Meet the Team

Anil Puvvadi is one of the founders of Seattle Kannada Sangha and a Principal Engineering Manager at Microsoft, where he leads critical Azure core services. Driven by his passion for Kannada arts, culture, and community service, he has played an active leadership role in multiple Kannada organizations and charitable initiatives across several U.S. states.

Over the years, Anil has led community programs and fundraising efforts, directed stage dramas, and choreographed dance performances. He has also served on NAVIKA’s Executive Committee since 2022, including as Food Advisor for NAVIKA 2023, Joint Secretary for NAVIKA 2024, and Secretary for NAVIKA 2026.

Anil brings strategic leadership, strong execution, creativity, community outreach and a deep commitment to strengthening and serving the Kannada community in Seattle and beyond.

About: I am the founder and CFO of Finance based startup Invictus. Me, my wife Pavithra and daughter Advika have been living in the serene Seattle area for the last 9 years. I am a proud Bangalorean.

Vision: My vision for the Seattle Kannada Sangha is to be a melting pot of cultures across Karnataka with inclusiveness and initiatives that will continue to bring the Kannada speaking community together and to propagate the welcoming attitude to all communities across India and the US.

Volunteer Work: I have been actively volunteering for Kannada sangha events for the past couple of years. I led the Food committee in the Ugadi, Rajyothsava & Deepavali events organized by Seattle Kannada Sangha over the years. I am also leading the annual Gully Cricket tournament for the Sangha.

About: Manufacturing Engineer at Genie based in Redmond. I am passionate about engineering excellence. Originally from Bengaluru, I currently live in Seattle for around 4.5 years with my wife (Sowmya) and our two wonderful children (Vishruth and Tejas).

Vision: My vision for “Seattle Kannada Sangha’, is to preserve, promote, and celebrate the rich heritage, language, and culture of Karnataka while fostering unity and inclusivity among Kannada-speaking communities. I strongly believe in creating a strong network among fellow Kannadigas, ensuring that our traditions thrive across generations.

Inspired by the values and community service spirit of Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar, I am passionate about giving back to the community through volunteering and service initiatives. Over the past 4.5 years, I have actively contributed to several cultural and community events organized by our Seattle Kannada Sangha and others.

Volunteer Work:As a proud EC member of the Seattle Kannada Sangha (SeaKS), I have had the opportunity to serve on the Food Committee and contribute to the successful execution of numerous community events, including Deepavali and Kannada Rajyotsava, Gully Cricket, Ugadi, Independence Day, and Ganeshotsava celebrations over the years.

Also volunteered to support other communities for Sankranthi, Annual Day celebrations, With blessings of Lord Sreenivasa and Sri Rayaru have got opportunity to serve for Sreenivasa Kalyanotsava and Rayara Aradhane every year.

Volunteering has allowed me to connect with people, support meaningful community initiatives, and help create memorable experiences that strengthen cultural heritage and community bonds. I look forward to continuing to serve and make a positive impact wherever I can.

About: I am a Program Director at Ericsson and a proud Bangalorean. My wife, Manya Kagathi, our daughter, Sarvi Shambu, our son, Mivan Shambu, and I have called the Seattle area home for the past ten years.

Volunteer Work: Over the past several years, I have had the privilege of volunteering with the Seattle Kannada Sangha, contributing to various events and initiatives while leading the Food Committee and supporting several core areas of the Sangha.

Vision: My vision for the Sangha is to build a vibrant, inclusive, and connected Kannada community—one that celebrates the rich heritage, diverse cultures, traditions, and values of Karnataka while creating a welcoming home for everyone. I envision a Sangha that brings generations together, encourages meaningful connections, celebrates our Kannada identity, and builds bridges with communities across India and the United States.

Together, we can create a stronger community where everyone feels a sense of belonging, our children stay connected to their roots, and our culture continues to thrive for generations to come.

About: I am a Senior Software Engineer at Microsoft, born and raised in Namma Mysore with ancestral roots connected to the Mysore Royal Palace and a deep heritage in the Vedas, Upanishads, and classical music. Academically, I hold an engineering degree from NIE Mysore, a master’s degree from BITS Pilani, an Executive MBA from IIMA, and am currently pursuing PhD research in AI at CapTech University. At the center of my life are my wife, Usha, and our daughter, Dhrithi, who inspire my daily journey.

Volunteer Work & Vision:Beyond the tech world, I teach violin at the Sanskriti Foundation & Gurukulam in Hyderabad, dedicated to nurturing young minds and strengthening Namma Bharatha and Namma Karnataka by passing our language, culture, and timeless values on to future generations.

About: Originally from Bengaluru, I am passionate about community service, leadership, and bringing people together through meaningful cultural and social initiatives. I enjoy contributing my time and experience toward creating a stronger and more connected community.

Vision: To foster an inclusive and vibrant Kannada community by promoting our culture, encouraging volunteerism, and creating meaningful opportunities for members of all ages to connect, participate, and grow together.

