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Talent may be everywhere, but are the opportunities to turn that talent into a career equally available?
Unfortunately, opportunity isn’t distributed equally.
For some, education, mentorship, professional connections, and career opportunities are accessible from an early age; For others, the potential is there, but the pathway to turn it into something tangible is much harder to find.
But those who have found their own path forward can help make that path more accessible to others. Sometimes, that starts with remembering where you began, who helped you along the way, and choosing to do the same for someone else.
For the past 10 years, Sugra Naqvi, Senior Executive of AI Growth & Innovation at Exadel, has been doing exactly that through her work with TechBridge, a nonprofit focused on breaking the cycle of generational poverty.
Focused on hunger relief, homelessness support, social justice, and workforce development, TechBridge’s mission strongly resonates with Sugra. Today, she mentors people through its Workforce Development (TCP) Program, helping them build skills and find pathways into tech.
Her commitment is personal, too.
Sugra’s father moved across the world to create greater opportunities for his family—an experience that shaped her belief that technology can be one of the greatest equalizers when people are given access to the right resources and support.
Ten years later, her experience raises another question:
What responsibility do those who have found opportunities of their own have to help create them for others?
We spoke with Sugra about a decade of community service, what mentoring has taught her about people and leadership, and why meaningful impact often begins with something simple: consistently showing up.
How did your 10-year journey with TechBridge begin, and what has kept you committed for an entire decade?
My journey with TechBridge started with a simple desire to use my experience in technology to create opportunities for others. Early on, I was inspired by TechBridge's mission to break the cycle of generational poverty through technology and workforce development. It felt like a natural fit because I've always believed technology can be one of the greatest equalizers when people are given access to the right resources and support
What has kept me committed for over a decade is seeing the real impact on people's lives.
My father moved across the world to ensure we had opportunities. Technology careers don't just change an individual's future, they can change the trajectory of an entire family.
Every time I meet someone who lands their first role, gains confidence in their abilities, or discovers opportunities they never believed were possible, it reinforces why this work matters. That sense of purpose continues to inspire me year after year.
You’ve been a volunteer, sponsor, speaker, and mentor. Which of those roles has taught you the most?
Without question, mentoring has taught me the most.
But mentoring requires you to truly listen. It challenges you to understand someone else's journey, fears, ambitions, and potential. I have learned to appreciate and understand people in a unique way.
Mentoring has reminded me that everyone's path into technology is different. Success isn't always about technical skills. Sometimes it's about confidence, resilience, or having someone believe in you before you believe in yourself. Those lessons have stayed with me and shaped how I approach both my professional and personal life
What’s something you’ve learned from the people you’ve mentored that you couldn’t have learned in your professional career?
I've learned the power of perspective.
In business, we often focus on experience, strategy, and outcomes. But many of the people I've mentored are approaching technology and life with fresh eyes, incredible determination, and a willingness to challenge assumptions.
They've taught me that courage often looks different than we expect.
For someone changing careers, overcoming personal hardships, or entering an industry where they don't yet see themselves represented, simply taking the next step requires tremendous bravery.
Their persistence has been a constant reminder never to take opportunities for granted and to remain open to learning at every stage of my own journey.
What do you think people with established careers in tech can offer someone trying to break into the industry?
More than anything, we can offer clarity and encouragement.
The technology industry can feel overwhelming from the outside. There are countless paths, job titles, certifications, and expectations. Someone with industry experience can help simplify the journey and provide practical guidance on where to focus.
We can also help people see possibilities they may not see for themselves. Sometimes a conversation, an introduction, career advice, or constructive feedback can have an outsized impact. Technical expertise is valuable, but helping someone build confidence and navigate their path may be the greatest gift we can provide.
Can you recall your first volunteering experience? What do you remember most about it?
What I remember most is the energy.
I walked into that first experience thinking I was there to help others learn, but I quickly realized I was learning just as much from them. There was enthusiasm, curiosity, and optimism that was incredibly refreshing.
What stayed with me is one particular story of a girl who was eager to create a better future for herself and her daughter and willing to put in the work to make it happen. That experience reminded me how powerful access and opportunity can be when paired with determination. People deserve the opportunity. It's a feeling I've carried with me throughout the past ten years.
Have you seen a moment when access to the right skills, mentor, or opportunity genuinely changed someone’s direction?
Absolutely.
I've witnessed individuals who doubted whether they belonged in technology completely transform after gaining the right support system. Sometimes it starts with learning a new technical skill. Other times it's a mentor helping them prepare for an interview or simply encouraging them to keep going after a setback and showing them to believe in themselves.
One opportunity can create momentum. One mentor can help someone recognize their potential. When those things come together, the results can be remarkable. Seeing people move from uncertainty to confidence is one of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering and mentoring.
We often talk about “giving back,” but after doing this for 10 years, what does that phrase actually mean to you?
Today, giving back means creating pathways forward.
Early in my career, I viewed community service as sharing time or expertise. While that's certainly part of it, I've come to understand that meaningful impact happens when you help create sustainable opportunities for others.
I've been fortunate to benefit from mentors, colleagues, and leaders who invested in me along the way. Giving back is my way of honoring those investments by helping others access opportunities that can change their lives. It's an expression of gratitude and responsibility at the same time.
Is there something about community service you understand now that you didn’t understand 10 years ago?
Yes. I understand now that impact is often cumulative rather than immediate.
When I first began volunteering, it was easy to focus on outcomes right away. Over time, I've learned that some of the most meaningful changes happen months or years later.
You may never know the full effect of a conversation, a mentoring session, or a word of encouragement. Community service is less about individual moments and more about consistently showing up. Small actions, repeated over time, create lasting change. I am able to share that with my kids now, and that brings me immense joy.
Do you think being a mentor outside of work has changed the kind of colleague or leader you are at work?
Without a doubt.
Mentoring has strengthened my empathy, listening skills, and patience. It has taught me to lead with curiosity instead of assumptions and to recognize that everyone brings a unique perspective to the table.
As a leader, I've become more intentional about creating environments where people feel supported, heard, and empowered to grow. The lessons I learn through mentoring carry directly into how I build teams, listen to clients, and help others succeed professionally.
If you could sit down with the Sugra who first volunteered 10 years ago, what would you tell her?
I would tell her: "Say yes to every opportunity to serve, even when you're busy."
The relationships you'll build, the lessons you'll learn, and the lives you'll touch will enrich your own life far more than you can imagine. Don't underestimate the impact of showing up consistently, and don't underestimate the impact others will have on you.
Most importantly, I'd tell her to be grateful for every person she meets along the journey. The experience will teach her that mentoring isn't a one-way exchange. It's a shared journey of growth, learning, and purpose.
Ten years later, that remains the greatest gift of all.
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