Software People Stories

In this episode of Software People Stories, Gayatri Kalyanaraman sits down with Rajshri Kidambi, CEO of Radus Software LLC, for an inspiring and deeply personal conversation. Rajshri shares her journey from arriving in the United States as an H4 dependent to building a successful software company serving federal agencies for over two decades. Together, they discuss entrepreneurship, motherhood, Agile transformation, government technology, resilience, AI, and the power of taking calculated risks. A thoughtful conversation about leadership, growth, and creating impact that lasts.Timestamped Show Notes00:00 – Welcome to Software People Stories - Gayatri introduces Rajshri Kidambi, CEO of Radus Software LLC, and sets the stage for a conversation spanning technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and life.00:57 – From Electronics Engineering to Software Development. Rajshri shares her early journey—from studying Electronics & Telecommunications Engineering in India to arriving in the U.S. on an H4 visa and transitioning into software development during the tech talent boom of the 1990s.02:38 – The Birth of Radus Software. After nearly a decade at CACI Federal, Rajshri realized she could build a company of her own. She discusses the decision to launch Radus Software and the motivation behind becoming an entrepreneur.05:43 – Discovering a Passion Beyond Programming. Moving from coding to customer interactions, Rajshri explains how becoming a subject matter expert and presenting software solutions to military stakeholders revealed her aptitude for business development and sales.07:18 – Overcoming Language and Confidence Barriers. Growing up in a Kannada-medium school, Rajshri initially struggled with confidence in professional communication. She shares how experience helped her overcome those challenges.09:11 – The Turning Point: Why She Started Her Own Company. Rajshri discusses seeing the value she created for her employer, understanding government contracting economics, and making the leap into entrepreneurship while raising young twins.11:28 – Motherhood, Career Pivots, and Personal Choices. An honest discussion on balancing career ambitions with family priorities, and why every woman's professional journey follows a different path.14:49 – Wearing Every Hat in a Startup. Rajshri reflects on the early years of Radus Software, where she managed accounting, invoicing, operations, contracts, and business development while learning entrepreneurship from the ground up.17:31 – Building Software for the U.S. Federal Government. Rajshri discusses her work across agencies including the Department of Defense, FAA, GSA, and NNSA, and explains how government technology modernization differs from the commercial sector.19:19 – Digital Transformation, Data Governance & SAM.gov. A look into large-scale government modernization initiatives, Agile adoption, business process automation, and the evolution of digital government platforms.22:48 – Agile, SAFE Frameworks, and Government Transformation. Gayatri and Rajshri compare experiences implementing Agile practices in government organizations and discuss the challenges of cultural transformation.26:01 – Working with Multiple Vendors on Large Government Programs. Rajshri explains the realities of delivering federal programs alongside large consulting firms, balancing collaboration, competition, and customer expectations.37:19 – Building Credibility as a Small Business. The journey from subcontractor to trusted prime contractor and the importance of past performance, reputation, and persistence in federal procurement.38:45 – The Highs of a 25-Year Entrepreneurial Journey. Rajshri shares one of her proudest moments—co-presenting with SAFE creator Dean Leffingwell and showcasing Radus Software's Agile product innovation.41:18 – The Lowest Point: Losing a Contract She Loved A deeply personal reflection on losing a major FAA contract after years of investment and how family support and lessons from the Bhagavad Gita helped her recover.45:06 – The One CEO Responsibility She Will Never Delegate. Why customer relationships remain the foundation of business growth and long-term success.47:15 – Looking Ahead: AI, Automation, and Agentic Systems. Rajshri discusses the future of AI, how tools like ChatGPT and Gemini are already changing the way people work, and the importance of governance and guardrails.50:52 – Human Intelligence in an AI-Powered World. A conversation about preserving critical thinking while embracing AI-assisted productivity.53:30 – Final Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs. Rajshri's closing message: take calculated risks, build something you care about, stay resilient, and enjoy the journey.55:44 – Closing Remarks. Gayatri wraps up the conversation and thanks Rajshri for sharing her story and insights.Memorable Quotes"If I can do it, anybody can do it.""Take calculated risks.""Relationships are what give you business.""You should be passionate, but not too attached to the outcome.""The future belongs to people who can work with AI, not compete against it." (paraphrased from discussion)Rajashri (“Raj”) Sankavaram, CEO Radus Software LLC, is the driving force behind the company’s culture of excellence, integrity, and continuous innovation. With a strong background in quality management, program delivery, and organizational leadership, she has built Radus into a trusted federal and commercial partner known for precision, transparency, and reliability. Raj is the evangelist behind the creation of Metronome Orchestrated Agile®️, the company’s flagship platform that unites human-centric design, compliance automation, and AI-assisted orchestration to simplify complex software delivery. Under her leadership, Radus has achieved recognition for its federal contracting excellence, delivering mission-critical solutions for agencies such as the IRS, FAA, NNSA, and DHA. Her emphasis on collaboration, mentorship, and quality-driven growth continues to shape Radus as a company that not only delivers outcomes but also builds enduring relationships grounded in trust and accountability. can be contacted at https://www.linkedin.com/in/raj-sankavaram-0947427/

