Switching Careers: From Engineering to Nonprofits, Women's Foundation of Boston Senior Executive Shares Her Story
“Two constants in my life have been a love of math and science and a desire to help others. “ Today’s woman dreamer, Tulika Hainsworth, shares her exciting career journey, in the worlds of engineering, CSR, and nonprofits. As Senior Executive of the Women’s Foundation of Boston, Tulika shares her top 4 fundraising tips for female founders, challenges she navigated as a woman in the workplace, and her love for volunteering with wonderful organizations like Society of Women Engineers and Shishu Bharati. Her advice for all women, “Cultivate your personal board of directors – a group of people who know you really well, who support you unconditionally, but who will be willing to disagree with your ideas and provide honest feedback.” Enjoy her story below!
1) You have a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and worked in the high-tech industry for over 24 years before you changed your career path to work in Corporate Social Responsibility. Tell us your background and what prompted you to change your trajectory to the nonprofit world?
Two constants in my life have been a love of math and science and a desire to help others. Engineering was a logical career for me and I had a long and rewarding career as an Engineer, Manager and Director. I worked with a lot of smart people and got to travel all over the world. I even managed a team in India and got to travel to my birth country for work! Along with the challenge and excitement of working on cutting edge technology, I gained a lot of personal satisfaction from coaching my team members and mentoring others in their career trajectory. I volunteered for many organizations throughout my life as a way to give back and feel good! Coaching team members and volunteering fulfilled my love of helping others. Over time my focus shifted from personal achievement towards a desire to use my talents and skills to serve others. So, the transition from Engineering to Nonprofit work was gradual but ultimately aligned with who I am.
2) What kinds of challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them?
Some of my challenges were moving to a country with a different language at the age of 10, navigating different cultures between home and school, being one of a handful of women in my college classes, and being one of the few women in senior staff meetings at work. In my early life, supportive family and friends along with a strong drive for success were enough for me to break through barriers and overcome obstacles. More recently, I have added yoga and meditation as regular practices to help me center, gain perspective, and work through all kinds of internal and external conflicts. I now see that my challenges have helped me grow and shaped who I am today. When an obstacle arises, I step back and see what I can learn from the situation and how I can use it to become stronger and more resilient.
3. You have also volunteered at several community organizations such as Society of Women Engineers, Shishu Bharati, and Meals on Wheels. What are some lessons you have learned from serving on these programs?
Volunteering is a great way to build skills, discover strengths, and learn something new. It also offers a chance to give back to organizations and communities that have served you.
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) has supported me from college through engineering career. Through a variety of roles with SWE, I was able to provide professional development sessions for my fellow women engineers, give opportunities to next generation of leaders, and inspire the students to consider a STEM career.
Shishu Bharati allowed my children to learn about my culture and language. Volunteering with them gave me a chance to connect with others from the same background, use my creativity to engage with young students, and hone my process management skills.
Delivering meals to homebound seniors through Meals on Wheels, I am learning how to age with grace and joy.
4) What are some tips you have for nonprofits and female founders who are looking for funding? What are your tips for them to stand out and get their mission across?
Here are my top 4 Tips
Develop a succinct and clear objective/mission. If properly crafted, this will not only help you gain support from funders but also help you make strategic decisions. A clear connection with your values and unique experience will help you drive your mission forward.
Use and develop your network. Start by reaching out to friends and family, ask for their help in connecting you to others. Equally important, support them in their work in whatever way you can.
Cultivate a personal board of directors – a group of people who know you really well, who support you unconditionally, but who will be willing to disagree with your ideas and provide honest feedback.
Define measurable and meaningful progress indicators. Having simple metrics to show your track record will help you and potential funders gain confidence in your work.
5) As a dreamcatchers platform we have to ask, what is your next big dream?
Working with nonprofit grantees of Women’s Foundation of Boston, I have seen how technology can be used as a disruptive force to bring education and economic empowerment to people who need it the most. There is a huge opportunity to make positive and sustainable societal change. In this moment, I want to use my love of math and science, my experience with for-profit and non-profit corporations, and desire to serve others to make a meaningful impact in moving society forward.
Thank you Tulika for sharing your story with us! We are excited to have you in our global women’s network!
Bio: Tulika Hainsworth is a senior executive with non-profit and high-tech industry experience. After working 24 years for a multi-billion dollar engineering firm, managing teams and projects across the globe; Tulika changed her career trajectory towards the non-profit sector. After working in Corporate Social Responsibility for a year, she joined Maranyundo Initiative, a nonprofit that supports a girls’ STEM boarding school in Rwanda, as their interim Executive Director. In 2019, she joined the leadership team at the Women’s Foundation of Boston. Their mission, to economically empower women and girls in Greater Boston area, deeply resonated with her. In addition, Tulika has served several organizations in the Boston area as a leader and volunteer. She is passionate about helping people from underserved and underrepresented communities overcome obstacles and reach their potential.
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