Chaitra Vedullapalli

What moment or experience first gave you the idea for OPULIS? Was there a specific story or woman that inspired you to start this project?
It began with a question that kept me up one night: How will history remember the women who built Microsoft’s future?
As the company’s 50th anniversary approached, I realized we had an opportunity and an obligation to contribute something meaningful. Microsoft wasn’t just another corporate partner to us; it was the foundation sponsor that helped give birth to Women in Cloud, the platform that allowed us to dream in billions: billions in access, innovation, in possibility. They had given us the tools to build, and now it was our turn to give something back.
So we approached Microsoft’s leadership with a simple idea: “What if we honored the past, celebrated the present, and ignited the AI future?”

The idea resonated instantly. Because this was not just about recognition; it was about continuation and contribution. During those early conversations, I learned something that stopped me cold: so many of the women who shaped Microsoft’s most defining transformations, the engineers, strategists, and program leaders, were missing from the official archives. Their work powered billion-dollar breakthroughs, yet their names rarely appeared in the record.
The realization crystallized my vision. I knew we needed to create something lasting, a book that captured the untold stories of women and allies behind Microsoft’s moments. The people who built, supported, and believed in progress when there was no blueprint to follow.

What makes OPULIS extraordinary, at least to me, is that it doesn’t just celebrate women, it honors the allies, mentors, and champions who stood beside us. Their belief, advocacy, and partnership were essential in shaping the inclusive innovation movement we see today. True progress has always been a shared endeavor, and I wanted that truth at the heart of OPULIS.
I often call the stories within OPULIS the “leadership codes of innovation.” Because in so many cases, there wasn’t a manual, these women and allies wrote the playbook. They reshaped systems, designed first-of-their-kind solutions, and redefined what leadership looked like before anyone else dared to try.

That’s what gives OPULIS its deeper meaning. It’s not just a book; it’s a leadership accelerator, a living framework that helps our community lead with courage, collaboration, and allyship. Everyone who contributes to or engages with OPULIS grows as a leader because they’re learning how inclusion, innovation, and impact intersect in real time. 

You’ve probably read about Microsoft’s transformation in business school case studies or Harvard Business Review articles. But OPULIS tells the human story, the lived experiences, the risks, and the relationships that made those transformations possible.

I still remember one conversation that left a mark on me. A woman who had led global transformation initiatives at Microsoft once told me, “We contributed to Microsoft’s future, but history won’t remember our names.”
That sentence changed everything. 

It reminded me that OPULIS had to be more than a tribute; it had to be a gift. A gift from the Women in Cloud ecosystem to Microsoft, the company that empowered us to build, belong, and believe in the power of democratized access.
To me, OPULIS is a celebration of significance, scholarship, and shared leadership, a blueprint for how we honor the past, celebrate the present, and ignite the AI-powered future together.
We created OPULIS to:

• Celebrate significance — honoring the hidden figures and allies whose contributions powered Microsoft’s trillion-dollar shift.
• Ignite 1,000 AI careers — through our Books-to-Scholarships model, where every 10 copies purchased fund one AI scholarship for deserving talent.
• Archive legacy — preserving these stories in the Microsoft Archives as a permanent blueprint for inclusive leadership and innovation for the next 50 years.

As Business Insider so beautifully put it:
“When we think of artifacts preserved in museums, most of us picture ancient manuscripts, fine art, or political documents. Rarely do we think of the stories of women in technology. Yet these stories are every bit as foundational to understanding our world today.”

That’s exactly what OPULIS represents to me: a landmark publication chronicling the lives of 50 pioneering women whose ideas, innovations, and advocacy guided Microsoft through the cloud and AI revolutions.
This project isn’t just about memory; it’s about legacy. And more than that, it’s about ensuring that when the next generation looks back, they’ll know exactly who built the future they’re now living in.

As you curated these stories, which one hit home for you personally — made you stop and think, this is why I’m doing this?
When people ask which story in OPULIS hit me the hardest, I think back to why I began this journey in the first place. I’ve always been captivated by history. I can lose hours watching documentaries or wandering through archaeological sites, imagining the lives of those who came before us. I’ve long admired leaders like Cleopatra and others who shaped civilizations centuries before our time. And I often find myself wondering: What did it take for them to create the conditions that allow me, generations later, to sit here and do this work?

That’s what OPULIS represents to me, a continuation of that legacy. The women in this book are the modern architects of progress. Their courage, intellect, and resilience built the foundation that allows us to imagine and innovate in this new era of AI.

