Mani Thiru blends her love for space and satellites with poetry, writing, bharathanatym and more. She is a fierce advocate for women and indigenous peoples to participate in STEM. She is the winner of the Women’s Agenda, Emerging Leader Award and Stevie Awards, Female Entrepreneur of the year. In this episode, Mani takes us on a journey through her life from the UK to Sri Lanka to Zimbabwe to NZ and Australia. Mani shares beautifully how for many people of colour, books are an escape and education is a window to better opportunities. This episode is an education piece in itself as Mani gives us a lesson on the space economy and how much it is already part of our everyday life, from farming, to risk mitigation of fires and floods, to ubers and our everyday banking. Mani speaks passionately about women and especially women of colour in STEMM, how we might be super critical of ourselves and we might believe sometimes we are not good enough. She powerfully recounts her journey of being pushed to the front, even when she felt not ready, stumbling in the front and being encouraged to get back in front again. This is the essence of her call out to you, the audience, mentor, support, sponsor a women of colour in your space today. Mani, you are a star that shines bright for so many of us, thank you bringing space a little closer to us all. Please enjoy the magnetic, Mani Thiru.

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