Akraya strengthens strategic leadership with Pamela Banerjee as VP of Strategic Relations & Head of Diversity Solutions.

Akraya, a leading provider of staffing and consulting services, is pleased to announce the appointment of Pamela Banerjee as Vice President of Strategic Relations and Head of Diversity Solutions. Pam brings over 16 years of experience in the contingent workforce industry, with a proven track record of creating innovative solutions for Fortune 50 companies worldwide.

“We are delighted to welcome Pam to the Akraya team,” said Amar Panchal, CEO of Akraya. “Her deep expertise in contingent workforce management and unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion make her an ideal fit for this leadership role. I look forward to Pam’s leadership on Akraya’s Women Back To Work program to deliver innovative workforce solutions for our clients.”

A Seasoned Professional with a Multifaceted Background

Throughout her career, Pam has established herself as a trusted advisor, guiding numerous clients in designing and implementing successful contingent workforce programs. Her certifications as a Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Contingent Workforce Professional (CCWP), and CCWP-SOW professional demonstrate her mastery of the field.
Pam’s comprehensive approach stems from a diverse career journey. She holds a Computer Science degree and has experience in program management, strategy, sales, and solution design. This multifaceted background allows her to bridge the gap between technical expertise and strategic business needs.

“I am excited to welcome Pam to the WBW team,” said Sonu Ratra, President of Akraya and Founder of Women Back to Work. “Our WBW Program is the nation’s leader in Return-to-Work Program Offering for companies committed to hiring diverse talent. In her role, Pam will help write WBW’s next chapter and help accelerate our profound impact on the lives and careers of women.”

Championing Diversity and Inclusion

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Pam is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion. She serves as a coach with Technovation, a non-profit empowering girls in technology, and has been recognized by the Silicon Valley Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” for her significant contributions to this crucial space. At Akraya, Pam will lead the development of innovative diversity solutions, helping clients build inclusive workforces that drive success.

About Akraya:
Akraya excels in IT consulting and staffing services, offering comprehensive solutions tailored to diverse client needs. Recognized as the 2023 #1 Best Place to Work in Silicon Valley and a Glassdoor “Best Place to Work” in 2023, Akraya prioritizes a culture of excellence and inclusivity. Industry recognitions from Staffing Industry Analysts and The Silicon Valley Business Journal further solidify Akraya’s leadership position. Beyond business, Akraya actively fosters social responsibility initiatives, encouraging team members to contribute to meaningful causes.

Shradha Shashidhar
Akraya
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Sonu Ratra, Co-Founder of Akraya and Founder of Women Back to Work, is on the Silicon Valley Business Journal’s Power 100 list

Sonu Ratra is honored to be named to the Silicon Valley Business Journal’s inaugural Power 100 list. In a very literal way, the Power 100 is just that: a list of the most powerful people working in Silicon Valley today – from the CEO’s of the 3 biggest companies in the valley to Executives from startups and mid-size firms making an impact.

As an entrepreneur with a charitable heart, Ratra has always been passionate about giving back to those in need and the community.  Ratra is a Co-Founder of Akraya, a Santa Clara-based multiple award-winning IT staffing firm Akraya with a core purpose to deliver 3X times karma for their customers, consultants, and employees while operating under the most basic of tenets: trust and transparency.  Inspired by the story of her parents and her desire to empower women in the workplace, she founded ‘Women Back to Work’, a social arm of Akraya with a mission to create systematic pathways to facilitate the re-entry of women into the workforce while enabling companies to hire exceptional and diverse talent. The program has a profound impact on the lives and careers of women.

Ratra serves as Chairwoman of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group’s Foundation to make a measurable impact in the community and help lead the efforts to make the Silicon Valley Turkey Trot the largest Thanksgiving race in the nation.

To learn more about the Power 100 List, follow this link: Silicon Valley Business Journals names Power 100 for 2023 – Silicon Valley Business Journal (bizjournals.com)

Akraya is recognized as 2022 fastest-growing staffing firm in the U.S.

We are excited to announce yet another feather in our cap! Akraya has been recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) as one of the Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) Fastest Growing US Staffing Firms of 2022.

