Swathi Gupta: a tech career fueled by passion, people, and purpose

Swathi Gupta, a member of WiseTech’s team in Bengaluru, India approaches the separate roles in her life with the same pursuit of purpose. 

As a dedicated professional and a hands-on mother, she strives to balance career success and family life while making an impact in the workplace. 

Juggling working and parenting has its challenges, but Swathi is determined to make it work so she can succeed at work and be present with her growing daughter. 

“I want to be a very, very hands on mom and watch her grow because I didn’t realize how fast she was going to grow up,” Swathi says. “I think my biggest challenge right now is to be able to spend enough quality time with her, while balancing my work and being good at it.” 

When we got together to talk about life as a working mother in Bengaluru, Swathi’s zest for life and search for passion shone throughout. 

In her role as Rotations Partner, Swathi manages the teams developing and mentoring new software engineers making their way through WiseTech’s unique 26-week rotation program. She ensures that WiseTech’s innovative technical hiring and training model continues to support passionate, skilled professionals. 

A career adventure and a leap of faith that paid off  

Swathi’s journey to WiseTech Global is one that spans continents. Born and raised in southern India, she attended schools across different parts of the country before embarking on an international career that took her to Singapore and across Southeast Asia.  

With over 15 years’ experience in HR strategy and transformation projects, she has worked with diverse teams, gaining insight into people development and organizational growth. 

After more than a decade in the corporate world, Swathi decided to take a leap into entrepreneurship, launching her own healthy food brand and Cloud Kitchens. 

“Apart from being a parent and working a job, the other thing that really interests me and something I’m very passionate about is staying fit. 

 “I work out almost every day. I eat healthy, and I make an effort to ensure everyone around me eats healthy as well,” she shares. 

Partnering with gyms, nutritionists, and health centers, Swathi’s business provided tailored, nutritious meals through cloud kitchens – where businesses hire a cooking space to prepare meals for delivery only. 

Business was thriving and the team was growing, but the demands of running a business so soon after having a child were becoming unmanageable. 

“I think the timing of it in my life was a bit overwhelming because I just had a newborn, an infant, while running a full-time, very operationally heavy business,” she says. 

When Swathi received an opportunity to sell the business, she accepted a buyout offer – which marked the next exciting chapter in her career. 

Joining WiseTech Global - Bengaluru  

In September 2023, Swathi came across a job posting for a Rotations Manager at WiseTech Global on LinkedIn.  

The company’s unique approach to hiring, where software engineers gain hands-on experience in different teams, immediately caught her attention. 

“When I first heard about WiseTech’s rotation program, I was mind-boggled,” she says. “It was unlike anything I had come across before. The scale and conviction behind it were incredibly impressive.” 

Within days of applying, she spoke with WiseTech’s hiring team and quickly realized a strong cultural alignment. 

“My now people leader was very sensitive to what a young woman with a young child would need and that made all the difference for me,” says Swathi. 

She accepted the role, excited by both the company’s innovative talent development strategy and the supportive leadership environment. 

Supporting mentors and software engineers at WiseTech  

Swathi’s role today is multifaceted, contributing to and supporting WiseTech’s Rotation Program, which develops and mentors new software engineers. 

Swathi oversees people engagement, facilitates rotations discussions with rotators and mentors who guide rotators through their learning journey.  With 100 rotators in Bengaluru at one point, managing a growing number of mentors became a critical focus. 

“At one point recently in India, we had 100 rotators, which means around 200 to 300 mentors supporting them,” Swathi says. 

Swathi’s experience in HR transformation and people development has positioned her well to ensure that WiseTech continues to develop strong software engineers while also building a vibrant mentorship culture. 

Advice to other women looking to return to the workforce 

Managing a full-time career while raising a young child is undeniably challenging, but Swathi finds ways to create balance.  

“I always say that if you can, accepting help whether it’s household support or childcare, is one of the best investments you can make. It provides something invaluable: extra time.” 

She suggests organization, flexibility and seeking support as key strategies for any working parents and strongly advises any women returning to the workforce to carefully choose their workplace.   
“Be sure you’re joining a workplace that aligns to your values. A great cultural fit makes all the difference,” she shares. 

When asked about her number one secret to success, Swathi credits staying physically and mentally fit – as a non-negotiable – to keep up with all the demands of her life, and most of all her active daughter. “She’s at her naughtiest best,” Swathi laughs. “And then she outgrows that and becomes even naughtier!” 

Bringing women in tech together  

Recognizing the need for more female leaders in tech, Swathi helped launch the Women @ WiseTech India group. What started as an informal social group has grown into a support and mentoring community that nurtures, encourages, and uplifts women, as well as fostering conversations about how they can elevate their careers.  

One of the group’s most recent successes was for 2025 International Women’s Day event attended by over 80 women from the Bengaluru office. The event, which included team-building activities, networking, and career discussions reinforced the power of bringing women together. 

“When women support women, incredible things happen,” Swathi says. “Our goal is to create an environment where young professionals can see a path to leadership, develop strong networks, and gain confidence in their abilities.” 

Swathi is eager to continue growing the Women @ WiseTech India group focusing on mentorship and helping women navigate career progression conversations. “We want to bring in inspiring female leaders to speak to our team and show that leadership is achievable. There are so many talented women at WiseTech, and we want to help them reach their full potential.” 

From entrepreneur to mentor and leader  

From corporate strategist to entrepreneur, to mentor and leader at WiseTech Global Swathi’s career path is an inspiration for women looking to carve out their own space in tech and leadership. 

For Swathi, success is about balance - finding fulfillment in work, family, and personal passions, while making the most of every opportunity that comes her way. 

“Technology is evolving, and so are career paths. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach anymore. The key is to keep learning, adapting, and building relationships that help you grow.”