Breaking Barriers: 11 Trailblazing Indian Women in Tech—An In-Depth Look

Women in India are transforming the tech landscape! They're not just participating, they're leading the way, coming up with new ideas, and changing the game. From artificial intelligence to cybersecurity, and from small startups to big companies, these eleven remarkable women are carving their names in golden letters and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.

Inspiring Women Who Made A Significant Impact In The Tech Industry

Let us have a look at the inspiring journeys of women in tech and the significant impact they've made in the industry.

1. Roshni Nadar Malhotra - Chairperson, HCL Technologies

In 2020, Roshni Nadar Malhotra made history by becoming the first woman to lead a major Indian IT company, HCL Technologies. Her rise to chairperson was a groundbreaking moment for the Indian IT industry, paving the way for future generations of women in the traditionally male-dominated sector.

Background: Although Roshni Nadar Malhotra comes from the family that founded HCL, she didn't inherit her position. Instead, she worked hard, earning a degree in communications from Northwestern University and an MBA from the prestigious Kellogg School of Management.

Impact: HCL has experienced unprecedented expansion and transformation under Roshni Nadar’s leadership. She has played an important role in driving the company's focus on cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT), positioning HCL for future success.

Beyond Tech: Roshni Nadar contributions go beyond the business sphere, highlighting the significance of the women in tech. As a trustee of the Shiv Nadar Foundation, she is dedicated to improving education and has helped establish esteemed institutions like Shiv Nadar University. Additionally, her passionate work in wildlife conservation with The Habitats Trust demonstrates how technology leaders can make a profound difference in addressing social and environmental issues.

2. Debjani Ghosh - President, NASSCOM

Debjani Ghosh's path-breaking journey - from being Intel India's first woman leader to assuming the presidency of NASSCOM, a first for any woman - exemplifies her commitment to breaking down barriers.

Career Milestones: Prior to joining NASSCOM, Debjani spent 21 years at Intel, where she built an impressive track record of leadership, including a stint as Managing Director for South Asia, paving the way for future generations of women in technology.

Advocacy: Since joining NASSCOM, Debjani has emerged as a champion for India's digital transformation, passionately advocating for initiatives that promote innovation, skills development, and the creation of a robust startup ecosystem.

Focus on Inclusion: Debjani has made it her life’s mission to boost women's representation in the tech industry. She has championed programs aimed at reskilling and upskilling women in technology, particularly in emerging areas like AI and data science.

3. Neha Narkhede - Co-founder and Former CTO, Confluent

Neha Narkhede's transformation from a talented software engineer to a successful tech entrepreneur is a testament to the power of innovation and perseverance in the tech world.

The Kafka Story: During her tenure as a software engineer at LinkedIn, Neha co-created Apache Kafka, a distributed streaming platform that has transformed how companies manage real-time data streams.

Her contributions are testament to the power and capabilities of women in technology.

Entrepreneurial Leap: Recognising the potential of Kafka, Neha co-founded Confluent in 2014, a company built around the technology. As CTO, she was instrumental in driving Confluent's rapid growth, culminating in a triumphant IPO in 2021, which cemented the company's position as a leader in the industry.

Thought Leadership: Neha is also the author of "Kafka: The Definitive Guide" and is a frequent speaker at technology conferences, inspiring other engineers and entrepreneurs.

Credits: Templeton & Partners

4. Padmasree Warrior - Former CEO, NIO U.S.

With a career spanning over three decades, Padmasree Warrior has been a trailblazer in the tech industry, spearheading innovation and growth in various leadership roles at iconic global companies, and cementing her status as a pioneering figure in the world of technology.

Career Highlights of Padmasree:

CTO at Motorola (1999-2007)
CTO and Strategy Officer at Cisco (2008-2015)
CEO of NIO U.S. (2015-2018)

Innovation Focus: Padmasree has been a steadfast advocate for innovation, consistently embracing and driving the adoption of cutting-edge technologies throughout her career. At NIO, she led the development of autonomous electric vehicles, showcasing her ability to stay ahead of tech trends.

Mentorship and Advocacy: Padmasree is renowned for her dedication to empowering the next generation of leaders, particularly women in technology, through mentorship and advocacy. She often speaks about the importance of STEM education and diversity in the tech workforce.

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5. Geetha Kannan - Founder and CEO, Wequity

Geetha Kannan's illustrious career is shaped by her unwavering commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.

Background: Geetha, one of the most famous Indian women in tech industry, brings over 25 years of IT expertise to the table, having held esteemed leadership positions at industry giants like Infosys before focusing on her passion for gender equality in tech.

Wequity: Founded in 2020, Wequity is Geetha's brainchild, aimed at accelerating careers for women in technology. The platform offers mentorship, networking opportunities, and skill development programs.

