Your Partner in Career Transition
Combining cutting-edge AI with human expertise to deliver personalized guidance, targeted learning, and community support for professionals navigating career transitions.
Your Partner in Career Transition
Our Story
2nd Careers was born from the recognition that career transitions, particularly for experienced professionals, can be challenging and often lack the right support.
We envisioned a platform that combines the efficiency of AI technology with the empathy and expertise of human guidance. Recognizing the unique needs of professionals—from Directors and VPs to C-level executives, and extending to underserved groups like returning moms, government personnel, veterans, and athletes we set out to create a more accessible and effective career transition solution.
Our Approach
We’ve developed a unique approach that seamlessly blends cutting-edge AI technology with personalized human support. Our AI-powered platform provides intuitive guidance, making it easy for both professionals and employers to navigate the career transition and talent acquisition process. This technology is complemented by a vibrant community and access to career transition experts, ensuring our users feel confident and supported at every step.
Our core value proposition is to offer a comprehensive suite of tools and resources for career transition and placement at a significantly lower cost than traditional alternatives like executive recruiters or career coaches.
We believe that everyone deserves access to high-quality career support, regardless of their stage of life or background.
Leadership
Our leadership team brings together seasoned professionals with global expertise in scaling companies; technology, talent, acquisition, career development, startups and nonprofits. We are passionate about empowering individuals, achieve their career goals and helping organizations find the right talent to drive their success.
Shanthi Naresh
Co-Founder
Shanthi Naresh brings three decades of global HR expertise to her role as Co-Founder at 2nd Careers. With experience spanning India, Singapore, and the United States, she offers a truly international perspective on talent management and career development.
As Partner and India Business Leader for Mercer’s Careers division, Shanthi led talent consulting and information services for clients in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Her expertise in navigating complex talent landscapes has been instrumental in shaping client organizations’ approaches to workforce strategies and career management—insights that now inform 2nd Careers’ innovative platform for experienced professionals.
Prior to her nine-year tenure at Mercer, Shanthi served at Sun Microsystems in California, where she contributed to a visionary HR think tank developing futuristic practices in response to global business shifts. This forward-thinking approach, combined with her academic credentials—a Masters in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences and a research degree in Organizational Behavior from the National University of Singapore—uniquely positions her to address the evolving needs of professionals navigating career transitions in today’s dynamic workplace environment.
Shanthi Naresh
Co-Founder
Shanthi Naresh brings three decades of global HR expertise to her role as Co-Founder at 2nd Careers. With experience spanning India, Singapore, and the United States, she offers a truly international perspective on talent management and career development.
As Partner and India Business Leader for Mercer’s Careers division, Shanthi led talent consulting and information services for clients in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Her expertise in navigating complex talent landscapes has been instrumental in shaping client organizations’ approaches to workforce strategies and career management—insights that now inform 2nd Careers’ innovative platform for experienced professionals.
Prior to her nine-year tenure at Mercer, Shanthi served at Sun Microsystems in California, where she contributed to a visionary HR think tank developing futuristic practices in response to global business shifts. This forward-thinking approach, combined with her academic credentials—a Masters in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences and a research degree in Organizational Behavior from the National University of Singapore—uniquely positions her to address the evolving needs of professionals navigating career transitions in today’s dynamic workplace environment.
Co-Founder
Sushma Rajagopalan
Co-Founder
Sushma Rajagopalan brings exceptional leadership depth to 2nd Careers as a seasoned technology executive with over three decades of global experience. As the former Managing Director & CEO of ITC Infotech (a wholly owned subsidiary of ITC Ltd, one of India’s most admired companies), she has demonstrated remarkable ability in organizational transformation and strategic development.
Throughout her career, Sushma has championed entrepreneurship and innovation, actively identifying, mentoring, and nurturing start-ups across both the US and India. This passion for fostering emerging talent and fresh thinking now fuels her vision at 2nd Careers, where she applies her transformational leadership style to create meaningful opportunities for experienced professionals. Known for her approachability and ability to translate strategy into action, she empowers team members to realize their full potential.
A recognized industry innovator, Sushma has received numerous accolades including “Innovator in Technology” (2013) and “Best Technology Woman Leader” (2011). She holds a BSc from Women’s Christian College, an MA in Personnel Management from TISS, and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University. Based in Philadelphia, she balances her professional pursuits with personal passions for music, motorsports, and following tennis and baseball, while continuously expanding her language skills.
