Principal Consultant
Anuradha Kowtha
- Pronouns: Anuradha, they/them
- Prounciation: 'Anoo ra dha'. The 'dha' is a mixture of 'd' and 'th'
- Strategist, Educator, Catalyst, Human
- I help organizations and government bodies make digital and in-person services and experiences more accessible and inclusive
- My work’s thread could be described as undoing the impact of the inherent indoctrination from capitalism and colonialism on who we are and how we do our work in the world.
Hiya, I'm Anuradha Kowtha, head of The Kowtha Constellation.
We support companies, non-profits, and government bodies to build accessible and inclusive environments with 3 aims: 1) obtain funding or departmental budgets for accessibility and equity based projects, 2) external or internal perceptions of bias and discrimination that may be impacting customer and employee retention, and 3) compliance around accessibility requirements from government regulations or international guidelines.
When organizations with less-diverse staff work with us, they begin aligning their values with their partners, staff, vendors, and stakeholders and create a culture of greater inclusivity and transparency, racial and cultural awareness, and a foundation for equity and inclusion.
Having grown up in a multi-generational household of individuals with multiple disabilities, mental health issues, and neurodiversity, I learned how to creatively problem solve, often in the moment, to mediate and understand different needs and verbal or non-verbal cues in order to meet those needs that preserve their dignity in day-to-day personal life. I also learned to navigate different cultures and communities, from the Indian culture events to a primarily white neighborhood and school and all that comes with such a diversity of groups and experiences.
One of my gifts is being able to hold space for transformation. I help individuals and teams work through the transition of being able to see the world differently including the planning and integration for what they can do when their vision comes to full wingspan. I excel at creative problem solving, generating novel ideas and thinking outside of the box to create a workable solution within limited constraints.
I'm a neurodivergent, disabled, queer person of South Indian heritage; and I was born and raised in the beautiful Sonoran Desert of Arizona. Currently, I live in Greater London with my family and own The Kowtha Constellation with a mission to provide bold and innovative solutions rooted in justice for their clients and communities by undoing the mindset of capitalism and colonialism. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Biology from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech) and a Master of Arts in English - Rhetoric and Professional Writing from University of New Mexico.
Since childhood, I've had a passion for running an ethical and inclusive businesses. At aged 11, I designed and sold greeting cards as my first viable business. My parents had a small business aside from their day jobs and I helped out as I could, learning the ins and outs of client relations, finances, and legal aspects. As a senior in high school, I was awarded the 'Senior in Business' award because of my excellent performance. I have been director of my own limited company for over 10 years and have worked with dozens of individuals and business owners and organizations to create more authentic lives and equitable and inclusive business practices.
I’m a born teacher. I remember watching even my second-grade teacher, not just for my own learning, but mentally critiquing her lessons. I’m constantly scanning the facilitation space for looking for who is in the room and who is not, whose needs are getting served and whose are not. My aim is to bring experiential learning and facilitate team building into spaces. I’m known to subvert traditional hierarchies and challenge the very paradigms we hold as truths.
Most people would say, that if you had a cup of tea with me and a casual chat, you’d most likely feel some aspect of your world view would have been challenged and at times these paradigm shifts change the trajectory of your life.
I bring a vast array of experiences to my work: from lab and academic research, classroom and online teaching of over 14 years, a trained editor and grant writer, and to training and performing as a dancer and artist.
I have had extensive experience in navigating situations with limited resources and in tight corners. Like the reactions that I studied many years ago in the lab we all benefit from catalysts or enzymes, they speed up reactions by making our work easier by changing the circumstances and our approach. Instead of working against our natural ways of being, I aim to understand your unique essence and your inherent ways of being as a team comprised of individuals. I listen to with all my senses (even beyond the five we all think of) to come up with ways to work with where you are and what you have.