the rra team’s female role models
2 min
The visibility of role models who look like you, come from the same background, and understand your struggles is important in imagining a limitless future. From Broadway actresses to rappers, these women have inspired us with their talent, perseverance, and confidence. Check out the RRA team members’ role models!
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Meera Tikku
Marketing Associate
Meera is from Lake Mary, Florida and currently a senior at The University of Pittsburgh studying Communications with a minor in Non-Fiction Creative Writing and a certificate in Writing for the Professions. She currently leads the community-based blogs here at Ravi Ray Audio and feels very meta writing that as she writes this.
Role Model: Shoba Narayan
Photo cred: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
“Growing up, I was often the only South Asian in my choir and drama classes. When I didn’t feel confident in myself, I always wished I had someone to look up to as a source of motivation. Shoba is a beacon of inspiration for South Asians to always believe in themselves, never give up on their dreams, and proudly take center stage.”
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Suhana Jagadesan
Marketing Lead
Suhana is a music + dance multi-hyphenate based in New York, NY. She has prior experience working in journalism + syndication and loves bringing over those skills to be of service in the marketing space for other creatives. Her goal is to help clients and co-creatives make the most of their content + skills by reaching an audience that resonates with their work.
Role Model: MIA
Photo cred: Andy Parsons
“I think it’s so neat to see another Tamil-American in mainstream music. It’s uncommon to see a South Asian artist be a household name - especially as a rapper. She was also the first person of South Asian descent to be nominated for an Academy Award and Grammy Award in the same year!”
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Anusha Suresh
Innovation Lead
Anusha is a full-time artist/singer/songwriter from San Francisco Bay Area, but is now based in Los Angeles. She previously worked as a management consultant at Accenture, where she focused on solving problems for some of the largest digital and internet companies today. Her mission is to bridge her passion for music and be of service to creatives in an innovation capacity to encourage disruption and adoption of the ever-changing landscape.
Role Model: Madame Gandhi
Photo cred: South Asian Stories Podcast
“Madame Gandhi is a true pioneer in the space of music, meditation, and activism. She is a fearless innovator who makes music with strong messages to positively shape and impact people. I believe music has the ability to change the world and she was one of the first artists that really embodied that to me. She made me believe that South Asian female artists should be unapologetic in every endeavor.”
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Ravi Lad
Founder/Head Mix Engineer
Ravi is a freelance audio engineer who has mixed for award-winning podcasts, scored festival-selected short films, and been featured as an artist by the Berklee College of Music. After trying the whole "doctor, lawyer, engineer" thing, he left his career in petroleum engineering to start his audio post-production business Ravi Ray Audio in 2021.
Role Model: Rianjali
Photo cred: Rianjali (website)
“Recently, I was fortunate enough to connect with Rianjali and learn more about her story. I left that conversation feeling both inspired and a new sense of career direction. Beyond the musical talent and accolades, I look up to her most for her dedication. Coming from a non-musical background and going through years of exploration, it never stopped her from creating and pursuing what she loves.”
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As we wrap up Women’s History Month, here’s to all the South Asian female creatives who are empowering our community through their art, inspiring generations to fulfill their dreams, and breaking glass ceilings with their achievements. We can’t wait to see more trailblazers, pioneers and innovators come to the stage and shake up the industry. And as always, stay well, shine bright.
~Meera
