promotions and growth opportunities in favor of less experienced men

What was the biggest setback/failure that you faced, and how did you manage it?

A promising opportunity arose that would have allowed me to take on more responsibility and work on high-impact, strategic projects at my company. I was eager to step into a role where I could contribute new ideas and drive innovation. However, the opportunity was postponed. Despite this setback, I identified an area ripe for innovation in my current scope and implemented changes that gave us a competitive edge.

What's your biggest achievement that you're really proud of?

I'm extremely proud to have received a patent for an AI-driven innovation that transforms customer engagement strategies. The innovation utilizes a novel AI model to categorize customers into distinct personas based on their engagement patterns and behaviors. This granular personalization enables businesses to tailor the frequency and relevancy of their marketing communications for each individual user. The result is more meaningful connections between brands and consumers. Customers receive messages precisely when they are most receptive, leading to improved engagement and sales growth.

Having this patent granted was a career highlight. It validates the creativity and business impact of my work. I'm passionate about leveraging AI to forge genuine human connections at scale. This innovation exemplifies how technology can be harnessed for good.

In your opinion, why do we see this huge gender gap in the tech industry, and how can we reduce it?

The gap stems from systemic barriers that have discouraged women from entering and advancing in tech for decades. Outdated biases, lack of visible role models, and non-inclusive cultures have long perpetuated the imbalance.

Workplace policies like flexible schedules and equal family leave enable women to stay and thrive in tech. There is no quick fix. The burden cannot fall solely on women - men must use their influence as allies.

Leaders should champion female voices and advocate for representation at all levels. The tech industry will only reach its full potential when it leverages all talent.

Who is your tech idol? Why?

As CEO, Satya Nadella has reinvigorated Microsoft's culture of innovation with a focus on empathy, growth, and openness. In his book 'Hit Refresh,’ he wrote, "Empathy takes practice, muscle building, and calibration...Getting better at empathy makes me see more, feel more, care more."

This mindset has transformed Microsoft into a major force in cloud and collaboration under Nadella's leadership. His partnership-driven approach and vision to empower developers have established him as an influential tech leader. Nadella's leadership style, guided by empathy, has made Microsoft more agile and customer-focused.

Do you have any advice for aspiring girls who want to join the field?

First and foremost - believe in yourself and your abilities. Have confidence in the unique talents and perspective you bring. Don't underestimate your worth or capabilities. Ask questions, collaborate, and learn all you can from mentors. Knowledge is power, so never stop pushing yourself to grow. Bring a curious, open mindset to absorb new skills.

Finally, don't be intimidated by setbacks. Perseverance through challenges builds resilience. Progress happens with patience, passion, and grit. Stay focused on your vision and take it step-by-step. You have so much to offer to this field.

Bring your authentic self, bold ideas, and compassion to drive innovation. The future is bright for women ready to shape it.

Define your own path, and success will follow. You've got this!