In this podcast episode, Sudipta Lahiri, Head Of Engineering and Products at Nimblework, Inc shares his compelling journey from growing up in a cosmopolitan township and studying metallurgical engineering to becoming a leader in the tech industry. He discusses his early career experiences, including a pivotal moment that led him to quit his job at SAIL and pursue further education at IIT Madras. Sudipta delves into his transition from engineering to account management and later into sales. He emphasizes the importance of attention to detail, the challenges and benefits of using AI in software development, and his personal practices that help him stay organized and effective in a fast-evolving industry. Key takeaways include the necessity of understanding the end goal, leveraging change agents for successful tool adoption, and the indispensable role of cognitive behavioral skills in leadership. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:37 Early Life and Education03:20 First Job and Career Pivot05:12 Graduate Studies and Entry into IT07:59 Joining Wipro and Early Projects12:17 Transition to Sales and Account Management14:39 Challenges and Success in Sales15:42 Return to India and Joining i2 Technologies17:18 Joining Digité and Embracing Agile19:26 Reflections on Career and Mentorship28:21 Challenges in Developing Platforms for Developers and Managers29:24 Focusing on Efficiency for Developers30:34 Evolving Processes to Minimize Data Entry33:25 Addressing Tool Adoption Challenges34:11 Identifying and Leveraging Change Agents40:06 Balancing Process and Flexibility46:25 Impact of AI on Software Development54:19 Personal Practices for Staying Grounded The timestamps are approximate and do not include the time for the intro. Add about 90 seconds to locate the sectionhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sudiptalahiri/Head Of Engineering and Products at Nimblework, Inc. (Distinguished Fellow, Kanban University, SPC4, AKT, KCP, DAD/CDA)● Three decades of international leadership experience across diverse industry verticals● Multi-cultural exposure ranging from a $4 billion company to running a technology start-up● A Lean/Agile coach and practitioner passionate about helping multiple organizations and teams gain agility and enhanced productivity● Demonstrated success in developing new products for Lean Software Development● Entrepreneurial style with an exemplary record in strategic planning, business development, solid execution, and developing high performing teams

In this podcast episode, Shiv is in conversation with Anees Haidary, Global Head, Operational Excellence, Data Privacy, and Global Workforce Management at Sasken Technologies.In this engaging episode, Anees shares his remarkable journey in the IT industry, starting from his humble beginnings in a lower-middle-class family in India to becoming a prominent figure in various leadership roles. Anees discusses his educational background in engineering, his early struggles with job interviews, and the pivotal break that led him to a successful career. He emphasizes the importance of self-belief, continuous learning, and the role of mentors in professional growth. Anees also delves into his experiences with various organizations, including IBM, and his current role, where he oversees multiple portfolios including operational excellence and data privacy. Additionally, Anees highlights his involvement in Toastmasters and the BSPIN network, advocating for networking and professional development at any stage of one’s career. He also shares his personal methods for managing time and staying grounded. The episode is filled with practical tips and inspiring anecdotes, making it a valuable listen for anyone in the software industry.Anees is a Storyteller, Problem Solver, Inventor, Game changer, and Data Privacy and ESG expert. Being an industry veteran for 25+ years in IT Industry, his role in Leadership at Sasken has helped define a strategy, roadmap & governance mechanism to address business critical problems, Established and sustained the Demand Supply Framework sustaining the core of business, Integrating various cultures post-acquisition, establishing data privacy and information security practice at Sasken among few large initiatives. Being a strong project management enthusiast, and successfully delivered large initiatives jointly with PMI in South Asia, he has been able to deeply influence and integrate world class project management initiatives at Sasken, and various product and services organization in his role as a PMISA champion. Apart from MBA in HRM, Anees has completed Strategy Thinking Course from IIM Kolkata. Certified in PMP, ITILv3, CSM, ISO 9K, 14K, 27K, 27701 Lead Implementer, ISO 26262 Process Expert, ASPICE v3.1 SME, he has been able to contribute greatly to his organization’s vision and mission 60x4x3. He is also an active public speaker, and chartered Toastmasters Club in his organization, and completed a decade long relationship with Toastmasters International. He is a Certified Public Speaker from Dale Carnegie Institute USA. He heads Project Management Academy, Quality, Customer Experience Management, Data Privacy Office, Audits and Certifications, Special Strategic Initiatives, Delivery Excellence, and Global Workforce Management at Sasken Technologies Limited.Currently he is the Champion at PMI South Asia and Project Management Mentor at Sasken. He co-authored the PM Competency Development Framework (PMCDF) initiative of Project Management Institute (PMI) and integrated into HR competency management systems at Sasken, and mentored various organizations like CISCO, Cushman and Wakefield, Robert Bosch India, Nokia India on leveraging PMCDF for advancing the noble profession of Project management through continuous assessment of PM competency. Anees is the Core member of Risk Management Committee (RMC) at Sasken reporting into the Risk committee of Sasken Board.His white papers are published in International and National Journals and Magazines, websites & newsletters of different forums. He received many awards and honors from different organizations in advancing the field of Project Management.He may be reached at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haidary/

