ARCHANA GOYAL
HEAD OF IT AND SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT
Archie @ Work…
Archana seeks to see a positive change in people’s lives and believes that change begins with her. She believes in the connectedness of all things and that we are all a part of one universal energy. Archie, as she is known to us is conscientious, analytical, with good interpersonal and communication skills. She is flexible and adaptable with the ability to handle change and new situations with ease and the reason she is such a good fit for our startup …because things are always changing on us as we navigate. She has a decade of work experience in Information Technology as an Instructional Designer and Networking Engineer. However, after a significant career break where she focused on raising her two children, she returned to work within the women’s rights and equalities sector and also has recently completed a COSCA certificate in Counselling. Apart from her amazing contribution as critical thinker and ideas generator within our team she also moonlights as a radio jockey where she is doing a weekly radio show with Scotland’s largest Asian, radio channel, Sunoh Scotland. Archie also thrives on networking, communicating and simply just hanging out with people so she attends many networking events as an Ignite Life Ambassador.
As chief IT developer, Archana plays a critical role in developing the entire transform app as her skillset uniquely fits who we need to get this job done. We needed more than just an analytical mind which she clearly is, we also needed someone with heart because our app is about both the heart and the mind. Backed by her expertise in the field of IT, she is the perfect match for our team. She is also responsible for setting up our HR systems.
Archie @ Home…
Home is very precious to Archie as this is where she gets to spend time with her treasures, her two wonderful children. And as many of us have come to learn the hard way that Archie does not easily exchange this time for anything else. Her family is where she has found support and strength to rise from some of the most challenging times in her life. This would be one of the reasons it is so central to her life & overall well-being. She tells us that she speaks to her sister and Elderly parents, in India, nearly every day. When family time is done she also has many other interests like spending time with her girlfriends brunching and she is also a writer, poet, published author and blogger. Archie was a nominee in 2016 for the #EndtoWriteVAW awards. She went to participate in #FeministFest with Young Women Scotland Association and has her poems published in the anthology RISE.
More about the Journey here…
Born and raised in India I studied geography and did some studies in computing, which basically set the trajectory for my career and life. I have a background in technical writing and instruction design together with network management. After a long break in my career and some very challenging personal journey moments I found the opportunity rise from the ashes once again. I began my work in the charity sector in the areas of equalities and women’s rights in Edinburgh. This opportunity changed the trajectory of my career aspirations because I discovered that being part of seeing people healed and having them experience complete well-being was what I was really passionate about in my life. In pursuit of my passion I was drawn to the vision of Ignite Life because my own purpose resonates so strongly with the Ignite Life ethos. I am super excited and remain optimistic to see where this leads me next…
Memorable Meal…
Food is a huge part of my life because it is so important in the Indian culture I was raised in. I really enjoy Indian cuisine with all it’s wonderful flavours and I’m lucky that my children enjoy it too as this might not have been the case seeing as they grew up in Scotland. My Most memorable meal(s) is not the actual food for me but the people I get to share that food with. My fondest of these memories are with family when I’m visiting them back in India. My parents make so much effort to go the extra mile to prepare our favourite dishes and every bite is filled with so much love. One of our favourite dishes is golguppa, an Indian fried dough ball snack filled with potatoes and tamarind sauce and then dipped in spicy water. My mouth waters even as I write this.
My favourite quote...
Yes to life inspite of everything. The defiant power of the human spirit. Accessing that level of human courage to not let anything break me.
Archana Goyal