Two Atlanta-based Indian American Technology Executives, along with 18 other exceptional women from around the world, were honored by the American Multi Ethnic Coalition (AMEC) at the 13th Annual Congressional International Women’s Day Celebration on March 12, 2025.

Awardees Vani Ghanate and Rekha Radhakrishnan were recognized for their unwavering dedication to women’s empowerment and their impactful contributions to the technology sector.

“Hailing from a small town in India, it was a huge privilege to be standing in Capitol Hill among empowered women at the event. This journey was possible because of the power of education. Dhoomdb.com is the brainchild born out of this empowerment. I thank my parents for educating me in technology at a time when educating girls was not a priority,” Ghanate told South Asian Herald.

Ghanate left a stable and successful IT career to single-handedly build the DhoomDB.com platform. What started as a solo endeavor has since evolved into a dynamic team of aspiring individuals, predominantly women, working towards a shared mission.

She expressed gratitude to her husband, Ashish Ghanate, for supporting her dreams, stating, “He is a believer, proponent, and a participant of my dreams now.” She emphasized that her journey of empowerment would be complete when she collaborates with Food4Lives.org to uplift at least a handful of widows in Vrindavan from destitution to self-sufficiency.

“This honor has also renewed my dedication to revamping DhoomDB.com, making it a more intuitive and engaging platform for media enthusiasts across the globe,” she noted, thanking AMEC President Dr. Vijay Prabhakar and Congressman Danny K. Davis for the recognition.

Ghanate also acknowledged CEO of Global Entertainments and Media Services, Atlanta, Mustafa Ajmeri, for nominating her for the award. Ajmeri praised Ghanate’s commitment, saying, “I have known her as a young entrepreneur for the past 20 years. Her involvement as a volunteer in nonprofit organizations, mainly to uplift the widowed women of Vrindavan in India, is commendable.”

Ajmeri, who also nominated Radhakrishnan, told South Asian Herald, “I have observed her for over a decade. She is a wonderful human being who is very involved with the community. Hence, I nominated her for the award.”

Reflecting on her recognition, Radhakrishnan told South Asian Herald, “Being named one of AMEC’s Top 20 Women of Excellence for 2025 fills me with immense joy and pride. I am deeply honored to have received the award in Capitol Hill, Washington D.C., from U.S. Representatives Danny K. Davis, Jonathan Jackson, and Shri Thanedar, and Mayor of Maywood, IL, Nathaniel Booker. It was a surreal moment for me and a very big milestone in my life.”

Radhakrishnan shared that empowering others – especially women – has been her lifelong mission, from her early days as a student leader and Head Girl in school. “My journey spans Technology, Leadership Coaching, Music, and Literature, and I have dedicated myself to creating meaningful impact in each of these fields,” she added.

In the field of Information Technology, she noted, “I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with several Fortune 500 companies, where I have not only driven innovation but also nurtured leaders and trained coaches to amplify organizational growth.”

Fueled by a passion for community service, Radhakrishnan earned certification as a Certified Coach. In this role, she has mentored countless young professionals and entrepreneurs, inspiring them to unlock their full potential and achieve new heights.

She also paid tribute to her grand-uncle, Padma Vibhushan Dr. V.K.R.V. Rao, former Union Minister for Education of India, expressing her commitment to carrying forward his legacy of social reform.

Writing is another passion close to her heart. “I’ve contributed articles to various magazines, shedding light on mental health and personal development,” she shared. Currently, Radhakrishnan is working on her first book, which will be published soon.

She is also the founder of a book club, Read-O-Mania, an initiative that extends beyond reading to rekindle the joy of literature among women, fostering connections within a “Circle of Sisterhood.”

Related posts:

AMEC Honors 20 Global Women of Excellence at 13th Annual Congressional International Women’s Day Celebration International Women’s Day 2025: Leading Experts on Maximizing Women’s Health and Rights India and UN Women Co-Host Ministerial Roundtable on Advancing Women’s Empowerment  A Force More Powerful: A New Book on The Rise of the Global Women’s Funding Movement