Who: Madhumitha Venkataraman
Education: BMS in Finance from Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics; MBA in Human Resources from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai; Certificate in Gender, Sexuality and Disability from CREA
It doesn’t seem like there are enough hours in the day for Madhumitha Venkatraman, a diversity and inclusion specialist based in Bangalore. Madhumitha is passionate about several causes and somehow finds the time to support each one!
However, Madhumitha has a special reason for being so passionate about diversity and inclusion – her own disability. Diagnosed with Left Hemiparesis, minor paralysis on the left side of her body, Madhumitha refuses to allow her condition to slow her down in the least. From learning to dance, running marathons and tackling the challenges of corporate life – there’s a reason why we call her ‘superwoman’!
Having grown up in Mumbai, she says that the city shaped her in many ways. According to Madhu, “Mumbai has a lot of energy to it and a never-say-die attitude.” She adds, “While everyone is living their own lives in Mumbai, there is a sense of oneness and collaboration even on that journey.”
Madhumita is a hardworking and passionate person – something that has taken her far career-wise. A trained Human Resources professional, she started her career as an HR executive and quickly climbed the corporate ladder. Today, she is the Diversity and Inclusion Head for Coca-Cola and handles the entire South-Asia region.
Her inclusion journey has been a long one. She says, “Inclusion is fundamentally a mindset and so it starts with each individual. Each of us needs to understand that there are different definitions of the term ‘normal’ and no definition is right or wrong.” Madhumitha believes that though organisations are doing their best to spread awareness, it is up to every citizen to raise their voices against discrimination and exclusion.
Madhumitha has changed many lives over the years. From getting a major corporation to hire their first transgender employee to helping create job opportunities for retirees – there seems like there is nothing that this ‘superwoman’ can’t do.
Long Story Short
- Madhumita Venkataraman is a diversity and inclusion specialist
- She started her career as an HR executive and is now the Diversity and Inclusion Head for Coca-Cola (South Asia).
- Madhumitha has Left Hemiparesis, which inspired her to specialise in diversity and inclusion.
- She is passionate about a lot of causes and is constantly changing lives in whatever way that she can.