Sree Divya Vadlapudi Prasanna | Forttuna Advisory Board

Skills

Policy Innovation & Governance Technology for Social Impact Global Leadership Development

About

Sree Divya Vadlapudi Prasanna is an award-winning social impact entrepreneur, thought leader, and public affairs professional with over 17 years of experience at the intersection of technology, policy, and women's empowerment. She is the Chairperson of Indi Ativa Foundation (SheBuildsTech), India's first STEM and entrepreneurship-focused NGO for rural and Tier 2–4 cities, which has directly impacted more than 6,000 women and girls and reached over 20,000 through its programs.

Divya has forged partnerships with institutions such as the US State Department, UNDP, Microsoft, ...

Company details

The Indi Ativa Foundation

Company Bio

The Indi Ativa Foundation is a purpose-driven nonprofit dedicated to empowering Indigenous communities through education, cultural preservation, innovation, and social equity. Rooted in the belief that sustainable development must begin with dignity, identity, and agency, the foundation works to create pathways where Indigenous knowledge is not only protected, but honored as a vital part of global progress.

Through initiatives focused on leadership development, heritage conservation, community-led innovation, economic empowerment, and advocacy, the foundation supports individuals and communities in reclaiming their narratives and shaping their own futures. Indi Ativa collaborates with schools, local leaders, policy bodies, and global organizations to build frameworks that strengthen cultural identity while unlocking modern opportunities in education, technology, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods.

The foundation also champions global awareness, bridging the gap between Indigenous wisdom and contemporary global development conversations. By amplifying voices historically overlooked or marginalized, Indi Ativa ensures that innovation and inclusion go hand in hand.

Today, the Indi Ativa Foundation continues to expand its work regionally and globally, driven by a mission to protect heritage, empower communities, and inspire a world where Indigenous knowledge and modern progress coexist with respect, equity, and purpose.

SheBuildsTech

Company Bio

SheBuildsTech is a global women-in-tech movement and capacity-building ecosystem committed to accelerating diversity, inclusion, and leadership in the technology sector. Built on the mission of ensuring that women are not just participants in the digital future, but architects of it, SheBuildsTech empowers individuals and communities through access, training, mentorship, and real-world opportunities.

Through workshops, accelerator programs, research-backed curricula, industry mentorship, and networking platforms, SheBuildsTech bridges gaps in representation and access. The organization supports women at every stage, from students and early-career technologists to founders, executives, and innovators shaping digital transformation.

Beyond skills development, SheBuildsTech fosters a global community, one where thought leadership, collaboration, and shared purpose fuel meaningful change. By partnering with educational institutions, technology companies, policy makers, and global organizations, SheBuildsTech works to eliminate structural inequities and expand the leadership pipeline across emerging technologies, STEM sectors, and tech-driven industries.

SheBuildsTech envisions a future where gender equity is not a conversation, but a standard. A future where brilliant women are recognized, equipped, and connected to opportunities that allow them to build, lead, innovate, and transform the world through technology.

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About

Divya has forged partnerships with institutions such as the US State Department, UNDP, Microsoft, Facebook, IBM, UC Berkeley, Stanford Design School, and Indian state governments. She has spearheaded ideathons, hackathons, return-to-work bootcamps, and mentorship programs that have brought thousands of women into the technology and entrepreneurship ecosystem. She also founded a startup, a platform developed in collaboration with Indo-US partners, which has received appreciation from the World Bank. In partnership with UC Berkeley and the Government of India, she is expanding entrepreneurial opportunities for Tier II/III students. Earlier, she co-created an advocacy platform that featured conversations with leaders from the U.S. Congress, Padma Shri awardees, and global scientists.

Her leadership extends beyond non-profits. She has served as Advisor to the Global Youth Leadership Forum (Supported by the World Bank Youth Initiative), engaged with the Aspen Institute on India–US policy challenges, and was recently appointed Special Emissary (Honorary) to the Honorary Consul General of Montenegro in India under the guidance of Dr. Janice Darbari, advancing cultural, startup exchanges, and many more relationships. She earlier chaired the FTAPCCI Women in Business division, strengthening trade advocacy and women's leadership.

Recognized globally, she has received the Visistha Seva Pratibha Puraskaram (Special State Award) and Special Youth Award from the Government of Andhra Pradesh, the Enterprising Women of the Year Champion Award (USA, 2021), and recognition among the 50 Most Impactful Social Innovators and South India's Best CSR Leaders. She was also honored with the Young Women Entrepreneur Award and named a finalist for Young Female STEM Pioneer at the Dublin Tech Summit.

A Limca Book of Records holder for publishing the highest number of international research papers as an undergraduate, Sree Divya began her academic journey with over 20 international publications in engineering. A Carnatic vocalist and AIR performer, she balances cultural roots with global vision. She continues to embody resilience, leadership, and the power of purpose-driven change.