Women's History Month Spotlight: Harika Mattaparthy
The trust and confidence earned through a peer-to-peer
mentorship is invaluable, especially when it comes to career advancement.
Harika Mattaparthy, a senior data and analytics analyst for Southern Company Gas, has made it a mission to guide other women as mentors and advocates during Women’s History Month and throughout the year.
Harika is a member of the employee resource group, Inspire. She first got involved at the suggestion of a colleague, and the group’s dedication to supporting and empowering women emboldened her to become one of its most passionate members.
For Harika, workplace groups like Inspire are crucial. They help women navigate their careers while allowing space for open dialogue. Settings like these foster a real sense of intentional inclusion, and that goes a long way in a diverse work environment like Southern Company Gas.
“Inclusion to me means embracing all voices irrespective of gender, race, age, medical or other need,” Harika said. “We’ve come a long way, and we still have a long way to go, not just in the United States but across the globe. This campaign is to spread the message, build the momentum and continue to inspire all men and women to actively seek a range of views from different backgrounds and capabilities.”
Adhering to three pillars – Learn, Leap and Lead – Inspire serves as an internal platform for women to make connections and grow professionally. It’s also a forum to share ideas and unique perspectives.
Harika hopes her efforts and those of Inspire will help clear the way for women looking to advance in their careers. And she’s grateful for the guidance she herself has received from its members.
“There are so many role models I look up to,” she said. “I especially love those brave women and men who advocate for the vulnerable and marginalized groups.”
