- Thrive with Vahati
- Thrive
- with
- Vahati
A special International Women’s day Conference designed to empower South Asian Immigrant Women, from March 8-9, 2025
Ways to Connect with Vahati
Date
8-9
March
2025
FORMAT
Hybrid
In-person
& Virtual
LOCATION
In-person
Seattle | Bay Area
Virtual
across US
AUDIENCE
1000 South
Asian
Immigrant Women
& allies
ADDRESS
Seattle
Amazon Day1 building – Seattle Downtown
2121 7th Ave, Seattle WA, 98121
Bay Area
Santa Clara University – Guadalupe Hall
455 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Our Goal
Break cultural stigma, ease societal pressures with resources, and
empower women to thrive
abroad
Presenting Our Distinguished
Speakers & Panelists
Get to know our inspiring panelists and speakers who bring a wealth of experience, insights, and passion to the stage! Get a chance to interact with them up close and ask your questions.
Soundarya Balasubramani
2x Author, 170K+ following with her immigration research data
Magda Nica
A holistic health advisor extensively trained in multidisciplinary studies and psychosomatic causes
Sunita Shastri
Serial Entrepreneur, CEO at vPurpose.ai, Philanthropist, Board Member and Advisor for Non-profits, 30+ yoe
Preeti Suri
Founder & CEO at AdventureTripr | Investor | Board Member
Kirti Surya
Engineering leader | Semiconductor, Academia, & Banking
Chandrayee Bhattacharyya
CEO Virtuelly, Trailblazing Classical Dance Artist
Nitya Gupta
Product & GTM Exec at NetApp | Speaker |
Ex-Amazon, Ex-T-Mobile, 20+ years in tech industry
Priyadarshni Natarajan
Technical Fellow at Walmart | Ex-Amazon, Ex-UnitedHealth | 18+ years in tech
Suma Bhat
Princeton/UIUC NLP researcher and award-winning educator
Sangheetha Parthasarathy
Acclaimed Nervous System Coach | Founder of South Asian Somatics
Dr. Kathleen Lin
Physician Partner, Reproductive Endocrinologist at RMA Fertility
Nancy Parungao
Healing Touch Practitioner | Yogi for 20+ years | Certified in Yoga Anatomy and Silver Age Yoga
Agenda
Join us on March 8-9, 2025 for transformative conversations that speak directly to our journey as immigrant women. We’ve carefully curated topics that touch the heart of our shared experiences
All times are in PST
10:00am – 10:30am Registration & Networking
Time for attendees to check in, connect over coffee, and engage in light networking
10:30am – 10:45am Opening Keynote: A call to strength for South Asian expat Women
Surabhi Boob – Founder of Vahati Association
The strength of South Asian expat women is undeniable. This keynote sets the stage for the day, sharing how we can uplift each other and get the most out of this conference and the Vahati ecosystem.
10:45am – 11:30am Panel Discussion: Emotional Resilience in Entrepreneurship
Sunita Shastri – CEO at vPurpose | Preeti Suri – CEO at AdventureTripr
Learn about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, navigating the challenges from pre-seed to growth stages and becoming startup advisors, and throughout that journey, resilience as a South Asian immigrant women in business.
11:30am – 11:50am Talk: Perceptions vs Perspectives – Your greatest ally is already inside
Magda Nica – Holistic Health Advisor
Understand the story that we tell ourselves and what you can do to empower yourself. This talk will explore how you can practice self awareness, self-reflection, personal growth, and holistic well-being every day of your life.
11:50am – 12:00pm Gratitude Note and Important Announcements
A moment to honor the Vahati community, acknowledge contributions, and share next day’s agenda
12:00pm – 1:00pm Lunch and Networking
1:00pm – 1:30pm Fireside Chat: Notes from a Multifaceted Creative Journey
Chandrayee Bhattacharyya – CEO Virtuelly | Kathak Dancer
Explore the journey of a renowned classical dance artist in the U.S. and CEO of Virtuelly. Find out how she balances art, leadership, and entrepreneurship seamlessly as a South Asian immigrant woman.
1:30pm – 2:00pm Fireside Chat: Rising Through Immigration Challenges
Soundarya Balasubramani – 2x Author and Founder of Unshackled
Dive deep into the journey of overcoming visa struggles, career hurdles, and cultural transitions. Soundarya’s is a story of resilience from being a Product manager at Salesforce to finding her own unique path.
