QUICK LINKS

NeoAccel™ Advantage View Download Library How to Buy
Call +1 (408) 274 8000 or Email sales@neoaccel.com

News & Events

Woman's Extra Logo
Sudha NeoAccel

Corporate power at its best

BY A WEX WRITER | Wednesday, August 09, 2006 14:28:37 IST

Women’s Extra talks to Sudha Karunakaran, Executive Vice President of NeoAccel, about balancing family and a high profile job

Gone are the days when all women did, was to stay at home and manage the kitchen and the kids. Today woman power is at its peak and in literally every field; you’re bound to find a lady, who got more powers than, ahem, men! And one such lady is Sudha Karunakaran, the Executive Vice President of NeoAccel, which is a pioneering innovator of next-generation Internet security solutions. Sudha looks after the NeoAccel’s operations and finances. She’s based in San Jose but was here some time back on business. Women’s Extra caught up with the lady for a quick tête-à-tête.

On my upbringing and background
I studied in a South-Indian school in Mumbai. I was always academically inclined and excelled as a student.  For me dedication was of utmost priority and I had to be a perfectionist at whatever I did. Post school, I took up chartered accountancy and was in the accounting field for some time. I was also always excited about software development and when I got an opportunity to work in Patni, I grabbed it. That was a tough year and a turning point in my life, where I transitioned from accounting to technology. Subsequently I went to the US to do my MBA in Computers. Whilst studying I got an opening to work with the California Government’s Tax Audit department. I did this for 5-long years and felt the need to move back into technology.

On what a normal day at work is like
In a start-up company, the environment is very dynamic. I oversee all the operations of the company and also provide adequate support and motivation to the sales and business development teams. Besides, I also monitor the markets, track competition, coordinate with the India office and work personally with the finance and operations team.

On managing family life and a career
It is a challenge, because you have to juggle with so many things. You need to be passionate and excited about your work, especially when you are working in senior management levels. My family is a priority and my biggest advice to working women is to put in place a support structure so that both the home and work move smoothly. It is also important to take care that the time spent outside work adds quality to the family – where necessary I believe in delegating chores to hired help.  However, when it comes to the children, it is a good idea to ensure participation in all their activities when not at work; or simply spending quality time with the kids.

On NeoAccel
NeoAccel is focused on the SSL VPN market. Its flagship offering called SSL VPN-Plus is based on a patent pending technology called Intelligent Connection Acceleration Architecture developed by Michel Susai. This technology can support up to 20,000 concurrent users and also help avoid a problem known as Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) meltdown.

On balancing priorities
I give time to the family, maybe take my son to the basket ball camp and cheer for him or attend to the kids other activities. I also believe in giving time to myself. I love socializing and spending time with my friends, and partying hard at the end of a tough week! Every year we also make it a point to go for a family holiday, spent exclusively with the family, it is a time we cherish and share with each other.