Her Story
About Spurthi
Spurthi Tallam is a Senior Software Engineer at LePrix, a startup where she wears many hats at the intersection of computer science and applied AI. She leads the data and multimodal AI systems behind the company's B2B marketplace for pre-owned luxury goods. With close to a decade of experience in computer science, machine learning, and AI, she has built her career on creating ML-powered products. Her earlier work includes more than four years at Samsung Research, where she grew from a novice software engineer into a lead engineer. She applied machine learning to fintech there, from predictive modeling to large-scale data pipelines, and earned the company's Annual Excellence Award in 2021.
Spurthi holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from the International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad, where she was named to the Dean's Merit List, and a master's degree in computer science from UMass Amherst, which she completed with a 4.0 GPA. During graduate school she was a Data Science for Common Good Fellow and gained industry experience through internships at TuneIn, where she improved podcast and radio search, and at State Street, where she automated financial reconciliation. She later joined Good Inside as a machine learning engineer, helping power chat, search, recommendations, and content discovery for an AI parenting companion before moving to LePrix.
Beyond her technical achievements, Spurthi is driven by collaboration, mentorship, and giving back, often supporting others through hackathons. Having worked as one of few women on her teams, she encourages young women entering the field to be confident, curious, and committed to lifelong learning. She credits her family and a mentor from her master's program for her success, and she hopes to one day launch a startup with her husband. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and the vibrant colors of fall, her favorite time of year.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Spurthi
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my family. They have been my constant supporters and pillars since I was very young, giving my sister and me an excellent education and access to outstanding teachers, professors, and universities. Along the way I have also been fortunate to meet dedicated teachers, esteemed professionals, and accomplished professors who opened the door to remarkable opportunities. When I connect every dot, it all comes back to my family.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice came from a mentor I met during my master's at UMass Amherst, on a Data Science for Common Good project. She was kind and empathetic, and she encouraged me to believe in myself, to recognize the value I bring, and not to let my own thoughts, or anyone else, hold me back. I am still in touch with her today.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be confident in your abilities, avoid overthinking, and believe that you can achieve anything you set your mind to. Do not place barriers in your own mind, and keep a positive attitude. Continue to upskill and advance your education, and stay curious and committed to lifelong learning.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I want to keep making meaningful contributions and giving back, regardless of the domain or company I work for, because my passion for AI and machine learning drives me. I am committed to advancing the industry in impactful ways. Founding a startup with my husband, whose complementary skills and experience would strengthen my work, is always in the back of my mind. I would love to build something meaningful with a positive impact.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value the contributions I make day to day and the positive difference I can create through impact for my company, collaboration with colleagues, and mentorship, particularly in hackathons and in giving back to the community. Perseverance is also central to me. Being one of few women on male-dominated teams motivates me to keep growing and succeeding.
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