Sushma Rajagopalan
Co-Founder
Sushma Rajagopalan brings exceptional leadership depth to 2nd Careers as a seasoned technology executive with over three decades of global experience. As the former Managing Director & CEO of ITC Infotech (a wholly owned subsidiary of ITC Ltd, one of India’s most admired companies), she has demonstrated remarkable ability in organizational transformation and strategic development.
Throughout her career, Sushma has championed entrepreneurship and innovation, actively identifying, mentoring, and nurturing start-ups across both the US and India. This passion for fostering emerging talent and fresh thinking now fuels her vision at 2nd Careers, where she applies her transformational leadership style to create meaningful opportunities for experienced professionals. Known for her approachability and ability to translate strategy into action, she empowers team members to realize their full potential.
A recognized industry innovator, Sushma has received numerous accolades including “Innovator in Technology” (2013) and “Best Technology Woman Leader” (2011). She holds a BSc from Women’s Christian College, an MA in Personnel Management from TISS, and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University. Based in Philadelphia, she balances her professional pursuits with personal passions for music, motorsports, and following tennis and baseball, while continuously expanding her language skills.
Co-Founder
Sudha Srinivasan
Co-Founder & Advisory
Sudha Srinivasan is a seasoned leader working at the intersection of technology, public health, and social impact with over two decades of experience across the nonprofit and technology sectors. As a contributor to the India Health Stack initiatives at iSPIRT, she helps build Digital Public Infrastructure, while her work with Samyak and the Collective Good Foundation advances women’s health through community interventions and entrepreneurship.
At 2nd Careers, Sudha serves as Co-Founder and Advisor alongside Sushma Rajagopalan and Shanthi Naresh, creating a pioneering platform that connects experienced professionals with opportunities for meaningful employment, continuous learning, and valuable networking.
An engineer by training with an MBA from IIM Lucknow, Sudha brings a unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen to her leadership roles. Her career exemplifies the powerful impact that cross-sector collaboration and purpose-driven innovation can have on addressing complex social challenges, particularly in advancing health outcomes for underserved populations through emergent technology.
Sudha Srinivasan
Co-Founder & Advisory
Sudha Srinivasan is a seasoned leader working at the intersection of technology, public health, and social impact with over two decades of experience across the nonprofit and technology sectors. As a contributor to the India Health Stack initiatives at iSPIRT, she helps build Digital Public Infrastructure, while her work with Samyak and the Collective Good Foundation advances women’s health through community interventions and entrepreneurship.
At 2nd Careers, Sudha serves as Co-Founder and Advisor alongside Sushma Rajagopalan and Shanthi Naresh, creating a pioneering platform that connects experienced professionals with opportunities for meaningful employment, continuous learning, and valuable networking.
An engineer by training with an MBA from IIM Lucknow, Sudha brings a unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen to her leadership roles. Her career exemplifies the powerful impact that cross-sector collaboration and purpose-driven innovation can have on addressing complex social challenges, particularly in advancing health outcomes for underserved populations through emergent technology.
Co-Founder & Advisory
Sabrina DeVito
President, North America
Sabrina DeVito brings her exceptional talent for helping early-stage companies scale smarter and faster to her role as President of North America at 2nd Careers. Recently named the top ‘Woman in Tech: Software & Services Provider’ at the 2024 Banking Tech Awards USA, Sabrina combines startup scrappiness with enterprise discipline to transform big ideas into meaningful results.
As Chief Strategy and Experience Officer at Best Egg, a leading digital lending platform, Sabrina pioneered an innovative approach that unites strategy, customer insights, and human resources to drive cohesive execution. This unique integration ensures customer-data driven strategies perfectly align with organizational capabilities—expertise she now leverages to build 2nd Careers’ innovative platform for experienced professionals. Her career spans four early-stage companies—three of which were acquired—demonstrating her exceptional ability to navigate high-growth environments and complex transitions.
A “strategist, builder, and generalist,” Sabrina’s career encompasses leadership roles across strategy, business development, partnerships, marketing, and customer experience functions. Her superpower lies in translating customer insights into bold growth strategies while inspiring diverse teams to achieve ambitious goals. Passionate about inclusion and boundary-pushing innovation, she is committed to creating environments where diverse voices contribute to exceptional outcomes—a vision that perfectly aligns with 2nd Careers’ mission to empower professionals in their career transitions.
