What if the expectations placed on you were the very thing holding you back?
In this week’s episode of From a Woman to a Leader, I sat down with Kavitha Lakshminarasaiah—Lead Data Engineer, career mentor to over 130K followers, and founder of the Lakshya Foundation.
Kavitha grew up in a world where girls were expected to marry, not study.
And yet, she chose to rewrite the script.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://limorbergman.com/podcast/
From Expectations to Empowerment
Kavitha shared something early in our conversation that stopped me in my tracks:
“Girls in my family weren’t expected to study—we were expected to get married.”
That one sentence says so much about the barriers many women face—not just professionally, but from the very beginning.
Despite a 10-year break in her education, Kavitha made a bold move:
At 30 years old, she left India to pursue her master’s degree in Information Systems in the U.S.
Most of her classmates were 21–25, just out of undergrad.
But Kavitha brought something they didn’t—real-world experience, a strategic mindset, and the courage to start again.
Smart Strategy Meets Heart-Driven Leadership
One of the most inspiring parts of Kavitha’s story is how intentional she was.
🎯 She strategically planned her credits so she could qualify for a full-time job while still in school.
🎯 She negotiated for assistantships and scholarships, cutting her tuition costs by over 70%.
🎯 She built a strong LinkedIn profile, used referrals wisely, and landed her job at State Farm before graduation.
And then?
She turned around and started helping others do the same.
A Mission to Pay It Forward
Kavitha began by helping her classmates with resumes and mock interviews.
That small act of generosity turned into something huge:
Her Instagram page, @career_with_kavitha, now has over 130,000 followers and is filled with free resources for job seekers in tech.
She shares:
✅ Resume tips that beat the ATS
✅ LinkedIn strategies that attract recruiters
✅ Roadmaps for aspiring data engineers
✅ Guidance for international students trying to land U.S. jobs
All of it comes from her own lived experience—and her heart to give back.
A Woman on a Mission
Today, Kavitha is not only a Lead Data Engineer in the U.S.—she’s also the founder of the Lakshya Foundation, an NGO in India dedicated to educating children and empowering women.
As she told me during our interview:
“Even if I can change one life, I feel blessed.”
If You’ve Ever Thought, “Maybe I’m Too Late”…
This episode is a must-listen.
Whether you’re an international student, a woman returning to the workforce, or someone trying to break into tech—Kavitha’s story will inspire you to take action, trust your path, and lift others as you rise.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://limorbergman.com/podcast/
❤️ If this resonated, share it with a woman who needs a little reminder:
It’s never too late to start over—and success is even sweeter when you bring others with you.
About Kavitha
Kavitha Lakshminarasaiah is a Lead Data Engineer at I-Link Solutions with over 13 years of IT experience and a Master’s degree in Information Systems from Illinois State University.
She is the founder of the Lakshya Foundation, an NGO focused on women’s empowerment and children’s education. Through her Instagram platform, she has mentored over 1,000 professionals and built a thriving community of 130K+ followers—offering job search strategies, LinkedIn tips, resume guidance, and data engineering resources.
📸 Instagram: @career_with_kavitha
🔗 LinkedIn: Kavitha Lakshminarasaiah
About Me
I’m Limor Bergman Gross, a former Director of Engineering turned executive coach for women in tech. I help women rise into leadership roles with confidence—without burning out or compromising who they are.
🎙️ From a Woman to a Leader is where I bring you honest, powerful conversations with women who’ve been there—and want to help you get there too.
Let’s connect:
🌐 Website
▶️ YouTube
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