Today we’d like to introduce you to Uma Devireddy.
Uma, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started my career at 16 as a teacher by accident. Yes, by accident due to necessity. However, I soon learnt that helping people grow is what brings me true happiness. I have worked with over 500 kids and over 5000 adults in the last 25 years training them on various self-development and leadership topics.
At 19, I started my first company called Kshitija Consulting. At Kshitija, we focused on helping professionals learn and grow to fit into their dream job. Trough Kshitija, I trained over 100 people on resume building, interview techniques, cultural intelligence and leadership skills.
At 21, my passion for teaching leads me into the corporate world. I accepted a role of Regional Training and Development head for a fortune 500 Life Insurance company. I lead a team of trainers, management personnel and insurance advisors. In my career with this industry, I have personally trained over 5000 Management personnel and advisors in a span of five years.
I was honored as the youngest and most successful trainer in the company based on the sales bought in by advisors trained by me. A regional talk show called “Coffee with Uma” was organized to help regional sales managers and trainers interact with me. At 21, this event was an honor and respect that I will always cherish and grow from.
I started the first Toastmasters gavel club in Southlake, TX and trained over 50 kids from 2015 to 2018.
I started Inside the Diverse Mind in 2019 to continue doing what brings me true happiness – helping people grow by means of Training and Coaching.
Through Inside the Diverse Mind, I offer Youth Diversity Leadership Program. This is a certified program for 13 to 16-year-old kids.
Experience
AVP Digital and Marketing Operations at General Motors Financial – Current
Education/Certifications
Masters in Human Resources
Currently pursuing second Masters in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health
Certified Image Consultant
Certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Practitioner
Diploma in Modern Applied Psychology
More about me:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/umadevireddy/
https://www.insidethediversemind.com/
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely not.
I started my career before I finished my education, which bought about some challenges. As I worked through these challenges and moved from India to USA, I had to restart my career all over again. It was not a fun ride however, every bit worth it. I learnt a lot along the way.
As I started to settle down, I went through major health issues. In 2018, I was diagnosed with a health condition called OPLL (Ossification of the Posterior longitude ligament). This condition causes my body to not absorb calcium properly. I am always calcium deficient however, I can’t take any supplement to compensate since my body rejects it. This condition caused stenosis and extra growth of bones in my shoulder/neck area leading to nerve compression. I had to go through a Posterior fusion (replace my bone with a metal) in my neck from level c2 to t1 – 7 levels (pretty much my entire neck).
As of this June 28th, it will be two years since my surgery. I have come a long way since then and I still have a long way to go.
Please tell us about Inside the Diverse Mind.
At Inside the Diverse Mind, our focus is on Youth. Youth leadership training and 1:1 coaching sessions.
As a coach, my goal for our next generation is to empower and coach them to become the leaders they are truly capable of being. Leaders who won’t limit themselves!
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would tell myself it’s OK to fail. I would not worry about everyone I meet and know to like me. I would pause and take time to care for myself.
Pricing:
- $100 month (once a week class) for the 6 month Youth Diversity Leadership Certification program
- $20/hour and half monthly Leadership class
- $50/hour 1:1 coaching session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.insidethediversemind.com/
- Phone: 8177932333
- Email: uma@insidethediversemind.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram/InsidetheDiverseMind
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InsidetheDiverseMind
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