Sabrina DeVito
President, North America
Sabrina DeVito brings her exceptional talent for helping early-stage companies scale smarter and faster to her role as President of North America at 2nd Careers. Recently named the top ‘Woman in Tech: Software & Services Provider’ at the 2024 Banking Tech Awards USA, Sabrina combines startup scrappiness with enterprise discipline to transform big ideas into meaningful results.
As Chief Strategy and Experience Officer at Best Egg, a leading digital lending platform, Sabrina pioneered an innovative approach that unites strategy, customer insights, and human resources to drive cohesive execution. This unique integration ensures customer-data driven strategies perfectly align with organizational capabilities—expertise she now leverages to build 2nd Careers’ innovative platform for experienced professionals. Her career spans four early-stage companies—three of which were acquired—demonstrating her exceptional ability to navigate high-growth environments and complex transitions.
A “strategist, builder, and generalist,” Sabrina’s career encompasses leadership roles across strategy, business development, partnerships, marketing, and customer experience functions. Her superpower lies in translating customer insights into bold growth strategies while inspiring diverse teams to achieve ambitious goals. Passionate about inclusion and boundary-pushing innovation, she is committed to creating environments where diverse voices contribute to exceptional outcomes—a vision that perfectly aligns with 2nd Careers’ mission to empower professionals in their career transitions.
President, North America
Padma Narayan
EVP, Operations and Finance
Padma Narayan brings exceptional financial leadership to 2nd Careers as Executive Vice President of Operations and Finance. A CPA since 1993, Padma offers over 15 years of comprehensive finance experience spanning accounts receivable/payable, reconciliations, payroll management, financial reporting, and strategic cash flow management.
At 2nd Careers, Padma applies her proven expertise in streamlining operations and transforming financial processes to create sustainable organizational foundations. Her impressive track record includes developing comprehensive accounting operations for Cintra’s international entities, leading the renewals process at PeopleAdmin, managing complex revenue analysis at Marin Software, and successfully steering MomentumSi through its acquisition by VMware as Controller.
Known for exceptional organizational capabilities and management skills, Padma excels at managing multiple high-priority projects simultaneously while maintaining meticulous attention to detail. Her collaborative approach and ability to work effectively with diverse teams make her an invaluable asset to the 2nd Careers leadership team as they build and scale this innovative platform for experienced professionals navigating career transitions.
Padma Narayan
EVP, Operations and Finance
Padma Narayan brings exceptional financial leadership to 2nd Careers as Executive Vice President of Operations and Finance. A CPA since 1993, Padma offers over 15 years of comprehensive finance experience spanning accounts receivable/payable, reconciliations, payroll management, financial reporting, and strategic cash flow management.
At 2nd Careers, Padma applies her proven expertise in streamlining operations and transforming financial processes to create sustainable organizational foundations. Her impressive track record includes developing comprehensive accounting operations for Cintra’s international entities, leading the renewals process at PeopleAdmin, managing complex revenue analysis at Marin Software, and successfully steering MomentumSi through its acquisition by VMware as Controller.
Known for exceptional organizational capabilities and management skills, Padma excels at managing multiple high-priority projects simultaneously while maintaining meticulous attention to detail. Her collaborative approach and ability to work effectively with diverse teams make her an invaluable asset to the 2nd Careers leadership team as they build and scale this innovative platform for experienced professionals navigating career transitions.
EVP - Operations & Finance
Ashok Balakrishnan
EVP, Operations and Finance
Ashok Balakrishnan brings over 28 years of diverse corporate experience to his role as Executive Vice President of Operations and Finance at 2nd Careers. After building an impressive career spanning Sales, Business Development, Marketing, Learning & Development, and HR, Ashok made a strategic pivot to entrepreneurship—a journey that uniquely positions him to understand and support the career transitions of experienced professionals.
A strategic thought leader with extensive experience managing cross-border teams and operations, Ashok excels in developing comprehensive business strategies that drive organizational growth. His exceptional communication skills, honed through years as a public speaker and his active involvement with Toastmasters International (where he served as President of the CISCO Vani Toastmasters Club), enable him to articulate complex concepts clearly and build strong relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
At 2nd Careers, Ashok applies his multifaceted expertise to optimize operations and financial systems while fostering an environment of continuous improvement and innovation. His commitment to team development, coupled with his strategic mindset and entrepreneurial spirit, makes him an invaluable asset to the leadership team as they build a platform that empowers experienced professionals to extend, pivot, or restart their careers with confidence and purpose.
