Avanti: Yes She Can

Shar Dubey is former CEO, Board Member and Advisor for Match Group. Shar earned her Bachelor's in Technology from Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, where she was one of the few female students in her class. For women breaking into a field where they are underrepresented, Shar talks to Vandana about the importance of investing your energy in enhancing your strengths, identifying your unique superpower, as well as her hope for more women to be present in STEM spaces.   CREDITS: Host & Creative Director: Vandana Goyal  Project Coordinator: Saumya Sahu Project Advisor: Akshay Saxena Marketing & Media Producer: Joash Cornelius   This is a Maed in India production. Producer: Sean D’mello  Co-producer: Meghna Gulati Junior Producer: Saakshi Samant Production Assistant: Aishwarya Patil & Tanuja M S (Avanti Fellows Alums) Sound Edit, Design & Mixing: Kartik Kulkarni Show Artwork: Alika Gupta Project Supervisor: Mae Mariyam Thomas Head of Operations: Shaun Fanthome Studio: Island City StudiosSupport the show: https://www.avantifellows.org/donate-to-a-student

  Anu Menon is an award-winning film director and writer who brought the extraordinary story of mathematician and astrologer Shakuntala Devi to life. As a child, Anu was always drawn to storytelling but never imagined that she would enter the world of filmmaking. She talks to Vandana about being one of the few women in India to hold directing and writing positions in film and TV, and reflects on what it will take to inspire and uplift the next generation of female filmmakers.   CREDITS: Host & Creative Director: Vandana Goyal  Project Coordinator: Saumya Sahu Project Advisor: Akshay Saxena Marketing & Media Producer: Joash Cornelius   This is a Maed in India production. Producer: Sean D’mello  Co-producer: Meghna Gulati Junior Producer: Saakshi Samant Production Assistant: Aishwarya Patil & Tanuja M S (Avanti Fellows Alums) Sound Edit, Design & Mixing: Kartik Kulkarni Show Artwork: Alika Gupta Project Supervisor: Mae Mariyam Thomas Head of Operations: Shaun Fanthome Studio: Island City Studios  Support the show: https://www.avantifellows.org/donate-to-a-student

  Prashasti Singh is a standup comic who came from the small town of Amethi, and claimed fame with Comicstaan. Prashasti opens up about her start at Indian Institute of Management to making the bold leap into the world of comedy. She talks to Vandana about how no matter what career path we choose, showing up and giving it our best shot is vital.   CREDITS: Host & Creative Director: Vandana Goyal  Project Coordinator: Saumya Sahu Project Advisor: Akshay Saxena Marketing & Media Producer: Joash Cornelius   This is a Maed in India production. Producer: Sean D’mello  Co-producer: Meghna Gulati Junior Producer: Saakshi Samant Production Assistant: Aishwarya Patil & Tanuja M S (Avanti Fellows Alums) Sound Edit, Design & Mixing: Kartik Kulkarni Show Artwork: Alika Gupta Project Supervisor: Mae Mariyam Thomas Head of Operations: Shaun Fanthome Studio: Island City Studios  Support the show: https://www.avantifellows.org/donate-to-a-student

  Noorain Khan, the daughter of Pakistani immigrants, has risen to become the first Muslim American to serve as the National President of Girl Scouts of the USA. With a successful career in corporate law, non-profits, and public policy, Vandana explores Noorain’s story and how it reminds us that we can achieve anything we set our mind to, as long as we believe in our capabilities.    CREDITS: Host & Creative Director: Vandana Goyal  Project Coordinator: Saumya Sahu Project Advisor: Akshay Saxena Marketing & Media Producer: Joash Cornelius   This is a Maed in India production. Producer: Sean D’mello  Co-producer: Meghna Gulati Junior Producer: Saakshi Samant Production Assistant: Aishwarya Patil & Tanuja M S (Avanti Fellows Alums) Sound Edit, Design & Mixing: Kartik Kulkarni Show Artwork: Alika Gupta Project Supervisor: Mae Mariyam Thomas Head of Operations: Shaun Fanthome Studio: Island City Studios  Support the show: https://www.avantifellows.org/donate-to-a-student

  Meena Lakdawala-Flynn shares her journey from being a talented young gymnast dreaming of Olympic glory, to her influential role as the Partner & Co-Head of Private Wealth Management at Goldman Sachs. She talks to Vandana about her upbringing as the daughter of first-generation Indian immigrants in Texas, who supported her every dream; and emphasises the need to inspire our daughters to pursue their own paths to success.   CREDITS: Host & Creative Director: Vandana Goyal  Project Coordinator: Saumya Sahu Project Advisor: Akshay Saxena Marketing & Media Producer: Joash Cornelius   This is a Maed in India production. Producer: Sean D’mello  Co-producer: Meghna Gulati Junior Producer: Saakshi Samant Production Assistant: Aishwarya Patil & Tanuja M S (Avanti Fellows Alums) Sound Edit, Design & Mixing: Kartik Kulkarni Show Artwork: Alika Gupta Project Supervisor: Mae Mariyam Thomas Head of Operations: Shaun Fanthome Studio: Island City Studios  Support the show: https://www.avantifellows.org/donate-to-a-student

