Last week with an exclusive AMA session with the Co-founder and President of Women in Cloud, Mrs. Chaitra Vedullapalli with the Editor in Chief of CXOHerald.com Amardeep Kaushal shared some good learnings and her entrepreneurial journey till date. Few questions asked during the AMA sessions along with the answers been published here for the readers benefits which are below :-
1. Leading in Tech
Q: Your journey to becoming CMO in the tech industry is inspiring—what motivated you to pursue this path?
A: My journey started with curiosity and evolved through preparation. I came from a world where I was expected to be a housewife, but I re-engineered my path by teaching myself tech. I was fascinated by how Microsoft scaled computing to a billion people—and I wanted to figure out how to scale access to prosperity in the same way. That mind-set led me to marketing, storytelling, and systems building at scale.
Q: Tech is often male-dominated at the executive level—how have you navigated that environment?
A: I learned early on to design systems that didn’t rely on gatekeeper approval. I built communities not just to make space—but to democratize economic access through platforms, partnerships, and measurable performance.
I operate using the OODA Loop, a military strategy model: Observe, Orient, Decide, Act. It helps me stay strategic, especially in fast-moving or complex environments. I use that mindset to colaunch and co-create innovations that matter—solutions that people can believe in, experience, and share.
And I always make sure that whatever I bring to the table unlocks access to something meaningful—so others feel inspired, not obligated, to partner with me.
Q: What’s one leadership lesson you’ve learned that you think is especially relevant in tech?
A: Leadership Preparation beats talent. You can’t just show up with ideas—you have to be ready to execute under pressure, adapt quickly, and keep people aligned through change.
2. Marketing Strategy in the Tech Landscape.
Q: How do you market highly technical products to a broader or non-technical audience?
A: I use colaunching and storytelling as a system. We start by partnering with Fortune brands and trusted communities to create an offer that actually matters—something that solves a real problem and unlocks potential. Only then do we introduce the product.
The goal isn’t just to market tech—it’s to democratize access to innovation that transforms the potential of people or organizations. You have to feel it, experience it, and celebrate it before you can fully adopt it. That’s how we make innovation human—and unforgettable.
Q: Can you share a recent campaign that reflects your brand’s innovation and impact?
A: Two campaigns come to mind that truly reflect the heart of our brand. First, the ICONS documentary. We told the story of women in tech through the eyes of a 17-year-old—and transformed it into an Oscar-qualified film, a 50-city global tour, and a movement that elevated overlooked voices in innovation. It was storytelling as strategy, and purpose as our production model.
Second, the empowHER50 campaign—our tribute to women who shaped Microsoft’s trillion-dollar market creation. Through digital spotlights, a global awards series, and a historical archive, we honored the pioneers and future builders of tech. It wasn’t just recognition—it was restoration, storytelling, and movement-building all at once.
That’s not just brand—it’s legacy in motion.
Q: How do you balance data and creativity in your marketing strategy?
A: Creativity tells the story, but data gives it direction. I use both to find emotional resonance and measurable outcomes. The key is experimentation—test, measure, refine.
3. Innovation & Industry Trends
Q: What role does AI or automation play in your marketing approach today?
A: AI helps me personalize at scale and optimize faster. But I use it to augment human insight, not replace it. The magic happens when AI enhances creativity and unlocks new ways to engage with purpose.
Q: Are there any trends in tech marketing that excite—or concern—you?
A: I’m excited by AI-powered storytelling and experience design. But I’m concerned about algorithmic bias and data misuse. That’s why I advocate for ethical innovation and inclusive design from the start.
Q: How do you future-proof your brand in such a fast-moving space?
A: I focus on building adaptive systems and evergreen value. Our frameworks like ICONIC and our GTM fund help us stay agile and aligned to long-term impact, not short-term trends.
4. Championing Women in Tech
Q: What advice would you give to young women entering tech or marketing roles?
A: Own your narrative. Don’t wait for a title to act like a leader. Build relationships, get certified, and find partners who will open doors to funding & resources—and then unlock it for others.
Q: How can companies better support women in leadership roles?
A: Move beyond mentorship to sponsorship. Create thought leadership preparation programs, funding pathways, promotion tracks, and executive readiness systems. Access is not a perk—it’s a responsibility.
Q: Do you mentor women in tech? Why is that important to you?
A: Absolutely. Peer mentorship was how I found my first opportunity, and it’s how I pay it forward. It’s not just important—it’s how we scale impact and prevent talent loss at the top.
5. The Personal Side of Leadership
Q: What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career—and what did it teach you?
A: One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was starting a Film Fund—with nothing but one conversation and a deep belief in the power of collective impact. I invited friends to join me, and we ventured into unknown territory together. I had no roadmap, just faith. That leap led to producing the ICONS documentary and two feature films in less than 12 months. None of us had a film background- just trust. But that risk gave us Oscar qualification, skills, influence, and emotional legacy. It taught me that if you believe in your mission deeply enough, you can learn any skill required to fulfill it. Another defining risk was walking away from a thriving corporate career to lead a tech company and a global community. It wasn’t easy—but it was aligned with my purpose. And that made all the difference.
Q: How do you recharge outside of work?
A: I recharge by creating art, watching movies, and spending time with my family. I also revisit my Life Book and Living Eulogy—it grounds me in purpose and renews my clarity.
Q: What’s one quote or piece of advice that guides your leadership philosophy?
A: “ICONIC leadership is not about who sits at the table—but who has access to it, who’s impacted by it, and how decisions create prosperity for all.”
