Podcast Summary: CyberWire Daily – "Swati Shekhar: Challenges Increase Your Risk Appetite"

Episode Information

• Title: CyberWire Daily
• Host/Author: N2K Networks
• Episode: Swati Shekhar: Challenges Increase Your Risk Appetite. [Engineering] [Career Notes]
• Release Date: July 6, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of CyberWire Daily, host Swati Shekhar, Head of Engineering at Crowd Labs, shares her inspiring journey from a small town in India to leading an engineering team at a notable technology company in the United States. Swati delves into how overcoming various challenges has shaped her risk appetite, influencing both her personal growth and professional trajectory.

Early Aspirations and Educational Background

Swati opens up about her childhood dreams and educational experiences, highlighting a longstanding fascination with exploration and problem-solving.

"I think the most vivid recollection I have is wanting to be an astronaut... that desire to kind of go and do something different or to leverage all the tools available to solve problems," [00:50].

Growing up in a modest town in India during the late '80s and '90s, Swati recounts her limited access to technology. Her first encounter with a computer came at 17 during her first year in engineering college, marking a pivotal moment in her life.

"I was never that very practical child who wanted to break apart a remote control... I was really, really interested in keeping an eye on what's the big picture problem I want to solve," [01:30].

Navigating Societal Expectations and Career Choices

Coming from a family of doctors, Swati faced societal pressures and stereotypes about women's roles in India. Despite these challenges, her supportive family empowered her to pursue her passion for engineering.

"My reaction to that was, okay, I'm not going to let this sit in my head. I have to go out there and I have to do my thing," [03:10].

Swati often considered a career in medicine but ultimately chose engineering, influenced by her peer group and personal interests in math, physics, and chemistry. She emphasizes the importance of perseverance and having a supportive network during such pivotal decisions.

"Let me just try and see if I can get into either medical school or engineering school... engineering school is a lot of fun," [04:15].

Academic and Early Professional Challenges

Swati discusses her experience at one of India's premier engineering colleges, highlighting the intense competition and the cultural dynamics of being one of the few women in a predominantly male environment.

"We were 30 girls and 500 boys... the first day was just sheer panic," [06:00].

The cultural shock and high standards initially intimidated her, but Swati learned to leverage the collective intelligence around her, turning potential threats into opportunities for growth and collaboration.

"You need to hold your ground surrounded by so many intelligent people and also not to be intimidated," [07:05].

Transition to the United States and Early Career at Microsoft

Graduating in 2002, a challenging job market period, Swati secured a position at Microsoft in Redmond, USA. This move marked a significant transition from her small-town origins to the global tech hub.

"Landing up in the US with like 200 bucks in my pocket... how am I going to manage?" [08:20].

She reflects on the hardships of starting anew in a foreign country, managing finances, and building a life from scratch. These experiences, she asserts, significantly increased her risk appetite, making subsequent challenges more manageable.

"I think that just increases your risk appetite so significantly that all other challenges then kind of just fall in line accordingly," [09:00].

Professional Evolution and Leadership

Swati details her career progression from a dedicated engineer to roles in program and product management, ultimately leading the engineering team at Crowd Labs. She emphasizes the importance of broadening one's problem-solving scope and embracing diverse roles to foster comprehensive leadership skills.

"I'm an engineer by training. I'm an engineer at heart... now I have a team and we work together to solve problems," [09:30].

Her leadership philosophy centers on empathy, effective communication, and ensuring team alignment towards common goals. Swati credits her success to mentors and empathetic managers who listened and understood her needs.

"I have had very empathetic managers... that I look to keep emulating in the different leadership roles," [09:50].

Insights on Risk Appetite and Overcoming Challenges

Swati believes that facing and overcoming challenges enhances one's ability to take calculated risks, which is crucial for personal and professional development. Her journey exemplifies how embracing difficulties can lead to greater resilience and adaptability.

"We need limitations or we need challenges that stretch us beyond what we could be, a better version of ourselves," [05:45].

Advice for Aspiring Professionals

Concluding her narrative, Swati offers valuable advice to individuals navigating their career paths:

1. Clarify Your Passion:

   "Be very certain about what is it about that job that excites you... be honest to yourself," [09:55].

2. Authenticity:

   "Always be yourself. Bring yourself to the job... organizations need to cherish that diversity of thought," [10:05].

3. Embrace Uniqueness:

   "Bring your spark and your uniqueness to the job and that will make your job more fulfilling," [10:15].

Swati underscores the importance of authenticity and leveraging one's unique strengths to contribute meaningfully to any organization.

Conclusion

Swati Shekhar's story is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and the willingness to embrace challenges. Her insights on increasing risk appetite through overcoming obstacles provide valuable lessons for professionals in the cybersecurity and engineering fields. By fostering an environment of empathy and effective communication, Swati continues to lead her team towards innovative problem-solving and collective success.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "I think the most vivid recollection I have is wanting to be an astronaut... that desire to kind of go and do something different or to leverage all the tools available to solve problems." [00:50]

• "We need limitations or we need challenges that stretch us beyond what we could be, a better version of ourselves." [05:45]

• "I think that just increases your risk appetite so significantly that all other challenges then kind of just fall in line accordingly." [09:00]

• "Always be yourself. Bring yourself to the job... organizations need to cherish that diversity of thought." [10:05]

This summary encapsulates Swati Shekhar's inspiring journey, her professional evolution, and the valuable lessons she imparts on overcoming challenges and embracing risk. Her experiences provide a roadmap for aspiring engineers and leaders aiming to make a meaningful impact in the cybersecurity industry.