Hey Trailblazers! Buckle up for another thought-provoking episode of Women in Tech Trailblazers. Tiffany Benitez and Jordan Franklin here, and today, we’re diving into a conversation that will change the way you think about success, creativity, and authenticity in your career. Joining us is Srividya Venkatasubramanya, a powerhouse in the arts and nonprofit world. She’s here to break down how tapping into creativity can transform how we work, lead, and innovate.

Srividya’s story is a wake-up call for anyone stuck in a rigid career mindset. She talks about the pressure to fit into roles that don’t always align with who we are... whether it’s as women, professionals, or creatives. “I wasn’t born a mother, a wife, or a daughter. I was born me,” she shares, and it’s a reminder we all need. In a world that values hustle over balance, how do we reclaim the parts of ourselves that make us truly unique?

We also get into why society undervalues creativity and why that needs to change. Srividya breaks down the real impact of art, music, and culture on problem-solving, stress management, and even career performance. Spoiler: It’s not just a “nice-to-have.” It’s a career booster! Research backs it up; engaging in creative activities can increase focus and innovation by up to 45%. So why aren’t we making more room for it in tech?

Of course, we couldn’t skip the big question. How do you balance creativity with the pressures of professional life? Srividya shares how she built the Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation, a nonprofit that gives artists a platform while proving that community is everything. “Without community, there’s nothing. No support, no growth, no change,” she says. And trust us, her journey of figuring it out as she went is something every entrepreneur and leader needs to hear.

Here are the key takeaways: 

(00:43) Breaking the silence on conversations women avoid

(3:48) Authenticity & breaking free from labels

(9:29) The fear of being judged for your creativity

(10:52) Stop measuring success in just ‘k’s & ‘m’s!

(12:11) The fear of failure & society’s role in holding creatives back

(18:58) The science behind creativity & career success

(25:02) Why artists need each other to succeed

(30:21) Staying true to yourself in a world that tries to change you

Before we wrap up, we explore what it really means to stay true to yourself... even when the world pushes you to conform. Srividya challenges us to listen to our inner voice and never let it fade. “If you suppress it too long? It vanishes,” she warns. And that’s the real takeaway! You are more than your job title, your roles, or your expectations.

So, what’s one way you can bring more creativity into your life? How are you making space for the parts of you that get overlooked? Tune in. Subscribe. Share this episode with someone who needs this message! See you next time, Trailblazers!

About Srividya Venkatasubramanya

Srividya Venkatasubramanya is the founding member and Executive Director of Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation, which she established in 2018 to promote Indian performing arts in Northwest Arkansas. With a background in education, she focuses on increasing opportunities for the next generation to learn Indian music and dance. She has three master’s degrees in foreign languages, teaching, and curriculum design and has taught Spanish for over a decade. 

In addition to running a Kumon franchise since 2010, she mentors artists and administrators, helping them navigate challenges in the arts sector. She also co-founded One Step 2Forward, a mentoring and life coaching initiative supporting minorities and women, particularly from the Asian Indian community. When she’s not working, she enjoys immersing herself in music and dance, keeping the arts at the heart of everything she does.

Connect with Srividya:

Instagram

Linkedin

Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation

Connect with Hosts: 

Tiffany’s LinkedIn

Jordan’s LinkedIn