Episode 16 : How to build Inclusive Social Platforms

Priyanka, Chief Design Officer at Dream11, and Muru, CTO at HerKey, dive into key insights on building inclusive social platforms. They discuss the challenges of developing products like WhatsApp, balancing openness, safety, and privacy, and how thoughtful design strategies foster user trust. Discover how customer empathy is transforming user experiences and why safety and privacy are non-negotiable in today’s digital landscape.. They also discuss the powerful role of women in technology and the shift in career platforms driving today’s workforce. This episode offers valuable insights into designing platforms that empower and connect diverse users.

00:00 How to build Inclusive Social Platforms

02:46 How its like to build a product like watsapp

08:49 Balance on creating open, engaging and safe platform for women

15:05 How to follow safety and privacy protocols while building a platform for women

22:22 Applying design strategies in a product for better user trust and experience

29:00 Product iteration roadmap on building a inclusive social platform

35:41 Forher platform for women’s career growth 

36:04 Priyanka shares her Career journey as a women in STEM 

39:55 importance of team understanding about userbase for better product quality

43:16 How including diverse talents make a change in the product journey

48:25 Role and career growth of women in technology

52:30 The 4 M’s of a woman's life and career impact 

55:25 insights from the innovative project return to work by watsapp for women’s career growth led by priyanka 

Meet our guests :

Priyanka Kodikal

Priyanka is the Chief Design Officer at Dream Sports, having returned to India in 2023 after two decades of design experience in the U.S. She leads the expansion of the design team and influences the design philosophy across the Dream Sports portfolio. Prior to this role, Priyanka was the Head of Design for WhatsApp’s consumer products, where she shaped core user experiences for calling, messaging, and status.

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyankakodikal/

Murugan Arjunan

With over 20 years of global leadership experience in technology, SaaS product development, and cloud transformation, he has served as Chief Technology Officer at HerKey since 2023. He is passionate about leveraging technology, AI, and data to create products that empower millions of women to access opportunities, learning, and supportive communities for their career aspirations.

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/muru-arjunan/

Host corner:

Malthi SS, is Fractional Chief Product Officer at HerKey(formerly JobsForHer), a woman’s career engagement platform. She is a seasoned global product leader, Start-Up Mentor and Freelance Product Coach and Trainer. She has more than 2 decades of professional experience in building global software products working with PayPal, Societe Generale, Intuit, SAP and EMC catering to millions of customers.

Connect with Malthi: 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/malthis

Website : www.malthiss.com

Subscribe to the Newsletter at - https://malthi.substack.com