  Paulomi Shah is a Partner & Head of Enterprise Risk and Trade Operations at Apollo Global Management, a firm that has $28.41 billion in net assets. As a naturally curious and determined student, Paulomi's passion for learning led her to Barnard College at Columbia University. Having spent several years in the banking sector with firms like JP Morgan and HSBC, Paulomi reflects on her career and talks to Vandana about being proactive and embracing new experiences that help you build confidence in your capabilities.   CREDITS: Host & Creative Director: Vandana Goyal  Project Coordinator: Saumya Sahu Project Advisor: Akshay Saxena Marketing & Media Producer: Joash Cornelius   This is a Maed in India production. Producer: Sean D’mello  Co-producer: Meghna Gulati Junior Producer: Saakshi Samant Production Assistant: Aishwarya Patil & Tanuja M S (Avanti Fellows Alums) Sound Edit, Design & Mixing: Kartik Kulkarni Show Artwork: Alika Gupta Project Supervisor: Mae Mariyam Thomas Head of Operations: Shaun Fanthome Studio: Island City Studios  Support the show: https://www.avantifellows.org/donate-to-a-student

  Gayatri Shenai is a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company. Growing up with a twin brother, Gayatri’s parents ensured both their children were treated equally - a value that has shaped her into the person she is today. As a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Gayatri has conducted research on women's advancement in the workplace and spearheaded an annual conference for women executives in tech and operations. She talks to Vandana about how her father fostered her love for problem solving, the three skills she relies on to make sure her opinions are always heard, and why she believes women will play a pivotal role in the future of tech.    CREDITS: Host & Creative Director: Vandana Goyal  Project Coordinator: Saumya Sahu Project Advisor: Akshay Saxena Marketing & Media Producer: Joash Cornelius This is a Maed in India production. Producer: Sean D’mello  Co-producer: Meghna Gulati Junior Producer: Saakshi Samant Production Assistant: Aishwarya Patil & Tanuja M S (Avanti Fellows Alums) Sound Edit, Design & Mixing: Kartik Kulkarni Show Artwork: Alika Gupta Project Supervisor: Mae Mariyam Thomas Head of Operations: Shaun Fanthome Studio: Island City Studios  Support the show: https://www.avantifellows.org/donate-to-a-student

Ruchi Sankhe is the founder of Infinity Investment Advisors and LuxeList. Born to grandparents who were refugees from Pakistan, Ruchi's early years were spent constantly moving across India. Despite the challenges, she excelled academically, earning a Master’s in Finance in the USA, where less than 10% of her class were women. With a career spanning nearly three decades in wealth management, Ruchi shares her insights on building a diverse skill set with our host and co-CEO of Avanti Fellows, Vandana Goyal.   CREDITS: Host & Creative Director: Vandana Goyal  Project Coordinator: Saumya Sahu Project Advisor: Akshay Saxena Marketing & Media Producer: Joash Cornelius   This is a Maed in India production. Producer: Sean D’mello  Co-producer: Meghna Gulati Junior Producer: Saakshi Samant Production Assistant: Aishwarya Patil & Tanuja M S (Avanti Fellows Alums) Sound Edit, Design & Mixing: Kartik Kulkarni Show Artwork: Alika Gupta Project Supervisor: Mae Mariyam Thomas Head of Operations: Shaun Fanthome Studio: Island City StudiosSupport the show: https://www.avantifellows.org/donate-to-a-student

Sumitra Pasupathy is a Malaysian engineer turned social entrepreneur, who went from a boisterous girl in convent school, to winning a British Council scholarship to attend the prestigious Cambridge University. Starting from her role as a founder of Playeum, an NGO focused on children's play and education, Sumitra talks to Vandana about what we can do to help women overcome cultural barriers in their pursuit of STEM education and careers.    CREDITS: Host & Creative Director: Vandana Goyal  Project Coordinator: Saumya Sahu Project Advisor: Akshay Saxena Marketing & Media Producer: Joash Cornelius   This is a Maed in India production. Producer: Sean D’mello  Co-producer: Meghna Gulati Junior Producer: Saakshi Samant Production Assistant: Aishwarya Patil & Tanuja M S (Avanti Fellows Alums) Sound Edit, Design & Mixing: Kartik Kulkarni Show Artwork: Alika Gupta Project Supervisor: Mae Mariyam Thomas Head of Operations: Shaun Fanthome Studio: Island City StudiosSupport the show: https://www.avantifellows.org/donate-to-a-student

In the first episode, Jyoti Chopra, currently the Chief People, Inclusion, and Sustainability Officer at MGM Resorts International, shares her transformation from a shy young girl to a leader of a billion-dollar company. She reflects on how her immigrant parents shaped her work ethic and how her time at the United Nations drove her to make real change in the world. As one of the few women in America to hold a C-suite role, Jyoti also discusses what it will take to see more women in positions of leadership.    CREDITS: Host & Creative Director: Vandana Goyal  Project Coordinator: Saumya Sahu Project Advisor: Akshay Saxena Marketing & Media Producer: Joash Cornelius This is a Maed in India production. Producer: Sean D’mello  Co-producer: Meghna Gulati Junior Producer: Saakshi Samant Production Assistants: Tanuja M S & Aishwarya Patil (Avanti Fellows Alums) Sound Edit, Design & Mixing: Kartik Kulkarni Show Artwork: Alika Gupta Project Supervisor: Mae Mariyam Thomas Head of Operations: Shaun Fanthome Studio: Island City StudiosSupport the show: https://www.avantifellows.org/donate-to-a-student

“There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women”  -- Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General (May 2016)   Education non-profit Avanti Fellows works to help young Indian students - especially girls-  lift themselves and their families out of poverty in a single generation through access to quality careers in STEM. In this podcast, join Vandana Goyal, co-CEO of Avanti Fellows, as she explores the journey of powerful women who left a lasting impact in their industries, to inspire future generations of young girls.   New episodes are released every week.Support the show: https://www.avantifellows.org/donate-to-a-student