One Day, I Asked Our First Female Engineer…
One day, I asked our first female engineer at Atlan how things were going. Her response made me the proudest:
“I’ve been in companies with higher female/male ratios. But in all those companies, I was always reminded that I was a ‘female engineer.’ At Atlan, I’m just an engineer.”
As a female founder, I’ve always felt incredibly fortunate to be treated as an equal. Never reminded that I am “female”—but instead treated just as Prukalpa, the human. I know this isn’t the reality for many women, and I recognize how lucky I have been. That’s why I believe so deeply in building a workplace where every woman at Atlan can show up as their full, authentic, kickass self—where they are simply Atlanians, not “female” Atlanians.
But as we scale, gravity will fight against our values. We must fight back to build an Atlan we can be proud of—one where every woman has the space to thrive.
Advice to My Younger Self—And Yours
As we were building Atlan, we started a conversation in EmpowerHer, a Slack community we created for women at Atlan. The question was simple: What advice would you give to your younger self?
One of the things I love most about Atlan is that EmpowerHer wasn’t built by our people team—it was started by a small group of passionate Atlanians who simply wanted to create a space for women to connect and uplift each other. That’s the kind of culture we’re building here.
So, in honor of International Women’s Day, I’m sharing some of the most powerful lessons from the brilliant women of Atlan.
Find Your Community
“Being part of a truly global company, I’ve seen firsthand how diversity fuels innovation. If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to find your people—those who encourage and inspire you. It’s through different perspectives that great ideas emerge, and that’s something worth celebrating.” – Ateken Abla, Content Marketing Lead
Push Beyond Your Comfort Zone
“You are far more capable than you think. Surround yourself with incredible people and embrace every opportunity to stretch beyond what feels easy.” – Riona Lavin, Associate Director, GTM Talent
Be Uncomfortable. Be Curious. Be Wrong.
“This is how you learn and get better! Being the only woman in the room (which can be the case in tech!) is a strength, not a weakness. Own that. If someone else can do it, you can too. Growth is cyclical. Once you conquer one challenge, there’s another waiting. Enjoy this journey and stop rushing to the end.” – Amanda Kuelker, Technical Account Manager
Break Barriers in Your Field
“Cybersecurity has long lacked female representation, but Atlan has given me the space to change that. My work here isn’t just about strengthening security—it’s about creating an environment where more women can thrive in this field. Success isn’t just about breaking barriers; it’s about paving the way for others to follow.” – Palak Garg, Software Engineer
Embrace the Unknown
“No one has all the answers, and that’s okay. The tech industry moves fast, and real growth comes from stepping into the unknown. If you don’t know something, see it as an opportunity, not a setback. Stay curious, keep asking questions, and trust that learning is a lifelong journey.” – Kaitleen Neuschwander, Strategic Sales Engineer
You Are Capable
“It won’t be easy. You will face cultural and societal pressures on this journey—but stay resilient and true to yourself. Trust yourself; you are capable—far more than you know. Be kind to yourself. Keep learning—this industry evolves rapidly, so find a way to learn that works for you, and keep going. Unlearn and relearn when needed. Never be shy to speak up. You will miss 100% of the opportunities you don’t even try for.”
“And most importantly, lift up more women. This journey can be long and lonely, but the right company makes it empowering and uplifting. You never know who you’re inspiring.” – Juhaina Javed, Global Org Development Manager
Be Unapologetically Yourself
“Being a woman in tech is an asset, not a limitation. Find a company that values diversity and commit to being part of the change. Support other women, advocate for yourself, and take up space with confidence—you belong here.” – Carla Domingues, Partner Sales Manager
Trust Yourself and Speak Up
“You don’t need to have everything figured out to be qualified. Set boundaries, negotiate what you deserve, and don’t let imposter syndrome convince you otherwise. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, and never hesitate to lift others along the way.” – Kelsey Janetski, Revenue Enablement Manager
Show Up and Keep Going
“If you don’t see a path, create one. When I wanted to play cricket in college but there was no women’s team, I showed up for practice anyway. Change starts when you make yourself visible, so show up, stay consistent, and trust that your actions will open doors for others.” – Prerna Sharma, Implementation Engineer
Lift Others Up
“Community matters. Find people who encourage you, celebrate your wins, and help you grow. And in turn, do the same for others. Work hard, but also ask for what you need—whether it’s pay transparency, mentorship, or opportunities. Creating an inclusive environment starts with these conversations.” – Sucharita Tuer, Sr. Customer Success Manager
Balance Career and Motherhood
“Motherhood and career growth shouldn’t be at odds. At Atlan, I’ve had the opportunity to thrive in both roles, and it’s made all the difference. For any mother balancing work and family—know that you don’t have to do it all alone. Find a workplace that supports you and embraces the fullness of who you are.” – Nathansha Dilip, Finance Lead
Redefine Success
“Success isn’t about titles or milestones—it’s about the impact you have on others. You are already enough. Own your space, advocate for yourself, and trust that you belong in every room you step into. And when you reach a new level, bring others with you.” – Taryn Cramer, Delivery Manager
Build an Inclusive Future
“Early in my career, I was often the only woman in the room. While I’ve seen progress, there’s still work to be done. Every challenge I’ve faced has strengthened my resolve to mentor, advocate, and champion diversity in tech. The future is shaped by those willing to push for change, and I’m proud to be part of that journey.” – Mary Anne Bullock, Strategic Account Director – Financial Services
A Future Where Everyone Belongs
At Atlan, we don’t want diversity to be a word we have to use because we want to build a world where every person is simply able to be themselves.
A world where every woman, every individual, can show up as their full, authentic, kickass self. If that’s the kind of place you want to be part of, we’d love to have you.
Check out our open roles—let’s build something great together.
