An astrophysicist turned business innovator, Roshnina Nandra embodies a curious spirit and a belief in the power of solutions. Beyond the confines of business, she envisions the realisation of dreams within the bounds of possibility, advocating for a world where technology enriches human lives.
Transitioning from theoretical astrophysics to the realm of business and product innovation, Nandra found herself drawn to the intersection of curiosity, technology, and human impact.
Her journey led her to a laboratory environment where emerging trends, technologies, and engagement models were explored, birthing new product and service ideas.
Nandra acknowledges her unconventional background as both a challenge and a strength in the tech space. While her non-traditional training may raise questions about credibility, she embraces her unique perspective, remaining steadfastly curious and solution-oriented.
Tell us about what got you interested in technology, why did you choose the space and field of technology?
That’s a good question. I don’t know that I ever chose the field of technology, or whether it was just a path I went down as it allowed me to pursue my passions. I’m a very curious person, and I believe that problems have solutions. Beyond the world of business, I believe that the things that we can dream of are (mostly) possible. I believe that we can master the universe (within the laws of physics). I also believe in people, and supporting the human endeavour to live healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives.
I started life as an astrophysicist, moved into the world of business and product via insurance (a cosmic accident?), and became really interested in how the same curiosity, and techniques, and technologies could be applied at both ends of the spectrum. Which is how I ultimately ended up here.
Could you share your journey in technology, the challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
My journey started outside of technology, actually. In a prior life I trained as an astrophysicist. I was a theorist, so really adept at building physical models and using mathematical techniques. From there, I moved into the world of product innovation (the more celestial kind), and it felt like a whole new research project for me. I worked in a Lab where we were exploring emerging trends, technologies and engagement models, and prototyping new product/service ideas. I loved the end-to-end process — identifying problems through to solving them — and I loved that we were hyper focused on impacting the lives of real people (specifically, trying to solve America’s savings crisis). It quickly became obvious that technology could play a huge role, and I found myself wanting to get closer to that. But not just technology; rather, the interplay between people and technology as a force for good.
I suppose my biggest challenge in this field is that I’m not trained in it — I come at it from a very different perspective. To some, that takes away from my credibility, so it can feel like an uphill battle. But I continue — continue being curious, and challenging, and looking for solutions to problems, and I think that’s what ultimately carries me.
What is your take on women in technology and how is the landscape changing? What can be done to ensure there are more women in tech roles?
More and more women are entering technology, that’s for sure, albeit with persistent challenges. The issue I see is that there still aren’t that many women in tech leadership. I think part of solution is lies in coaching women on how to really own their identities and strengths while navigating male-dominated environments — asking questions, challenging norms, and asserting our opinions to foster better inclusivity and recognition.
But in parallel, it’s also about changing the culture within these environments from the inside. I see companies creating mentoring schemes and internal resource groups, so I think the tide is starting to shift, slowly, but there are plenty more proactive measures that could be taken.
Things like truly promoting diversity in leadership (not just having one or two token women in top positions), supporting flexible schedules and parental leave policies, and embracing diverse career paths and experiences — the 1.5 years I devoted to being a stay-at-home-mom matter and make me a much better leader today than I otherwise would have been (a real masterclass in soft skills). Women, and people from all walks of life, undeniably contribute to a richer, more innovative tech industry.
What is the biggest obstacle that women in technology face?
There are many, but here are a few:
Lack of representation — I’ve worked in a male dominated environment my whole life, so I’m used to it and pretty comfortable with it now, but not everyone is. Women are often underrepresented in leadership roles and technical positions, making it challenging for them to advance and be taken seriously in the field. I’m here, and I try to help the women around me as much as possible.
Office “housework” – I often also (sadly) find that it’s usually the women — at all levels — that get left with the office “housework”, the mental load of creating meeting minutes, sending quick emails, etc. We need to get better at saying no or control the inner voice that makes us volunteer to do these things all the time — I’m guilty too.
Parental leave challenges – the truth is that women’s biology necessitates us taking time off work at various points to have babies (if we wish). I’ve done it three times, and each time I worried about the effect it was going to have on my career. Luckily, I’ve had great, supportive employers each time, but many women struggle with this; they cut their leaves short and struggle through the next 6-12 months at half steam. I would love to see men maxing out on their leave allowances to normalize parental leave as well.
What advice would you give women who are looking to pursue a career in tech?
Own your story. And remember that nothing has to be forever. There is no perfect path to making it. There’s value you have gained through every step of your career, from every choice you have made. Whether you’ve been targeted and taken a straight line path, or you’ve meandered, it all mattered — you learned something that your peers did not. Take the time to understand your experience, and your values, and own it. You’re never an imposter — you’re unique, and your perspective it important.
And worry less about what it all means. Make now meaningful, and try to plan for tomorrow, but be adaptable. If it doesn’t work out, or if it opens the door to something you hadn’t imagined before, make a new decision and add new value in an adjacent space.
Don’t get bogged down by all the “what ifs” when planning your next move — I really believe that if you let curiosity guide you, stay honest, and work hard, it’s only ever onwards and upwards. Surround yourself with great mentors — not just women, but everyone — and remember that nothing is truly binding.
