Kalyani N
Scientist/Engr- SG HEAD, Instrumentation & Test Systems Section, Controls System Group URSC , ISRO , Bengaluru
A veteran in satellite systems and instrumentation, Kalyani N has been a key contributor to ISRO for over three decades. With a B.Tech in Electronics & Communication Engineering from Government College of Engineering, Trivandrum, she has led design, development, and testing of critical systems for multiple space missions.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Satellite Data Simulation & Processing – Developed Satellite Data Simulators for remote sensing missions, supporting ground stations in India and abroad.
- Mission Leadership – Managed TES & Oceansat-1/2 projects and served as Deputy Project Director for RISAT-2A, RISAT-2B series, pioneering hybrid data processing with CPUs, GPUs, and FPGA accelerators.
- Chandrayaan-3 Contribution – Led Lander & Rover Telecommand electronics testing, ensuring mission success.
- Advanced Test Systems – Designed the Structural Measurement Unit Test System, simulating spacecraft conditions.
- Leadership & Research – Appointed Head of Instrumentation & Test Systems Section in 2023; presented an IEEE paper on Electrical Stimuli Generators at WCONF-2024.
Anuradha B. Desai
Scientist/Engr - SG, Division Head - Telemetry & Data Acquisition System, URSC, ISRO, Bengluru
With 25 years at ISRO, Anuradha B. Desai has been instrumental in satellite telemetry, VLSI design, and mission-critical systems. From leading telemetry systems for HYLAS, IRNSS, GSAT, and Gaganyaan to supporting major missions like Mars Orbiter, Chandrayaan-2 & 3, she has played a key role in advancing India’s space communication.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Mission Leadership – Managed telemetry for HYLAS (ISRO’s commercial satellite) and IRNSS (India’s GPS alternative).
- Innovation & Development – Designed Payload Interface Units (PIU) and led telemetry systems for multiple satellites.
- Launch & Mission Support – Contributed to HYLAS launch in Kourou, MOM, Chandrayaan, and Gaganyaan.
- Leadership & Recognition – Promoted to Division Head in 2016, awarded Team Excellence Award for GSAT-19 by Chairman K. Sivan in 2019.
- Public Engagement – Hosted Karnataka Rajyotsava-2022, represented URSC at leadership forums, and actively promotes ISRO’s outreach.
Vinutha Rallapalli
Founder, The Funding Office | Chief Strategic Advisor, WE Hub
With over 15 years of expertise in finance, investments, and ecosystem development, Vinutha Rallapalli has been a driving force in Hyderabad’s startup landscape. As Chief Strategic Advisor at WE Hub, she leads the urban vertical, designing programs that support entrepreneurs from students to growth-stage companies.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Startup Ecosystem Builder – Played a pivotal role in Hyderabad Angels, Lead Angels, and T-Hub, driving innovation and investment.
- Founder & Investor Connector – Established Lotus, a women-first entrepreneurial space, and founded The Funding Office to bridge startups with investors.
- Award-Winning Leader – Honored with the Rashtriya Gaurava Award (2019), Women Achiever by T-Hub (2022), and Women Leader by Hybiz TV (2025).
- Media Recognition – Featured in The Hindu BusinessLine, Business Standard, and YourStory for her contributions to the startup landscape.
Usha Rengaraju
Chief Research Officer, Exa Protocol
A trailblazer in data science, Usha Rengaraju leads research at Exa Protocol, specializing in Deep Learning and Probabilistic Graphical Models. With 10+ years of experience, she has earned global recognition for her groundbreaking work.
HIGHLIGHTS
- World’s First Woman Triple Kaggle Grandmaster – A pioneer in machine learning and AI.
- WiDS 2022 Champion – Led her team to victory in Stanford’s global AI-for-climate challenge.
- Top 10 Data Scientist in India (2020) & Top 10 Women Data Scientists (2021) – Recognized by Analytics India Magazine and Analytics Insight.
- Founder of NeuroAI – Established India's first Neuroscience and AI symposium, fostering interdisciplinary research and innovation in cognitive computing, brain-inspired AI, and neuro-symbolic reasoning.
Joann C. Fernandes
Founding Team Member & Head of HR, Spintly
A multi-faceted leader, Joann C. Fernandes is a founding team member of Spintly, where she oversees Human Resources, Accounts, Administration, and Operations. With a background in engineering and an MBA, she has been instrumental in scaling Spintly into a multi-million-dollar company, specializing in smart, wireless, and cloud-based access control systems.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Key Leader at Spintly – Driving HR and operational strategies for a high-growth tech company.
- Experienced Educator – 13+ years in academia, teaching HR, IT, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship.
- Women’s Empowerment Advocate – President of the International Inner Wheel Club (IWC) - Salcette-Goa, the world’s largest voluntary women’s organization.
- Diverse Career Path – From faculty at St. Xavier’s College to business leader and mentor, shaping both the education and corporate sectors.
Kalyani N
Scientist/Engr- SG HEAD, Instrumentation & Test Systems Section, Controls System Group URSC , ISRO , Bengaluru
A veteran in satellite systems and instrumentation, Kalyani N has been a key contributor to ISRO for over three decades. With a B.Tech in Electronics & Communication Engineering from Government College of Engineering, Trivandrum, she has led design, development, and testing of critical systems for multiple space missions.
Anuradha B. Desai
Scientist/Engr - SG, Division Head - Telemetry & Data Acquisition System, URSC, ISRO, Bengluru
With 25 years at ISRO, Anuradha B. Desai has been instrumental in satellite telemetry, VLSI design, and mission-critical systems. From leading telemetry systems for HYLAS, IRNSS, GSAT, and Gaganyaan to supporting major missions like Mars Orbiter, Chandrayaan-2 & 3, she has played a key role in advancing India’s space communication.
Vinutha Rallapalli
Founder, The Funding Office | Chief Strategic Advisor, WE Hub
With over 15 years of expertise in finance, investments, and ecosystem development, Vinutha Rallapalli has been a driving force in Hyderabad’s startup landscape. As Chief Strategic Advisor at WE Hub, she leads the urban vertical, designing programs that support entrepreneurs from students to growth-stage companies.
Usha Rengaraju
Chief Research Officer, Exa Protocol
A trailblazer in data science, Usha Rengaraju leads research at Exa Protocol, specializing in Deep Learning and Probabilistic Graphical Models. With 10+ years of experience, she has earned global recognition for her groundbreaking work.
Joann C. Fernandes
Founding Team Member & Head of HR, Spintly
A multi-faceted leader, Joann C. Fernandes is a founding team member of Spintly, where she oversees Human Resources, Accounts, Administration, and Operations. With a background in engineering and an MBA, she has been instrumental in scaling Spintly into a multi-million-dollar company, specializing in smart, wireless, and cloud-based access control systems.