Crown, Code & Courage

Vanitha Mani: Crowned in Courage, Leading with Vision

Vanitha Mani

Senior Technical Manager

Salesforce

From Middle-Class Roots to Miss Fabulous America & Tech Leadership — My Journey of Resilience and Reinvention

Introduction

When I reflect on my journey — from growing up in a middle-class family in India, to becoming a Senior Developer / Manager at Salesforce, winning the title of Miss Fabulous America 2024, and upcoming future ventures as a entrepreneur — one theme stands out: resilience fueled by belief. My father, brother, and husband believed in me at every step, and that trust gave me the courage to step into rooms where women like me were rarely seen.

Breaking Barriers in Tech and Leadership

In the corporate world, I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about speaking the loudest; it’s about making every word count. As a woman in technology, I had to navigate not just projects and deadlines but also perceptions. My strategy was simple: let results speak. Leading high-impact initiatives at Salesforce, I realized that clarity, empathy, and vision are what make teams thrive.

Embracing Pageantry as a Platform

Many ask me why, as a corporate leader, I chose to enter pageantry. My answer is: because representation matters. Walking the stage wasn’t about wearing a crown — it was about showing women that beauty, intelligence, and leadership can coexist. Winning Miss Fabulous America wasn’t the end of a journey; it was the beginning of using that platform to inspire others.

Entrepreneurship: Building What I Wish Existed

Through my future ventures — AI-powered project management consulting and sustainable linen lifestyle brand — I’m bringing together two worlds: technology and lifestyle. Both ventures are rooted in the same philosophy: simplify complexity, and lead with authenticity.

Lessons for Ambitious Women

1. Silence can be powerful — you don’t have to speak often, but when you do, make it matter.
2. Balance is a myth, alignment is the key — find ways your passions fuel each other.
3. Resilience grows where doubt lives — the more people questioned me, the more determined I became.
4. Support systems matter — never underestimate the power of those who believe in you.

Conclusion

To every ambitious woman reading this: remember, your background does not define your ceiling. What defines you is the courage to step forward, the resilience to keep going, and the humility to lift others as you rise.

If my journey — from a middle-class Indian girl to a global stage and boardroom leader — proves anything, it’s that every woman has the power to reinvent herself, inspire others, and influence the future.