Volunteer Work: As a member of the Seattle Kannada Sangha Executive Committee, I have actively contributed to organizing cultural events, community programs, blood donation drives, family hikes, and various volunteer initiatives. I enjoy working collaboratively with teams and community members to create engaging experiences and strengthen our sense of togetherness.

Sushma is deeply honored and humbled to be a part of the Seattle Kannada Sangha as a Board member. Sushma is passionate about creating a vibrant, inclusive community that celebrates the rich Kannada culture in Seattle. For her, this role is not just about preserving traditions but also about making a meaningful difference. Sushma believes in the power of community and is enthusiastic about the prospect of building a progressive Sangha that not only provides a platform for Kannadigas but also actively contributes to the betterment of the local community in Seattle and back in Karnataka.

As a Seattleite, Sushma shares the love for the outdoors that many in the region cherish. Hiking has always been a source of inspiration and rejuvenation for her. She is eager to bring that same spirit of exploration and camaraderie into community initiatives. Sushma looks forward to working together, learning from one another, and creating a positive impact that extends far beyond the immediate circle. She believes in embarking on this journey together and making a real difference, one step at a time.

Software Engineer at Microsoft, with a Bachelor’s from SJCE Mysore and a Master’s from the University of Utah.

Code is my profession, but words have always held a special place in my world.

I have a deep love for Kannada, literature, poetry, and the little magic that words can create. I enjoy writing poems and articles, exploring ideas, and editing until a thought finds the right expression.

To me, Kannada is more than a language. It is a connection to our roots, our stories, our culture, and the people who keep them alive.

I enjoy meeting fellow Kannadigas, writers, readers, creators, and anyone who shares a love for Kannada and its rich literary world.

I hope to contribute in my own little way by connecting people, sharing ideas, encouraging conversations, and helping our Kannada community grow stronger and more connected.

If Kannada makes you pause, smile, think, or feel, we probably already have something to talk about.

Always happy to connect, exchange stories, and discover new perspectives.

About: Working in Microsoft as a Senior Software Engineer. Born and raised in Namma Bengaluru, I spent 29 years of my life there and—if the opportunity to move to the US hadn’t beckoned—would’ve happily lived my entire life there, as it’s the greatest city in the world! Me, my wife Peony, my daughter Mireya, and our dog Bella have been in the US for 13 years, and in the Seattle area for the last 6 years.

Vision: I am passionate about technology, but also deeply drawn to culture and mythology. While I am not a particularly religious person, I strongly believe that God exists in the goodness within everyone. Cultural events, like the ones hosted by SeaKS, bring out the absolute best in people—it’s amazing to be a part of that positive energy, and that is precisely what I hope to foster and spread across our community.

Volunteer Work: I have been actively involved in with SeaKS in the Ugadi and Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations this past year, primarily managing all sound equipment, overseeing the website, creating events, and building custom QR code scanners to ensure a smooth check-in experience for guests and participants. A huge dog lover, I also spent time volunteering with PDX Animal Aid in Portland prior to moving to Seattle.

About: I work as Director Sales at Quadrant Technologies. I have been a resident of the serene Redmond area for the last 3 years and am a proud Bangalorean.

Vision: To foster an inclusive, vibrant community by integrating modern initiatives while preserving our rich Kannada cultural heritage. I aim to create impactful programs that bridge generations and connect diverse Indian communities across the Seattle region.

Volunteer Work: A dedicated volunteer since joining in early 2025, I am deeply involved in organizing major Sangha programs. I have actively coordinated events like Kannada Rajyothsava, Deepavali, and the annual Gully Cricket tournament, and I look forward to continuing this work.

About: Born and raised in Bhilai Chhattisgarh. I did my engineering from KREC Surathka. We – Lavanya (wife), daughter Nikhita (presently in Phoenix) and son Niteesh moved to Bothell in 2022.

Vision:My vision for the Seattle Kannada Sangha is to foster a true “home away from home” by connecting all Kannadigas in the Greater Seattle area. I want to help build a strong, inclusive network where we can support one another, while actively celebrating our rich traditions and language to connect us and our next generation back to our roots.

Volunteer Work: I have been an active volunteer in SeaKS events for the last 2 years mainly in food committee.

About: Born and raised in Namma Bengaluru, I moved to the beautiful PNW region in late 2021 and have been loving it ever since! When I moved here, one of the first things I looked for was a Kannada community—not just to stay connected to my roots, but also to make sure my kids grew up connected to Kannada language, culture and traditions.I currently work at The Cigna Group as a Senior Engineering Manager, leading multiple global technology teams within the supply chain organisation.

Vision: I am excited to take on the role of extended Board Member for Seattle Kannada Sangha this year, to contribute more actively to program design and bring new ideas and perspectives to the Sangha. I would love to help create programs that bring together people of all ages, celebrate the diversity of Karnataka and keep our culture thriving for the next generation.

Volunteer Work: Since moving to the PNW, I have volunteered with the Kannada community and have had the opportunity to teach Kannada to young children, which has been especially rewarding. Back in Bengaluru, I was also actively involved in CSR initiatives, and my organisation and my teams were well known for our strong culture of giving back to the community.