Women's Month Feature: Vela Sivasankaran
From IIT to Silicon Valley: A Technology Pioneer Reshaping the Future
When Vela Sivasankaran first arrived in the United States fresh out of India's premier engineering institute, she carried with her not just an exceptional education, but an unwavering belief in the transformative power of technology. Twenty-eight years later, her journey from software engineer to Chief Technology Officer stands as a testament to what's possible when brilliance meets persistence, and when a commitment to continuous learning meets a deep desire to solve real-world problems.
Today, Vela sits at the intersection of innovation and impact. As a technology leader in Silicon Valley with expertise spanning voice technology, healthcare systems, and emerging applications across industries from military to transportation, she represents a rare breed: the woman who didn't just break through the glass ceiling in tech—she's been busy reimagining what that ceiling should look like for the next generation.
A Journey Rooted in Excellence and Opportunity
Her early career trajectory reads like a masterclass in seizing opportunity. Recruited directly to AT&T from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Madras), where she earned both her bachelor's and master’s degrees in computer science and engineering, Vela was living her dream. But she didn't stop there. While advancing through increasingly senior technical roles—software architect, chief architect, CTO—she pursued an MBA in global management from the University of Phoenix, strategically expanding her expertise to bridge the gap between deep technical knowledge and business acumen. This combination is rare, and it's made her invaluable.
Technology That Changes Lives
What's striking about Vela's accomplishments is their tangible impact on human lives. She contributed early research to voice technology that eventually became Alexa—technology that's now in millions of homes making life easier for everyone from busy professionals to elderly parents like her own father, who uses voice commands to navigate his home safely at night. She's worked on healthcare systems specifically designed for American veterans, bringing cutting-edge technology to those who've served. Her work isn't abstract or purely theoretical; it's deeply human-centered, always asking: How can this technology actually improve someone's life?
This orientation toward real-world impact stems from her core values. When asked what drives her, Vela speaks not about accolades or advancement, but about the satisfaction of knowing her work makes society better—at scale, globally, tangibly. That's the North Star she navigates by. It's why she holds two patents (one in Europe, one in the USA), why she's published research through IEEE, and why she continues to push herself to understand emerging technologies and their potential applications across industries that are hungry for innovation.
Navigating Challenges and Sustaining Balance
Yet Vela is refreshingly honest about the challenges. She doesn't pretend that a 28-year career in technology—particularly in the intensity of Silicon Valley—comes without cost. Work-life balance remains a significant challenge in an industry notorious for overwork. She's learned, sometimes the hard way, that pushing herself too hard leads to burnout, and that taking breaks isn't weakness but necessary maintenance. Her advice? Lean on your support system. Family and community aren't distractions from career success—they're the foundation that sustains it.
Advice for the Next Generation of Women in Tech
For young women entering technology, Vela's guidance is clear and powerful: be research-minded, always seeking knowledge. Look for opportunities to solve real problems. Think outside the box so innovation becomes second nature. Don't limit yourself to traditional computer science roles—the real opportunities lie in applying technological advances to healthcare, hospitality, government, transportation, and industries yet to be imagined. The field offers tremendous opportunities to make a genuine impact, and the mindset of continuous learning will serve you well.
As a member of IEEE, ACM, and AFCEA International, where she serves as a Regional Board Member, and as a contributing expert for FairyGodBoss (a career mentoring platform for women), Vela is actively invested in lifting other women in technology. Her three consecutive Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Awards (2018, 2019, 2020) and numerous recognitions since 2008 acknowledge her contributions, but they don't capture the full picture.
The real measure of Vela's success isn't found in accolades—it's found in the technologies that now serve millions, in the veterans whose lives have been improved, in the young women she mentors, and in a career that's proven, across nearly three decades, that technology in the hands of brilliant, values-driven women can genuinely reshape what's possible. That's a legacy worth celebrating.