Impact: Geetha is tackling the pressing issue of gender disparity in tech through Wequity, her initiative that empowers individuals and organisations to cultivate inclusive tech ecosystems

6. Deepa Madhavan - Senior Director, Enterprise Data Services, PayPal

Deepa Madhavan's expertise in data governance and analytics has been instrumental in shaping PayPal's data strategy, highlighting the critical role of data management in the fintech sector.

Expertise: With a strong background in data architecture and governance, Deepa has been crucial in implementing robust data practices at PayPal, ensuring data security, privacy, and compliance.

Innovation: One of the inspiring women in technology, Deepa has leveraged Paypal’s advanced analytics and machine learning to enhance fraud detection and improve customer experiences.

Thought Leadership: Deepa is a frequent speaker at tech conferences, sharing insights on data governance, privacy, and the ethical use of data in financial services.

7. Ashni Dwarkadas - Co-founder, Hackberry

Ashni Dwarkadas, who is among the famous Indian women in tech, is revolutionising education technology with Hackberry, making coding accessible and engaging for children.

The Hackberry Approach: Founded in 2018, Hackberry uses gamification and interactive storytelling to teach coding concepts to children aged 6-14.

Impact: By making coding fun and accessible, Ashni is nurturing the next generation of tech talent, potentially addressing the future skills gap in the tech industry.

Education Background: With a degree in Computer Science from Stanford University, The women in tech, Ashni brings both technical expertise and a passion for education to her role.

8. Nandini Piramal - Executive Director, Piramal Enterprises

Although Piramal Enterprises spans multiple sectors, Nandini Piramal's focus on leveraging technology for healthcare and pharmaceutical advancements puts her at an important crossroads where technology and science meet, allowing her to make a real difference in people's lives and prove the mettle of the women in technology.

Tech in Healthcare: Nandini's visionary leadership has positioned Piramal as a pioneer in harnessing the power of data analytics and artificial intelligence to revolutionise drug discovery and development

Digital Transformation: She has been instrumental in driving the digital transformation of Piramal's operations, integrating technology into every facet of the business, from optimising supply chain efficiency to elevating customer experience and engagement.

Future Focus: Nandini's purpose is to further the integration of IoT and blockchain in healthcare, potentially revolutionising patient care and drug traceability.

Credits: Corporate Vision

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9. Shilpa Vij - Head of Artificial Intelligence, HDFC Bank

Shilpa Vij is implementing AI in banking and transforming customer experiences and operational efficiencies in one of India's largest private sector banks.

This is just another example of what women in tech are capable of achieving.

AI Innovations: With Shilpa taking up the leadership, HDFC Bank has implemented AI-powered chatbots, voice-based services, and predictive models for risk assessment.

Impact: These AI initiatives have significantly improved customer service efficiency, reduced operational costs, and enhanced fraud detection capabilities.

Future of Banking: Shilpa's commendable work demonstrates how AI is reshaping traditional banking, paving the way for more personalised and secure financial services.

10. Vidya Laxman - Director of Technology, Tesco

Vidya Laxman's pioneering work in driving technological advancements at Tesco, with a focus on the Indian market, exemplifies the transformative power of tech in reshaping the retail landscape globally and the contribution of women in technology.

Tech Transformation: Vidya has implemented technologies like AI, machine learning, and data analytics to enhance Tesco's operations in areas like supply chain management and customer experience.

Innovation Hub: Taking the reins, Tesco's technology centre in India has become a hub for innovation, developing solutions that are deployed globally.

Customer-Centric Approach: Vidya's expertise in leveraging technology to understand and meet customer needs has set new standards in the retail industry.

11. Shobana Radhakrishnan

Shobana Radhakrishnan is the Senior Director of Engineering at Google TV. She has made her mark in some of the world's most influential technology and media giants, including Google, Roku, Netflix, and Yahoo.

Impact: Her tenure at Google TV is focused on using AI to enhance user experiences and optimise content recommendations. Shobana Radhakrishnan supports SAWiT.AI’s initiative to empower women in the AI sector and wholeheartedly believes that it will open new career paths for women.

Expertise: Currently at Google TV, Shobana brings strategic foresight and technical acumen to one of the world’s most innovative media platforms.

From artificial intelligence to data analytics, from education technology to healthcare innovation, these Women's role in information technology in India is pushing the boundaries of what's possible with technology. They're solving complex problems, mentoring the next generation, and challenging the status quo in their respective fields.

Their stories remind us that with determination, skill, and vision, it's possible to overcome challenges and make significant impacts in the world of technology. As we celebrate their achievements, we look forward to seeing more Indian women rise to prominence in the tech industry, continuing to inspire and lead the way for future generations.

At HerZindagi, our mission has always been to empower, educate, and inspire women with the knowledge and tools that help them thrive. And we’re thrilled to announce our partnership with SAWiT.AI for the largest women-only Generative AI event! The registration also includes access to GUVI's Zero To Hero Python Course amongst other things.