Sangeetha Menon
FEATURE STORY
Interviewed by Samantha Joo
Calm, cool, and collected in the body of a tall, dark, beautiful woman. That is Sangeetha Menon. She is the very essence of sophistication, the very embodiment of what I aspired to become and realized that I couldn’t because let’s face it, I ain’t any of the above. Charming, yes, cute, without question, but definitely not a sophisticated tall, dark beauty. Well, I am gorgeous but my beauty is on a different level, the kind that one would only find among the Ewoks from Star Wars.
Even though I do not select facilitators or our interviewees for their physical beauty but their ability, experience, skills, and most importantly, willingness to volunteer, there is not a single unattractive woman on our wall of facilitators or interviewees. Then there is Sangeetha, who beyond the physical beauty, oozes in her body language, a knowing that instills confidence in her expertise. I don’t know what posture exactly, but one senses a level of professionalism that gives her gravitas. Perhaps it’s her height, her hairstyle, her fashion, her slow methodical movements, her composure … but really, if you know anything about presence, it is not anything external but internal. She embodies her knowing, the confidence in her experience and expertise, humility in being open to people’s wisdom and knowledge, and focused energy, the passion that guides her words and drives her actions. She knows and it shows in the way she carries herself.
But I must admit in our first meeting, there was something in her professional equanimity that made her seem less accessible, one can even say somewhat offstandish. Based on my second meeting (this interview), my first impression was not just seeming but in actuality. When I first met Sangeetha, she was guarded which I noticed in the way she responded to the participants at our first Spring workshop in 2018 and in our one-on-one conversations. She was somewhat hesitant to reveal much of herself which I respected, but as one can imagine given my curiosity, something that I could not completely walk away from. However, I did not want to push; I wanted a better forum to explore the reason behind the guard.
Fast forward to Winter of 2020 and I seized Platform’s quarterly interview space to reach out to her, to see where she was in her journey and how she was doing. Luckily I had the good fortune of catching her in a time of transition, personally, professionally, emotionally, and spiritually, not because I am sadistic but because it is at such times that people show their grit. Most people would want to slink away to some corner rather than share their life story but I was wonderfully surprised. Even though transitions are a time in which we are vulnerable, a time when uncertainty gives us little to no identity, a relationship to define us, a title to give us a platform, and a sense of knowing where and how our lives would unfold, Sangeetha used the time and space to reflect. She was not anxious, stressed, or despondent, which honestly at some level I was expecting, but buoyant, hopeful of the prospects that tomorrow will bring. It was not a hope based on just the possibility of tomorrow, but rather embodying her potential, stepping into more of herself. She had spent the last year assessing what she wanted and needed in her life rather than focusing on how to live out her familial and cultural expectations. This has allowed her to make really hard decisions, monumental ones all within a very short span of time. I was grateful to witness the old guard dissipate, the guard which I now believe was there to protect her from the uncertainties of who she was or wanted to be, not in her professional life but within her being. Her guarded demeanor was partially cultural but also an internal gap between who she believed she should be and who she wanted to be.
This interview was meaningful for me because I had the opportunity to witness the way Sangeetha focused on her values to give her clarity in making some of the most difficult decisions in her life. It was not easy for Sangeetha to walk away from a position at an organization which she has grown exponentially or a personal situation that has stifled her but her core values had given her lucidity. She stepped out on her courage even if it means that she leaps into uncertainty, one of our greatest fears. Again it is that knowing that comes through her actions, that makes her presence felt in any space.
I am so grateful to have the privilege of catching Sangeetha at different stages of her journey. I had the joy of seeing how much she changed within her sameness because coming into our own is a process, an inward journey to ourselves. I just cannot imagine Sangeetha in the present without having known her two years ago because I could not have appreciated who she has become. And that is the wonder of knowing people at different points of their lives.
INTERVIEW
Sam: You have experienced many changes these past 2 years, how would you describe this period of transition?
Sangeetha: A roller coaster would be the best way to describe the past 2 years. I went from incredible highs to painful lows. During the last 2 years I matured into my role as the ED of Kiran and accomplished many first-ever's for the organization. I was also selected to be a Ted Talks speaker in 2019 which was such a big honor for me. But early this year I lost my dad who had been battling so many health issues for the past 2 years. I tried to visit as often as I could but flying back and forth to India more than 2 times a year was not possible.
Sam: How did you care for yourself after you resigned from your position as Executive Director of Kiran?
Sangeetha: Honestly just surrounding myself with my family was very helpful. The week after I resigned I went on a pre-planned one week trip to the NC mountains with my family. It was the absolute best transition since being there gave me the clarity to think and self reflect about where I wanted my career to go next.
Sam: Who is Sangeetha? What is the 'authentic self' to you?
Sangeetha: I believe in compassion, kindness and being vulnerable. In my culture often women don't exhibit their authentic self because there is an "image" they have to uphold. So they are often very guarded. To a certain extent I was also that way in my younger days. But through my journey in life I have found that being vulnerable is so liberating and I do my best work when I am true to myself. During my career I have also found that my work style and work ethic is a lot like my dads :) He instilled so many values in me, and for that I am eternally grateful.
Sam: What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?
Sangeetha: I am getting more and more involved these days in charitable causes and giving back to the community. While I am certain that I want to move up the ladder at my current workplace, I could also see myself heading a charitable initiative along with my job. I have some ideas but need to work through a plan. A friend once told me, if you want to do something or need something, put it out there in the Universe and mention it to your circle. The Universe has a way of making things happen :) I followed that advice and I now strongly believe in that idea
Sam: What gives you clarity when you make difficult decisions?
Sangeetha: Do what's right and ethical. That is my strong belief which I learned from my dad. For me that is always the guiding principle. The decision making always follows this philosophy. I have also learned that I have to completely close difficult painful chapters in my life for positive things to happen again. So in that sense taking a leap of faith knowing that I am following my guideline of "do what's right and ethical" has given me clarity in life.
ABOUT
Sangeetha Menon is a non-profit management professional. Giving back to the community and engaging in social causes is a passion of her. From 2014 to 2020 she worked at Kiran, an organization that serves victims of domestic violence in the South Asian community. As the Executive Director of Kiran she executed many first time events and initiatives such as the Kiran Walkathon, Teen Empowerment Workshops, Charlotte Volunteer Chapter, Storytelling Workshops and mental health services program. Under her guidance the agency grew in prominence, funding and impact in the community. Sangeetha was also invited by the North Carolina Governor's Crime Commission to sit on the Crime Victim Services committee and guide them on effective service delivery for immigrant communities. She also co-chaired the Family Justice Center initiative in Wake County. Sangeetha is a public speaker and has been invited to speak at many local and national events, the highlight of which was her Ted Talk speech in 2019. In December 2020, Sangeetha joined the American Heart Association as the Development Director for the Heart Challenge group in the Southeast. In her spare time Sangeetha follows her passion for Indian folk and contemporary dance forms and also engages in charitable causes.