Fairygodboss of the Week: Kindu Kaur
For Kindu Kaur, working at Ultimate Software doesn't feel like work at all. She feels lucky to work with a kind and supportive team as domain program manager, and is especially grateful that her job allows her to manage both her home and work lives. She is proud of everything she has accomplished in her career, from implementing processes across departments at an early-stage startup to managing products like Turbo Tax at Intuit to establishing a successful team in her current position at Ultimate Software.
Fairygodboss of the Week: Kindu Kaur
Domain Program Manager, Ultimate Software
Weston, Florida
Tell us a little about your career. How did you get to where you are now?
My journey as a program manager started 12 years ago. I started my journey in the software world at a startup company where I was one of the first employees, and I got the opportunity to implement processes across all the departments we were setting up.
I learned a lot in my five years and departed from the startup world to go work for Google. During my short tenure at Google, I helped my team take the prototype of one of the products we were working with to pilot. But I also learned that I preferred end-to-end program management to focusing on just one product. This realization helped me move to Intuit, where I helped implement and manage multiple products such as Mint.com, Turbo Tax, Open Platform, Big Data Platform, and others.
These adventures helped me grow in my career and skillset. Then, my life changed when my long-distance boyfriend proposed and asked if I would move to Florida. That brought me to Ultimate Software, where I started in a role that was brand new to the company. Over the last two years, my team and I have established a successful product-program management team and improved many processes that will help us as an organization.
What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?
I like to celebrate life and enjoy every accomplishment to the max, from getting my MBA to growing in my career to getting married and having a child. All of it feels like a huge accomplishment. In addition to life's achievements, I have a long bucket list that I would like to accomplish. I am only a quarter of the way through it, but I am very proud of the many adventures I have accomplished on my bucket list.
What is a challenge that you've faced and overcome?
I have faced many challenges, but having a child and managing work and home life have truly been the biggest challenges of my life. Having to manage a full week of meetings when your child gets sick and you can't get a babysitter is definitely a work of art. I have great respect for all the moms out there.
Who is YOUR Fairygodboss? and Why?
Within Ultimate Software, I am very inspired by two amazing women. Lauren Quinn is strong and passionate, speaks her mind, and fights for her team. She is tough on her team to help them grow, but always watches their backs to prevent them from falling. Another amazing woman who inspires me daily is Andie Heffernan. She also is a strong, creative, and caring woman. She helps coach and grow her team while being their friend. Her creative ways of showing love and care always touch my heart. Even with her busy home and work life, she never forgets to celebrate every little thing for her team.
What do you do when you're not working?
I love to paint. I spend some time with my handsome little boy. I also like to drink wine with my husband after putting our son to sleep. When I was in California, my highlight of the day was hiking, but there are no hills to be found in Florida. So I am trying to find a fun water sport that will compensate for my love for nature.
If you could have dinner with one famous person—dead or alive—who would it be?
I would have loved to have dinner with Steve Jobs to understand his vision for his products. Since he had a vision for iPhone in the 90s, I am sure he already had a vision for our communication devices for 2050!
What is your karaoke song?
Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars.
What is your favorite movie?
300 and The Pursuit of Happiness.
What book would you bring with you on a desert island?
How to Escape from a Deserted Island for Dummies. Anyone who knows me knows that I cannot be on a deserted island since I love being around people. So this book is essential for helping me return to civilization.
What is your shopping vice? What would you buy if you won the lottery?
I would invest in fixer upper homes and remodel them to make them feel like paradise. I would also buy a very nice car.
What is the #1 career tip you'd like to share with other women who want to have successful careers like you?
Most women have a lot of responsibilities between home and work. Don't feel bad that your personal and professional lives are intertwined. You are the best at juggling both very well. Be proud of that fact. Be confident in what you do, and always pay it forward.
Why do you love where you work?
I love that I can be a successful woman while being a successful mother. Not many places make that balance easy, but Ultimate Software helps ensure that I can manage both well. I also love working with my teams. Everyone I work with is smart, yet kind and caring. I work with some of the best people you can ask to share most of your day with, and it hardly feels like work at the end of the day.
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