2:00pm – 2:45pm Panel Discussion: Breaking Barriers in Technology Leadership
Nitya Gupta – Product & GTM Executive at NetApp | Priyadarshini Natarajan – Technical Fellow at Walmart | Kirti Surya – Engineering Leader, 30+ years in tech
Learn about what it means to navigate a male dominated American workplace as a South Asian Woman leader in tech. What is the art of having a seat at the table and the power of mentorship and network.
2:45pm – 3:30pm Workshop: Learnings & Connections you will carry forever
More details coming soon. Learn about Transformative Topics that will stay with you forever
3:30pm – 4:15pm Workshop: Feel like a Reproductive Rockstar – Do’s and Don’ts of Egg Freezing
Dr. Kathleen Lin – Award winning Reproductive Endocrinologist, RMA Fertility
With changing lifestyles from generations past and women pushing boundaries in all fields, the topics of women’s health and fertility are not commonplace in South Asian households. Whether you’re considering egg freezing or exploring your options, this talk will empower you to take charge of your reproductive future!
4:15pm – 4:45pm Symphony of Strength: Musical Event
A musical performance by MehfilX inspired by Vahati’s empowerment
Unwind at the end of the day with a power packed performance
4:45pm – 5:00pm Day 1 Closing Note
Solidify key takeaways, set personal and professional intentions, announcements for Day 2 and celebrate.
4:45pm – 5:00pm Picture Time & Informal Networking
Capture the joy of the day. 🙂
10:00am – 10:15am Opening Note
Surabhi Boob – Founder of Vahati Association
Welcome virtual audience , Recap of March 8th conference, Agenda for March 9th
10:15am – 11:00am Talk: Flowing through Challenges – My Path in Artificial Intelligence
Dr. Suma Bhat – Faculty Member at UIUC | Princeton University
Join Dr. Suma Bhat – Princeton/UIUC NLP researcher and award-winning educator – for a candid exploration of building AI systems that understand humanity’s social fabric. In this talk, she’ll trace her path into Artificial Intelligence and share actionable strategies for women entering the field.
11:00am – 11:45am Workshop: Four Forces, One Body: Patriarchy, Attachment, Feminism, Immigration in the Nervous System
Sangheetha Parthasarathy – Founder of South Asian Somatics
Join Sangeetha in this transformative workshop where we explore how patriarchy, attachment, feminism and immigration live in your nervous system. Through experiential somatic practices, discover how these forces shape your reactions, relationships, and sense of self. Learn practical tools to regulate your nervous system and reclaim your authentic embodied experience. Join the “Unfair Advantage Club” – the revolutionary approach helping South Asian women thrive across cultural contexts.
11:45am – 12:15pm Mindfulness Session with Mind Body Zone
Nancy Parungao – Healing Touch Practitioner
Join certified yoga instructor and Healing Touch Practitioner Nancy for a transformative session blending gentle chair yoga, breathwork, and alignment principles honed through 20+ years of practice. Participants will learn techniques to reduce stiffness, cultivate patience through positive self-talk, and celebrate incremental progress. Leave feeling stronger in body and spirit.
12:15pm – 12:45pm Personal Branding
Tejaswini Kumar – Senior Product Marketing Manager at Walmart and Career coach
Join Tejaswini Kumar, as she decodes personal branding in tech. Drawing from her journey from Infosys engineer to Times Square-featured leader, she’ll share strategies to craft authenticity, and build communities via platforms like Exponent and Topmate. Learn how to balance differentiation with adaptability—turning certifications, storytelling, and LinkedIn engagement into career-defining momentum
12:45pm – 1:15pm Roots and Wings: finding identity and building relationships as an immigrant woman
Garima Seth – Sr. Learning Designer @ AWS | Accessibility Practitioner and Lead
Join Garima Seth for a candid exploration of migrant women’s struggles—from cultural dislocation and systemic barriers (unrecognized qualifications, social exclusion) to fractured family dynamics and economic dependency. Discover how initiatives like Vahati and other small changes in life can empower women to rebuild identity through peer networks that turn isolation into resilience. A talk blending raw truths with hope.
1:15pm – 1:45pm Hangout with Vahati Team
Surabhi, Deepti, Jessica, Harshada, Sandhya
Informal session to get to know the team behind the scenes, discuss volunteering opportunities and share event feedback
1:45pm – 2:00pm Closing Note
A Big Thank you and a virtual celebration with the Vahati Family
All times are in PST
10:00am – 10:30am Registration & Networking
Time for attendees to check in, connect over coffee, and engage in light networking
10:30am – 10:45am Opening Keynote: A call to strength for South Asian expat Women
Surabhi Boob – Founder of Vahati Association
The strength of South Asian expat women is undeniable. This keynote sets the stage for the day, sharing how we can uplift each other and get the most out of this conference and the Vahati ecosystem.