Ashok Balakrishnan
EVP, Operations and Finance
Ashok Balakrishnan brings over 28 years of diverse corporate experience to his role as Executive Vice President of Operations and Finance at 2nd Careers. After building an impressive career spanning Sales, Business Development, Marketing, Learning & Development, and HR, Ashok made a strategic pivot to entrepreneurship—a journey that uniquely positions him to understand and support the career transitions of experienced professionals.
A strategic thought leader with extensive experience managing cross-border teams and operations, Ashok excels in developing comprehensive business strategies that drive organizational growth. His exceptional communication skills, honed through years as a public speaker and his active involvement with Toastmasters International (where he served as President of the CISCO Vani Toastmasters Club), enable him to articulate complex concepts clearly and build strong relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
At 2nd Careers, Ashok applies his multifaceted expertise to optimize operations and financial systems while fostering an environment of continuous improvement and innovation. His commitment to team development, coupled with his strategic mindset and entrepreneurial spirit, makes him an invaluable asset to the leadership team as they build a platform that empowers experienced professionals to extend, pivot, or restart their careers with confidence and purpose.
EVP - Partnership and Alliances
Advisory
Our advisors provide essential guidance and support – setting strategic direction for our organization’s growth. They offer invaluable insights and direction and ensure we remain responsive to evolving career landscapes and committed to empowering every member of our community on their journey toward fulfilling 2nd careers.
Dr. Anand Rao
Distinguished Professor of Applied Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
Dr. Anand Rao brings 35+ years of expertise in artificial intelligence, data science, and technology innovation to our advisory team. As a distinguished professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College, he specializes in Responsible AI, Operationalizing AI, and Agentic Technology.
Prior to academia, Dr. Rao served as Global Artificial Intelligence Leader at PwC, guiding C-level executives across financial services, healthcare, and technology sectors. His background combines academic research with practical business application, making him uniquely qualified to advise on career transitions in emerging technology fields.
Dr. Rao’s insights on the future of work, AI ethics, and technology’s impact on society provide invaluable direction for our organization and the professionals we serve. He has received numerous accolades, including recognition among Top AI Leaders and the Most Influential Paper Award for his contributions to artificial intelligence research.
With his extensive network spanning academia, venture capital, and global technology governance bodies, Dr. Rao’s insight helps us identify meaningful opportunities at the intersection of technology and human potential.
Dr. Anand Rao
Distinguished Professor of Applied Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
Dr. Anand Rao brings 35+ years of expertise in artificial intelligence, data science, and technology innovation to our advisory team. As a distinguished professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College, he specializes in Responsible AI, Operationalizing AI, and Agentic Technology.
Prior to academia, Dr. Rao served as Global Artificial Intelligence Leader at PwC, guiding C-level executives across financial services, healthcare, and technology sectors. His background combines academic research with practical business application, making him uniquely qualified to advise on career transitions in emerging technology fields.
Dr. Rao’s insights on the future of work, AI ethics, and technology’s impact on society provide invaluable direction for our organization and the professionals we serve. He has received numerous accolades, including recognition among Top AI Leaders and the Most Influential Paper Award for his contributions to artificial intelligence research.
With his extensive network spanning academia, venture capital, and global technology governance bodies, Dr. Rao’s insight helps us identify meaningful opportunities at the intersection of technology and human potential.
Distinguished Professor of Applied Data Science & Artificial Intelligence
Vijay Sivaram
Strategic Business Leader & Talent Ecosystem Expert
Vijay Sivaram brings over 23 years of executive experience in talent acquisition, workforce solutions, and strategic business development to our advisory team. As a former CEO for the Professional Staffing Division at Quess Corp and leader within the Chairman’s Office for Strategic & Special Projects, Vijay offers invaluable insights into career transitions and workforce evolution.
As part of the founding team for Quess Corp since 2007, Vijay has cultivated expertise across recruitment, temporary staffing, facility management, and technology-enabled workforce solutions throughout India and the Asia Pacific region. His leadership has been instrumental in developing innovative approaches to talent acquisition and deployment.
