Women Can Have It All: A New Perspective w/ Dr. Priya Iyer

Fearless Career Moves with Richa Bansal

In the inaugural episode of the Fearless Career Moves podcast, host Richa Bansal engages in a deep conversation with Dr. Priya Iyer about the multifaceted concept of 'having it all' for women. They explore the importance of defining personal success, the necessity of support systems, and the challenges of balancing career ambitions with family life. Priya shares her journey from the oil and gas industry to tech, emphasizing the significance of curiosity, initiative, and the right partnerships in achieving career goals. The discussion also addresses common myths surrounding career transitions and the value of mentorship, ultimately encouraging women to pursue their ambitions unapologetically.

The views and opinions shared by our guest, are their own and do not reflect those of any organizations, employers, or associations they are affiliated with. All insights are shared in a personal capacity.

More about Dr. Priya Iyer

She is a scientist-turned-technologist whose career spans rocket science, energy innovation, and cutting-edge AI infrastructure. She holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering, with a thesis focused on scaling up rocket propellants and pyrotechnics. Priya spent eight years in the oil and gas industry, advancing carbon capture technologies — from lab-based innovation to billion-dollar capital projects and on-the-ground operational troubleshooting.

Five years ago, she made a bold pivot to tech, joining Amazon to manage technologies that support the company’s intellectual property portfolio and innovation engine. She quickly rose from individual contributor to leading a team of product and program managers. In 2023, she launched Legal’s first-ever AI product, designed to empower legal professionals with smarter, scalable tools.

Today, Priya is at Microsoft, building the AI infrastructure of the future — specifically GPU systems that support high-performance, customer-facing AI solutions. She also teaches courses on artificial intelligence and product management at City University of Seattle, where she brings real-world insight and systems thinking to the classroom.

Her work sits at the intersection of deep tech, innovation, and impact. She has published over 10 scientific papers, holds 3 patents, and has presented at more than 20 technical conferences.

Outside of work, Priya is a proud mom of two young children and is constantly navigating the hustle of balancing a high-impact career with family life. Her story is one of reinvention, resilience, and relentless curiosity — whether she’s inventing in a lab, building products, or shaping the next generation of tech leaders.