The Evolving Role of Women in India's Tech & Education Ecosystem

By: Sujatha Kshirsagar, President, Career Launcher

A seasoned leader with a background in banking, entrepreneurship, and edtech, Sujatha blends strategic insight with a passion for impact-driven growth. An IIM Bangalore alumna, she has led large teams, co-founded a CSR-tech venture, and currently pursues mountaineering, pottery, and singing with equal enthusiasm.

In an insightful interaction with Women Entrepreneurs Review, Sujatha reflects on her journey from banking to edtech, the evolving role of women in technology-enabled learning, and the cultural shifts redefining inclusion. She also shares her views on resilience, purpose, and leadership in a transforming world.

To explore her full insights and leadership vision, read the complete article below.

 You’ve transitioned from a long banking career to leading an edtech powerhouse. What first drew you towards technology’s role in reshaping education and opportunity in India?

After nearly two decades in banking, I realized that while finance fuels economies, education transforms lives. My transition into the education sector came from a desire to create lasting impact by aligning strategy with social purpose. Technology’s role in this transformation fascinated me; its ability to democratize access and bridge barriers of geography and affordability.

In India, where diversity defines learning needs, technology allows us to reach the unreached and personalize education at scale. At Career Launcher, we’re harnessing digital innovation to empower the next million learners, ensuring that education is not just accessible but truly transformative, turning learning into opportunity and potential into progress.

When you forayed into the edtech sector, how did you perceive the evolving roles of women, both as innovators in leading positions and as learners shaping their future?

Education has always been the foundation of empowerment, especially for women. When women learn, they gain confidence and agency; when they earn, entire communities thrive. EdTech has accelerated this transformation by giving women flexible, affordable access to quality learning and professional growth. I’ve seen women not only benefit as learners but also emerge as innovators leading change in this space.

This dual role of women as empowered learners and visionary leaders is shaping a future where technology and education together enable more equitable, inclusive growth.

Having led large and diverse groups, what are the cultural or organizational changes you've seen in India which are now enabling more women to succeed in the tech-education ecosystem?

One of the most encouraging shifts I’ve seen in India is how diversity and inclusion have moved from being compliance goals to becoming core business strategies. Organizations now recognize that diverse teams drive creativity, innovation, and better decision-making.

At Career Launcher, we focus on creating an inclusive culture where flexibility, mentorship, and sponsorship support women’s growth into leadership roles. Culturally, there’s greater awareness and acceptance of women balancing professional and personal goals without compromise. More importantly, leaders today understand that empowering women isn’t a social cause; it's a strategic advantage that strengthens organizational culture and accelerates the entire ecosystem of tech-enabled education.

What more could edtech organizations do to support women, particularly women from smaller towns to provide meaningful outcomes in this digital revolution?

While EdTech has made learning accessible, true inclusion requires going beyond access to ensure meaningful outcomes. For women in smaller towns, that means designing solutions rooted in empathy and practicality. Vernacular content, digital confidence-building, and linking education to employment opportunities are crucial. Flexibility, safety, and affordability must remain central to any digital learning model. Organizations should focus on creating ecosystems that not only teach but enable helping women convert learning into livelihoods. When technology is guided by understanding, it becomes a tool of empowerment rather than exclusion, giving women the confidence and capability to thrive in the rapidly changing digital economy.

You have spoken about resilience and reinvention, how have these attributes helped you take on both corporate transitions and changes in the fast-changing world of tech-enabled education?

Resilience and reinvention have been defining forces in my journey. Growth has never been linear; every transition from banking to entrepreneurship to EdTech has demanded adaptability and courage. I’ve learned to prioritize clarity over certainty and to treat challenges as catalysts for creative renewal.

Reinvention isn’t about abandoning the past but about evolving with purpose. Resilience allows you to lead through uncertainty with authenticity, empowering teams to see disruption not as a threat but as an opportunity to rebuild stronger, wiser, and better aligned with future possibilities.

LAST WORD: Advice for Women Aspiring to Lead in Technology & Education

Purpose, to me, is the purest form of ambition. My advice to young women aspiring to lead in technology and education is to embrace change not as risk, but as renewal. Stay curious, lead with authenticity, and make choices anchored in impact rather than convention. The world is evolving, and so should our definition of leadership; it's no longer about authority, but about influence, empathy, and intent. When your work aligns with your values, perseverance turns into strength, and success becomes a byproduct of significance. Purpose-driven leadership not only transforms careers but also creates a ripple effect that inspires others.