Her Story
About Surbhi
I'm currently an operations manager at ASally.net, where I'm working on a groundbreaking AI initiative that's transforming how we handle trucking operations. We're developing an AI system that manages the entire dispatching workflow, from assigning drivers to route planning, creating bills of lading, and handling rate confirmations. It's incredibly exciting to be part of this startup environment. Before joining ASally.net, I spent time in healthcare working at CVS as a project manager and analyst. I was hired during COVID and initially coordinated between program managers and participants on COVID testing projects, then moved into behavioral health and other healthcare initiatives. I created budget reports, handled data extraction, and developed presentations at the program and portfolio level. My journey into healthcare started with a research coordinator role at a hospital, which was an internship position where I coordinated meetings between doctors, managed calendars, and took meeting notes. I came to the United States from India, where I worked with SEPLA as a project coordinator on a two-year contract managing machine maintenance. My manager there encouraged me to pursue project management in the US, recognizing that I was good at talking with people and had the potential to influence and manage teams. I hold a Bachelor's in Engineering in Instrumentation from India, a Master of Science in Project Management from Northeastern University, and just completed my MBA in Finance from New England College. While studying at Northeastern, I worked three on-campus jobs, including at a bakery, which taught me so much about presenting myself and working under pressure. I'm planning to pursue an executive degree in AI next since I'm now working directly in that field. My father encouraged me to study engineering even though it wasn't my initial choice, and he was right - it gave me logical thinking skills that complement my natural communication abilities. I'm passionate about working with people, managing teams, and creating positive work environments. I'm a complete extrovert and people give me energy.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Surbhi
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the values my father instilled in me, particularly the understanding that you come into this world with nothing and you leave with nothing. Whatever you have during your lifetime here, there is nothing negative about it. This perspective has shaped how I approach everything. I've learned to be grateful, positive, and optimistic in all situations. Even during difficult times, like when I lost my job, I tried not to go into a negative mindset about my future. That's when I got introduced to Iskcon and started following spiritual teachings, doing meditation and chanting. It completely changed my approach to life and everything about how I see the world. The most important values I've learned and try to live by are being grateful, being respectful, being positive, and choosing to be happy each day.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is that if you're working from your heart, then that means that's your career. It's about working from your heart, your passion. I listen to a lot of Jay Shetty's podcasts - he's a UK-based life coach - and he said something in a podcast that really resonated with me. He talked about how whenever you're making a career or doing something in your career, you should do your hardest work, but don't do what you don't love. Don't go wherever you feel pressure. When you love the work you're doing, the pressure becomes beautiful. That advice has really shaped how I think about my career path and the choices I make.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I would give to young women entering management is to not lose hope in yourself. There are times when you'll feel setback and think things are not going according to what you thought, but eventually everything will work out. You just need to be calm and patient. Communication is key - I can't stress this enough. Even if you're not naturally an extrovert, you need to connect with people, talk to people, and communicate effectively. I learned this myself when I was working remotely during COVID. About six months ago, I realized I just couldn't work without talking and making connections - I need people to talk to me because that gives me energy. Whether you're an extrovert or not, connecting and communicating with people is essential in management. That's what will help you succeed.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values to me in both my work and personal life are being grateful, always being positive, and always being optimistic. I believe you should never talk down your own worth. My father always told me that you are born in this world, which means you matter. You came into this world with nothing in your hands, and when you die, you're not taking anything with you. Whatever is here during your lifetime, there is nothing negative about it. I try to build these values into my life every day - be grateful to people, be respectful to people, and be like a happy child. Even when you have negative days or not very good days, you should still try to be grateful. There was a time when I lost my job and I started going into a negative mindset about my future, but that's when I got introduced to Iskcon and started following Krishna's teachings. I began doing meditation and chanting, and it changed everything - my approach to life, everything changed. The values I've learned and try to live by are being grateful, being respectful, being positive, and choosing to be happy each day.
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