Software People Stories

My guest today is  Ravikiran Pothukuchi, the leader of Dassault Systèmes’ Enterprise Portfolio business in India.In this conversation, Ravi shares his journey from his humble beginnings in a small village in India to becoming a key player in Dassault Systems' business landscape.Ravi dives deep into his upbringing, education, and multiple career transitions that shaped his professional life. Key highlights include his transition from an R&D role to a customer-facing role, the importance of building human connections, the value of curiosity, and how he integrated traditional knowledge with modern business strategies.Notable quotes and insights punctuate the narrative, offering valuable lessons on adaptability, resilience, and the power of networking. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:36 Early Life and Education03:26 Higher Education and Career Beginnings13:24 Transition to Business Development19:14 Leadership and Team Management26:39 Transitioning to Customer-Facing Roles27:33 The Challenges of Business Development31:30 The Importance of Networking35:21 Building Genuine Connections40:05 Navigating Career Transitions46:22 Personal Practices for Staying Grounded47:02 The Five Cs Framework for Success49:46 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsThe timestamps are approximate, and after the intro that is about 90 seconds.For more closer timestamps, add 90 seconds to the labels aboveRavikiran Pothukuchi is the leader of Dassault Systèmes’ Enterprise Portfolio business in India. In this role, he is responsible for defining the business strategy to expand the company’s Portfolio presence in India’s rapidly growing economic sectors.Ravikiran began his career with Dassault Systèmes in 2004, initially working in various roles within the Research and Development (R&D) organization before transitioning to business development in 2011. In 2017, he assumed responsibility for increasing market share across the company’s core industry vertical, achieving a year-over-year double-digit growth for five consecutive years. He is now entrusted with the responsibility of tapping the growth potential of Dassault Systèmes’ Enterprise portfolio while diversifying into new industries and segments.Ravikiran holds degrees from prestigious institutions, IIT-Madras and IIM-Bangalore. He is also a DAAD scholar and a member of several industry organizations, including SAE and IFCCI.Ravi may be reached at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravikiran-pothukuchi-47750312/?originalSubdomain=in

In this episode of the Software People Stories, my guest Ben Wilcox is the Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at ProArch. Ben shares his fascinating journey from building a web hosting business as a teenager to his current role as CTO and CISO at ProArch. Ben discusses the evolution of his career, his involvement in various projects, and the ever-changing landscape of security, especially with the advent of AI. He also provides valuable insights into how enterprises should approach security, the complexities of data localization, and the importance of a continuous security model. The conversation also delves into career advice for aspiring IT and security professionals.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:42 Early Career and Web Hosting Business02:49 Transition to Software Development03:51 Joining Advisor Group and Pro05:06 Challenges of Running a Business as a Teenager07:55 Learning and Growth in a Larger Company09:14 Becoming a CISO and Security Focus12:21 Evolving Security Landscape and AI15:01 Data Security and Insider Risk Management20:51 Zero Trust Environments and Legacy Systems23:58 Sleepless Nights and Security Concerns25:50 Balancing Innovation and Security26:11 Finding Joy in Leadership26:54 Navigating the CTO and CISO Roles28:55 Keeping Up with Technology Trends31:27 Hyper-Personalization and Security Risks36:02 The Role of Open Source in Security41:03 Career Advice for Aspiring Security Professionals45:35 The Impact of AI on Security Jobs49:11 Conclusion and Contact InformationThe timestamps are approximate, and after the intro that is about 90 seconds.For more closer timestamps, add 90 seconds to the labels aboveBen Wilcox is the Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at ProArch, where he leads the company’s cloud, security, and AI enablement strategy. With more than 20 years of