10:45am – 11:30am Panel Discussion: Emotional Resilience in Entrepreneurship
Sunita Shastri – CEO at vPurpose | Preeti Suri – CEO at AdventureTripr
Learn about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, navigating the challenges from pre-seed to growth stages and becoming startup advisors, and throughout that journey, resilience as a South Asian immigrant women in business.
11:30am – 11:50am Talk: Perceptions vs Perspectives – Your greatest ally is already inside
Magda Nica – Holistic Health Advisor
Understand the story that we tell ourselves and what you can do to empower yourself. This talk will explore how you can practice self awareness, self-reflection, personal growth, and holistic well-being every day of your life.
11:50am – 12:00pm Gratitude Note and Important Announcements
A moment to honor the Vahati community, acknowledge contributions, and share next day’s agenda
12:00pm – 1:00pm Lunch and Networking
1:00pm – 1:30pm Fireside Chat: Notes from a Multifaceted Creative Journey
Chandrayee Bhattacharyya – CEO Virtuelly | Kathak Dancer
Explore the journey of a renowned classical dance artist in the U.S. and CEO of Virtuelly. Find out how she balances art, leadership, and entrepreneurship seamlessly as a South Asian immigrant woman.
1:30pm – 2:00pm Fireside Chat: Rising Through Immigration Challenges
Soundarya Balasubramani – 2x Author and Founder of Unshackled
Dive deep into the journey of overcoming visa struggles, career hurdles, and cultural transitions. Soundarya’s is a story of resilience from being a Product manager at Salesforce to finding her own unique path.
2:00pm – 2:45pm Panel Discussion: Breaking Barriers in Technology Leadership
Nitya Gupta – Product & GTM Executive at NetApp | Priyadarshini Natarajan – Technical Fellow at Walmart | Kirti Surya – Engineering Leader, 30+ years in tech
Learn about what it means to navigate a male dominated American workplace as a South Asian Woman leader in tech. What is the art of having a seat at the table and the power of mentorship and network.
2:45pm – 3:30pm Workshop: Learnings & Connections you will carry forever
More details coming soon. Learn about Transformative Topics that will stay with you forever
3:30pm – 4:15pm Workshop: Feel like a Reproductive Rockstar – Do’s and Don’ts of Egg Freezing
Dr. Kathleen Lin – Award winning Reproductive Endocrinologist, RMA Fertility
With changing lifestyles from generations past and women pushing boundaries in all fields, the topics of women’s health and fertility are not commonplace in South Asian households. Whether you’re considering egg freezing or exploring your options, this talk will empower you to take charge of your reproductive future!
4:15pm – 4:45pm Symphony of Strength: Musical Event
A musical performance by MehfilX inspired by Vahati’s empowerment
Unwind at the end of the day with a power packed performance
4:45pm – 5:00pm Day 1 Closing Note
Solidify key takeaways, set personal and professional intentions, announcements for Day 2 and celebrate.
4:45pm – 5:00pm Picture Time & Informal Networking
Capture the joy of the day. 🙂
Time for attendees to check in, connect over coffee, and engage in light networking
The strength of South Asian expat women is undeniable. This keynote sets the stage for the day, sharing how we can uplift each other and get the most out of this conference and the Vahati ecosystem.Learn about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, navigating the challenges from pre-seed to growth stages and becoming startup advisors, and throughout that journey, resilience as a South Asian immigrant women in business.Understand the story that we tell ourselves and what you can do to empower yourself. This talk will explore how you can practice self awareness, self-reflection, personal growth, and holistic well-being every day of your life.
A moment to honor the Vahati community, acknowledge contributions, and share next day’s agenda
Explore the journey of a renowned classical dance artist in the U.S. and CEO of Virtuelly. Find out how she balances art, leadership, and entrepreneurship seamlessly as a South Asian immigrant woman.
Dive deep into the journey of overcoming visa struggles, career hurdles, and cultural transitions. Soundarya’s is a story of resilience from being a Product manager at Salesforce to finding her own unique path.Learn about what it means to navigate a male dominated American workplace as a South Asian Woman leader in tech. What is the art of having a seat at the table and the power of mentorship and network.