So when I think about the work we do at Women in Cloud, it’s never just about designing programs that democratize access or foster economic mobility. It’s also about preserving the stories of those who made such progress possible. Because someday, when women 20 or 50 years from now go searching for history, I want them to find truth, not just data.
We live in an age where AI is democratizing intelligence, but with that comes a risk: truth can be diluted, reinterpreted, or lost entirely. Capturing these lived experiences now is essential. These stories are more than inspiration; they’re cheat codes for navigating systems that weren’t always built for us. They are blueprints of resilience, courage, and strategy.
It’s our responsibility to preserve these frameworks so that future generations can not only see themselves in history but also have the confidence and clarity to shape what comes next.

That’s when it clicked for me, this is why I’m doing this. To honor the past. To empower the present. And to safeguard the wisdom that will guide the future.

Did anything surprise you while gathering these stories — something about women’s leadership you hadn’t seen so clearly before?
Absolutely — and it began the moment I started reaching out to tell the women they had been selected as one of the Top 50 to be featured in OPULIS.

When I called or emailed them to share the news, their first reaction almost always surprised me. Many of them simply didn’t believe it. They’d ask, “Are you sure? Why me? I wasn’t an executive.” Some even asked if I had reached out to the wrong person.

That humility hit me deeply. These were women whose fingerprints were all over Microsoft’s most defining transformations from building the cloud to scaling global markets to advancing accessibility and inclusion, yet they didn’t see themselves as “chosen.” They didn’t have lofty titles or public visibility, but they had built the very foundation that powered Microsoft’s trillion-dollar shift.

It reminded me how easy it is for history to overlook those who do the real building. Most people know names like Satya Nadella, Bill Gates, Melinda Gates, Steve Ballmer, visible figures who led the company from the front. But behind that visibility were hundreds of others: brilliant, humble, determined individuals who were quietly shaping strategy, executing vision, and creating the scaffolding of success.

Then another, more unexpected layer emerged. Once word spread about the book, I began hearing from others who were disappointed not to be included. And I understood that emotion deeply, because the desire to be seen, to have your contribution recognized, is profoundly human. 

But I reminded them this was a nomination-driven process. If someone wasn’t in the book, it wasn’t because they didn’t deserve it; it was because one had nominated them. It became a powerful reminder for all of us: recognition doesn’t happen in silence; it happens when we advocate for each other.

For me personally, being part of this group was an incredible honor because it validated something I’ve always believed: you don’t need a corporate vice president title to make a lasting impact. Leadership isn’t defined by hierarchy; it’s defined by contribution.

Some of the women in OPULIS were deep technical experts, the ones who literally built the infrastructure that powers Microsoft. Others, like me, came from the product management and licensing side, designing infrastructures, platforms, public-private partnerships, and funding models that turned innovation into impact. Together, these diverse contributions became the engines of Microsoft’s strength.

But what truly stood out across every story was a constancy of generosity. These women weren’t just building products; they were building bridges. They mentored, they sponsored, they shared their playbooks freely so others could rise faster.
And that generosity, that open-handed leadership, reaffirmed my belief that democratizing access always begins with generosity, with the willingness to share knowledge, time, and visibility. That’s the essence of inclusive leadership. It’s what transforms companies into communities and innovation into belonging.

After interviewing and researching these women, what qualities or habits do you think helped them break barriers at Microsoft and beyond?
As I listened to their stories, one truth became undeniable: these women were not simply succeeding within the system; they were architecting the system to make it more inclusive and accessible for everyone. They were creating blueprints to democratize computing access long before it became a mainstream conversation.
What I saw reflected across every story was the essence of ICONIC Leadership™, a model rooted in Intention, Courage, Optimism, Nurture, Innovation, and Connection. These women didn’t wait for permission; they built pathways that others could walk through. They understood that leadership wasn’t about holding power; it was about sharing it. It’s about democratizing access so that opportunity isn’t a privilege, but a practice..
Underneath their leadership behaviors were six powerful activations — a living blueprint for how democratization truly happens inside a complex global ecosystem like Microsoft:

1. INCLUSIVE FOUNDATIONS: They emphasized the importance of inviting diverse perspectives into every decision. These leaders built environments where every voice mattered, where ideas from engineers, marketers, or even interns could shape billion-dollar strategies. They know innovation thrives when all perspectives are valued.
2. COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS: They treated teams as ecosystems, not hierarchies. Collaboration wasn’t just encouraged; it was designed into the structure. They aligned individual strengths into collective outcomes, proving that when we move together, we move faster.
3. OPEN ACCESS: They championed transparency, accountability, and removed traditional barriers. By providing open access to information, tools, and opportunities, these women democratized innovation, ensuring everyone could contribute meaningfully, not just those in privileged roles.
4. NAVIGATIONAL AGILITY: They lead with adaptability. In a world of constant technological change, they built feedback loops and frameworks to help teams navigate uncertainty, adjusting courses in real time, like using navigational widgets to steer through complexity. They didn’t fear change; they engineered it.
5. INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS: They fostered a culture where creativity and experimentation weren’t just allowed, they were expected. These women gave others the confidence and resources to test ideas, fail forward, and turn individual genius into collective innovation.
6. COLLECTIVE ACTION: Above all, they grounded their leadership in belonging and shared purpose. They measured success not only by business metrics but also by social impact — by how many lives and communities their work uplifted. That’s what made their leadership truly ICONIC, it generated outcomes that served society, not just shareholders.