experience spanning software engineering, cybersecurity, and enterprise architecture, Ben helps organizations modernize their technology foundations while navigating the evolving threat landscape.Ben’s career began in hands-on development and infrastructure work, giving him a deep technical grounding that informs his leadership today. He has built and led high-performing engineering teams, guided complex cloud migrations, and designed modern security programs that balance innovation with risk management. At ProArch, he works closely with clients to architect AI-ready, scalable systems that drive business transformation.Connect with Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-wilcox

In this episode of Software People Stories, Shiv is in conversation with Yaron Schneider, co-founder of Diagrid and a seasoned developer and entrepreneur deeply involved in the open source movement.Yaron shares his origin story, starting from programming at age 11 to his current role as co-founder of Diagrid. He discusses his early foray into university education, experience in the military, and his progression within the software industry, including a notable tenure at Microsoft.Yaron delves into the joys and pains of working in open source, detailing the challenges and rewards of maintaining a project with thousands of contributors and balancing corporate and community needs. The discussion also touches on the complexities of scaling in hybrid environments, the risks associated with supply chain attacks, and the evolving role of developers in the age of AI and low-code solutions.Yaron concludes by offering advice for those aspiring to contribute to open source and sharing personal strategies for managing the stresses of startup life. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:25 Yaron's Origin Story02:39 Joys and Pains of Open Source05:21 Challenges of Open Source Coordination06:14 Role Differences: Architect vs. CTO08:21 Corporate Influence on Open Source10:00 On-Prem vs. Cloud-Based Models11:34 Scalability in Hybrid Environments13:22 Introduction to Dapper and D Grid18:05 Security and Supply Chain Challenges23:27 Low-Code and No-Code Development25:29 Transition from Corporate to Startup27:04 Balancing Work and Personal Life28:31 Music and Software Development Parallels31:14 Getting Involved in Open Source32:21 Future of AI and Software Jobs33:50 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsThe timestamps are approximate, and after the intro that is about 90 seconds.For more closer timestamps, add 90 seconds to the labels aboveYaron Schneider is a visionary technologist and open source pioneer who has fundamentally shaped how developers build distributed applications. As co-creator of Dapr and KEDA—both graduated CNCF projects—he has enabled tens of thousands of enterprises to build more resilient, scalable cloud-native systems. Dapr is currently used by an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 enterprise users worldwide, while KEDA adoption may be even broader, though it is more difficult to estimate precisely.Now co-founder of Diagrid, Yaron is building the next generation of platforms that make it easier to develop and operate distributed applications and AI agents. His deep expertise in distributed systems, combined with years of leadership at Microsoft on scalable cloud architecture, positions him at the forefront of the agentic AI revolution.Recognized as an industry innovator in open source and platform engineering, Yaron bridges the gap between cutting-edge research and practical developer tools. His work continues to define how modern applications are built, deployed, and scaled in the cloud-native era.

Gayatri Kalyanaraman is in conversation with Madhavan Jagannathan (Maddy) , Instrument and Control Engineer by training, software technologist by experience, and financial explorer at heart. With over two decades of experience across HCL, Adobe, EMC, Dell, and VMware, Maddy brings together deep tech, systems thinking, and a passion for financial markets. Gayatri introduces Maddy, highlighting 17 years of friendship and his rare mix of humor, humility, and insight across hardware, software, and finance.02:00 – The Physics of Curiosity Maddy recalls his fascination with science, choosing physics for his undergraduate degree, and his early ambition to pursue research at IITs before pragmatically opting for instrumentation at Madras