Asha Varghese
Caterpillar Foundation
Austin, TX USA
"Build pathways that will help the next generation rise."
Career Roadmap
Asha's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Education, and Working with Others
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Computer Engineering & Computer Science
University of Louisville
Graduate Degree
Business Administration and Management
Northwestern University
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I moved from India to rural Kentucky as a teenager and learned how access to opportunity can deeply shape a person’s future.
2.
Even though my family worked in healthcare, I chose engineering because I wanted to forge my own path and solve complex problems.
3.
Studying computer engineering taught me systems thinking and gave me the confidence to tackle complex challenges.
4.
I ultimately realized I wanted more than technical success—I wanted work rooted in purpose and meaningful impact on people’s lives.
5.
I stepped into corporate philanthropy, which allowed me to combine problem-solving with my passion for building stronger communities.
6.
Today, I lead global partnerships and investments that help communities create sustainable opportunities for future generations.
Defining Moments
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
Working in industries where women were often underrepresented pushed me to trust my voice and claim my seat at the table. It also helped to have mentors who supported and pushed me to go beyond my comfort zone.