Sudharani Kankanala’s life has been marked by both challenges and triumphs. Born in June 1967 in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India, to parents Ramamohana Rao and Krishna Kumari Kankanala, she experienced a comfortable but disciplined upbringing on a tobacco farm, which her paternal grandfather had started. Despite growing up in an affluent family, with 150 workers on the farm and household servants, Sudharani was expected to help with chores and maintain a focus on her studies. Her family emphasized tradition, speaking Telugu at home and celebrating festivals like Pongal and Ganesh Chaturthi.
Sudharani’s early education took place under difficult conditions. With no school in her village, her first lessons were held outdoors, under a tree. Her family eventually moved to a more urban town for her high school years, where she excelled in math and sports, even serving as team captain despite having little free time. However, the pervasive belief that women didn’t need formal education was a challenge she faced throughout her upbringing. Nevertheless, she harbored a dream of becoming an engineer, though financial limitations kept her from pursuing that goal. She decided to homeschool and eventually earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Andhra University, with hopes of becoming an accountant.
In her early adulthood, Sudharani made the bold decision to marry her former classmate from elementary school, despite her parents’ disapproval. Her in-laws, dissatisfied with the dowry, didn’t attend the wedding. She and her husband moved to Bangalore, a city where she didn’t speak the local language, Kannada. Her grandmother joined her for support during this transition. While adjusting to her new life, Sudharani also took computer classes, preparing for further education. She went on to join a Master of Computer Applications degree, marking the first time she left Andhra Pradesh.
Sudharani’s life took another significant turn when her husband was accepted to Princeton University in the U.S. She moved to the U.S. with him in 1992 on a student dependent visa, despite not knowing English. Life in the U.S. was difficult at first; she felt homesick and took up odd jobs like babysitting while her husband sought employment. Despite these challenges, she eventually resumed her education by attending English and computer science classes at Middlesex County College. She continued her studies at Monmouth County College, working toward a master’s degree in computer science. Although she struggled with homesickness and the expense of calling her family in India, her aunt and uncle in Edison, New Jersey, provided emotional support.
After her husband finished his education, he secured a job in finance, while Sudharani landed her first job as a junior Oracle developer at Toys “R” Us in 1997. During this time, she became pregnant, further complicating her busy schedule of work and graduate school. Her parents came to the U.S. to help her manage, and her daughter was born in December 1997. The family relocated to California briefly during the dot-com boom, where they had a second child, a son. However, they soon returned to New Jersey, which Sudharani preferred. She left her job at Toys “R” Us and took a position at Merrill Lynch in 2006.
Sudharani’s life was a balancing act between her professional aspirations and her family responsibilities. In 2015, her life changed dramatically when she and her husband divorced. He had returned to India in 2010, and after investing in India which drained their finances, Sudharani made the decision to end the marriage. Despite the difficulty of moving forward as a single mother, she focused on her children and her career, receiving significant support from her parents. She continued to advance professionally, joining Brown Brothers Harriman as a Senior Business Analyst in 2016, where she managed projects and acted as a liaison between business and technology. She also pursued a Master of Business Administration degree at Rider University.
Throughout her life, Sudharani has been dedicated to supporting others. She took care of her brother at home and gave back to her community through service organizations. She joined the Rotary Club of Plainsboro in 2010 and has been an active member ever since, contributing her time to organizations like the Health Camp of New Jersey, the United Way, and the Red Cross. She also worked with Women in Technology at Merrill Lynch, hoping to create a more equitable workplace for women.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sudharani continued to help those around her, sewing masks and leaving snacks for friends. The pandemic, while challenging, reinforced her commitment to her community and reminded her of the importance of staying connected to her values. She also taught her children to stay grounded in their Indian roots, though she emphasized the importance of making independent decisions, especially for her daughter.
Looking back on her journey, Sudharani reflects on the importance of self-respect and independence. Her experiences, especially in her marriage, taught her the value of standing up for herself and making choices that were best for her and her children. Today, she hopes to pass these lessons on to other women, encouraging them to prioritize their own happiness and success. As she puts it, “If I can do it, you can do it.”