Institute of Technology.05:00 – The Unplanned Leap into Software A “lucky break” leads him into HCL Technologies, where a chance campus interview launches his career in software — landing him in the prestigious Cisco division during the early internet boom.08:00 – Early Memories of the Software World Maddy reflects on working at the intersection of hardware and network management — when internet access was rationed, innovation was exploding, and curiosity was rewarded.10:00 – Settling into the Tech Ecosystem He discusses how he initially longed for the process industry, only to realize that the software world offered greater opportunities, intellectual challenge, and balance — ultimately leading teams early in his career.13:00 – From HCL to Adobe: Finding the Power of Software Maddy shares how joining Adobe in Noida, during its early transition to SaaS, transformed his understanding of software’s reach and power. “That one year at Adobe changed my view of what software could do.”16:00 – The EMC and Dell Era: Process Meets Innovation He moves from startups to EMC, where he embraces Six Sigma, process excellence, and later joins Dell, leading teams focused on data center innovation. “Dell was about process discipline and fast engineering — a perfect blend of structure and innovation.”20:00 – Clarifying ‘Process’: From Chemistry to Systems Thinking Maddy reflects on how his training in process control and systems modeling shaped his understanding of software and organizational design.23:00 – Discovering Financial Markets His long-standing curiosity about stock markets takes root. From reading stock pages in newspapers to managing his first ESOPs, Maddy begins to explore investing and financial systems deeply. “It started with curiosity — how a single number next to a company name could tell a story.”26:00 – The Birth of a Trader Inspired by his MBA classes and a growing interest in quantitative methods, Maddy takes professional trading courses — blending math, technology, and market behavior. “Trading is where math, technology, and psychology collide.”29:00 – Lessons from the Trading Floor He shares insights from independent trading during COVID, emphasizing discipline, emotional control, and the realization that he’s better suited for his own portfolio than managing others’ money.32:00 – The Intersection of Tech and Finance Maddy discusses how his tech background enhances his understanding of market microstructures, algorithmic trading, and the growing influence of AI and quantum computing in finance.35:00 – The Philosophy of Continuous Exploration For Maddy, trading and technology are both lifelong explorations. “Markets teach you more than finance — they teach you patience, humility, and the ability to think statistically about your own life.”38:00 – Reflections on Career and Curiosity Gayatri and Maddy reflect on his multi-layered career: from a hardware engineer and software innovator to a financial thinker who continues to connect systems, people, and ideas. Key Themes:Evolving from hardware and instrumentation to deep software systemsThe interplay between process thinking and product innovationLifelong learning and curiosity as a career compassApplying software and systems logic to financial marketsEmotional intelligence and discipline in trading Memorable Quotes:“Trading is where math, technology, and psychology collide.”“That one year at Adobe changed my view of what software could do.”“Markets teach you more than finance — they teach you patience, humility, and the ability to think statistically about your own life.”“I didn’t plan my career — I followed my curiosity, and that made all the difference.”https://www.linkedin.com/in/madhavan-jagannathan-559bb51/Madhavan “Maddy” Jagannadhan is a seasoned technologist and financial explorer whose career spans hardware engineering, software system leadership and independent investing. With early roots in instrumentation and network hardware, Maddy went on to lead development teams at industry names like HCL Technologies, Adobe Inc., EMC Corporation and Dell Technologies—designing software-driven systems and complex processes. Today, Maddy blends his systems thinking, curiosity and trading insight into mentoring, personal investing and bridging tech and financial markets. Madhavan has an engineering degree in Instrumentation and Control from MIT (Anna University) and an MBA degree from Great Lakes Institute of Management.