These women had the awareness to understand their influence, the responsibility to use it wisely, and the commitment to measure success through contribution.
That’s what helped them break barriers at Microsoft and beyond; they didn’t just lead within systems; they reimagined them. They turned leadership into architecture, one built not for exclusivity, but for access, inclusion, and shared impact.

Was there a moment of bravery or risk-taking in one of the stories that really inspired you?
Yes, one moment that stands out vividly for me was a conversation I had with Karen Fassio. Her vision stretched far beyond quarterly metrics or business outcomes.  She wanted to address societal-level challenges like sustainability and inclusion. 
That conversation became the spark that eventually led to the creation of BUILD for 2030, an initiative that invited partners and innovators to align their work with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 
For me, that was a defining moment of bravery, not the kind that comes from taking a personal risk, but the kind that comes from daring to think systemically. Karen wasn’t just asking, “How do we grow revenue?” She was asking, “How do we use this global platform to change the world?”  

One concrete example that still inspires me: we wanted to elevate innovators contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, but there was no internal mechanism to recognize or amplify their work. So, we Built one.  We connected the macro system, which is Microsoft’s vast global ecosystem, and the micro system, these are the individuals and partners on the ground doing the hard work of change.  

That bridge transformed everything. It gave these innovators visibility, credibility, and long-term sustainability.
It reminded me that bravery in leadership isn’t always about taking a leap, sometimes, it’s about seeing the system differently and having the courage to rewire it for the collective good. 

How has this journey changed how you see yourself as a leader and a woman in tech?
This project fundamentally changed how I define leadership. When we started OPULIS, there was no budget, no blueprint, and certainly no roadmap. It was an idea born out of conviction that we needed to honor Microsoft’s 50-year legacy and the women who helped shape its trillion-dollar transformation. We quite literally tin-cupped our way through the early stages, reaching out to our networks, asking for support, and unlocking whatever resources, infrastructure, and talent we collectively had. 

What amazed me was how much we could accomplish when we stopped waiting for permission and simply started building. That’s when I truly understood the power of collective access that innovation doesn’t always need massive funding; it needs shared belief, trust, and alignment.

On a personal level, I learned to lead with courage and clarity, especially when navigating ambiguity. There were moments when not everyone was engaged or aligned, and that’s normal in any ambitious project. But I realized that if the vision is clear and the goals are transparent, people will find their way into the journey. 

Leadership, I discovered, isn’t about forcing participation.  It’s about creating reasons for people to want to contribute to help them see how their piece fits into something much bigger. 

Through OPULIS, I became a more grounded and systems-minded leader. I learned that courage doesn’t mean having all the answers; it means being willing to ask the hard questions, to hold the vision when others can’t see it yet, and to keep moving forward even when the path isn’t paved. 

As a woman in tech, this journey reminded me that access is our greatest equalizer. When we combine courage, clarity, and community, we can create transformation out of thin air and build legacies that will outlast us all.

The book’s message is “You belong. You have an impact.” Why was that message so important to put out into the world now?
We are living through one of the most profound transformations in human history the age of democratized intelligence. Artificial Intelligence and technology are reshaping how we work, connect, and create value faster than in any era before. Institutions are being tested, power structures are shifting, and the very definition of leadership is being rewritten in real time. 
In moments like this, it’s easy for people, especially women, emerging leaders, and those outside traditional circles of influence, to feel small or unseen. To question if they still belong in this next chapter. 

That’s why this message matters now more than ever. When we say, “You belong. You have an impact,” we’re not just offering encouragement; we’re making a declaration. 

We believe that every individual has a role in shaping the systems of tomorrow. Whether you’re a coder, creator, policymaker, or parent, you are part of this story of change. 

As the OPULIS manifesto says, “Intelligence was being democratized. Technology has become a powerful tool for access. For the first time, individuals everywhere could learn, build, lead, and unlock their potential at scale.” That’s what this moment is about: realizing that access and agency are no longer privileges for the few. They are possibilities for everyone.
The women in OPULIS embody this truth. They didn’t wait to be chosen; they chose themselves. They didn’t wait for permission; they built pathways for others to walk through. Their courage, generosity, and innovation are living proof that you can make impact from any seat, at any level, in any system. 

