About NEOWIT

Our vision for Northeast Ohio Women in Tech is to inspire women and minorities to excel and discover opportunities in the tech industry through the creation of a connected, supported community of shared resources.

We are not solely a women’s Developers group. We are Designers, Project Managers, Product Managers, QAs, and anyone involved in the success of today’s tech companies.

We encourage growth through learning and experience and strive to create a “new normal” in Northeast Ohio.

Roadmap 2024

Q1 We have the Career Advancement series we have resume-building workshop, creating social media profiles, and how to build your personal brand.

Q2 – Technology Trends – We will have presentations on AWS cloud computing, AI, and Robotics.

Q3- Industry Trends – Data Analytics, Hybrid work cultures adaptation, Supply Chain Digitalization.

Q4- Change Management, Agile, and DevOps.

Zoom links and In-person meeting information will be posted on all NEOWIT social media platforms.

 

OUR MISSION

 

Northeast Ohio Women in Tech strives to provide education, resources, and networking opportunities for women and minorities throughout Northeast Ohio’s tech community.

Leadership

Heather Brizzi

Heather Brizzi

Board Advisor

Heather Brizzi is from Cleveland, OH, and has over 20 years of experience in information technology. She is an IT Director at White Cap, a Construction Supply Distributor, and leads the strategy for Generative AI and Hyperautomation. Heather has been a leader in transforming technology-related strategy and operations across the enterprise. She builds and coaches strong, capable teams that provide excellent service and solutions with technology. Heather loves to help people find their purpose and achieve their goals by using their skills and making plans. She gave her first TEDx talk at Indiana University in 2022, “Building Resilience on the Playground” for their Playgrounds series. Heather is a regular speaker, panelist, and moderator in the Technology and Women in Technology arenas.
 
Sravanthi Vallampati

Sravanthi Vallampati

Board Member

Sravanthi is an IT Manager at Progressive Insurance.

A resident of Cleveland, Ohio, USA, Sravanthi joined Toastmasters in 2013 to practice
speaking purposefully and succinctly but stayed for the enormous value and incredible
friendships it continues to add to her life.

A member of six clubs, Sravanthi has served all club officer roles except Treasurer, and
as Area Director, Division Director, Program Quality Director, and District Director. A
Club Sponsor, Mentor, Coach, Youth Leadership Program Coordinator, and Pathways
Guide, she recently received her third DTM, second in Pathways.

An incurable optimist, she revels in all things Toastmasters and believes in its
unlimited potential to alter our perception of ourselves and the ever-evolving world
around us.

She has found clarity, connection, and confidence with Toastmasters.

Deepa Rao

Deepa Rao

President

Deepa Rao is a Software Engineer with 19 years of work experience in JD Edwards. She has been in several roles – JDE Developer, Programmer Analyst, ERP2Web Project Manager, Localization team lead, and DSI Project Coordinator. Outside of technology, she enjoys volunteering with different organizations in the Cleveland area. She is Editor in Chief for The Lotus a FICA Newsletter. She is also an Executive Committee member for FICA ( Federation of Indian Community Associations). She is one of the Key Communicators at Olmsted Falls School District. She is also a board member of AAIWO (Association of Asian Indian Women in OHIO). She is the Indian Ambassador for  Cleveland People. She is also the social media Ambassador for Akron Food Bank.

Dance is her passion. Loves to read whenever she finds time.

 Suma Mallikarjunaiah

Suma Mallikarjunaiah

Board Member

Suma Lokesh is a technology enthusiast with 20+ years of career in Web technologies. Currently, as a Senior Application Engineer & Developer at Joann Fabrics, she plays a crucial role in architecting and supporting the online platform landscape, bridging the communication between business and technology teams, and guiding and supporting development teams. In recent years, she managed an offshore and onshore team of developers as a development lead engineer. As a proud mother, and a longtime resident of Cleveland suburbs since she arrived in the USA, she serves as the Board Secretary of Cleveland Moms 4 Moms, a non-profit organization, working towards empowering immigrant Indian moms in the Cleveland area and beyond. In her free time, she loves playing Table Tennis and likes to network and socialize with others, building strong connections within the community.
 
Swati Venkatraman

Swati Venkatraman

Vice-President

Swati Venkatraman, a native of Mumbai India, moved to Cleveland in 2009 to pursue her Master’s in engineering management at Case Western Reserve University and has spent the last 15 years in the Information Technology space. She currently works for Signet Jewelers  as a Sr. Manager of Digital Prpuduct; leading the strategy, roadmap and execution of their Ecommerce Fulfillment portfolio. Swati is passionate about Digital Product Management and is a mentor for budding product managers in her company.

 
Swati is a strong believer in the role education plays in transforming individuals and communities. Swati co-led the Cleveland chapter of Asha for education in 2013-2014, relentlessly working to raise funds for educational projects in rural India. She and her husband have also been contributing to literacy projects in India through Children’s International since 2009. Currently, in addition to being the Vice President of NEOWIT, Swati is also a board member of AAIWO (Association of Asian Indian Women in OHIO).
 
In her free time, Swati loves traveling with her family, reading and writing poetry and practicing yoga.
Pavana Bhat

Pavana Bhat

Board Member

Pavana Bhat is an R&D Program Manager at Steris Corporation. With close to 20 years of experience in various industries such as Medical Device, Telecommunication, Softwate and Education Technology, Pavana enjoys challenges in career. She is also cofounder of Women In Engineering organization at Steris and has organized several events to encourage and motivate women in technology. Outside of work, she is an adherent follower of performing arts. She along with her husband run an Indian Classical Vocal and Percussion Music School in the Clevelans area and is very passionate about teaching these art forms to the next generation.

Chitkala Akella

Chitkala Akella

Treasurer

Chitkala Akella is a result-oriented leadership advocate and accomplished Technology Services and strategy Consultant who believes mingling a thought drives innovation and a creative mindset. She comes with a Business-focused mindset and has a drive to evolve & transform technology as a strength inside an organization. She commits herself to empowering women in tech, playing sports, and using a business mindset in interior decoration & relevant photography.