Stories Series: Scientist & Startup Coach - Anita Balaraman

Episode 2: I sat down to speak with Anita Balaraman and you do not want to miss the immense wisdom that she shared in the show! Anita Balaraman is a scientist and technologist passionate about teaching, and curious about the intersection of the future of work, learning, education, and AI/ML technology. Committed to enabling education to serve as a tool for social and economic mobility for all by democratizing occupational identity. Growing up as a girl in a traditional, modest household in South India, being an entrepreneur was not an occupational identity she knew: “I didn’t believe that because I didn’t see it.” Education, she believes should not be a privilege that promotes and perpetuates inequality, but rather a way to expand opportunity for all. She believes in the power of exposing students to role models so they see what is truly possible- an occupational identity that aligns with their interests and skills, and social capital that extends beyond their zip codes. Technology product leader with a demonstrated achievement record in building and marketing products aimed at delighting the customer. Accumulated a series of successes in risk modeling as a scientist that caused policy changes at USEPA, DFG, and USFW.