So this message, “You belong. You have an impact,” is a reminder and a call to action. Because belonging is the foundation of innovation, and impact is the measure of purpose. This is our invitation to everyone reading: Step into your ICONIC Leadership zone. Use your access. Share your knowledge. Build with courage. Because the world doesn’t just need technology, it needs you in it.

The book funds AI certification scholarships for women. What does that mean to you personally — and what impact do you hope it creates?
 My vision is for every woman who touches, plays, or creates with AI to have a copy of OPULIS in her hands to read these stories, connect with them, and design her own blueprint for leadership. 
Imagine a world where every woman, no matter where she begins, has the chance to thrive in the age of AI. That’s the purpose behind our Book-to-Scholarship model. For every ten copies of  OPULIS sold, we fund a Microsoft AI Innovator Certification Scholarship, giving women gain the skills, mentorship, and community they need to build economically stable, purpose-driven careers. 

We’re not just launching a book; we’re igniting a movement to ignite 1,000 AI careers and bring more women into the AI workforce. Because AI isn’t just about automation, it’s about amplification. It mirrors what great teams already do: detect patterns, forecast possibilities, and innovate for impact. 

When women gain access to AI skills, we don’t just build smarter workplaces; we build a more inclusive economy, one that’s ethical, equitable, and empathetic. Every scholarship is a bridge. Every book is a spark. Together, we’re writing a new chapter where women don’t just adapt to the AI era, they lead it.

Since launching #empowHER50, have you heard any stories or feedback from readers that moved you or validated the mission?
Yes, and honestly, the response has been overwhelming. Even in our early pre-launch phase, we received over forty messages of early praise from leaders across industries who said OPULIS made them feel seen, inspired, and reconnected to their purpose.

Many readers shared that seeing their peers’ stories reminded them that impact doesn’t always wear a title, and that belonging is built through contribution. The feedback validated that OPULIS isn’t just a book; it’s a platform for connection, recognition, and empowerment.

1. Dawn Trudeau, Co-owner of the Seattle Storm, captured it beautifully when she said: “OPULIS isn’t just a coffee table book it’s a call to action. A testament to what’s possible when we multiply access and lead with purpose.” 

1. Rich Kaplan, from the Microsoft Alumni Network, echoed that sentiment: “OPULIS is a celebration of leadership, a recognition of the women who shaped Microsoft’s culture and innovation, and a reminder of the pathways they’ve opened for future generations.”

1. From technology leaders like Anand Eswaran, who said OPULIS “distills the grit and audacity of women who reimagined computing,” to visionaries like Coco Brown, who reminded us that “legacy isn’t about fame, it’s about impact,” every endorsement reaffirmed that this project is resonating at the deepest level.

These messages tell me that OPULIS has become more than a tribute, it’s a mirror for leaders everywhere to see themselves reflected, and a movement reminding us that inclusion, purpose, and access are the real engines of progress.

If a young woman in tech picks up OPULIS 20 years from now, what do you hope she feels — and what do you hope she does next?
I hope she feels inspired, seen, and empowered. More than that, I hope she takes action: mentors others, drives inclusion, builds responsibly, and shapes technology in ways that open doors for the next generation, just as the women in OPULIS did.

I hope she feels seen, capable, and limitless. I hope she realizes that she belongs in every room where technology, leadership, and innovation are being shaped not as a guest, but as a builder.
I want her to see OPULIS not just as a collection of stories, but as a playbook for ICONIC Leadership™, a guide to embodying intention, courage, optimism, nurture, innovation, and connection in her own journey. Each story in OPULIS is a mirror, showing her what’s possible when women lead with purpose and design access for others.
My wish is that she doesn’t just admire these women, she activates what they started. She creates her own blueprints for democratizing access, whether it’s in AI, policy, entrepreneurship, or education, and uses her platform to open doors for others.

I hope she leads with awareness, takes responsibility for lifting others, and measures her success by the contributions she makes. Because real leadership isn’t about being the first or the loudest; it’s about building pathways so others can rise faster. If she can embody that courage, clarity, and community, then OPULIS will have done its job. I hope that, 20 years from now, she doesn’t just read about history, she writes the next chapter of it.

---

Website: https://womenincloud.com/opulis/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/womenincloud
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/globalwic/​
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/wic-empowerment-chronicles
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaitrav
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@womenincloud​

Purchase the book here: 
https://www.amazon.com/OPULIS-Powering-Microsofts-Trillion-Dollar-Shift-Collectors-ebook/dp/B0FXTYNYVJ​