More details coming soon. Learn about Transformative Topics that will stay with you forever
With changing lifestyles from generations past and women pushing boundaries in all fields, the topics of women’s health and fertility are not commonplace in South Asian households. Whether you’re considering egg freezing or exploring your options, this talk will empower you to take charge of your reproductive future!Unwind at the end of the day with a power packed performanceSolidify key takeaways, set personal and professional intentions, announcements for Day 2 and celebrate. Capture the joy of the day. 🙂
10:00am – 10:15am Opening Note
Surabhi Boob – Founder of Vahati Association
Welcome virtual audience , Recap of March 8th conference, Agenda for March 9th
10:15am – 11:00am Talk: Flowing through Challenges – My Path in Artificial Intelligence
Dr. Suma Bhat – Faculty Member at UIUC | Princeton University
Join Dr. Suma Bhat – Princeton/UIUC NLP researcher and award-winning educator – for a candid exploration of building AI systems that understand humanity’s social fabric. In this talk, she’ll trace her path into Artificial Intelligence and share actionable strategies for women entering the field.
11:00am – 11:45am Workshop: Four Forces, One Body: Patriarchy, Attachment, Feminism, Immigration in the Nervous System
Sangheetha Parthasarathy – Founder of South Asian Somatics
Join Sangeetha in this transformative workshop where we explore how patriarchy, attachment, feminism and immigration live in your nervous system. Through experiential somatic practices, discover how these forces shape your reactions, relationships, and sense of self. Learn practical tools to regulate your nervous system and reclaim your authentic embodied experience. Join the “Unfair Advantage Club” – the revolutionary approach helping South Asian women thrive across cultural contexts.
11:45am – 12:15pm Mindfulness Session with Mind Body Zone
Nancy Parungao – Healing Touch Practitioner
Join certified yoga instructor and Healing Touch Practitioner Nancy for a transformative session blending gentle chair yoga, breathwork, and alignment principles honed through 20+ years of practice. Participants will learn techniques to reduce stiffness, cultivate patience through positive self-talk, and celebrate incremental progress. Leave feeling stronger in body and spirit.
12:15pm – 12:45pm Personal Branding
Tejaswini Kumar – Senior Product Marketing Manager at Walmart and Career coach
Join Tejaswini Kumar, as she decodes personal branding in tech. Drawing from her journey from Infosys engineer to Times Square-featured leader, she’ll share strategies to craft authenticity, and build communities via platforms like Exponent and Topmate. Learn how to balance differentiation with adaptability—turning certifications, storytelling, and LinkedIn engagement into career-defining momentum
12:45pm – 1:15pm Roots and Wings: finding identity and building relationships as an immigrant woman
Garima Seth – Sr. Learning Designer @ AWS | Accessibility Practitioner and Lead
Join Garima Seth for a candid exploration of migrant women’s struggles—from cultural dislocation and systemic barriers (unrecognized qualifications, social exclusion) to fractured family dynamics and economic dependency. Discover how initiatives like Vahati and other small changes in life can empower women to rebuild identity through peer networks that turn isolation into resilience. A talk blending raw truths with hope.
1:15pm – 1:45pm Hangout with Vahati Team
Surabhi, Deepti, Jessica, Harshada, Sandhya
Informal session to get to know the team behind the scenes, discuss volunteering opportunities and share event feedback
1:45pm – 2:00pm Closing Note
A Big Thank you and a virtual celebration with the Vahati Family
Welcome virtual audience , Recap of March 8th conference, Agenda for March 9thJoin Dr. Suma Bhat – Princeton/UIUC NLP researcher and award-winning educator – for a candid exploration of building AI systems that understand humanity’s social fabric. In this talk, she’ll trace her path into Artificial Intelligence and share actionable strategies for women entering the field.
Join Sangeetha in this transformative workshop where we explore how patriarchy, attachment, feminism and immigration live in your nervous system. Through experiential somatic practices, discover how these forces shape your reactions, relationships, and sense of self. Learn practical tools to regulate your nervous system and reclaim your authentic embodied experience. Join the “Unfair Advantage Club” – the revolutionary approach helping South Asian women thrive across cultural contexts.
Join certified yoga instructor and Healing Touch Practitioner Nancy for a transformative session blending gentle chair yoga, breathwork, and alignment principles honed through 20+ years of practice. Participants will learn techniques to reduce stiffness, cultivate patience through positive self-talk, and celebrate incremental progress. Leave feeling stronger in body and spirit.
