Influential Woman · Technology / STEAM Education
Anjana Venkat
Co-Founder, KeenKids Enrichment
Milpitas, CA 95035
Her Story
About Anjana
Anjana Venkat is a Senior Software Engineer, technology leader, and Co-Founder & Technical Partner at KeenKids Enrichment, a hands-on STEAM education program focused on inspiring young learners through coding, science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. With 15–18 years of experience in software engineering, Anjana has built a strong career specializing in developer productivity, infrastructure, automation frameworks, and backend systems. She earned her Master’s degree in Computer Science from Portland State University and has contributed to engineering teams at innovative technology companies, including Confluent, Springpath (acquired by Cisco), and Nimble Storage.
After years of developing tools and systems that improved engineering workflows, Anjana transitioned her expertise toward education and entrepreneurship by co-founding KeenKids Enrichment. She leads the development of educational technology platforms, including student portals and AI-assisted learning tools, while managing partnerships and operations across multiple elementary school locations. Drawing from her experience as an Odyssey of the Mind coach, where she guided students through creative problem-solving competitions and supported teams reaching World Finals, she designed a STEAM curriculum that combines technical learning, hands-on projects, public speaking, and science showcases. Her program reflects her passion for helping children build confidence, curiosity, and problem-solving skills.
Beyond technology and education, Anjana is also dedicated to the arts as a Bharatanatyam dancer, performer, and teacher, sharing her cultural knowledge with younger generations through choreography and performances. She credits her achievements to self-confidence, a strong support system, resilience, and inspiration from her family. Anjana values respect, continuous improvement, humility, and maintaining a growth mindset through constructive feedback. She encourages young women entering technology and entrepreneurship to embrace challenges, pursue opportunities without fear of failure, stay consistent, and believe in their ability to create meaningful impact.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Anjana
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to self-confidence, consistency, and the strong support system around me, especially my husband, business partner, and family. My father’s journey from accountant to CEO and CFO has inspired me to pursue growth and excellence, while my mother’s strength and confidence shaped who I am today. My mantra is simple: if I commit to something, I give it 100 percent and stay consistent until I achieve my goals.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received came from the example set by my parents. My father’s journey from starting as an accountant after earning his CPA to reaching executive leadership roles taught me the value of perseverance, dedication, and continuous growth. My mother showed me the importance of confidence, independence, and standing firm in my beliefs. Their examples have inspired me to embrace challenges, trust my abilities, and continue learning while leading with resilience and compassion.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to never fear failure. Stay consistent, remain open to opportunities, and always keep a hopeful mindset. Not every path will go as planned, but every challenge can lead to new possibilities. Most importantly, believe in yourself, trust your abilities, and never doubt your potential.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I faced was navigating uncertainty after stepping away from the traditional technology path. However, I saw that transition as an opportunity to reconnect with my passion for teaching and community building. Building an educational program from the ground up came with challenges, from creating curriculum and developing partnerships to managing growth, but my engineering background helped me approach each obstacle with a problem-solving mindset. Today, I see a tremendous opportunity to expand access to STEAM education, inspire young learners, and create meaningful learning experiences that prepare students for the future.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are respect, humility, and having a growth mindset. I believe in treating others with kindness and valuing the perspectives of those around me. It is important to never become too comfortable and to always remain open to learning and improvement. I welcome constructive feedback because it keeps me grounded and helps me continue to grow both personally and professionally.
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