OUR TEAM
Who We Are
We are a team of people who are passionate about inclusion, with 20+ years of tech experience building products for the most respected brands in the world.
OUR TEAM
We are a team of people who are passionate about inclusion, with 20+ years of tech experience building products for the most respected brands in the world.
Our passion for building inclusive and human-centric digital experiences is what drives our work every day.
We believe that the next wave of innovation in the area of digital accessibility will come from people with disabilities.
We are passionate about connecting people with cognitive and intellectual disabilities to enriching and engaging work experiences.
We are passionate about connecting employers to an untapped and underutilized talent pool.
Gayatri is a dynamic leader and advocate in the tech industry, with a passion for breaking barriers and creating career pathways for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With years of experience as a product leader, Gayatri transitioned into entrepreneurship in 2020, founding her own company Accidental Ally dedicated to fostering inclusion in the tech sector. In 2021, she launched a groundbreaking internship program, hiring talented individuals with disabilities, and has since continued to engage with major tech companies to advocate for inclusive hiring practices.
As a top voice on LinkedIn, Gayatri regularly publishes thought-provoking articles, educating the tech community on the vulnerabilities faced by people with disabilities and the importance of creating career pathways and inclusive work programs for people with disabilities. She works closely with a team of people with IDD, helping them develop valuable marketable skills and industry insights, to shape the next generation of the disabled workforce.
Outside of her professional work, Gayatri enjoys solo trips around the world on her birthday each year, cherishes her time with family including her two labradoodles, Penny and Jude, and finds joy in giving back to others. An avid reader, she is continually learning and growing, driven by her unwavering commitment to advocating for those with disabilities and ensuring their full participation in the tech industry.
Rohan is a self-proclaimed workaholic who thrives on productivity and hard work. As a fast learner, Rohan has quickly mastered web accessibility, executive admin skills, and social media management. He is a tech-savvy individual, effortlessly switching between tools like Asana for project management, Slack for communication, and Canva for designing presentations and creative projects.
His optimism and belief that anything is possible are contagious, keeping his team motivated and focused. Rohan has earned standing ovations for his impressive public speaking at industry conferences, where he proudly showcases his abilities.
His current role involves supporting the CFO of a marketing agency by reconciling time-tracking data, where his keen attention to detail shines. He also supports the Accidental Ally team as Executive Admin, taking charge of managing the team calendar, ensuring that everyone stays organized and connected, making him the heartbeat of his team.
Rohan is a natural team player, breaking down barriers and exceeding expectations placed upon him because of his disability. With his unshakeable optimism and passion for work, Rohan continues to inspire those around him and prove that there are no limits to what he can achieve.
Maia is a compassionate and hardworking young woman, known for her deep care for others and her incredible team spirit. A fast learner, Maia has quickly embraced tools like Asana, Canva, and Slack, proving her adaptability and eagerness to grow. Her calm demeanor and supportive nature make her the steady presence her team can always rely on, especially in challenging situations.
Maia’s genuine desire to help others shines through in everything she does. She’s always ready to lend a hand, ask for guidance, and keep learning. Though shy and quiet, Maia is unafraid to share her perspective when it matters most, and her input is highly valued by her teammates. With a strong work ethic, she gets her tasks done efficiently and respects everyone’s contributions.
Ambitious and driven, Maia dreams of becoming an independent, successful career woman. Her love for reading and typing her favorite books fuels her desire to grow professionally. Determined to achieve her goals, Maia faces challenges head-on, and her unwavering dedication and beautiful spirit inspire everyone around her.
Laith is a talented visual artist and philosopher with a deep passion for anime and creativity. As a young man with autism, he brings a fresh and insightful perspective to his work, combining his love for visual storytelling with a growing skill set in project management and communication platforms like Slack. Laith excels at creating animated videos using Canva, where his artistic talents truly shine. He has also produced a stop-motion animation film and an animated feature about The Accidental Ally’s story.
Beyond his creative abilities, Laith has launched his own podcast, where he interviews colleagues and shares their stories. He is also a skilled video editor and the team’s go-to production expert, managing tech checks for all events to ensure smooth execution. Known as the team’s “big brother,” Laith is always there to help and support his colleagues, bringing a sense of camaraderie and dependability to every project.
Laith is also an accomplished public speaker, with several speaking engagements under his belt, where he shares his experiences and insights. He is now seeking a role that values his contributions and provides opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Laith’s dedication to his craft, commitment to learning, and natural leadership make him an excellent candidate for any position that embraces creativity, collaboration, and innovation.
Michael is a passionate gamer and proud Xbox Ambassador with a love for PlayStation and Xbox. Known for his tech-savvy skills and ability to learn quickly, Michael is a dynamic team player and the group’s energetic cheerleader. He’s an avid fan of Taylor Swift, blending his love for music with his technical skills.
Michael has had the honor of presenting his work at industry conferences, where he received a standing ovation for his impactful presentation. He is proficient in professional tools such as Canva for design, Asana for project management, and Slack for communication.
Breaking barriers every day, Michael is on a mission to show the world his capabilities. A problem-solver by nature, he works hard, approaches every task with dedication, and believes in always giving his best. Michael is excited to continue making waves and inspiring others with his journey.
Our Catalysts are a critical part of our team and help us ensure the successful execution of our work programs and internships. Our Catalysts work closely with our self-advocates with cognitive and intellectual disabilities as they navigate their first-ever work experience in tech. They also work collaboratively with employers to create an inclusive environment for the work program or internship. They help maintain a day-to-day touchpoint on projects and work with the self-advocates, their colleagues, teammates, and/or their manager to understand and identify specific training, and communication requirements.
Suman is a seasoned technology leader with over two decades of experience in building high-performing teams, driving innovation, and delivering scalable solutions in the fields of cloud computing and data analytics. Throughout her career, she has remained focused on fostering collaboration, empowering individuals, and creating systems that drive lasting impact.
What drew her to The Accidental Ally is its unique mission and the incredible potential she sees—not only in the organization’s growth, but in the growth of every team member involved. Her ability to listen deeply, learn quickly, and solve problems creatively makes her well-suited for this role.
She is particularly energized by the role that artificial intelligence is beginning to play across industries, and is excited to explore how it can be leveraged to advance inclusive innovation.
Shobana Narasimhan is an accomplished software program management and quality engineering leader with a strong track record of delivering complex enterprise applications end-to-end. She holds a B.A. in Computer Science from Wellesley College and has built her career across leading tech companies, including VMware and Open Environment Corporation, where she led cross-functional teams and drove innovation in test automation and enterprise software development.
Now, at The Accidental Ally, she brings her extensive industry experience to a new and meaningful mission: building inclusive career pathways for individuals with IDD. As part of the core leadership team, she plays a key role in shaping and scaling the Inclusive Work Program—an initiative designed to provide hands-on, supported training and employment opportunities for individuals with IDD within the tech industry and beyond.
Riya is a Neuroscience student at the University of Washington with a strong passion for understanding the brain and supporting individuals with cognitive disabilities. She is driven by a deep curiosity about how people think, feel, and learn, and is committed to using that knowledge to help others live more empowered lives. Her academic interests center around the intersection of neuroscience, mental health, and accessibility.
Riya is driven by a desire to help people and create more inclusive spaces, both in research and in the real world. Whether she’s working, interacting with peers, or writing about her research, she brings empathy, curiosity, and a strong commitment to learning. She hopes to pursue a career that bridges science with service, advocating for those whose needs are often overlooked.