What begins as a teenage hobby can often chart the course for an extraordinary career. For Smrithi Ravichandran, now Vice-President and Head of Grocery at Flipkart, writing lines of code for fun as a teenager laid the foundation for a remarkable journey through the pinnacles of global technology and finance.
The Path from Hobbyist to Global Tech Leader
Smrithi's passion for coding evolved into a serious pursuit, leading her to pursue a Master's degree at the prestigious Columbia University in the United States. Her professional trajectory took her through significant roles at financial data giant Bloomberg and e-commerce platform Groupon, before a pivotal move brought her to Singapore.
Her career took a defining turn when she first encountered Wise as a customer. The company's mission to make international payments low-cost resonated with her on a personal level. This connection soon transformed into a professional opportunity, as she joined Wise as an engineer. Demonstrating skill and leadership, she climbed the ranks, eventually moving into a leadership position.
Today, she leads a team of over 35 engineers across the Asia-Pacific region. Her team's critical work involves building a resilient and scalable cross-border payments infrastructure. She finds deep motivation in the tangible impact of their projects, which range from implementing video-based customer verification systems to creating direct integrations with the region's real-time payment networks.
Navigating the Gender Gap and Confidence Hurdles
Reflecting on the state of the industry, Smrithi acknowledges a positive trend of more women entering the tech field, particularly in early-career roles. However, she highlights a persistent and concerning drop-off at mid and senior levels. This decline often coincides with life stages involving significant challenges, such as parenthood, a period where many workplaces fail to provide adequate support structures.
She counts herself fortunate to have had a supportive leader after returning from maternity leave. "They recognised that I was hungry for meaningful work, instead of assuming I'd want to step back," she recalls. This manager provided her with exciting technical challenges while offering the schedule flexibility she needed, a combination that proved crucial for her career continuity.
Smrithi also addresses the often-invisible barrier of the confidence gap. She firmly believes that women in tech do not lack skills or ambition. The issue, she points out, is a tendency to underestimate their own capabilities. She shares a personal experience: when first offered a lead role, her immediate instinct was self-doubt, thinking she couldn't handle the challenge. It was only through encouragement from mentors and colleagues that she overcame this imposter syndrome. Looking back, she realizes she should have embraced the opportunity immediately.
Essential Advice for the Next Generation
Based on her rich experience, Smrithi Ravichandran offers clear guidance for women navigating the tech landscape. Her first piece of advice is to actively seek mentorship. She emphasizes that people are generally open to helping, and the simple act of asking can unlock valuable guidance and support.
Her most crucial recommendation, however, is to avoid self-sabotage. She urges women to take on new challenges without being held back by internal doubt. "You already have the skills," she asserts, "so let the world see them." Her journey stands as a powerful testament to where passion, supported by confidence and the right opportunities, can lead.