In this podcast episode, Gayatri Kalyanaraman is in conversation with Shubhangi M Josiam, Digital Head APAC of Alstom about her 18+ year journey across GE and Alstom, moving from core IT and infrastructure roles to customer-facing digital transformation leadership across APAC.Shubangi shares candid stories about career pivots, leadership programs, Lean Six Sigma, building IT from scratch post-acquisition, and navigating cross-cultural teams—ending with powerful advice for women professionals to be bold and go for roles before feeling “fully ready”.00:00 – 01:50 — Introduction to Shubangi’s APAC digital leadership role and IT’s shift from backend to customer-facing solutions.01:52 – 04:41 — Early inspiration for engineering, switching from electronics to information science driven by a love for programming.04:42 – 07:56 — Entering GE through walk-ins, starting in captive IT, and learning end-to-end infrastructure fundamentals.08:20 – 11:49 — Discovering GE’s leadership culture and choosing Lean Six Sigma for outcome-driven career growth.12:06 – 14:28 — Leading a consumer experience transformation project and early exposure to Agile and product thinking.14:29 – 16:08 — Managing ERP operations and learning real-world supply chain complexity during system transitions.16:08 – 18:09 — Navigating acquisitions, making tough career exits, and prioritising personal sustainability.18:46 – 23:51 — Joining Alstom during post-acquisition chaos and helping build IT systems from the ground up.23:51 – 25:50 — Building digital and analytics platforms, hiring data scientists, and scaling analytics maturity.25:51 – 27:47 — Transitioning into regional IT leadership and driving large-scale digital change during COVID.27:48 – 29:37 — Moving into customer-facing digital rail solutions across APAC and continuous learning from the market.30:00 – 32:19 — Managing APAC time zones through clusters while maintaining work–life balance.32:20 – 36:45 — Leading across cultures by balancing company values with local working styles.46:46 – 48:36 — Building trust through direct feedback, transparency, and authentic leadership.48:38 – 50:43 — Final advice: be bold, apply even if you’re not “ready,” and trust yourself to figure it out. Quotable Quotes “If you want to do something, go for it. Help will come—and you will figure it out.”“Men apply saying, ‘I’ll figure it out.’ Women apply saying, ‘I meet only five out of ten requirements.’ That’s what stops us.”“I didn’t tick all the boxes, but I figured it out.”“Worst case, you fail. Big deal. You learn. It’s not the end of the world.”“IT is no longer a backend engine—it’s delivering real digital solutions to customers.”Trusted Partner in Driving Impactful Digital Transformation & Empowering Businesses Through Technology.As the Digital Services Regional Head for APAC at Alstom, I drive transformative digital solutions tailored to the rail industry, with a strong focus on operational efficiency and customer engagement. My efforts include collaborating with diverse teams to deliver cutting-edge rail digital solutions while ensuring advanced cybersecurity measures for robust data protection. By aligning technological initiatives with business goals, our team enhances service quality and builds scalable, future-ready solutions for the region. With over 20 years of experience in IT strategy and transformation, I have a proven track record of delivering impactful results acro…Shubangi can be reached at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shubhangi-mj/

In this episode, Hasan Siddiqui, a veteran in the IT industry, recounts his extensive and diverse career in the software and technology industry, offering valuable insights and advice along the way. He starts with his academic beginnings, influenced by the late Professor V Rajaraman, and traces his journey through various pivotal roles at companies like Burroughs, Unisys, and TCS. He discusses his work on significant international projects, his tenure at CBS, his experiences with matrix organizations, corporate politics, and his eventual transition into academic roles and consulting. Hasan also emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning, maintaining professional relationships, and staying optimistic and adaptable in the ever-evolving tech landscape. 00:00 Technical Difficulties and Introductions00:52 Early Career and Influential Mentors02:43 First Major Projects and Overseas Assignments05:32 Learning and Adapting in France08:43 Transition to Account Management and Return to India12:03 Building a Career in Bangalore and Pune18:31 Navigating Corporate Politics and Final Career Moves32:03 Introduction to Can Bay and HSBC32:37 Challenges and Responsibilities at GDC35:27 Transition to Academia37:55 Return to Industry and Career Lessons40:40 Retirement and New Ventures41:55 Continuous Learning and Technology Trends45:45 Managing Large Teams and Client Relations51:51 Networking and Building Relationships54:09 Retirement Philosophy and Personal Practices01:00:40 Final Thoughts and Advice The timestamps are approximate and do not include the time for the intro. Add about 90 seconds to locate the section.Hasan Siddiqui is an alumnus of IIT Kanpur and an accomplished technology and business education leader in the international IT industry spanning corporate strategy, business development, GDC/ODC set up and operations, talent management and academics.He has played senior management roles at Cap Gemini, Tata Consultancy Services, Tech Mahindra, Covansys and Symbiosis university.He may be reached at: it.career.lighthouse@gmail.com