Join Tejaswini Kumar, as she decodes personal branding in tech. Drawing from her journey from Infosys engineer to Times Square-featured leader, she’ll share strategies to craft authenticity, and build communities via platforms like Exponent and Topmate. Learn how to balance differentiation with adaptability—turning certifications, storytelling, and LinkedIn engagement into career-defining momentum
Join Garima Seth for a candid exploration of migrant women’s struggles—from cultural dislocation and systemic barriers (unrecognized qualifications, social exclusion) to fractured family dynamics and economic dependency. Discover how initiatives like Vahati and other small changes in life can empower women to rebuild identity through peer networks that turn isolation into resilience. A talk blending raw truths with hope.
Informal session to get to know the team behind the scenes, discuss volunteering opportunities and share event feedback
A Big Thank you and a virtual celebration with the Vahati Family
Carpool Connect
Looking for a ride or happy to share one? Check the link to coordinate with others and make your commute easier!
What You’ll Get When You Join
- A Supportive Community: An exclusive network of South Asian women uplifting one another.
- Practical Resources: Downloadable guides, access to expert insights, and recordings of key sessions.
- Deeper Connections: Conversations that go beyond surface-level, with people who genuinely want to help.
- Expert-Led Sessions: No fluff, no clichés—just real talk from mentors, leaders, and women who’ve walked this path.
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
till you change your story & find your tribe
Our Journey
Voices of Satisfaction and Success
We take pride in creating meaningful connections that uplift and empower women and are committed to creating spaces where connections flourish.
I thoroughly enjoyed the event and have already started applying the strategies I learned. The breakout sessions with like-minded women were incredibly helpful for putting theory into practice. I’ve already registered for the next session and would love to see more breakout sessions in the future, along with some fun quizzes to make things even more interactive. I have been in the U.S. for 2 years.
Ishwarya, Bothell, WA
The launch event was a wonderful experience, held in a cozy art studio that provided the perfect ambiance for a small gathering. I fully support Vahati Association’s mission, especially the focus on creating a support network for women. From the event, I realized the importance of such groups for women away from home, providing a sense of community and belonging. For future events, I’d love to see a more in-depth look at the services Vahati plans to offer. I’ve been in the U.S. for 32 years and am excited to support this cause!
Sunita Shastri, Seattle WA
I really appreciated how the event created an open space for participants to connect, share, and have conversations freely. The positive environment made it easy for everyone to engage. I realized how effortlessly conversations flowed when I could relate to others who had similar experiences and challenges. Moving forward, I’d love to see activities like workshops or debates, and maybe even collaborative art projects that allow us to create something meaningful together. I’ve been in the U.S. for two years now and look forward to contributing to more events like this.
Harsheeta, Seattle WA
I loved how the launch event emphasized women supporting one another. It’s often hard to feel connected in the U.S. without making the effort to meet others. I’ve learned that community is important, especially when we don’t have family nearby. The event showed me that I’m not alone in facing life’s challenges, and it’s easier to navigate them when we have others to lean on. For future events, I hope to see the momentum continue. I’ve been in the U.S. for 9 years and am excited to be part of this community.
Nischala, Seattle WA
I loved the informal, supportive atmosphere of the event—it felt like everyone was there to help each other. It made me realize I’m not alone in facing challenges; everyone has had their own struggles. Sometimes, I question my decision to live in the U.S., but hearing from others about the advantages here compared to India made me see it’s a case of “the grass is greener on the other side.” I’ve been in the U.S. for 9 years.
Vyshnavi, Seattle WA
I really enjoyed the event, especially because it provided great opportunities for social interaction and knowledge sharing. It was an amazing experience to put into practice what we learned. I was excited throughout the session and can’t wait for the next meetup. I love reading, but I often stop halfway through books, so these book club sessions are a great way to stay engaged. It’s wonderful to discuss chapters with like-minded people, and I’d love to see more knowledge-sharing clubs like this one.
Vandana, Cincinnati
As a reader, I thoroughly enjoyed the event and feel confident in applying what I learned to both social and workplace situations. The breakout sessions were essential in making the event more engaging, allowing participants to interact and learn more effectively. I would definitely attend again, as I found the experience enriching. I’m based in Redmond and have been in the U.S. for four years.
Deepika Ashok, Redmond
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Our Design Partners
Proudly designed by our creative partners at Seepi.co, whose expertise in branding and web design helped bring Vahati’s vision to life. Their innovative approach and thoughtful design have played a key role in shaping an engaging and impactful digital experience.