BITS Pilani Shaping Trailblazing Woman Leaders Of Tomorrow

By: Rachita Sharma, Managing Editor | Wednesday, 7 May 2025

Educational institutions are the bedrock of the nation’s growth and development. To that end, Birla Institute of Technology’s mission is to improve knowledge and educate students in science, technology, and other areas of scholarship that will best serve the nation and the world in the 21st century.

Over the years BITS Pilani has proven that business and technology can go hand in hand, from its alumni doing wonders in the field of technology to making strides in entrepreneurship. The institute has been instrumental in shaping the successful journeys of a plethora of women leaders who have conquered various industries and sectors.

In the current edition of Women Entrepreneur India magazine, we bring to you the success stories of such women leaders. Meet Sushma Bopanna, CEO and Academic Director, Sri Chaitanya Educational Institutions. With a B.Tech from Birla Institute of Technology, Pilani, and a Master's degree in IT from the United States, Sushma has been leading Sri Chaitanya Educational Institutions. She also co-founded Infinity Learn, revolutionizing education with innovation and acquiring notable educational tools to enhance student success.

Also read about Sai Vandana Lakavarapukota, Director, Sunlux Technovations. Sai Vandana is a pioneering leader who combines management expertise with technical blend, and strategic thinking. As the Director of Sunlux Technovations, she's driving India's defence innovation and enhancing India's self-reliance through Indigenous solutions. Her goal is to contribute to India's growth, and her visionary leadership fosters progress, setting new standards in company and technological excellence, driving industry growth, and inspiring a brighter future for the nation.

In this edition also read an interaction with Meera Khullar, Senior VP Quality and Regulatory, Curia. Armed with over three decades of expertise in pharmaceutical quality and regulatory strategy Meera Khullar’s leadership blends adaptability with highest-standards of quality offering unwavering commitment to people and Quality excellence.

Saraswathi Padmanabhan, Founder and Director, Diya Ghar is another prolific woman leader from BITS Pilani. A humanitarian, she is driven by her dedication and passion to transform young lives. Holding degrees from BITS Pilani and California State University, East Bay, Saraswathi brings years of expertise in leadership, program management, and counselling. She drives key initiatives at Diya Ghar, ranging from academic monitoring to fundraising and financial oversights. She is passionate about giving quality life to young learners in terms of education and child-welfare, fostering a detail-oriented and excellence-driven approach guided by empathy, respect and transparency.

We also feature an interview with Smitha BMV, Founder of Kyros Semi. She has over 18 years of experience in IC design, architecture, RTL design, and synthesis. She holds an M.Tech in Microelectronics from BITS Pilani and a B.E. in Electronics and Instrumentation from UBDT College of Engineering. She has led IP, SoC, and product development at Intel, Saankhya Labs, and Karmic.

These prolific women leaders have crafted successful professional careers, built on the foundations of BITS Pilani’s academic excellence.

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