BY JULIEN GODMAN
This year as part of our Spring Giving campaign, we were able to sit down with a few of our key supporters and program audiences and see what motivates them to stay engaged. The third in our spotlight series is Global Talent Accelerator program alumna and recent MSU graduate, Dr. Yamini Kotriwar.
Where’d you grow up?
“I grew up in Nagpur, a city in central India. It is a place known for its intense heat. Reaching temperatures of 122°F (50°C) and for its traditional expectations. In the environment where I was raised, a girl’s ambition was often viewed as secondary to domestic stability, but I was determined to imagine a life larger than the one prescribed to me.“
What professional and educational avenues are you currently pursuing? Why? And, what is one personal thing you’d like to share that has impacted your professional or educational path?
“I recently completed my PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Michigan State University. I am currently pursuing roles in biomedical sensing, where I can design systems that translate signals from the human body into actionable health insights. I believe technology must serve humanity, and my interdisciplinary background allows me to bridge the gap between complex engineering and biological data.“
How have you engaged with Global Detroit to-date?
“I participated in the Global Talent Accelerator program in the Winter of 2025. I also had the opportunity to return to the program as an alumna, and graduate of my PhD program, to volunteer this year and share my story with a new cohort of international students.“
What does a “welcoming community” look like to you in everyday life?
“For me, a welcoming community is defined by mutual support and the removal of barriers to expression. In my lab at MSU, I worked with colleagues from China, Egypt, and Japan. We weren’t just researchers; we were a community that reviewed each other’s papers and practiced presentations together. A welcoming community recognizes that while English might not be our first language, our intelligence is never in question. It is a place where we are flexible, adapt, and help each other succeed.“
What do you wish more people knew about immigrants in Michigan?
“I wish people understood that talent, not passports, drives hiring. There is a rhetoric that immigrants ‘take’ jobs, but the reality is that there are no quotas favoring us. We are selected because we have earned our place through relentless study and unique expertise. Immigrants add to the strength to Michigan: we are incredibly adaptive and we bring a global perspective that complements modern, interdisciplinary science.“
Why is it important to support organizations, like Global Detroit, that help immigrant entrepreneurs and professionals succeed?
“Support is vital because shared struggle builds resilience. When international professionals have access to resources and a community, it makes high-level ambition feel possible rather than out of reach. By supporting these organizations, you aren’t just helping individuals; you are ensuring that Michigan remains a hub for global innovation. My hope is that girls in places like Nagpur can see these success stories and know they don’t need permission to become the best in their field.“
For ways to invest and engage in our work, consider sharing and donating to the annual Spring Giving campaign, and if you are an entity looking to uplift our work in a bigger way and would like greater exposure to likeminded audiences, consider becoming a sponsor of our fall fundraising dinner, Tapestry.
Julien Godman is a multi-medium storyteller and communications strategist. He has over 15 years experience working in the Detroit creative nonprofit and philanthropic industries, with focus on equitability and access. His work in communications, specifically public relations, brand development, and social media, is further enriched with a background in writing and journalism, with dozens of articles and print published over the years.