Creating Economic Access to Change the Narrative
An industry changemaker's Interview with Charlene SanJenko, regen impact media
Chaitra Vedullapalli, Co-founder & President of Women in Cloud, is reshaping the tech industry with her groundbreaking 4P Cosell GTM Method, yielding remarkable economic outcomes through strategic alliances with industry leaders Microsoft and Google.
Boasting over two decades of experience, her efforts have not gone unnoticed, earning her prestigious honors such as the 2023 WPO Entrepreneur of the Year, Forbes 1000 Next Entrepreneur, Guinness World Record Holder and more. Chaitra’s influence extends beyond the corporate world; she spearheads the expansive Women in Cloud ecosystem, which spans 27 countries and champions representation through her MXW Ventures film fund to build tech bridge between Hollywood and Tech Industry.
Chaitra’s motto:
“To launch a revolution in innovation, start with investing in women. The future is female, and it’s profitable!”
She’s driving global conversations with the United Nations and top corporations throughout the U.S. to ensure an inclusive technology industry and economy. Women in Cloud is a community-led, economic development movement accelerating social impact through female tech entrepreneurs and professionals with the colossal goal of generating over $ 1B in global economic access by 2030.
Here are just a few of Chaitra’s recent impact highlights:
- Architect of a new Guinness World Record Category as a community challenge and achieved it for the Most users in a vision board video hangout in 2024.
- Instrumental in a workforce development initiative to distribute over 8000+ Microsoft certification scholarships valued at $49M in economic readiness for women in 67 countries
- Created a tech bridge with the Hollywood ecosystem to establish MXW ventures with tech leaders, produced award winning movies, advocated at leading film festivals and unlocked AI readiness for innovation.
- Collaborated with the Washington State Senate to declare January 25 as a “Women in Cloud Day.” She also spurred the introduction of a bill that empowered Women in Cloud to open and seal opportunities for female tech entrepreneurs. She has also secured New York to champion the Women in Cloud proclamation and advance economic access for female tech founders.
- Worked with corporate and community partnerships alongside the Canadian Consulate, Microsoft, Teradata, Avanade, EY, Accenture, Google, F5 and more. As a result, more than 250 companies have bridged the gap between brands, corporations, and government bodies to unlock procurement access for women-led STEM companies.
- Chaitra created the hashtag #EmpowHERfamily initiative through Women in Cloud, a cross-sector economic relief initiative to empower 1M women in India to have a compelling future by curating actionable digital solutions to provide economic relief during COVID.
- Chaitra has been formally recognized as an Influential Business Leader, Forbes 1000 Next Entrepreneur, Top 50 Influencer in Cloud Computing, and a TEDx Speaker.
It was an immense pleasure to recently sit down with Chaitra and speak with her about her changemaking journey that intersects inclusive technology, impact partnerships, and digital solutions for good.
Here is our conversation:
Chaitra, I have a saying, “When we put together impact deals like we do other business deals, our world will change for the better.” Within the last year, you have put together an incredible deal that started with a vision for the impact you wanted to make (along with some epically bold goals!), established a transformative fund (Movies By Women), shared important narrative-shifting films, won industry awards, formed smart partnerships needed to bring them to life, and walked bravely into the unknown as a true innovator!
Now that you have walked through the whirlwind of the past year, what is your top-of-mind reflection or celebration?
I wanted to be in a place where I could learn and create innovation with smart people that the world needs today. There were no women in tech who had created a film fund, so we learned how to create the fund, an award-worthy short documentary “ICONS” in five months with 19 industry leaders, two hollywood feature films, AI readiness programs and more. We received standing ovations at Oscars Week, SXSW, SIFF and won awards at the Santa Fe Film Festival. This is just a start of what impact can look like.
Can you tell me where your internal fire comes from – your drive to make positive change?
My family comes from an army background. I learned at a young age the value of camaraderie, moving as a tribe, a unit, a community of support for family and with family based on trusted relationships that bring everyone along when you are working towards a focused mission.
Can you talk about your work in the world?
My work focuses on collective action with one singular mission: unlocking $1 Billion in economic access for female founders and professionals, and the fund is part of that. I back my work with guaranteed success. Creating impact is easy with a community-focused, action-driven, aligned mission and it is also fun.
What are some of your top learnings that you’d like to share with other founders and changemakers?
Your outcomes must make you excited. You can see people sharing stories of their transformation. You can see people holding their winning trophies. You can see people want to make every event a reunion. Create something that brings you joy!
You recently announced your appointment to the Board of Directors of The Impact Seat Foundation. Can you tell us more about that?
The Impact Seat Foundation is creating a world where women, especially women of color, succeed in business through our impact investing, grantmaking and advocacy. It is an honor to join fellow esteemed board directors Barbara Clarke (founder, board chair and wrote the book on building great boards), Janelle Benjamin, Juanita Lott, and Jonah Seiger and under the leadership of the inspiring Cheryl Contee.
The work of The Impact Seat Foundation is deeply important to me. Only 2-4% of women receive VC funding – that’s a lot of missed innovation created for women, by women. For women of color founders, the numbers are even worse (statistically close to 0% of VC funding). At The Impact Seat Foundation, our goal is to close the wealth and opportunity gap. Our Full Stack Philanthropy melds impact investing, grantmaking and advocacy to sustain an ecosystem and community for women leaders across the globe.
What does your vision focus on at this time?
GTM Partnerships and Integrations to move the needle on workforce and economic development. We’re looking at massive integrations where polar opposite industries (such as tech and filmmaking) come together to create a better world. Specifically, my key areas of focus are:
- Growing the MXW Ventures film fund to $10-$20 million.
- Finding solutions to ensure powerful women keep their economic power even throughout a health crisis should one arise.
- And personally, always being aware of my happiness level.
Any final thoughts?
To those who dream big, remember: the path may not always be clear, but with passion, perseverance, and partnerships, the possibilities are endless.
This year, the ideas on my vision board are even crazier than last year. Let’s see what manifests into strategic partnerships, who I will attract in my inner circle, and what access we will create for each other.
Together, let’s dream big and make history.