Breaking Barriers as a Woman Leader in Tech
Saritha Kondapally’s dynamic approach to learning and growth has significantly shaped her professional and personal development as an IT leader.
Raised in India, Saritha pursued her Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University. Her career has since spanned both India and the U.S., where she has collaborated with prestigious clients such as American Express, Ford, KeyBank, and Nationwide Insurance while working for leading companies like Syntel, Cognizant, and IBM.
Over a span of 2 decades, she continually embraced challenges across diverse domains such as banking, healthcare, and insurance. Leading large-scale projects and pioneering innovations in ML/AI, cloud architecture, and big data analytics, she honed her skills in various technologies. These experiences taught her the importance of adaptability, continuous improvement, and a results-driven approach, enabling her to drive transformative initiatives and achieve excellence in both professional and personal endeavors.
“My passion stems from using technology to catalyze transformative change and innovation across diverse business domains. What fuels this drive is my relentless pursuit of tangible outcomes and the chance to engineer solutions that revolutionize operations and foster process excellence. Witnessing how technology optimizes efficiency, resolves intricate challenges, and enhances lives inspires and invigorates me daily. Additionally, I’m fueled by an unwavering commitment to continual learning, pursuing excellence, and embracing new challenges in the dynamic realm of technology.”
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Saritha is currently a Solutions Architect at Elevance Health. Her vision stems from applying cutting-edge solutions to real-world problems. By leading diverse, large-scale projects, she aims to foster adaptability, enhance process efficiency, and deliver robust, secure solutions that drive significant value and contribute to the success and growth of the organization.
In the past couple of years, Saritha has obtained the following certifications:
● AWS Certified Solutions Architect
● Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management Artificial Intelligence: Strategies for Leading Business Transformation Executive program
● Hadoop Certified Developer
● Teradata 14 Certified Professional
● Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
● AINS 21—Property and Liability Insurance Principles.
In addition, she is a Senior Member of IEEE, and is currently pursuing an Executive MBA from Quantic School of Business and Technology, which will be completed in September 2025.
Speaking about the need for constant upgradation of skills, Saritha says, “Navigating complex data migrations, ensuring data security, and architecting major system integrations have been key challenges in my business journey. Leading the development of commercial products on big data frameworks and migrating legacy applications to the cloud have also posed significant hurdles. While luck may present opportunities, it’s hard work, strategic planning, and unwavering dedication that drive real success. Overcoming technical and managerial obstacles with resilience has consistently yielded impactful outcomes in all my projects.”
Saritha believes in being a tiger in the rat race. Tigers symbolize strength, strategy, and purposeful action, traits she strives to embody in her professional journey. Instead of mindlessly following the crowd, she prefers to navigate with agility, focus, and determination. This approach aligns with her proactive mindset and determination to excel in every endeavor.
Defining her style of leadership, she says, “Leadership, to me, transcends mere authority; it’s about igniting a collective passion and purpose within a team or organization. By cultivating a culture of mentorship, continuous learning, and collaboration, a leader can inspire others to realize their potential and contribute meaningfully to the broader goals. Ultimately, true leadership lies in fostering a legacy of growth, development, and positive impact that extends far beyond individual achievements.”
In the hub of an industry that is ever evolving, how does Saritha stay focussed on her goals, we ask her. “I’m driven by a strong desire to ascend the ranks to top leadership positions like Chief Technology Officer, or to venture into entrepreneurship and own a business. This journey demands continuous learning, staying updated with industry trends, fostering innovation, and developing robust leadership qualities. Setting clear goals, networking with industry experts, and seizing growth opportunities are crucial steps in achieving these aspirations. I’m excited about the challenges and growth ahead on this path towards realizing these ambitions!”
Enthusiastic and empathetic, Saritha symbolizes women power in tech. Summing up her journey in a few words, she says: “I am passionate about leveraging technology to drive meaningful change. Throughout my career, I have focused on harnessing data and innovative solutions to solve complex problems and deliver value. I believe in continuous learning and collaboration, and I am excited about the future possibilities that advancements in AI, cloud computing, and big data analytics will bring. My journey has been about breaking barriers, and I hope to inspire others to pursue excellence and innovation in their fields.”