Vijay is passionate about enriching tech talent in the industry and advocates for the blended workforce model that incorporates traditional employment alongside GIG economy principles.
His forward-thinking approach to AI-powered talent identification and creating technology sector employability makes him an exceptional advisor for those navigating modern career landscapes.
Vijay Sivaram
Strategic Business Leader & Talent Ecosystem Expert
Vijay Sivaram brings over 23 years of executive experience in talent acquisition, workforce solutions, and strategic business development to our advisory team. As a former CEO for the Professional Staffing Division at Quess Corp and leader within the Chairman’s Office for Strategic & Special Projects, Vijay offers invaluable insights into career transitions and workforce evolution.
As part of the founding team for Quess Corp since 2007, Vijay has cultivated expertise across recruitment, temporary staffing, facility management, and technology-enabled workforce solutions throughout India and the Asia Pacific region. His leadership has been instrumental in developing innovative approaches to talent acquisition and deployment.
Vijay is passionate about enriching tech talent in the industry and advocates for the blended workforce model that incorporates traditional employment alongside GIG economy principles.
His forward-thinking approach to AI-powered talent identification and creating technology sector employability makes him an exceptional advisor for those navigating modern career landscapes.
Strategic Business Leader & Talent Ecosystem Expert
Sundar Rajagopalan
Media & Digital Ventures Pioneer
Sundar Rajagopalan brings over 40 years of leadership excellence across media, advertising, publishing, digital ventures, and real estate to our advisory team. His distinguished career with Bennett Coleman & Group (The Times of India) spans four decades of senior management roles where he was instrumental in establishing The Times of India as the country’s number one media brand.
As an innovative leader, Sundar launched numerous successful publications including Delhi Times, ASCENT, and Property Times, while spearheading regional brand expansions. As CEO and Founding Member of Times Business Solutions Ltd., he pioneered the group’s evolution into technology-driven businesses, creating platforms like TimesJobs.com, Magicbricks.com, Techgig.com, and SimplyMarry.com—successfully incubating, scaling, and guiding several to significant exits.
His extensive board experience includes positions with Times Internet, Times Business Solutions Ltd, and Times School of Marketing and Journalism. Currently, he serves as an advisor to Global School Foundation (Singapore), board member of C E Infosystems (MapMyIndia), co-founder and director of Paws and Play, and advisor to Faircent.com and Prosight Partners.
His unique blend of business acumen and holistic perspective makes him an invaluable advisor to 2nd Careers, providing strategic guidance that helps shape our organization’s approach to career transition services.
Sundar Rajagopalan
Media & Digital Ventures Pioneer
Sundar Rajagopalan brings over 40 years of leadership excellence across media, advertising, publishing, digital ventures, and real estate to our advisory team. His distinguished career with Bennett Coleman & Group (The Times of India) spans four decades of senior management roles where he was instrumental in establishing The Times of India as the country’s number one media brand.
As an innovative leader, Sundar launched numerous successful publications including Delhi Times, ASCENT, and Property Times, while spearheading regional brand expansions. As CEO and Founding Member of Times Business Solutions Ltd., he pioneered the group’s evolution into technology-driven businesses, creating platforms like TimesJobs.com, Magicbricks.com, Techgig.com, and SimplyMarry.com—successfully incubating, scaling, and guiding several to significant exits.
His extensive board experience includes positions with Times Internet, Times Business Solutions Ltd, and Times School of Marketing and Journalism. Currently, he serves as an advisor to Global School Foundation (Singapore), board member of C E Infosystems (MapMyIndia), co-founder and director of Paws and Play, and advisor to Faircent.com and Prosight Partners.
His unique blend of business acumen and holistic perspective makes him an invaluable advisor to 2nd Careers, providing strategic guidance that helps shape our organization’s approach to career transition services.
Media & Digital Ventures Pioneer
Why Us?
Human-Centric Guidance >
We understand the importance of human connection and offer expert insights and community support.
AI-Driven Efficiency >
Our platform leverages AI to streamline
your career journey, providing personalized recommendations and insights.
Affordable Excellence >
We provide comprehensive career
transition services at a fraction of the
cost of traditional alternatives.
Inclusive Community >
We are committed to serving a
diverse range of professionals,
including underserved groups.
Purposeful Learning >
We provide resources and opportunities for continuous professional development, enabling you to acquire new skills and advance your career.
