Sonu Ratra

Sonu Ratra is an Indian-born American entrepreneur and is the co-founder and President of Akraya Inc., a multinational professional IT staffing and managed services firm.[1] She is on the National Board of Directors for the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women.[2] For many years she has held a position on the Board of Directors for the Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council and was Vice-Chair of the Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee.

Sonu Ratra, Co-founder and President of Akraya Inc.

Early life and education

Ratra was born in India, one of two siblings.[3] Her mother was paralyzed from a spinal tumor and she raised two daughters. Ratra has been quoted as attributing her desire to mentor other women professionals to her mother's "determination and positive energy".[4]

Ratra studied at Symbiosis International Educational Center, India, where she received a Master in Project Management in Human Resources Management.

In 1996 Ratra migrated from India to the United States,[5] where she studied HR Training and Development at University of California, Berkeley.

Business career

After graduation, Ratra worked as a staffing manager at Genentech, Adecco Technical, Butler Technology Solutions and Tata Consultancy Services.

In 2001, Ratra co-founded Akraya, a professional staffing and managed services firm, headquartered in Santa Clara, California, with Amar Panchal. Ratra is Akraya's President.[6] In 2010, Akraya was listed among the top 50 women-led private companies in the United States.[7][8]

Beginning in 2009,[5] Ratra has hosted and mentored businesswomen from Rwanda and Afghanistan as part of the Peace Through Business[9] program of the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women.[10]

Awards and recognition

In 2015 Ratra accepted an award by Northwood University in their 35th Annual Outstanding Business Leader Honorees.[11]

In 2012 Ratra received the CEO Leadership In Action Award, by the Diversity Journal[12]

In 2011 Ratra was named a 2011 Woman Worth Watching Award Winner[13] by the Diversity Journal.

In 2010 Ratra was named a Women of Influence by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.

In 2009 Ratra was named to the Silicon Valley Business Journal's 40 Under 40 List[14] and she was awarded the Stevie Award for Women[3] in the Women Helping Women Category.

References
  1. D&B Million Dollar Directory: America's Leading Public & Private Companies. Dun & Bradstreet, Incorporated. 2011. p. 128.
  2. http://www.ieew.org/
  3. "The Stevie Award for Women in Business". Stevie Awards. Stevie Awards, Inc. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  4. "35th Annual Outstanding Business Leader Awards". Northwood University. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  5. Cassidy, Mike. "Cassidy: Shrinking the world with start-ups". San Jose Mercury News. San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  6. "Bay Area business owners honored by Women Presidents' Organization". SFGate.
  7. "Seven Indians in 50 top women-led North American firms" UMMID, April 29, 2011. Arun Kumar, IANS
  8. "Tricolour splash in US list of women-led pvt firms". Rajiv Tikoo | Updated: Apr 30 2010, 22:21 IST
  9. "Peace Through Business". The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women. ieew. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  10. "Local entrepreneur opens home to Afghan and Rwandan women". Los Altos Town Crier. 30 July 2014 by Ellie Van Houtte
  11. ""35th Annual Outstanding Business Leader Honorees (2015)"". Northwood University. Northwood University. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  12. "Diversity Journal". www.diversityjournal.com/. Diversity Journal. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  13. "Women Worth Watching". Women Worth Watching. Diversity Journal. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  14. "40 Under 40". Silicon Valley Business Journals. American City Business Journals. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
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