When you lead with empathy and design with purpose, innovation becomes a catalyst for human transformation.
Alka Badshah’s story is one of reimagining what’s possible across disciplines, decades, and personal challenges. Trained as an architect, she pivoted to computer science at MIT and joined the MIT Media Lab, where design, technology, and human behavior intersect. It was there that she discovered her calling: creating systems that don’t just function, but connect, include, and empower.
That philosophy led her to Microsoft during a formative time in its history. As part of Microsoft Consulting Services (MCS), Alka introduced user-centered design into enterprise-level solutions, well before UX was considered a critical business function. She traveled regionally from New York to Cincinnati, working directly with senior executives to integrate usability into large-scale projects. When one client removed UX after her departure, user backlash was so severe that they brought her back—this time with a dedicated budget to lead inclusive design research and usability testing.
That moment marked a turning point—not just for the client, but for Microsoft. Alka’s work proved that when you embed empathy and listening into the development process, you don’t just improve products—you strengthen trust, loyalty, and outcomes.
Over her tenure, Alka became known for mentoring women and building inclusive team cultures. Her work earned internal “best practice” recognition and served as a template for empowering environments that valued transparency, curiosity, and psychological safety.
Even after leaving Microsoft, Alka’s purpose only deepened. As Founder and CEO of Anarti Therapeutics, she now applies her systems-thinking and product design expertise to the wellness space, developing plant-based therapeutics that help others live with less pain and more dignity.
Alka represents the quiet strength and bold clarity that have shaped Microsoft’s global impact over five decades. Her journey is a powerful reminder: true innovation is never just technical—it’s human at heart.
About #empowHER50 campaign
This campaign celebrates women leaders at Microsoft, past and present, who have been instrumental in democratizing access to technology, opportunity, and growth. By honoring their contributions over the last half-century, this campaign highlights stories of resilience, innovation, and inclusivity. Through digital spotlights, a commemorative coffee table book, live recognition events, and more, the campaign inspires collective action toward achieving equitable societal goals. To learn more about empowHER50, please visit https://womenincloud.com/empowHER50
To learn about Microsoft 50th celebrations: https://news.microsoft.com/microsoft-50/
