Shraddha Gajjewar

Program Manager, Rakuten, Inc.

My dad owns a small electronics repair shop, and he didn't have the privilege of a retirement pension.

Understanding the financial situation of the household at a young age, I dreamt of becoming financially independent to support my family as they have supported me.

I joined Katalyst in my first year of college. The financial help that came with it relieved my family of the burden of college expenses. Their corporate training, interactions with experts, and industrial visits gave me an early insight into corporate life. Things I learned in these sessions are still with me today. In the end, I graduated from Katalyst with the honor of winning the Highest Placement Award.

I am now a Program Manager in the Technology Division of Rakuten, Inc., a multinational conglomerate in Tokyo, Japan, leading cross-department high priority programs.

I am the financial backbone of my family and my parents are proud. I was even able to change the views of the society I was born in, as now many people in our small town ask my parents about my school, hoping to send their young daughters to the same. Something that was highly discouraged a few years ago!

Thank you Katalyst for helping me make my dreams come true.