Welcome, everyone. My name is Manju Abraham.I'm an engineering executive building and scaling organizations as VP of engineering at Fortune 100 companies and startups like HPE, Delphix, NetApp, etcetera etcetera over the past twenty five plus years. I'm thrilled to be here today at Women in Tech Global Conference along with Pearl. She has a stellar career in tech in good market partnerships and customer success as EVP at Bain, VP at Microsoft, and other tech companies, and I'm so proud to call her a friend. Today, we'll have a lot of insights to share with you from our experience on networking and about building resilience, that ability to bounce back after life hits us with its challenges. In the current climate with AI focused future and the tough job market, these are the most critical skills we need to develop and apply, especially as women in technology.

Before we dive in, May is Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage month. For us, it is a time to celebrate and remember our heritage from Taiwan and India, and I'd love for Pearl to share a bit about her heritage and her path to a tech career.

Thank you, Manju. And hello, everyone. It's such a pleasure to be here today with you. I'd like to start with a little history about my upbringing. I was born in Taiwan in a traditional Chinese family where values like respect for elders, education, and family were deeply ingrained. But with tradition also came limitations, especially around what a woman's role should be. My father's family held firm beliefs that women should focus on homemaking or if they work, pursue careers traditionally appropriate for women, like teaching or nursing. But my mother had a different vision for me. And when I was seven, we immigrated to The US. I had a pretty modest upbringing, grew up in Oakland Chinatown, moved several times for better schools, like many Asian American kids. Academic excellence was expected.

But my mom never pressured me directly. I always felt the weight though, of unspoken expectations. Education wasn't just a personal achievement. It was the gateway to opportunities. And that mindset pushed me to work hard, get into UC Berkeley, eventually joined HP, a company I admired for its culture. Manju, you also came from an incredibly accomplished family. Could you share a bit about your heritage and what led you into tech?

Yes. Sorry. It's so it's Indian Valley system also, you know, around it's all around tradition and education. It is so similar. So I believe my path to tech was chosen even before I was born. So for me, growing up in India as a daughter of two rocket scientists, engineering was kind of woven into everyday life. And my mother was, the first woman rocket scientist in India at, Indian Space Research Organization. And our dinner table was often filled with stories about space missions and scientific breakthroughs and challenges, and the resilience kinda needed to be, to to help the country keep moving forward, right, especially when things didn't go as planned. We had a lot of failures in rocket launch in the beginning. So these moments instilled in me a deep respect for innovation, perseverance, and the power of continuous learning.

So from a young age, I was curious and driven inspired by how education gave women in my family a strong voice and the freedom to choose their own paths. So engineering felt like a natural extension of both my curiosity and my desire for financial independence. So I began my career as a scientist at this role as well, following in my parents' footsteps, obedient to some extent, I should say. So I also realized my true passion lay in leading and shaping technology and people at scale, And engineering became that foundation and leadership my path and purpose my free fuel, guiding me to grow into a global tech executive committed to driving impact and empowering others.

So in The US, I live by the same values and joined HP like Pearl did. And across, each role, each project, I kept learning more about technology, the process, and about all to lead people effectively. And my motto has been lead with vision, innovate with purpose, transform with excellence, and uplift always. So now there is much we can learn from my friend here. I've seen her grow and have admired how well she connects and helps others and her journey of success. Pearl, you know, networking is a superpower that you have. At this time, where the job market in tech is in flux, this is a skill that all of our audience, especially women, could learn from. How has networking really played a role in your success? Tell us a bit.

Yeah. Thanks, Bonjour. Now networking isn't just about exchanging LinkedIn and connections. It's really about building, relationships, trust, mutual support. And I've experienced firsthand how it can transform careers. Let me take you guys back fourteen years ago. There was a moment, when I was on my maternity leave. I was a senior director at SAP. And, honestly, I assume being out of sight meant I was out of mind. By then, but there was a one day, I got an email congratulating me for being selected as one of the company's top performing talents. I had no idea I was even nominated, but, my VP had nominated me for this program even without me asking. Years later, that VP needed a reference. And even though I was in the hospital having just given birth the day before, I made sure I did a reference call, for him the very next day.

