Exactly Ladies in Expertise: Meet Tanha Talavia

Exactly celebrates the varied paths, views, and experiences of girls throughout our group. The Exactly Ladies in Expertise (PWIT) program highlights how curiosity, resilience, mentorship, and a willingness to step exterior of consolation zones form significant careers in know-how. By sharing these journeys, PWIT goals to foster a supportive group the place girls really feel empowered to develop, lead, and make an influence — whereas inspiring others to see that there isn’t a single path to success in tech. Proceed studying to study extra about Tanha Talavia, Sr. Gross sales Engineer, and her profession in know-how.

Why did you select to pursue a profession in know-how?

I didn’t go into college considering I might find yourself in know-how.

Rising up, I used to be all the time the person who individuals got here to when one thing didn’t make sense; whether or not it was determining a course of, fixing one thing that wasn’t working, or explaining issues in a less complicated manner. In school, I seen the identical sample. I wasn’t essentially the loudest particular person at school, however I loved breaking issues down and understanding why one thing labored the best way it did.

There was a degree throughout undergrad once I realized I loved the technical and analytical components of my coursework greater than I anticipated. I favored working by way of structured issues, coping with knowledge, and seeing how small adjustments might fully change an consequence. Round that point, coding stopped feeling intimidating and began feeling like one other method to resolve issues. In different phrases, it was a instrument reasonably than an impediment.

Over time, that curiosity was a profession path. Expertise felt like an area the place I might continue learning, problem-solving, and constructing abilities that had been each difficult and helpful. I didn’t select it as a result of I had an ideal plan; I selected it as a result of it matched how I naturally suppose and work.

That’s nonetheless what retains me in know-how right now.

Who has been your biggest skilled mentor? What’s one factor you’ve gotten discovered from them?

My biggest skilled mentor has been Mayank Kasturia, Principal Options Architect at Exactly, who employed me and to-date remains to be guiding me.

What I’ve discovered most from him is tips on how to suppose past the speedy drawback and concentrate on long-term influence. Earlier in my profession, I used to be very execution-driven, wanting to ship rapidly and show myself. Mayank constantly inspired me to step again and ask deeper questions: Why does this matter? Who does this assist? And the way will this scale?

I clearly bear in mind instances once I hesitated to ask questions, anxious they could sound fundamental or sluggish issues down. As a substitute of discouraging that curiosity, Mayank created an atmosphere the place questions and even errors had been a part of the educational course of. He jogged my memory that development doesn’t come from having all of the solutions, however from being keen to ask the appropriate questions and study alongside the best way.

One second that basically stayed with me was once I introduced an answer that technically labored, however he challenged me to rethink it from the shopper’s perspective. That shift basically modified how I method every little thing right now, from answer design to buyer conversations. He taught me that robust technical abilities could get you began, however readability of thought, possession, and the arrogance to study brazenly are what actually set leaders aside.

What’s the largest danger you took in your profession? What was the reward?

The most important danger I took in my profession was transferring out of a purely technical path and right into a extremely seen, customer-facing function after finishing my Grasp’s in Laptop Science.

I’ve all the time loved explaining advanced concepts and breaking issues down for others however doing that in high-stakes buyer environments was a unique problem. It meant representing options in actual time, dealing with ambiguity, and proudly owning conversations the place the expectations and influence had been a lot larger.

There have been moments throughout advanced buyer engagements and technical proof-of-concepts the place it will have been simpler to remain quiet or play it protected. However I discovered rapidly that you just hardly ever really feel totally prepared for that sort of transition. Development required moving into these conditions and trusting myself to adapt.

So, I selected to talk up, take possession, and lean into discomfort. The reward was confidence, not from realizing every little thing, however from studying rapidly, adapting beneath strain, and delivering actual outcomes.

These experiences formed my development way over any protected determination ever might. In addition they helped me earn belief from prospects, friends, and management, and opened doorways I couldn’t have anticipated in my profession.

As a girl, what challenges have you ever confronted within the know-how trade? How have you ever overcome them?

One of many largest challenges I’ve confronted as a girl in know-how has been studying to belief my voice and never second-guess myself.

I come from a background the place girls’s opinions had been typically given much less weight than males’s, one thing I’ve since realized isn’t restricted to at least one place or tradition. That atmosphere subtly teaches you to pay attention greater than you communicate, and to query whether or not your perspective will actually be valued. I carried a few of that conditioning with me early on, not as a result of I lacked functionality, however as a result of I used to be nonetheless studying to consider that my voice belonged within the room. What helped me overcome that was expertise. Moving into conversations, asking questions, and fascinating even when it felt uncomfortable taught me that confidence isn’t one thing you anticipate, it’s one thing you construct by way of motion.

The turning level was realizing that confidence doesn’t come from being excellent. It comes from being ready, curious, and keen to have interaction. As I grew, I finished measuring myself in opposition to others and began specializing in influence, fixing the appropriate issues, being considerate in my method, and staying calm beneath strain.

Over time, I turned intentional about constructing my very own presence, one the place I knew that once I spoke, it added worth. That shift modified every little thing. It allowed me to point out up extra authentically and lead conversations with readability and intent, reasonably than self-doubt.

What’s one of the best recommendation you’ve ever been given? How do you apply it to your private {and professional} life?

The most effective recommendation I’ve ever been given is: “Readability is extra necessary than urgency.”

In my skilled life, this jogs my memory to decelerate simply sufficient to completely perceive the issue earlier than leaping into an answer. Readability results in higher choices, stronger communication, and outcomes that scale—particularly in advanced technical environments.

Personally, this recommendation has helped me set boundaries and belief my instincts. Not each determination must be rushed, and never each second requires a response. Main with readability has allowed me to be extra intentional, grounded, and assured in how I present up at work and past.

What’s one piece of recommendation you’d provide to youthful girls getting into the trade?

I might inform youthful girls to belief that they belong even earlier than they totally consider it themselves.

There can be moments early on the place you query whether or not you’re prepared, certified, or assured sufficient to talk up or tackle one thing new. That uncertainty is extra widespread than it appears, and it doesn’t imply you’re behind. Development occurs by moving into these moments anyway, studying in actual time, and permitting your self the house to evolve.

Your perspective issues not as a result of it’s excellent, however as a result of it’s yours. Keep curious, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to take up house. Confidence isn’t one thing you arrive with it’s one thing you construct alongside the best way.

As a profitable lady in know-how, what’s one factor you do to pay it ahead and advocate for different girls within the discipline?

I advocate for different girls by being intentional about how I present up, particularly in technical and high-stakes conversations.

I communicate with readability, ask questions brazenly, and create house for considerate dialogue, as a result of visibility issues. When girls see one other lady lead with confidence, curiosity, and possession, it quietly reinforces that they belong in these rooms too.

For me, paying it ahead is about setting the tone, exhibiting that development, and studying. Management doesn’t require shrinking your self. If that presence helps normalize confidence and ambition for others, then it’s making an actual influence.

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