Gayatri Kalyanaraman is in conversation with Rupam Tandon,  Financial Executive with 30 years of experience across banking, asset management, and insurance. She’s also a certified Independent Director (IoD), ESG specialist, and startup mentor. She talks about her journey starting in a small town to traveling the globe and literally spreading her wings. Gayatri Kalyanaraman, Host for Software People Stories podcast and co-founder Sangatna Angels welcomes Rupam Tandon and sets the tone for an inspiring conversation about leadership, resilience, and governance. Highlights of the conversation are here01:00 – Early Career and Foundations in FinanceRupam shares her beginnings in Dubai’s financial industry during the 1990s — a period of rapid banking expansion — and lessons on trust, relationships, and financial discipline.03:00 – London Years & the Global Financial Crisis She moves to London to work with asset managers and hedge funds, witnessing firsthand the subprime crisis and collapse of major institutions like Lehman Brothers and AIG.07:00 – Return to India & Setting Up Global Operations Rupam explains her decision to return to India for family reasons and how she helped transition a major bank’s operations from Ireland to Bangalore — navigating SEC and FCA audits successfully.10:00 – The Shift to Insurance and Building Communities She discusses moving from investment banking to insurance, leading initiatives in Risk, ESG, and Cyber, and mentoring senior executives.13:00 – Reflections on Technology & Automation From manual processes to automation and bots — Rupam contrasts the early years of finance with today’s data-driven governance and the rise of straight-through processing (STP).16:00 – Navigating Change and Cultural Adaptation Growing up in Lucknow and moving across continents, Rupam reflects on adapting to different work cultures, continuous learning, and seizing opportunities.20:00 – Decision-Making and Balancing Life & Work Rupam shares personal stories about taking career risks, balancing motherhood, and receiving mentorship and compassion from colleagues during turbulent times.24:00 – Continuous Learning & Board Readiness She outlines her professional upskilling journey — courses from ISB, IIM Bangalore, and IoD — and her belief in lifelong learning as a foundation for effective governance.27:00 – Second Innings: Purpose and Governance for the Future Rupam shares her vision for the next decade — mentoring startups, strengthening governance frameworks, and shaping ethical, transparent organizations. Memorable Quotes:“Success without ethics is incomplete.”“Governance isn’t about control — it’s about responsibility.”  “It’s time for stewardship — to give back, guide, and help the next generation grow with integrity.”“Even the strongest institutions can collapse if governance, risk, and culture are not aligned.”https://www.linkedin.com/in/rupam-tandon/After nearly three decades of experience across industries and markets, She is now embarking on my second innings with a focus on startup governance and scaleups. Her journey has been a diverse one, spanning Global roles (in UAE & UK, India) in business strategy, branding, communications, and stakeholder engagement. She is passionate about helping companies build strong, sustainable foundations for growth. As an alumnus of Lucknow University and the Indian School of Business (ISB), where she specialized in Negotiation as part of an Executive Management Program, I’ve honed my ability to adapt and thrive in fast-moving, high-pressure environments.My Core Strengths:- Strategic Oversight: Managing boards/foundations and aligning teams with business goals- Business Model Innovation: Identifying opportunities at the intersection of strategy, branding, product development, and customer experience- Start up consulting , Fintech, Finance based business.- Reputation Building: Creating narratives that enhance corporate reputation and build trust- Communications Strategy: Developing integrated communication plans to engage stakeholders and drive impact- Mentorship & Coaching: Supporting founders, leaders, and teams to grow through personalized guidance and coaching- Crisis Communications: Navigating through challenges to protect and strengthen brand reputation- Networking & Ecosystem Building: Cultivating strategic partnerships and growing influential networks- CSR & Sustainability: Defining and driving impactful corporate social responsibility initiativesRupam Tandon is a certified board director and former investment banker with expertise in governance, risk, and sustainability. She advises startups and SMEs on ethical leadership and board resilience, teaches ESG and stakeholder strategy to executives, and mentors emerging leaders. She advocates for policy-led reforms in India’s entrepreneurial governance landscape.

