Anuradha Tibile: A Woman in Tech With Big Aspirations

• Anuradha had always aspired to work for TED, inspired by her love for technology and human emotions. 
• She contributes to a cybersecurity firm to scale their business, and her work involves a lot of strategy-building. 
• Anuradha has a deep love for empowering young women to learn about emerging technologies and level the playing field in tech.

1. What was your childhood like, and how did it shape who you are today?

My dad was really supportive of my goals. He gave me complete freedom when it came to choosing my career path. He was the only one who took care of me. Sadly, I lost him during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the year 2020. After that, I had to move out, start earning money, and build a life for myself. The only things I have are the promises and goals that were set during our conversations. Also, working at TED was one of the goals I discussed with him when I was in the 7th grade. I was a huge fan of TED talks during that time, and I used to watch informative content, fascinated by technology and deeply rooted in understanding human emotions. I also loved reading books during my childhood. This passion for reading started with William Shakespeare’s classic, ‘Hamlet’. Then it just went on with ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’, Sudha Murthy stories, ‘The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari’. It has helped me become a young connoisseur practicing ligrothie.

2. What does a typical day in your life look like?

A typical day in my life looks like waking up at 5 am. I practice meditation, work out, and then shower afterward. I have my breakfast and finally get down to work. I am currently contributing to a cybersecurity firm to scale their business, so I am typically building powerful strategies. And of course, we have community hangout time at TED, which is my favorite part. I mostly spend time indoors and go out if there are any dinner plans. My daily practices include journaling, reading a book, writing poems, and expressing my emotions. Music also acts as an escape mechanism for me.

3. Tell us about your professional journey and how you got to the position you are in today.

I would say building connections and building a portfolio are two key tools. Also, it’s always better to start early. In this fast-paced world, you cannot wait first to get a degree in hand and then step into the world. If you have passion, don’t wait!

I started doing internships in my first year of university. I took small steps, but they still contribute to my journey. Initially, I worked at Impaac as their PR and Marketing intern, which taught me patience. For a short period, I participated in the International Model United Nations Campus Ambassador program, and then I worked as a BDE at various firms. During my second year and second semester, I got into TEDx and now work as an event manager. 

Besides this, I have been a speaker at national and international events empowering women. Few include Google Developer Groups Build with AI series hosted at different locations like Machala, Cocody, Abidjan, Bassam, and Brusubi, talking about unleashing creativity and innovation. Also, how Google AI Studio empowers women in tech. I have been doing this as a Google Women Techmaker since I love empowering young women to learn these emerging technologies. I have also given talks at TensorFlow events organised in North Bengal. I had the pleasure to grace Microsoft’s IWD 2025 Delhi Edition as their speaker, sharing insights on Azure AI technologies.

4. Name one or several people you admire in history and tell us why. They could be living or have already passed.

I deeply admire Sudha Murthy. She has been a great inspiration to me personally. I would definitely say that her stories have been inspiring. It’s not just about the journey or position she holds today, but it’s about her resilience and positive attitude that helped her get there.

5. Have you had any mentors along the way? Could you share with us about them and their influence on your life?

I had amazing mentors who guided me during tough times. My dad was a great mentor. I have seen him deal with all his problems with a smile, and he taught me one thing, which was: “If you know you are right, stand for yourself even if that means having a voice that’s against the odds.”

My teachers and my English professor in school, without their lessons, I wouldn’t be what I am today. My University professor, Priyanka Pati, helped me a lot and supported my interest in TED. I also met an amazing lady named Sathya Ma Lull, who provided me with the invaluable support that I needed to shape my career path.

These people have taught me that in a world full of people who may try to suppress your voice and keep you from reaching your end goal, you will always have such kind souls who help push you forward

6. What has been the greatest challenge in your journey, and how did you overcome it?

It’s a bitter fact that even in the most reputable universities in suburban areas, they see through you when you try to communicate your ideas as a woman. They do not let women be in charge and take hold of the ship. They often seem to ignore you or shun you. I didn’t have to face this when I still had my dad’s presence around. Losing him was the greatest challenge, and fitting in was a challenge.

Though I soon realized that people’s opinions and comments made with the intent to hurt you should be ignored. And we should always keep moving forward to stay focused on our goals. Overcoming and healing from my dad’s loss was difficult. It took me a year to accept the fact that I will never see him again. I still miss his presence, but I always think his blessings are with me. I do believe acceptance and time can heal everything.

During these times, often engage yourself in positive activities. It could be reading, meditating, or just sitting and watching the peaceful rain. Journaling your thoughts and, most importantly, trying to keep yourself surrounded with positive people who understand your goals is just as important.

7. How do you balance your work and personal life, and what is one thing you enjoy doing in your free time?

Having a proper schedule helps a lot. Plan your say using a daily and weekly planner. Divide timelines based upon your work, prioritize work to be completed by the end of the day, and always keep a minimum of 1-2 hours for yourself.

During these hours, I prefer doing things that give me happiness. It could include listening to my favorite artist’s songs, drawing portraits, reading a book, writing poems, or maybe talking to a friend who would make me feel happy

8. What do you think is the biggest concern for global youth today, and how do you think it could be solved?

Self-doubt leading to existential crisis. The current youth faces mental health issues that are often left unspoken. Having a digital presence makes them compare themselves to people in a way that they question their potential in an unhealthy way. With numerous fields to choose from and uncertainty about what is next, they face self-doubt, and in some cases, it leads to dreading an existential crisis.

They also need a lot of emotional support and guidance, as well as good mentors who help them find answers to these uncertainties. This can be solved by not just practicing mindfulness but also providing them the right atmosphere. Having someone to support them emotionally and mentally is a basic necessity for this generation, since loneliness leads to depression.

The most important thing is not to drown in the sea of these endless thoughts and self-doubt questions; sometimes, all you need is a break to rethink better possibilities and positive outcomes.

9. What are some ways in which you are creating a positive change in the world?

As a Google Women Techmaker, I have been supporting women’s digital literacy and spreading awareness about the use of emerging technologies that would help them stay at the forefront in their respective fields. Additionally, working at TED, a nonprofit organization, I work to bring change by empowering local voices that need global recognition for their incredible journeys and ideas that change everything, and ideas that are worth spreading!

I also help provide free sessions for women who wish to learn Google technologies. On top of that, I try to spread awareness about international current affairs using social media platforms.

10. What is a mantra that you live by, and how does it help you on a daily basis?

I have always held close to my mantra, “Don’t be apart from change, Be a part of change!” I have lived by it by contributing significantly towards positive change by taking action. If you wish to bring a change, you need to take those baby steps forward and find like-minded people with the same vision who will join you along the way.

This mindset helps me every day not to give up. If you empower a woman today, she’s going to empower another girl someday who needs it. We need more changemakers who empower the youth, and that’s how we can bring change for a better tomorrow.

11. If you were to advise young people aiming to follow your professional path, what would it be?

There are going to be days you might want to give up, you won’t always have people who value or respect your efforts, opinions, and ideas. Do not stop because of these hurdles. Life is not a cakewalk. You might not always get everything on the first try, but that doesn’t make you a failure.

Try to analyze the situation in a way that shows what the key factors are, where you lack. With each try, you should keep sharpening those skills, improve yourself, and one day you will make it.

Anuradha Tibile manifested her wish for empowering women through her work in TED. She continues to find ways to motivate women in STEM and her work stands witness to that. She is an epitome of inspiration and an idol for all young women out there.