TheBridge profile: Priyanka Komala
Name: Priyanka Komala
Current city: Washington, DC
Current job: Technology Leader at The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Podcast Host, #CurryUpStartup to spotlight Asian leaders
Past job: IBM
Q. Favorite spot for a coffee meeting? Mug and Spot at Rehoboth Beach when I'm up in Delaware
Q. Describe how a skill you learned in a previous job helped you in your current job. Building key relationships through effective communication is a key skill that has served me well in my career. I started as an intern at IBM a decade ago and have stayed in touch with my former bosses as I value their mentorship and wisdom. Meeting people across the organization and outside by not limiting yourself to just the colleagues you work with is a great way to open up your network and make new connections on an ongoing basis.
Q. Why are you part of TheBridge community? TheBridge community is an able endeavor to bring together leaders from tech, policy and political arena to make a meaningful impact by having their voices heard.
Q. Job advice in three words? Advocate for yourself
Q. How are you (or your company, org, nonprofit) currently bridging the gap between innovation and regulation? Inspiring young minds to embrace STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Art, Math) is my passion. By sharing my experiences and serving as a role model, mentor, woman of color champion, I’m grateful for using technology to increase awareness on career choices and opportunities in STEM/STEAM which increases the talent pool for this country.
Q. What can innovators learn from policymakers? Communicate, Collaborate to see how innovation can be made more accessible to the general public and create a huge impact.
Q. What can policymakers learn from innovators? Embrace new ideas and adapt to paradigm shifts more quickly
Q. Favorite book/podcast/long-form article you recommend? Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
Q. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself in the beginning of your career? You will continue to pivot as you grow. The roadmap you see today would change and you will have to adapt as you see new challenges and growth venues arise.
Q. What’s one piece of advice you are still trying to master? Living in the moment
Q. Living person you admire? Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo and the world’s most powerful women
Q. Most underrated virtue in an employee? Empathy
Q. Favorite app? Shine Text messaging which provides a positive affirmation to begin your day
Q. Best advice you’ve received? Opportunities are endless. Equip yourself with the right skills by continually investing in you so when opportunities knock your door you are well prepared to embrace them. I have taken this to heart and always try to stay ahead of the curve or take things on me and continue to fine-tune
Q. Startup to watch? Scout MyTrip, Trip planner for the roads in India!
Q. Last time you were completely unplugged? We had a fun road trip from DC to Acadia National Park in Maine with my five-month-old away from the gadgets and digital world savoring time with Mother Nature. We did lose our phone literally but it soon found us.
Q. Morning routine? Make our bed, Meditate for 15 mins, take time to have my hot tea and breakfast by sitting still, spend a couple of mins with the baby, water the plants in my garden. Now that I’m in my early thirties this is a huge lifestyle shift from the fast-paced living in my twenties.
Q. How do you unwind after work? Play with my five-month old
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