One of Supraja S.R’s most memorable moments in tech came early in her career when she helped a customer achieve a critical win against tight deadlines.
Asked to lead a 20-person team tasked with migrating more than 600 virtual machines to a new data center in just three months, she didn’t shy away from the responsibility. Instead, she embraced a mindset that has guided her ever since: “You can’t control the wind, but you can adjust your sails. It’s not about what has happened; it’s about how you react. ”
The project was a major success. The customer soon engaged Supraja’s team for several additional projects, a clear reflection of the trust they had earned. That experience deepened Supraja’s interest in customer engagement and sparked a passion for developing strong, lasting partnerships.
Now, as a VMware Cloud Foundation Technical Adoption Manager (VCF TAM) helping government organizations across the Middle East adopt and optimize VCF, she continues to turn challenges into opportunities and works closely with customers to help them reach their goals.
“As a trusted advisor, my role is to help customers maximize their investments in VMware solutions, driving ROI and enhancing the whole value proposition by giving the best advice and showing them the right direction,” she said.
A passion for technology
Supraja’s tech career began nearly a decade ago after she earned a degree in electronics and communications engineering and chose to pursue IT.
She started out as an IT consultant at Dell EMC, where she supported customers with migration and solutioning projects while actively developing her skills as an IT advisor. It was also in this role that she was first introduced to VMware technologies, including VCF, VMware NSX-V, and vSAN.
As her interest in virtualization and cloud solutions grew, she moved to a full-time role at VMware, joining as a Professional Services Consultant. There, she continued building her technical expertise while supporting customers across India with NSX and multi-cloud deployments, which played a pivotal role in shaping her next career move.
Evolving the relationship: from consultant to long-term strategic partner
In 2021, Supraja took the next step in her professional journey, stepping into her current role as a TAM and relocating to Dubai to support government customers in utilities, health, and finance.
Supraja’s work as a Professional Services Consultant was project-focused: designing and implementing VMware software. She worked with different clients, allowing her to amass a wealth of knowledge on how different companies utilize the software. She took this experience with her as she transitioned to becoming a TAM, a long-term strategic partner for her customers.
As a former PS consultant, she is able to draw on her past knowledge and experience and create solution success plans that carry her customers beyond the initial design and implementation and into long-term value realization. As a TAM, she collaborates with her customers to create solution success plans that focus on helping them achieve their IT and business objectives. She recommends solutions that help them improve efficiency and resiliency.
“It’s a completely different experience,” Supraja emphasized. “It’s not just the technology. It’s about relationships and building trust.”
When asked about her favorite part of the job, Supraja didn’t hesitate: “Being a trusted advisor, especially working with the government sector here in Dubai. Every day, there are unique challenges that keep my role engaging and fulfilling.”
She’s also energized by the new technologies her team is bringing to customers. Supraja is excited about how VCF 9 can help her customers. VCF 9 will provide a streamlined day-to-day operations experience through the new Operations Console. Once implemented, the new console will allow her customers to optimize cost and performance and improve storage efficiency. She’s equally excited about Broadcom’s growing integration with AI into tools like VCF Operations and NSX Intelligence, which help customers detect issues faster, improve performance, and manage infrastructure more effectively.
The importance of advocacy, adaptability, and mentorship
Though Supraja has established a rewarding career in tech, the journey hasn’t been without challenges.
As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, she has faced her share of barriers. “The most challenging part of being a woman in tech has been navigating the stereotypes and biases that still exist in the industry,” she said.
She recalled a time earlier in her career when she was a part of a team made up mostly of men. In that environment she often had to be especially proactive in making her skills and ambitions visible – an experience that strengthened her confidence and fueled her determination to lead. Rising to the challenge, Supraja advocated for opportunities to shadow senior team members, build her skills, and earn future assignments.
Today, she points to that experience as a reminder of why self-advocacy is so important. “These challenges motivate me to be outspoken and advocate for equal representation,” she said, adding that while women can sometimes be hesitant to speak up, it’s vital to claim their space and let their aspirations be known.
She also credits strong mentors with helping her navigate the roadblocks along the way, noting that guidance and support from those who understood her experience made a meaningful difference.
Her advice to other women pursuing careers in tech? “Stay curious and be ready to learn continuously, whether it’s picking up a new language, exploring emerging technologies, or understanding different aspects of the industry. Surround yourself with diverse mentors and seek help from the right people.”
Your VCF TAM: guiding your journey to success (and beyond!)
When she’s not diving into new tech or collaborating with customers, Supraja, an avid traveler, is often seeking out new adventures across the globe. She especially enjoys uncovering hidden gems off the beaten path. A recent highlight was exploring the mountains of Austria, with Iceland next on her travel bucket list.
A VCF TAM is more than just a dedicated resource; they are a strategic partner who helps their customers achieve their business goals and optimize their VCF investments.
Like Supraja, every VCF TAM brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to their customers. Learn more about some of the VCF TAMs who are making a difference in tech by exploring our recent features on Jude Arana and Chaitra Shastry.
