HerTechStory 2: Mandy Pant – Breaking Barriers, Building Futures

In this compelling edition of Her Tech Story, we spotlight Mandy Pant, an accomplished engineer at Intel who has carved her path in the male-dominated world of technology. From a childhood rooted in strong parental influence to rising as a resilient professional in STEM, Mandy’s story is one of courage, clarity, and conviction.

Shaped by Support: The Early Years

Raised in Bangalore in a home that championed gender equality, Mandy credits her parents—especially her father, an Army officer and the first PhD in his corps—for instilling a sense of drive and discipline. Despite being told early on that “the army isn’t a place for women,” her ambitions didn’t waver. Instead, she turned to engineering, inspired by her aptitude for math and science and encouraged by the belief that nothing was off-limits just because she was a girl.

Engineering Through Challenges

Getting into IIT was no small feat—but thriving there as one of only a handful of women, often the only one in her class, was an even greater challenge. With curfews and gender-based restrictions limiting academic collaboration, Mandy had to learn how to work independently, finding strength in solitude. “It helped me become resilient,” she recalls, reflecting on the skills she built navigating an imbalanced system.

Empowering the Next Generation

Mandy’s insights extend beyond her own journey. She urges parents and educators to create environments where children—regardless of gender—are encouraged to explore all interests, whether it’s dolls or Lego. She emphasises that many women veer away from STEM not because of a lack of ability, but a lack of opportunity and conditioning.

Her message to young girls?
“Raise your hand. Even if you’re unsure, raise it. Participation matters. Don’t hold back.”

Also Read: HerTechStory 1- Shalini Arora on Dreams, Digital & Defying Bias

A Case for the Midlife Reboot

Mandy also reflects on the increasing phenomenon of midlife reinvention. She believes that with age comes experience and a deeper urge to give back. “By the time you reach your 40s, you’ve done your bit. Now it’s time to do what’s meaningful.” With better health, more awareness, and wider acceptance, people—especially women—are now rewriting their life scripts.

Redefining Success and Having It All

Mandy challenges the traditional definition of “having it all.” For her, it’s about choice, agency, and joy. “If you wake up every morning excited to take on the day, you have it all.”

Supported by a spouse who believes in her dreams and an ecosystem that allowed her to balance family and career, she’s a testament to how far women can go when empowered—at home and in the workplace.

A Broader Vision

Working in semiconductors, Mandy finds meaning in her profession beyond the technical. “I’m enriching lives through technology. It’s how I care for humanity in my own way.” She encourages young women to expand their view of what caring can mean—beyond traditional roles—and see how their work in any field can contribute to a larger purpose.