Empowering Women Worldwide–Pragati’s inspiring journey from a tech leader to the founder of My Swiss Story is one of resilience and empowerment.
In this conversation, she shares her experiences of overcoming challenges as an expat and her dedication to creating a global platform that supports and connects women. Pragati’s mission is to amplify women’s voices and foster a sense of community, not only in Switzerland but across the world, empowering women in tech, business, and beyond.
Pragati, you have a strong background in both Computer Science and Business Information Systems, combined with nearly 20 years in the tech industry. Can you tell us about your career journey and what led you to start My Swiss Story?
By education, I am a computer science engineer with a master’s degree in business information systems, so pursuing a career in technology was a thoughtfully planned journey from the very beginning. Over the past 20 years, I’ve navigated various roles in the tech industry—spanning product organizations like SAP and Oracle, the consumer goods sector, and, for the past seven years, consulting.
Each phase of my career has been a unique chapter, shaped by growth, challenges, and invaluable lessons.Being a woman in the tech industry, however, has brought its own set of experiences. I’ve faced moments like being the only woman in the boardroom, missing out on opportunities during my maternity period, and managing the constant juggle of multiple roles.
While it’s been a rollercoaster of adventures, frustrations, and setbacks, it’s also been incredibly rewarding. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to not take either success or failure too seriously—they’re fleeting. What truly matters is the journey in between those moments, and that’s what I’ve always tried to embrace wholeheartedly.
My Swiss Story, on the other hand, was an unexpected but delightful twist—a happy accident that I lovingly refer to as my “second baby.” It’s now about 8 years old, while my actual child is 14! Moving to Switzerland in 2016 was a transformative experience for our family. It felt like we were handed a blank canvas to reimagine and build a version 2.0 of our lives.
As I started documenting this journey through words and pictures, My Swiss Story was born. What began as a personal journal evolved into something much more meaningful. My writing resonated with people—they saw glimpses of their own experiences in mine. Over time, I unknowingly started answering countless “how-to” questions that are part of every expat’s journey. It’s been a beautiful, unexpected evolution, and I feel grateful to see how far it has come.
Having moved from Bangalore to Switzerland over 8 years ago, how did your experience as an expat shape the creation of your platform?
Moving from Bangalore to Basel over eight years ago was a180-degree shift—culturally, professionally, and personally. Navigating such a monumental change awakened the writer in me, compelling me to document every aspect of this journey. That’s how My Swiss Story was born.
Initially, I wrote about my experiences, observations, and the lessons I was learning along the way. What started as a personal outlet began to resonate with others—my content struck a chord with people who saw themselves in my journey.
I created a new Instagram account to share my stories and was fortunate to contribute to my sister’s established blog, Be for Beauty, where my writings gave life to the “Swiss Blog” section.
As the section grew, so did my vision. It became clear that these stories needed their own dedicated space, which led to the creation of an independent website—My Swiss Story. What started as a personal blog has since evolved into a multifaceted digital platform, covering topics ranging from mental health and travel to wellness, food, home organization, and women’s empowerment.
Along the way, I introduced an editorial panel and launched several meaningful projects, including Hidden Gems in Switzerland and initiatives promoting body positivity.
In 2021, as the world grappled with the aftermath of COVID-19, I felt it was time for My Swiss Story to go beyond the virtual realm and create something tangible. This marked the beginning of the community-building chapter. My goal was to foster a more inclusive environment for women in Switzerland—a space where they could feel a sense of belonging and connection.
Over the past three years, I’ve organized coffee meetups, hosted webinars, and conducted workshops, and it has been an incredibly rewarding journey. Looking back, the last eight years have profoundly shaped my life and allowed me to create something deeply meaningful. It’s amazing to think that it all began simply because I took a chance.
As the founder of My Swiss Story, you’ve significantly contributed to increasing women’s visibility in various fields. What was the moment you realized this platform could make a difference for women, especially in Switzerland?
To be honest, when I started My Swiss Story, I didn’t set out with the intention of creating a platform to amplify women’s voices—it happened quite organically. A couple of years into blogging, I decided to do a special feature for Mother’s Day, inviting “unsung warriors,” i.e., mothers, to share their personal motherhood journeys.
These were stories of resilience, and the article gathered an overwhelming response cuz of its powerful narrative. Bringing the stories of women to the forefront – it had struck a chord with me.
