I was suggested to get into the Notary Public career path by my family member, but I didn't take it seriously. Especially, since my financial condition wasn't one where I could afford it. About a year after my family member suggested it to me, I was at work as a preschool teacher, a Notary class ad popped up on my social media, and I felt it was a sign for me to get into the field. I did extensive research because I had a fear of paying for everything and then failing. I came to find it to be a career that I felt I could succeed in a and the rest is history!

The decision that shifted my entire direction didn't look dramatic from the outside. I moved from classroom teaching into academic advising. Something that, at the time, felt like a quiet pivot rather than a transformation. But internally, it changed everything. I loved teaching, but I realized that what fulfilled me most wasn't delivering lessons; it was supporting students one-on-one, helping them navigate uncertainty, and watching them grow into their own sense of purpose. Stepping into advising felt aligned with my values in a way I hadn't fully understood until I made the leap. It allowed me to lean into connection, mentorship, and community-building, the parts of the work that lit me up. I faced plenty of fears: Was I giving up something I'd worked hard for? Was this the "right" move? Would I lose part of my identity? But choosing advising opened doors I never expected. It gave me space to expand in every corner of my life. That one choice became the catalyst for so much more. It led me to volunteer with the Bay Area Badgers, where I eventually became copresident. Finding community and joy in bringing alumni together and giving back to a place that shaped me. It allowed me to mentor other student services staff at Stanford, paying forward the support I once needed myself. It even influenced how I show up for my own family and the communities including serving on my local elementary school site council. What looked like a simple career shift turned out to be the moment I said yes to a life built around service, connection, and impact. And that yes quietly, steadily, changed everything.

Every life has pivotal moments. Those unexpected turns that redraw the map of our future. My turning point came the day I shared the beautiful news of my pregnancy… and then was let go from my job not long after. What should have been a joyful season quickly turned into one filled with uncertainty. My husband and I suddenly went from planning for a growing family to facing the reality of living on a single income. Questions flooded my mind: How will we adjust? How will we save? What will this mean for our future and for the baby on the way? It was a moment that shook me. I had always been someone who contributed financially, someone who found security in stability and preparation. Losing my job felt like losing control. The weight of those unknowns pressed heavily on my heart. But in the middle of that fear, I realized I had a choice. I could cling to worry and let anxiety shape my steps… or I could surrender the situation to God and trust that He would guide our family through this unexpected season. So I chose trust. Not the simple, "everything is going to be fine" kind of trust, but the kind where you lay your fears at God's feet because you can't carry them anymore. The kind where you admit you don't know the plan, but you believe wholeheartedly that *He does*. That choice changed everything. As I released control and leaned into faith, God began opening new doors; doors I never would have considered if life had stayed comfortable. I discovered a calling that combined both my strengths and my desire to serve others. I found passion in helping families navigate finances, create stability, and build peace in their homes. Slowly, God led me into my new purpose: What started as a frightening season of loss transformed into a foundation for growth, purpose, and impact. Today, I am a stay at home mom and financial coach, helping families gain clarity and confidence, because I know firsthand what it feels like to face uncertainty, and I know the One who brings us through it. Looking back, losing that job wasn't the end of anything, it was a divine redirection. God used what felt like a setback to reveal a calling I didn't even know was waiting for me. Choosing trust didn't just change my circumstances. It changed my life.

What changed everything for me was after graduating PT school being out in the field it didn't take long for me to realize that our systems often times just don't make sense, they don't actually address the root or origin of the concern or issue at hand. We like to put bandaids on things that are actually systemic infections. Bandaids are great if we have a surface level skin scrape. They are temporary and provide protection for the body to take over and heal and do it's job. But if you have a bacterial infection inside your body causing illness and inflammation, bandaids are useless. Our systems often offer external and temporary piece of adhesive when we need an internal based- overhaul, lifestyle change, system change, whole human approach.

