Kamala Manju Kesavan FIET
A strong supporter of community service for the betterment of others and an innovative engineer in fintech, Kamala Manju embodies engineering a better world.
Leading by example, Kamala Manju is dedicated to continually developing herself and others, using every day to share knowledge and learn from the perspectives of those around her.
“My aim as an engineer is to motivate others, particularly women, to explore this dynamic field. My ultimate goal is to use my skills to create a more inclusive and sustainable society.”
An enriching academic and career journey
Kamala Manju obtained a BSc in Physics in 1997 followed by an MSc in Computer Science in 2001, both from Madurai Kamaraj University, before embarking on a career in engineering within many prestigious organisations, from Yahoo, AOL, McAfee, Siebel, EFI and Macy’s Technology, evolving from Engineer to Team Lead, Manager, Senior Quality Engineering Manager and Senior Engineering Manager.
Currently, Kamala Manju works as the Director of Engineering at Visa, overseeing a team of talented engineers and delivering one of Visa’s key products, and has most recently completed a Masters in Cloud Computing and Architecture from the University of Maryland in 2020.
With over 20 years of experience in enterprise software implementation, it’s been a remarkable journey characterised by innovation, strategic acumen and transformative leadership. Kamala Manju’s expertise spans technology, solution strategy, software development, automation in testing, and faster deployment in production (DevOps), “all of which have allowed me to effectively merge business strategy with technology.”
Altruistic endeavours
As well as her highly successful career, Kamala Manju is steadfastly committed to supporting others by giving her time to mentor the next generation of engineers and volunteering to aid the education of disadvantaged children.
This includes committing time to the Single Mother Program in the Women in IT initiative, providing assistance to women transitioning into the tech sector, as well as mentoring young engineers to achieve their dreams in the tech world through her role as an advisor for Harvard’s WeCode program: “These commitments are deeply rewarding to me. They allow me to not only impart my expertise but also to learn from the distinct ideas and fresh perspectives brought forward by my mentees.”
Moreover, Kamala Manju is invested in financing the higher education of three underprivileged children in India, as well as providing support for Parikrama, a summer school program offering free education to over 1,800 students from slum communities in Bengaluru; she worked with her son to provide these schools with devices donated to continue remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: “This initiative was not only rewarding but also empowering for both my son and me, as we were able to contribute to ensuring educational continuity during these challenging times.”
A sense of pride and accomplishment
Persistently committed to learning and developing, Kamala Manju discovered IET Fellowship when researching opportunities for professional development in engineering and technology: “I was impressed by the IET's commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in these fields and decided to apply for Fellowship. The process was rigorous but ultimately very rewarding.”
Joining a network of Fellows and leading professionals in the field has helped Kamala Manju develop connections leading to “valuable discussions, knowledge sharing and collaborations” that might not have been possible otherwise. She states that “with the enhanced credibility as an IET Fellow, I aim to influence policy and decision-making processes in the wider industry, to bring ethical and sustainable practices to the forefront of these discussions.”
To Kamala Manju, Fellowship is a “profound honour and a milestone” in her professional journey, reflecting recognition from her peers and validating her continual professional development. This serves as a source of inspiration, “propelling me to continue to innovate, lead, and inspire others in the sphere of engineering and technology. Being an IET Fellow, to me, is an affirmation of my role as a leader and influencer in my industry.”
Always striving to make an impact
Having been recognised for her wide array of achievements and influence in the industry, she uses each milestone as a springboard to continual success. For Kamala Manju, this looks like broadening her leadership role, seeking additional education in cutting-edge technologies, advocating for diversity and inclusion in the industry, writing a book to disseminate her knowledge on Digital Transformation, and ultimately making a substantial impact in her field.
As an inspiring mentor and advocate for the next generation of engineers, Kamala Manju shared with us her top tips for starting out on a successful journey into engineering:
- Set clear goals: understand what you want from your career and set short-term and long-term goals to get there.
- Seek mentorship: find a mentor who can guide you and provide advice based on their own experiences.
- Never stop learning: the field is always evolving, so it's crucial to continue learning and expanding your skill set.
- Take initiative: don't be afraid to take on new challenges and responsibilities. This can help you stand out and advance in your career.
- Build a strong network: connect with other professionals in your field. They can provide support, share opportunities, and offer valuable insights.