From there, I began to intentionally highlight the stories of women—solopreneurs, industry leaders, creatives, and more. Their narratives brought a fresh perspective to the platform and, over time, evolved into opportunities to create further value through community-focused initiatives.
Today, My Swiss Story regularly features an Entrepreneur of the Month, where we celebrate women who are making a difference, leading successful businesses, or overcoming significant challenges. I’ve also hosted women-only events and provided speaking opportunities to amplify their voices across Switzerland.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of this journey has been shining a spotlight on women who have not only made a difference in their respective fields but have also paved the way for others through their courage, resilience, and determination. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see the platform grow into a space that inspires, connects, and empowers women to thrive.
Moving to Switzerland must have been quite a transition. How did you adapt to the new culture and what were some of the initial challenges you faced as an expat?
Absolutely—a move to Switzerland was a complete 180-degree shift, as I mentioned earlier. While from the outside it might seem like a dream come true, the reality of such a transition is far more complex. Coming from India, where certain conveniences like having household help are common, adapting to a fully DIY lifestyle was a significant adjustment.
The challenges came in many forms: the weather (moving from Bangalore, where the coldest it gets is 20°C, to Swiss winters was no small feat), rebuilding a social life from scratch as an expat, raising a child in a completely new environment, and stepping away from my well-paying job at Unilever to embark on this journey. And honestly, there’s more—the human brain tends to soften the edges of past difficulties after eight years!
So how did I adapt? By jumping right in and putting myself out there. While it wasn’t easy, that proactive mindset became my “magic pill.” Before we moved, I conducted thorough research, made detailed notes, and reached out to people already living in Switzerland.
Networking is incredibly powerful—there are always others who have walked a similar path, and learning from their experiences was invaluable.Preparation is key. Before moving, I tackled practicalities like school admissions, housing, paperwork, and more.
Hiring a good relocation agent can be a lifesaver, especially if you’re coming from a country as vastly different as India. For those moving without a job (as I did), it’s crucial to plan your next steps in advance.
For me, pursuing a master’s degree was always on my wish list, but life had kept me from it—until this move. It felt like the perfect opportunity to hit pause on the corporate race and achieve that goal.
Even before I landed in Basel, I had secured a spot in one of the few English-taught master’s programs in Switzerland. That decision gave me direction and a sense of purpose early on.
A little fun fact—My Swiss Story played a significant role in helping me adapt to my new life. It provided me with a creative outlet, helped me build a supportive community, opened doors to meaningful networking opportunities, and ultimately gave me a strong sense of purpose in a time of transition.
Tell us about your platform My Swiss Story—what kind of resources and content does it offer to help expats adjust to life in Switzerland?
My Swiss Story operates on two levels: a virtual platform and a thriving community initiative.On the virtual side, My Swiss Story serves as a comprehensive online resource packed with articles and personal experiences about expat living in Switzerland.
Whether you’re looking for advice on renting or buying an apartment, discovering hidden gems across Switzerland, navigating the job market, or even mastering the art of Swiss laundry, you’ll find a wealth of practical insights.
Beyond expat-focused content, the platform also celebrates inspiring stories of women who, while leading ordinary lives, are achieving extraordinary things.The second aspect of My Swiss Story is its community focus.
We host monthly coffee meetups in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, creating a space for women to connect and share their experiences. We also organize webinars filled with actionable tips for navigating life and careers as expats.
Additionally, our full-day events and workshops for women foster deeper connections, bring lots of laughter, and encourage personal growth—all in a supportive and inclusive environment.
My Swiss Story is more than just a blog; it’s a platform that empowers expats to feel at home while building meaningful relationships and finding inspiration in their new surroundings.
You’ve mentioned organizing community events for women. Could you share some highlights from these events and the impact they’ve had on participants?
It truly warms my heart to see the impact these community events have had on participants. Over the past few years, I’ve witnessed incredible outcomes—close friendships forming, clients being acquired, creative collaborations taking shape, and meaningful partnerships being forged—all as a result of these gatherings.
These magical moments are what fuel my passion and drive; if I have a superpower, it’s the ability to bring people together.On a personal level, these initiatives have been equally rewarding. I’ve had the privilege of meeting some truly wonderful people, many of whom have become close friends.