In this episode, Shiv is in conversation with Mike Maynard, the Managing Director/CEO of the Napier Group, a PR firm.Mike shares his unconventional career journey from electronics engineering to marketing and recounts his initial interest in mathematics and eventual pivot to electronics engineering, sparked by a school project. Despite enjoying engineering, he realized his strengths lay in explaining technical details rather than executing them, leading him to roles in technical support and eventually to marketing. Mike discusses the lack of planning in his career and how opportunistic decisions led him to buy a tech agency just before the dot-com crash in 2001. He elaborates on the challenges and importance of bridging the empathy gap between engineers and marketers, emphasizing communication as a crucial factor. The episode also explores the impact of regulatory processes on hardware companies, the importance of diligent marketing in the age of AI, and the evolving landscape of B2B podcasts. Mike wraps up by offering career tips for those transitioning to marketing, underscoring the value of data analysis skills over traditional creative skills.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:27 Mike's Journey into Technology01:54 Transition to Marketing04:22 Challenges in Marketing and Engineering09:00 Bridging the Gap Between Teams13:27 Handling Hardware and Software Delays18:56 Lean Approaches and Reputation Management21:45 The Hype and Reality of Tech Products22:10 The Silicon Valley and Bangalore Comparison23:07 The Importance of Perseverance for Founders24:51 Product-Led Development vs. Marketing27:11 The Role of Gen AI in Marketing34:20 The Future of Podcasting in B2B Marketing38:47 Career Tips for Aspiring Marketers42:31 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsNote – above timings are approximate; exact timing may be off by a minute or sohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemaynard/

In this episode, Shiv is in conversation with Prasad Chodavarapu, Co-Founder & Managing Director at Aganitha.aiIn this conversation, Prasad, a tech veteran turned bio-pharma enthusiast, discusses his unique career trajectory from software development to founding a startup in the life sciences space. Prasad shares his journey, starting from his early days in tech during the nascent stages of the internet in the mid-90s, working in startups, and his transition to a large enterprise consulting role. The conversation dives into the challenges and learnings from shifting into the bio-pharma industry, the impact of AI in this space, the complexities of scientific data, and the nuances of interdisciplinary collaboration. Prasad also offers valuable career advice for newcomers and those experiencing a mid-career crisis, emphasizing the importance of combining disciplines and lifelong learning. We wrap up with personal insights on how Prasad maintains balance in his life through music and family support.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:54 Career Beginnings in Software and Technology04:04 Transition to Life Sciences and Biotech07:25 Challenges and Innovations in Scientific Computing09:51 The Role of AI and Data in Modern Science16:29 Preserving and Digitizing Knowledge Systems19:42 Startup Journey and Entrepreneurial Insights24:17 Scientific Collaboration and Practical Applications32:42 Modeling and Prediction Cycles33:37 Validating Predictions in the Lab33:42 Solving Customer Problems with Algorithms35:33 Understanding the Drug Development Value Chain37:41 Challenges in Clinical Trials40:06 The Impact of AI on Science and Technology45:19 Career Advice for Life Sciences and Computing51:18 Personal Techniques for Managing UncertaintyPrasad Chodavarapu is a hands-on tech business exec with 25+ years of exp. in growing tech businesses from start-up stage to a billion-dollar scaleHis expertise and track record is in building multi-disciplinary teamsHe is a published author, with patents in Data and Process engineeringHe is a Co-Founder & Managing Director at Aganitha.aiHis interests include: Deep Science (Comp Bio & Quantum Chem) +  Deep Tech (AI/ML, LLMs, Data, Cloud) for accelerating R&D at global BioPharma, Re-imagining with Agentic & Generative AI, every process & app in disease studies, therapeutic design & dev, synthesis, clinical, medical & regulatory affairs.Among his earlier roles: HCL Tech: SVP & Global delivery head for Transformation ServicesHe is an alumnus of Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) & IIT KharagpurChannels to reach him:https://www.linkedin.com/in/chprasad/@Omics_Chap on X, @omics-chap.bsky.social on Bluesky