Companies must have compound annual growth in revenue (CAGR) of 15% or higher over the last five years to qualify among other criteria.

“I’m pleased to make this prestigious list of SIA’s Fastest Growing staffing companies. This is a testament to building a great culture that promotes independence and transparency, hiring great people and investing in their long-term growth. We are rewarded every time we help someone find their dream job and enable a client to innovate and grow. We appreciate this recognition and I believe the best is yet to come.”, said Amar Panchal, CEO.

Akraya has also been recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) as one of the Best Staffing Firms to Temp For, and Best Staffing Firms to Work For. Akraya has also been awarded by Glassdoor as one of the Best Staffing Firms to Work For, two years in a row.

Akraya is also the force powering Women Back to Work, the industry-leading solution to address gender diversity at large enterprises.

Mary Kristynik, CCWP, Akraya’s Senior Vice President, Enterprise Accounts thanked Akraya’s valued clients for the trust they have placed in the company every day.

Akraya Welcomes a New Director of Client Relations for Women Back to Work

Akraya, Inc. is excited to announce the hiring of Arleen Gallagher, the Director of Women Back to Work Client Relations. She will be spearheading the talent acquisition for our returnship programs and will act as the liaison for our clients.   

Arleen brings a wealth of knowledge from her 20+ years of experience in staffing. During her professional career, she has been awarded with managing the #1 office within an entire organization in sales and profit, and is a fourteen-time President’s club winner.   

“At Women Back to Work – our returners and their careers are at the core of our mission. As our Client Partnerships Director, Arleen will enable our Returnship implementations and expansion of our current partnerships. A returner herself, Arleen brings the energy and passion required to realize our vision for an equitable workforce,” states Sonu Ratra, the founder of Women Back to Work.   

Arleen has dedicated much of her professional career to empowering women to accomplish their goals in the workforce. Being a returner herself, Arleen has a special outlook on the mission of Women Back to Work. She explains herself as being “guided by her heart” and hopes to aid in amplifying the reach of Women Back to Work.   

Arleen earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing at San Jose State University. 

Sonu Ratra Named to 2020 Global Power 150 – Women in Staffing

Akraya Co-founder and President Sonu Ratra launched the organization’s Women Back to Work initiative that has become a movement within the industry, enabling companies, MSPs and leaders to hire diverse technical talent. She continues to expand the program’s service offerings and accelerate Akraya’s overall growth. Ratra currently serves on the foundation board of directors at the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. She also serves on the national advisory board of the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women and the WBEC Pacific Leadership Forum.

See the original award page here.

Sonu Ratra started on the DE&I journey at a very young age. She was raised in India – with its multitude of cultures and varied groups – by parents who instilled in her the value of every human being, regardless of background or ethnicity. Those beliefs held her in good stead when she went on to co-found technology staffing company Akraya. Nearly 15 years later, she is still a passionate advocate for diversity both in her professional and personal life.

Ratra cites the creation of Akraya’s Women Back to Work program six years ago as her proudest achievement. Through WBW, women with technical backgrounds who had taken career breaks are connected with partnered companies to rejoin the workforce. “I also faced challenges when I tried to return to work after a short gap in my career. Having seen the hurdles, I have the opportunity and the responsibility to pay it forward,” Ratra explains. Akraya itself comprises 80% women.

“We have to start by examining our own biases, both explicit or implicit. We all have the responsibility for the equal world we want to create.”

Besides helping women, her efforts also extend to other underrepresented communities. A runner herself, Ratra’s perception of DE&I work changed after the fatal shooting of Ahmaud Arbery. “I remember freezing hearing that news,” Ratra says. “That followed by George Floyd. I knew that what I was doing was not enough.” Ratra serves on the Silicon Valley Leadership Group’s Racial, Justice and Equity committee, formed in September 2020, where she collaborates with leaders to build a policy voice around state and federal legislation in the areas of diversity and racial equity.

Until DE&I is a part of a company’s DNA, they are simply not doing enough, Ratra says. However, necessary work first needs to occur within ourselves and our homes. “We have to first start by examining our own biases, both explicit or implicit,” Ratra says. “We all have the responsibility for the equal world we want to create.”

This article originally appeared on staffingindustry.com