Jayanthi Narasimhan is the Recipient of 2016 Women to Watch in Science & Technology award by Boston Business Journal. She is an award-winning innovator with 20+ years of executive leadership delivering sophisticated and revenue-generating software solutions for Enterprise and Telecom industry that satisfy diverse technology requirements.
Narasimhans’s vast experience in both embedded product development and application software development has enabled her to research the healthcare market to create innovative products and come up with the idea for a smartwatch based on wearable device technology to help aging seniors have a healthy, independent life through her new company, WatchRx.
INDIA New England News: Please tell our readers about your work and what you enjoy most about it?
Jayanthi Narasimhan: Recently I founded WatchRx, Inc. a Digital Health solutions startup. WatchRx is developing a dedicated watch for seniors to help them take their medication on time and live independently in their home as long as possible and help their family stay connected with their aging parents all the time. Most of us care for our aging parents and constantly worry about their well-being. There are 22 million women in this country taking care of someone over 65+, most of them work and juggle between family, work and caregiving. WatchRx is providing a solution that gives them peace of mind via mobile app and help their parents live their life with health, dignity and independence.
I love the work as it solves the stress and strain most women go through and I am excited about solving the issues that most of us face in our everyday life.
INE: To which charitable, community and professional group do you belong and why?
JN: Every year I contribute to local community charity such as local police, the fire station, United Way and organizations such as Cancer Research foundation, Special Olympics and Akshaya Patra. In addition, I founded Acton Fun Science Club in June 2010. Acton Fun Science Club is a non-profit organization that is engaged in teaching science and technology to kids K-12 through classroom lectures, experiments, and multimedia. The club strives to create interest and awareness in kids in learning the science behind everyday life in a fun and engaging way. As President, I manage the day-to-day operations, student enrollment, teaching and budgeting.
INE: What are your hobbies and interest?
JN: I enjoy traveling to places, reading books, cooking and watching TV.
INE: In what way you feel you have most positively influenced or served the local community and your company/organization and professional field.
JN: Kids are not taught science early enough in schools. My husband, some of his friends and I felt it was necessary to teach Science to kids and make them aware of the important role that science plays in our everyday lives. We started Acton Fun Science Club in Acton, MA and have been involved in teaching science to young kids. Based on the feedback from parents the kids have enjoyed science classes and have taken special interest to pursue science education. It is heartening to note that the kids are able to remember what is taught in the class and use it when the time comes.
I am also a coach and mentor for kids ages 9-14 in the First Lego League (FLL) Robotics Challenge. Every year, FLL holds a competition where kids participate in a robotics mission challenge that includes building a robot to accomplish certain tasks, inventing and building a new product idea based on a theme set by FLL, and demonstrating team core values. I have been successful in this coaching and mentoring role, and led the team to win the regional challenge and continue to compete at the state level every year. This year the team won the championship runner up trophy and competing in the nationals to be held in Lego Land, San Diego, CA in May 2016. I am thrilled to see young students are inspired to come up with innovative solutions and develop entrepreneurial skills.
INE: Your rare talent?
JN: I am a team builder and be able to assemble a great team to execute any project and have delivered numerous products on time in my professional career. I am a process person and I am able to plan every single detail and execute as per plan given any task. I always think outside the box and be able to identify the risks and come up with risk mitigation plans.
INE: Your favorite books?
JN: I like Ayn Rand, Fredrick Forsyth and Dan Brown. Most recently I read Sheryl Sandberg’s ‘Lean In’ and it inspired me quite a bit.
INE: Your favorite quotes?
JN: “Never give up your dreams! Patience, Persistence and Perseverance will make your dream come true.” This is the quote my mom often tells me and try to follow as much as possible.
INE: Who inspires you the most?
JN: My mom. She wanted me and my sisters to get educated very well and have great careers. I am happy that all of us were able to study well, and excel in our careers of our choice.
INE: Your core value you try to live by?
JN: Honesty. I always remain truthful and honest in every situation. I don’t compromise on my integrity.