Fast forward six years later, I got an offer from Bang. And when the recruiter asked me for a reference from ten years before, I immediately thought of this same VP, and and he immediately reciprocated. The story proves that strong relationships aren't transactional. They thrive on trust, support, and building it, and paying it forward. So there's one if if there's one thing I would advise, don't just build a network, nurture it, give to it, and be that person who helps others. And here's something I always remind myself. Networking isn't really about meeting someone who will hire you. It's about that domino effect. One conversation leads to another, which leads to a new introduction. And before you know it, you make connections you never would have anticipated.

So I'll let you in on a little secret. So for me, I try to connect with someone in my network at least once a week. Sometimes none because I get busy and sometimes two or three. I always make sure to meet at least one or two new meaningful connections each month. And I'm not shy to say I take notes to remember key takeaways. I track it all in a good old fashioned Excel spreadsheet. So I actually organize my spreadsheet into two tabs. One for the people in my network whom I wanna keep in touch with, another one for new contacts on my network has referred me to. And after each conversation, I jot down one or two takeaways so I won't forget.

It helps me keep track of connections in a way that it feels intentional and not transactional. What are your thoughts, Manju?

Those are great tips, and I've always been so heads down at work. And I need to learn to do more of these. These are wonderful insights. And when you nurture this network, they will be there to help you when challenges come up. So have your tribe around you. Help them, and they will support you as well. So, well, given that the tech job market has really been tough this year, what advice would you give to those looking for new roles right now?

It's definitely a challenging time, but that doesn't mean there aren't opportunities. It just means we need to be strategic about how we approach our job search. First, lean heavily into your network. When companies are cutting back, job postings become more scarce, and hiring's often happen through referrals. If you're searching for a new role, set a goal to connect with three to five people every week. Even if it's just a casual catch up, you never know who might point you toward a great opportunity. Second, be bold in your outreach. Don't just apply online and hope for the best. Reach out to the hiring managers, former colleagues, and mentors. Ask for advice, insights, or introductions. People wanna help. You just have to ask. Third, stay organized in your job search.

Just like I track networking conversations, keeping tabs on who I've reached out to, following up, and key insights has been incredibly helpful. Organization keeps momentum going, especially when a job market is slow. What is your advice, Manju?

I so those are great tips. Along with that, I think, you know, one of these challenges. Right? So to overcome that mindset is key. So we have to believe in ourselves and show up as our fully empowered self to present your value proposition. Right? So that takes preparation, practice, persistence. And this is you know, it's like an open ended situation. It's not easy to do. But keep celebrating small wins along the way. And the important thing to remember is also we are growing in each of these situations and because growth doesn't always come in tidy packages. Often, it's disguised as, you know, stretch roles that you're doing right now. There may be ambiguity or even failure. So I found that saying yes before I'm ready helps us grow immensely.

So it isn't outside the comfort zone, the things that you do that you learn and grow the most in. So, you know, it to lead in chaos sometimes without a clear road map or support, job search is almost like that. So I have learned to trust my voice and my values. Whether it was leading a global team or launching a brand new product, the biggest leaps always come in trusting what that I could, you know, figure it out along the way. Similar thing with the job search as well. Well, your story also speaks volumes about resilience. What barriers have you faced in your career being different, a minority, and how did you overcome that?

Well, when do you you know, resilience is really about pushing through barriers, standing firm in what you believe, and strategically advocating for yourself. Some of you may have heard the bamboo, ceiling term. It what it describes is the invisible barriers and biases that often limit the correct progression of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, particularly in leadership roles. Despite strong academic and professional achievements, many AAPI professionals find themselves overlooked for executive positions due to cultural stereotypes and systematic challenges. Resilience in the face of the bamboo ceiling requires both courage and advocacy. Throughout my career, I've learned that breaking systematic barriers is a mess solo endeavor. It takes a strong support network, mentors, and the confidence to amplify your own contributions.

