In a world where the lines between business and social responsibility are increasingly blurred, female entrepreneurs are making their mark by seamlessly integrating their corporate leadership with philanthropic endeavors. 

Vaishali Dev, the Texsas-based CEO of Microteq Engineering, Inc. is a female leader who successfully navigated the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry while prioritizing making significant contributions to charitable causes.

“It’s a give and take where you have to prioritize, you know, what needs to be done today,” Dev says, speaking about the delicate balance between her responsibilities at home and work. 

As a mother and a wife, Dev has had to juggle household duties with the demands of running a company, often working 15 to 16 “very long hours” each day to keep up.

But Dev’s challenges don’t end there. As a female CEO, she has faced gender bias and discrimination in the workplace. 

“When you go outside into the workforce, you will see your peers or your subordinates or your bosses thinking that we are disabled, that we do not have as much skill sets or we are not as educated,” she explains. 

Dev has had to work harder to prove herself, even in her own company, where she once had to confront an insubordinate male employee who doubted her technical abilities.

Despite these obstacles, Dev has managed to build a successful company while also making philanthropy a central part of her life. She has worked with various foundations and is now looking to start her own. 

“I am interested in having my own foundation,” Vaishali says, noting that she sometimes felt that existing charities favor bigger donors rather than long-time supporters like herself.

Dev believes that the key to balancing entrepreneurship and philanthropy lies in integrating the two aspects of her life. “I have always involved my children in everything I do in my life,” she says, explaining how she has tried to instill values of equality and social responsibility in her daughters. 

Vaishali has taught her daughters a wide range of skills, from household chores to basic plumbing and car maintenance, in an effort to break down gender stereotypes.

Looking forward, Dev sees media and education as powerful tools for promoting gender equality and inspiring the next generation of female leaders. 

“Influencers can make a difference in the youth,” she suggests, adding that teachers can also play a crucial role by incorporating discussions of gender equality into their classrooms.

As she continues to navigate the challenges of being a female entrepreneur and philanthropist, Dev remains committed to using her platform to create positive change. “It’s almost as if from 12 to 30, this youth are on TikTok and social media,” she notes. 

“We should encourage influencers to create emotional content that resonates with their audience and encourages them to engage deeply with the subject matter”

For Dev, the ultimate goal is to leave a legacy that extends beyond her business 

As more female entrepreneurs like Vaishali Dev step into leadership roles and take on the challenges of balancing business with social responsibility, they are paving the way for a more equitable and compassionate world. 

Through their example, they show that it is possible to be successful in both entrepreneurship and philanthropy and that the two can indeed go hand in hand.

As a successful female CEO, Vaishali Dev has a clear message: Women can succeed in any industry or career they want. 

A CEO doesn’t always have to be a man, and neither does a boss — and Dev is proof that women are just as equipped as men to break down the barriers of business and succeed.