My journey to becoming a Core Antenna Product Development Engineer at Ford Motor Company began on the outskirts of a city in India. Growing up, I watched my parents work tirelessly to provide for me despite having minimal resources. Witnessing their financial struggles firsthand didn't break my spirit; instead, it instilled in me a profound sense of discipline and a drive for self-reliance that has become my "north star." When I moved to the United States to pursue my Master of Science in Electrical Engineering at North Carolina State University, I carried a $90,000 education loan. I knew that to repay that debt and build the life I envisioned, I had to outwork every challenge. I immersed myself in the study of metamaterials, transformation optics, and high-frequency circuit design, staying curious and saying "yes" to every opportunity that pushed me out of my comfort zone. A commitment to innovation and high-quality outcomes has defined my technical career. Before my current role at Ford, I gained extensive experience in antenna simulation, design, and hands-on testing. I have been fortunate to contribute to significant projects for industry leaders, including Tesla, Rivian, and General Motors, working on cutting-edge technologies such as Wi-Fi 6E and 2x2 MIMO systems. At Ford, I now lead cross-functional teams, manage supplier relationships, and drive process improvements to ensure we are delivering advanced antenna systems that define the future of mobility. I am a firm believer that success is never a solo achievement. My growth is a map of the mentors who guided me: Dr. Jacob Adams at NC State, who turned my curiosity into a passion for engineering; Alan Miller at TE Connectivity, who taught me the fundamentals of the automotive industry; and my current leaders at Ford, Ervin Larashi and Marc Bosbach, who have shown incredible faith in my abilities and given me the space to grow from a student into a confident leader. To maintain the focus required for this work, I rely on a foundation of personal discipline cultivated through weightlifting. This practice reinforces the commitment and consistency I bring to my professional life. I also deeply value the necessity of change; adapting is the only way to increase productivity and efficiency. My guiding philosophy is simple: always try to be 1% better than you were yesterday. Today, I am pursuing my MBA to integrate my engineering background with the business acumen necessary to drive meaningful organizational change. When I look back at how far I've come, from the outskirts of India to the halls of Ford, I am driven to help other women entering this industry do the same. My advice to them is this: Be assertive. Speak up, even when you are scared of how you might be perceived. Know your worth and ask for the right pay. Most importantly, stay open-minded and never stop learning from the people around you. Success is a combination of your own grit and the wisdom of those who believe in you.

I remember standing at a point where I could either wait for the "right time" try something that felt risky despite being young. The choice to take the leap and build something myself taught me that the only limits are the ones you let define you.

"The moment everything changed for me was when I realized that I could build something to support the countless people I've met around the world; individuals who have dedicated their lives to serving their communities, often with little recognition or support." I remember an older woman in the Dominican Republic who has spent her life helping orphaned boys get off the streets and into safe homes. In southern India, I met a woman who devotes her days to educating children whose parents are affected by leprosy; breaking generational cycles through learning. And in Mozambique, a man is working tirelessly to build healthier infrastructure in his village, teaching families how to live cleaner, healthier lives. These are just a few of the stories that changed everything for me. Each person I met helped me see that impact often starts with one person and I knew I could be the one to build something that connects and strengthens their work. That realization led to the creation of WikiCharities, a global nonprofit platform designed to increase visibility, trust, and collaboration across the nonprofit sector. The choice to act came with fears: Would people support this? Would it work? But the vision was clear and the need even clearer. That decision to step forward, to use what I had to support the work of others, redirected the entire course of my life and gave it deeper purpose.

Since I was a little girl, I've always stated I wanted to become an entrepreneur. However, I had my mind set on becoming a restaurant owner and turning it into a franchise. After turning 16 years old, I obtained my first job at McDonald's, and I quickly realized that the food industry was not for me and decided that I no longer wanted to own a restaurant. As time progressed, I realized that my first professional love was logistics and chemical warehousing, as I grew up in the field due to my father. Shortly after starting college, my father became terminally ill and was unable to keep the business going. So, at 19 years old, I decided to take on the challenge of running the business and simultaneously attending college to complete my bachelor's in general finance. It was a battle that was scary for such a young girl, fresh out of high school, to go against, as there were many times that I seriously doubted myself. Throughout this journey, I've learned a great deal of information, and it has only improved my abilities to be a full-time CEO, while strengthening my love for logistics. I've experienced many hardships, but they've shaped me into the person that I am today. A wise person once told me: there is no successful CEO that did not have a garden to grow. I carry that saying with me, as I understand that growth and improvement require time, patience, nurturing, and passion for growth.

If your dream does not scare you, you are not dreaming hard enough!

The decision that changed everything didn't come with a promotion, a new title, or public recognition. From the outside, it looked small. Internally, it was seismic. I decided to stop waiting for permission to lead. Early in my career, I believed that hard work alone would naturally be seen and rewarded. I stayed focused on execution, avoided taking up too much space, and waited until I felt fully "ready" before speaking up or stepping forward. Over time, I realized that mindset was limiting my growth. I was capable, prepared, and contributing—but I was holding myself back by staying quiet. The moment that shifted my direction was choosing to trust my preparation and voice my perspective, even when it felt uncomfortable. I began asking better questions, offering solutions instead of observations, and advocating for structure and strategy where it didn't yet exist. The fear wasn't failure—it was visibility. I worried about being wrong, being judged, or being seen as too assertive. But the cost of staying silent was greater than the risk of being heard. That choice—to lead before I felt perfectly ready—changed how others engaged with me and, more importantly, how I saw myself. Opportunities followed not because I waited for them, but because I positioned myself for them. It redirected my career toward leadership grounded in intention, clarity, and impact. Looking back, that decision taught me that growth rarely announces itself loudly. Sometimes, the choice that changes everything is simply deciding to believe you're ready enough—and stepping forward anyway.