By embracing authenticity and challenging stereotypes, we can reshape the narrative and pave the way for, future leaders. And here's something I love that describes resilience perfectly. Weebles wobble, but they don't fall down. If you remember this toy from the nineteen seventies, weebles are this h shaped doll that tip over, but they always bounce right back. That's how I see resilience. It's about it's not about never facing setbacks, because we all do, but it's about how we absorb it, how do we deflect these challenges, learning from them and standing back up stronger. And it captures the essence of resilience, not just in leadership, but in life. Bandra, you've overcome some challenging, situations yourself in your life and career. Would you share some of your strategies that help you overcome them?

Yeah. Life definitely has its ups and downs, and there's no escaping that. But what defines us is not what happens to us. It's how we choose to respond to it. I've learned that resilience isn't built only in dramatic moments. It's formed in the quiet everyday choices we make as well when we show up, when we speak up, and keep go going despite the weight we carry. As a leader, I've always been calm in a crisis, not just a firefighter, but a fire preventer. But even that mindset was tested when in my 40s, try while thriving in my career, my family life, and with the nonprofits that I actively served, and I was diagnosed with cancer. It was a moment, that could have shattered me, but instead, it became one of the most clarifying, enriching, and empowering chapters of my life.

It's how you choose to respond to it. Right? And my friends would say, eventually, if I ever face a health crisis, I want you to project manage it for me. That made me pause and reflect. What was I doing instinctively that helped me not just survive, but truly thrive? So that's some, you know, strategies that I learned that I can share with you today. So one of the first things I feel is acceptance. Right? So this is in Elizabeth Kubler Ross' the five stages of grief. So acceptance is when you regain your power. I didn't waste time asking why me. I just leaned into action. What is it I need to take care of? Right? And then started doing that. So that's when you can reclaim control and move forward. The second thing is take it one day at a time.

When you're going through a challenge, it could be financial. It could be a relationship. It could be a job loss. It could be a career challenge that you face. It could be a health issue. It could be anything. But, you know, I took it one day at a time because big mountains are climbed with small, steady steps. I celebrated the small wins each treatment completed, each day of energy, and I kept a clear vision of recovery to anchor my spirit. When I was going through my treatment, I kept remembering my conversation with my daughter where she wanted us to go to Japan together. That keeps you focused on a positive hope when life is back to the new normal. Right? So the third thing is control what you can control and release, let go of what you can't.

That lesson, embedded in the prayer that you must be familiar with, that helped me stay focused, grounded, and calm. The fourth thing, I think it is so important for me, was leaning into your community. I was held up by a tribe of strong women, friends who stood by me, lifted me, laughed, and cried with me. There may be people that you also recognize to stay away from as well. It could be that you very much your own family too sometimes, but there will be people who will stand by you. Lean on to them. We don't get through life's hardest times alone. You don't have to. So build those bonds before the storms come. The fifth thing to remember is this too shall pass.

Challenges are temporary, and you will be able to look back on it as I'm doing now. And most importantly, remember, if I could walk through this fire and come out stronger, you can too. We all have that strength inside of us. We just have to believe in it, nurture it, and never give up on ourselves. Now we are coming to the end of our time together here. What would you like to leave our audience with, Pearl?

Well, Manju, your your story is so powerful and heartwarming at the same time. I'd like to leave the audience here with a quote from Melinda French Gates. She said, women speaking up for themselves and for those around us around them is the strongest force we have to change the world. I firmly believe that. Each of us has a power to uplift, advocate, and rewrite the norms of leadership. Together, we paved the way for the next generation of women leaders, and that starts today with all of us on this call. Thank you, Anna and Women in Tech, for having us today, and thank you, Manju. It has been such a pleasure and honor to chat with you today. This link to your story and insight has been truly inspiring. In meeting you, I've not only gained a valuable connection, but also a lifelong friend.

Thank you, Pearl. And I feel the same. Thank you, Women in Tech and Anna. As we leave here today, remember, you're not just part of the future of engineering. You are shaping it. Every challenge you face is an opportunity to break barriers. Every idea you bring forward is a step toward innovation. And every time you lift another woman up, like Pearl has been doing with me, you strengthen the foundation of those who follow you. Stay bold, stay curious, and never forget you belong in every room where engineering excellence is defined. The world needs your voice, your vision, and your brilliance. Let's go build the future together. Thank you.