In this special episode celebrating seven years of the 'Software People Stories podcast, hosts Anita Shiva, Shiv, Gayatri, and Chitra reflect on their journey. Theydiscuss the origins, challenges, milestones, and personal experiences of managingthe podcast, offering insights into what kept them motivated. The conversation alsotouches on the evolution of the podcast, notable guests, and some of the humorousbehind-the-scenes moments. Looking ahead, the hosts share their vision for the nextphase, including ideas for new formats and expanding the podcast's reach to abroader audience.00:00 Introduction and Nervous Beginnings00:25 Celebrating Seven Years of Podcasting01:29 The Origins of Software People Stories02:55 Why Podcasting? Personal Journeys06:29 Consistency and Habits for Success12:11 Preparation and Rituals Before Recording16:54 Tips for Aspiring Podcasters22:59 Funny and Memorable Moments31:25 The Power of Storytelling31:49 Revealing Untold Stories32:34 Insights from Guests33:31 Personal Journeys and Reflections34:42 Influences and Upbringing37:34 Memorable Guests44:01 Podcasting Habits and Observations52:22 Future Aspirations and GratitudeThank you Listeners for making this happen

In this special episode of 'Software People Stories,' , our guest is Dr. Krishna Prasad, known more popularly as KP from the 'Full Stack Leadership Cast.' KP shares his journey into podcasting, inspired by the host's longstanding podcast. They discuss the concept of full stack leadership, emphasizing a holistic approach to leadership that impacts business, influences people, and focuses on self-development. KP highlights his experiences from the first season, discussing the challenges of podcasting and the valuable insights gained from his diverse guests. They also delve into the prospects for the next season, including potential global guests and cross-industry learning.00:00 Introduction and Special Episode Announcement00:12 Welcoming the Guest: KP from Full Stack Leadership Cast01:29 KP's Podcasting Journey and Inspirations04:46 The Concept of Full Stack Leadership10:57 Insights from Season One15:47 Plans for Season Two and Listener Feedback21:05 Where to Listen and Final ThoughtsNote – above timings are approximate; exact timing may be off by a minute or soYou can listen to the Full Stack leadershipcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4XtBUzCNYXDusMt0HS-T6-hl1BHXpyN9Or on the PM Power websitehttps://www.pm-powerconsulting.com/full-stack-leadershipcast/More on KP at: https://www.pm-powerconsulting.com/experts/krishna-prasad/

In this episode, Shiv is in conversation with Naresh Choudhary, Senior Vice President, Quality & Productivity, Infosys Ltd.Naresh shares his career journey starting from humble beginnings in Mumbai, studying engineering at VJTI, working at Arvind Mills, and eventually contributing to Infosys for 25 years. The discussion covers his transition from manufacturing to IT, the influence of mentors, various roles at Infosys, and the importance of reframing roles. Naresh also emphasizes the value of great work, networking, mentorship, and maintaining a work-life balance. He talks about driving innovation and change management effectively within a large organization through transparent communication, planning, and continuous feedback. Finally, Naresh offers personal practices like journaling, exercising, and separating work from family time to stay grounded and calm.00:00 Welcome and Introduction00:23 Early Career and Education02:00 Transition to Infosys03:43 Roles and Responsibilities at Infosys07:16 Mentorship and Career Growth10:28 Defining Great Work15:32 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome19:28 The Importance of Mentors24:23 Networking and Time Management29:19 Clearing the Mind for Focus29:51 Work-Life Balance and Breaks30:59 Organizational Change and Trust33:51 Planning and Transparency in Change34:51 Process Over Tools36:04 Sponsorship and Milestone Reviews37:46 Encouraging Knowledge Sharing43:58 Innovation and Idea Management47:33 Staying Grounded Amidst Responsibilities53:00 Personal Practices for Balance56:48 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsBio:In his stint at Infosys over 2 decades, Naresh has worked in different roles in Software Delivery, Consulting, Quality Assurance, Open Source, Enterprise Platforms, Products, Tools & Technology that have provided him opportunities to work on key transformation programs.Naresh has experience in Software Development, Quality System Design, Process definition, Implementation and Consulting, Product & Platform Engineering, Software Reuse, Knowledge Management, Training, Audits and Assessments. He possesses a sound understanding of various quality models, methodologies and frameworks like CMMI, ISO, Six Sigma, MBNQA, AI, Automation,  Agile, DevSecOps & SRE.Naresh participates on several product councils and advisory boards with Infosys’ global technology partners and is currently leading the effort on reimagining the tooling, engineering excellence, digital platforms, Lean and automation landscape for the enterpriseHe is a self confessed Foodie, History enthusiast, Amateur Chef, Motivational Speakerhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nareshchoudhary/