I was born in Mandhana, a tiny village in rural Uttar Pradesh, India and was raised in Mumbai. I acquired a lot of my narratives from my rich cultural heritage as an Indian girl with the privilege of being a Brahmin in a Hindu male-dominated society.

Most of my personality was shaped by observing my single, highly educated, feminist mom in a poor but modern household in Mumbai. My understanding of life’s process, preciousness, and purpose comes from my father’s tragic death when I was eight years old. My grit and resilience come from my grandma, Shivkali Dwivedi.

My mom, Usha Pandey, taught me to question my relationship with life, people, and power with sincerity. I have lived between polarities since childhood and have always loved observing and interpreting the dynamics of the systems through which I moved.

I am a postgraduate in microbiology and started my career as a scientist at the multinational company Colgate-Palmolive; however, soon my passion for working with people channeled me towards facilitating in-house programs on values and human interactions at Colgate. After a 9-year stint at Colgate, I started to work independently as a leadership mentor, consultant and coach in various organizations ranging from multinationals, SMBs, family-owned businesses, and non-profits. Interestingly, my work as a microbiologist and understanding of microbial systems also informed my understanding of human systems and models.

You will be surprised at how all living systems interact similarly! The learnings of complex adaptive systems that exist in nature can be used to create models for transformation and change in human systems.

The lens of power, social consciousness and equity has been an important container for my work. My designs include thought models, playback theatre, dreams, art and somatic work that support my clients with deeper exploration of themselves and their dynamics with the system in which they exist.

Along my journey, I have met inspirational friends, colleagues, partners, mentors and communities that I feel blessed to have in my life.

I currently reside in Portland, Oregon, with my husband and two kids.