The Art of the Impossible

"My manager often talks about 'the art of the possible,'" Poorswani says, "but I've always seen it differently. For me, it's the art of the impossible."

This philosophy has guided her from her roots in Bangalore, India, to a career in finance and technology. Currently a Principal Product Manager in Microsoft's Cloud Supply Chain Product Management organization, Poorswani drives cross-company initiatives, leveraging data, automation and AI to optimize their global cloud operations, a position often defined by the uncertainty she embraces.

"I believe change is the only constant, and if you're not working toward it, you're failing the opportunity," she says. "It is also the biggest challenge, but my attitude helps me manage ambiguity. I see myself as a solution provider — every challenge is just a problem waiting to be solved."

For Poorswani, receiving the Michele Tote '70 Memorial Scholarship and merit-based awards allowed her to attend HWS and played a critical role on her path to success. Coming from Bangalore, the financial leap to an American college was immense.

"As you can imagine, I wouldn't have made it without those scholarships," Poorswani says. "They were the enabler."

The transition to life in the Northeast was not without its trials. She arrived from Southern India to a record-breaking cold winter and nearly returned home. But a friend encouraged her to stay, and she immersed herself in a computer science program that was then a digital frontier.

Poorswani found the tight-knit campus to be a uniquely supportive community where personalized attention provided a platform for growth. That spirit of mentorship also brought opportunities: when she expressed an interest in biotechnology, Professor Emeritus of Biology Tom Glover leveraged his professional connections to secure her a research position at a USDA station run by Cornell Ag Tech in Geneva, where, as an undergraduate, Poorswani conducted work typically reserved for Ph.D. candidates.

After graduating with a bachelor's degree in computer science and mathematics, and a minor in biology, Poorswani worked in the high-stakes world of tech startups before pursuing an MBA at Duke University. She entered investment banking just as the 2007 financial crisis hit, but her technical background proved to be an advantage.

"I think I actually survived the longest of all my MBA classmates only because I understood software really well," she says.

To sustain her high performance, Poorswani relies on strong values and disciplined self-care. She champions radical honesty in the workplace. "If you do not know how to do something, say so, but also ask, 'Could someone help me learn it?'"

Her internal compass is balanced by a routine that includes daily radical prioritization, practicing saying no, weekly tennis and quarterly family vacations that often involve tropical scuba diving.

Poorswani's advice to students embarking on their career path is clear. "Build a strong foundation," she says. "Stay curious, take educated risks and keep learning – especially about AI today." But her most tangible advice centers on human connection.

"Break bread first," she insists. "I always believe in going out and having a cup of coffee or doing lunch before you ask anybody a favor." It is a small act that humanizes professional relationships and turns transactions into a professional and personal network that keeps on giving.