Event Honoree

Praveena J. Ramaswami

Praveena J. Ramaswami is a connector, strategist, and grassroots advocate whose work has long focused on bringing people, ideas, and institutions together to strengthen communities. Often described as a “pollinator,” she is known for linking organizations and individuals across sectors to spark collaboration and inspire solutions that improve everyday life.

Throughout her career in communications, mobility, and innovation, Praveena has consistently asked the questions that move organizations forward: Why does this exist? Who is being served? Who else should be at the table to ensure all perspectives are understood? This mindset has guided her work across global companies, startups, and mission-driven initiatives, always centering the voices and needs of the communities they serve.

Her commitment to civic leadership is rooted in lived example. Growing up, she watched her immigrant mother navigate the challenges of a lower-income household while still finding time to volunteer with nonprofits and organize people to advocate for change. That experience shaped Praveena’s belief that meaningful impact often begins at the grassroots level. She has carried that lesson forward through years of volunteerism, service on multiple nonprofit boards and city commissions, and advocacy for initiatives that strengthen community spaces and local organizations. In recognition of her dedication to community service, she was honored with a mayoral proclamation from the City of Ann Arbor.

Today, Praveena is channeling the full arc of her professional and community experience into her startup, Cargility, a mobility and accessibility company focused on improving vehicle access. The company addresses a growing and often overlooked population of people with stability challenges, including aging adults, individuals recovering from injury, and those living with daily mobility disabilities. Her goal is to bring this solution to millions, helping people maintain independence, safety, and dignity in everyday mobility.

Praveena hopes her work reflects the mission of the Women’s Center of Southeast Michigan: inspiring women to overcome barriers, lead where they can, and use their talents to contribute in meaningful ways. She believes real change happens when individuals step forward, using their own skills and voices to make a difference in their communities.