Archana Sathaye ‘86

Founder, Chief Executive Officer, Proxmal Systems, Inc.

I have had a career spanning industry, academia, and nonprofits. I came to Virginia Tech from India to get a masters in math. After Blacksburg, my husband and I moved to Massachusetts to work then moved to Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for a Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering. I was an adjunct faculty of electrical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, a tenure-track faculty in computer science at San Jose State University, an adjunct in the Business School at Santa Clara University, and a principal engineer at Digital Equipment Corporation in the Advanced Systems Engineering Group. My husband and I have two daughters who are 26 and 29. For the past 22 years, we have been living in the beautiful San Francisco Bay area. I love to cook a wide range of foods, and create my own healthy recipes. You will always see me with my Kindle as I like to read a lot. I am a big animal lover!

I live Ut Prosim through ...
service with nonprofits as the president of the Board of Directors of Foothill-De Anza College Foundation, Board of Directors of The Tech Museum of Innovation, Advisory Board Member of The Harker School, Carnegie Mellon University Electrical and Computer Engineering Advisory Council member, Advisory Board Member of the Foothill College Science Learning Institute, Board member of Air Systems Foundation Scholarship Board, and an Advisory Board Member of Sunday Friends Foundation.

The work project/initiative I'm most excited about...
my startup in physical safety, health and wellness monitoring.

Best part of being a Virginia Tech alum...
[The] supportive community.

In 2020, my greatest challenges as a CEO...
[Was] to get funded and create brand awareness.

My hidden talent...
[Is] to fix a running toilet.

Best advice I've gotten...
don't make decisions when you are angry or ecstatic.

Where I've been that helped me to where I am...
I was brought up to always believe in myself to achieve my goals in life and be empathetic towards others. Being in academia as a student and faculty, I've learned how to: think clearly to solve problems and work with people from different backgrounds, to keep learning, and to listen. I learned to collaborate and be part of a bigger solution in industry. These experiences of the past have led me to give to the community by helping nonprofits associated with education, and to start a new company whose first product — CareHelper — uses technology to alleviate caregiver stress.

Fondest Virginia Tech memory...
is getting married in my first quarter at VT.

Words of encouragement to a current Virginia Tech student...
always do your best and enjoy the journey and not worry about the outcome.

I give back to my community by...
working with nonprofits that support education for underrepresented communities.

My experience in academia has influenced...
me to always keep learning.

Last book I read...
The Girl Behind the Gates by Brenda Davies.

Media Contact:
Lindsey Haugh (540) 231-6959
lhaugh@vt.edu