These events go beyond just networking—they create a sense of belonging, a safe space for women to connect, grow, and support one another.Whether it’s a casual coffee meetup, a collaborative workshop, or a day-long event, every interaction reminds me of the power of community and the incredible things we can achieve together.
What new initiatives or projects are you currently working on?
I am currently working on a new initiative called EmpowerSphere. (https://myswissstory.com/empowersphere-connect/)
How do you see your platform empowering women not just in Switzerland, but also globally, particularly in the tech and business sectors?
Despite significant progress, I still see a great deal of disparity in society, especially when it comes to women in leadership roles or positions where they can drive meaningful change—not just in the tech and business sectors, but across the board.
There’s still a long way to go, and if my initiatives can make even a small contribution toward bridging this gap, I would consider that a success.Through My Swiss Story, I aim to provide women with the tools, opportunities, and visibility they need to thrive.
The platform will continue to spotlight women from diverse cultures, professions, and fields, giving them the space to shine and become empowering role models for the next generation.I’m deeply committed to this mission and am excited to see how My Swiss Story evolves in the coming years.
Whether it’s amplifying women’s voices globally or enabling them to break barriers in tech, business, or other industries, I’m passionate about continuing this journey and making a difference, one step at a time.
With your demanding career and personal life, how do you manage your time between work, running My Swiss Story, and spending quality time with your family?
This is a question I get asked often, and to be honest, I’m not sure if there’s a foolproof solution to mastering the art of multi-tasking. I juggle three professional roles—I’m a Senior Leader in the consulting industry, a visiting lecturer at FHNW, and the founder of My Swiss Story.
On top of that, I cherish my most important role: being a mother to my teenage daughter, which is undoubtedly the most rewarding part of my life.
It’s all about priorities and boundaries, I have never felt that I have not been able to spend quality time with my husband and daughter. Just like all families, our weekends are sacred and so are our holidays.
We eat together, watch movies together and have developed collective hobbies after moving to a new country. However, this balance doesn’t happen on its own; it requires effort and intention to create a happy and harmonious home.
Family extends beyond my immediate household, and staying connected with my parents, sister, and brother-in-law in India is a big part of my life. We prioritize visiting each other regularly, which adds immense joy and balance to my otherwise busy schedule.
In the end, it’s about creating meaningful moments and making time for what truly matters. It’s not always easy, but with careful planning and a commitment to maintaining boundaries, it is absolutely possible to manage both professional demands and personal relationships.
As a woman in tech and business, you’ve broken barriers. What advice would you give to young women looking to pursue careers in these industries?
It’s heartening to see conversations around women in tech and business gaining momentum and even more inspiring to see female leaders breaking barriers. We need more women in leadership roles—many more!
From being the only woman in boardrooms to now seeing some of my tech teams achieve a 50-50 gender ratio, it brings me immense joy and reinforces my belief that significant progress has been made over the past decade.
My advice to young women is simple: there is nothing you can’t do. Don’t let societal beliefs or stereotypical definitions limit your aspirations. A few years ago, women weren’t even considered for strategic roles—and look at us now!
Success doesn’t require you to conform or mimic others. Be unapologetically yourself. Embrace your authenticity, compassion, and empathy, and don’t shy away from being bold.
What is your vision for the future of My Swiss Story, and where do you see yourself and the platform in the next five years?
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s to embrace the unpredictability of life—especially when it comes to this part of my journey. That said, my vision for My Swiss Story remains rooted in a few key principles: we will continue to create high-quality content, foster supportive communities, and amplify the voices of inspiring women.
In the next five years, I see this movement evolving and expanding. I envision My Swiss Story reaching even more people, with a growing team of passionate volunteers who share my vision and help take it to new heights.
I hope to cultivate one of the most supportive, inclusive, and empowering communities for women across Switzerland—and perhaps even beyond.
This platform has already become more than I ever imagined, and I’m excited to see how it grows. As they say, even the sky isn’t the limit when you’re driven by purpose and surrounded by a community that believes in your mission.
“Pragati’s story is a powerful reminder that transformation, both personal and professional, is driven by resilience, passion, and a deep commitment to empowering others. Her journey with My Swiss Story continues to inspire women globally, offering a space for connection, growth, and change. Through her platform, Pragati is not only bridging the gap for women in tech and business but also fostering a community where every woman’s voice can thrive.”
