As I reflect on this year’s Divas of Colour Awards, I find myself filled with immense gratitude 😇 and joy .

When I first attended, I honestly did not know what to expect. What I discovered was so much more than an award ceremony- I found a warm, welcoming, inspiring, and an extremely supportive and empowering community ❤️.

I was honoured to receive the Rising Star in STEM and Innovation Award, and I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Divas of Colour Forum for this recognition. As someone who has spent years navigating research, leadership, and outreach, it is incredibly encouraging to have your efforts acknowledged by a platform that celebrates diversity, excellence, and positive change.

However, beyond the award itself, what made this experience truly memorable was the opportunity to learn from so many remarkable people. I was among the youngest individuals in the room, and I found myself surrounded by accomplished leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, educators, and changemakers whose stories were both inspiring and humbling.

One of the things that stood out to me most was the willingness of people to share their experiences openly—their achievements, challenges, failures, and lessons learned along the way. I left not only feeling inspired but also equipped with new insights, ideas, and motivation for the future.

To the Divas of Colour team, thank you for creating such an impactful platform that celebrates talent, diversity, and excellence. To all the incredible women and allies I had the privilege of meeting, thank you for your encouragement, wisdom, kindness, and inspiration.

The conversations we shared and the lessons I learned will stay with me for many years to come.

About Sai Nayantara Srinivasan

Sai Nayantara Srinivasan is the winner of Divas of Colour 2026 Rising Star in STEM and Innovation Award. She is a Material Scientist, Metallurgist and Nanodielectrics Engineer. Connect with her on Linkedin