I am Sushma Kini.

I’m driven by one question: 'Will I regret not trying?'

Embracing every opportunity, no matter how big or small

Who Am I?

  • Technical Program Manager

  • Artist

  • Cat mom

  • Taekwondo Practitioner

  • Runner

  • Writer

Where was I?

2025

NVIDIA - Senior Technical Program Manager

    Coming Soon
2021-Now

Just some life stuff

  • Wrote a 20,000-word story in just 3 days during Christmas break 2021. Not sure what got into me, but that’s when I fell in love with writing. Since then, I’ve been working on two short stories I’m still trying to finish, and I’ve just now started writing beginner Konkani lessons to help my husband learn the language.
  • Started Taekwondo in October 2024 and progressed from White to Yellow, Orange, and now Green belt. Currently learning spinning crescent kicks.
  • Sometimes I paint. I started an old blog — 52 Drawings — a decade ago. I plan to move it to this website someday, adding many more paintings.
  • Got Married in August 2021 in the US and December 2022 in India (to the same person). Wedding story @ graykini.com.
2022 - 2025

GoFundMe - Senior Technical Program Manager

  • Joined Classy (now part of GoFundMe) and immediately felt connected to their mission — helping people help each other.
  • 2024 was one of the most fulfilling years of my career. The tight deadlines, high visibility, and incredibly collaborative team pushed me in all the right ways and reminded me why I love what I do. And the cherry on top? I was named Engineering Department MVP at our 2024 company kickoff.
  • Had the chance to shadow a few Product Managers and wear the product manager hat myself — defining requirements, prioritizing features, and ensuring we were building the right things at the right time.
  • Led some exciting projects at Classy & GoFundMe, including building a new microservices-based e-commerce system, delivering shopping cart functionality, and implementing OAuth authentication service. Also played a key role in Classy’s brand evolution to GoFundMe Pro, integrating everything seamlessly into the broader GoFundMe ecosystem.
2019 - 2022

Wolfram - Technical Project Manager, office of CEO

  • Can I handle high-pressure environments? Absolutely. I’ve pushed myself in areas I never thought I’d thrive in—like managing 9 interns in the Special Projects Summer Program, helping build a slick portfolio management system, and tackling a whole lot of science and math projects along the way.
  • Was one of the OG team members on a fundamental physics research project — wore like five hats: PM, research buddy, coder, editor, and even web designer. Yeah, multitasking level: expert. Earned the nickname “Project Manager of the Universe” for managing it all.
  • Worked side-by-side with Stephen Wolfram on a bunch of projects he really cared about. Sometimes it felt like Everything Everywhere All at Once. Name any Wolfram project, and I pretty much knew what was going on.
2016 - 2018

Wolfram - Technical Project Manager

  • First full-time job out of grad school—and funny enough, I applied thinking I’d be a software engineer. Somehow, the universe nudged me toward project management instead. Best accidental career move ever.
  • Threw myself into it, learning the art (and chaos) of roadmaps, timelines, and chasing moving targets — all while juggling five different teams across machine learning, compiler development, educational content, and core Wolfram Language projects.
  • One of the projects closest to my heart: working with the Egyptian Ministry of Education to deliver 900+ interactive K-12 math resources, reaching over 5,500 schools across Egypt.
  • Supported Stephen Wolfram, CEO of Wolfram Research, in preparing for the keynote speech at Wolfram's Technology Conference. My attention to detail and grasp of technical concepts stood out, and after the event, I was offered to join the Office of the CEO to work on strategic initiatives.
2014 - 2016

Masters - University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign (UIUC)

  • Went through an emotional shift—from being the “kid” of the family to managing my own life in a different country. I called my mom across time zones (2 PM CST, 1:30 AM IST) with happy tears after my first solo grocery shopping trip in the U.S.
  • Pursuing my Master’s in Mathematics wasn’t as easy as it initially seemed. I had a classic “frog in the well” moment—my early confidence gave way to the reality of the vast knowledge gap and complexity of the subject.
  • Despite the challenges, I wouldn’t change a thing about how it all turned out. I wouldn’t be me without the lasting friendships, late-night study sessions, lonely lunches, and a dash of luck that kept me from failing any classes.
2010 - 2014

Bachelors in Computer Science, NMAM Institute of Technology, India

  • Reached a milestone in my journey toward adulthood—started managing my own pocket money, got my first phone, and took my first independent trip with friends, all of which came with unforgettable life lessons.
  • Despite common advice to diversify by applying to Computer Science Master’s programs or seeking job opportunities, I made a conscious decision to fully commit to Mathematics—applying only to Master’s programs in the U.S. that aligned with my passion.
  • Got rejected by 8 out of 9 universities I applied to, the experience taught me valuable lessons in resilience, perseverance, and the importance of risk management - balancing bold decisions with thoughtful contingency planning.
2008 - 2010

St. Mary's Pre-University College, India

  • Computer Science classes were my favorite—that’s where I discovered both a passion and knack for technology.
  • I neglected learning Hindi, thinking it wouldn’t help me get into a good university. When I was at risk of failing, my mom stepped in and taught me my Hindi lessons as bedtime stories.
  • The most common feedback during parent-teacher meetings: “She’s a nuisance, but she’s smart.”
2005 - 2008

Milagres High School, India

  • Still not a top student—though I did fail an exam for the first (and last) time.
  • Spent my free time solving every math problem I could get my hands on, from my grade and beyond.
  • By 9th grade, I had my mind set on pursuing a Master’s in Mathematics.
  • Fractured my hand for the fourth time (I know, impressive).
  • Served as the "Singing Minister" of the student body in 10th grade when I didn't have any singing background—also the only times I ever sang in public!
1996 - 2005

Milagres English Medium Primary School, India

  • Loved school so much that I once accused my parents of faking holidays just to keep me home.
  • Never a top student, but I did score 100% on a Science exam when I misread my schedule and had prepared for a Social Studies exam.
  • Not a single annual day went by without me dancing, singing, or participating in a skit.
1992

Birth

  • Born in November 1992 in Udupi, Karnataka, India.
  • Classic cry baby straight out of the box.
  • Family swears my 1-year-old brother instantly became my protector and biggest fan (no evidence provided).