Looking forward: How Anitha Palakurthi is leading tech at Foxtel Group

Respected by her team, trusted by leaders and now recognised industry-wide, Anitha Palakurthi is proof that curiosity, commitment, and care can go a long way in tech.  

For Anitha Palakurthi, Principal Engineer at Foxtel Group, being announced as a finalist in the 2025 B&T Women Leading Tech Awards marked a powerful professional milestone. After nearly two decades working behind the scenes to build systems, solve complex challenges, and mentor others, the recognition felt deeply validating – and not just for herself.  

“Not once did I ever think I’d be nominated for something like this,” Anitha reflects. “Being shortlisted for the B&T Women Leading Tech Awards – it means someone noticed. They thought, she deserves this. That’s powerful.”  

Nominated in the Engineering category for her work optimising our streaming platforms, Anitha sees the recognition as a shared moment for the people around her – from the supportive leaders who mentored her during her first role as a Mid-level Java Developer at Foxtel Group, to those who welcomed her back in 2022, and the “rockstar team” she now leads.  

“I remember the late nights debugging code that refused to cooperate, the moments of self-doubt before presenting an idea, and the thrill of seeing a project come to life. Along the way, I encountered challenges, but I was fortunate to be surrounded by a supportive community – mentors who guided me, colleagues who encouraged me, and friends and family who reminded me of my worth when I needed it most.

 “This recognition is not just a celebration of my achievements but a testament to the incredible progress we, as women, have made in the field of technology. 

"I hope my team sees this and thinks, ‘If I work hard and I do something great, maybe I’ll reach where Anitha has reached too.’ And I hope the women I work with see this and know – your work is valued. You belong here. And you can lead, too.”  

With her commitment to excellence, emotional intelligence, love of problem-solving, and proactive approach to learning, Anitha has not only carved out a path from individual contributor to leader – she’s paving the way for others to follow.  

From Junior Developer to Principal Engineer

Every year, the B&T Women Leading Tech Awards showcase the very best of Australia’s tech industries, and celebrate women who drive innovation, create change, and forge bold new paths.

As a finalist in the Engineering category, Anitha was recognised for industry-leading engineering and technical development that led to groundbreaking user, business and client success. 

“I was nominated for leading the development and optimisation of a critical system that processes millions of daily requests and powers core business functions,” she explains. 

“This system guarantees seamless content delivery, minimises latency, and enhances streaming quality, all of which directly contribute to improved customer retention and engagement.  

“I also implemented advertising integration solutions across our OTT platforms, driving a significant increase in advertising revenue, and managed the migration of legacy systems to reduce operational costs and enhance system availability. It has been three years of dedication, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved.”

She loved the challenge of solving tricky technical problems, and knowing the work she did helped entertain millions of people across Australia. 

“I find great fulfilment in solving problems that have a real impact, especially when they directly enhance the end-user experience. Knowing that my contributions can make a difference in how people interact with and benefit from a product truly motivates me.”

For someone so focused on content delivery, she laughs that at home, these days she rarely gets the remote.

“You might not believe it, but these days usually the moment I’m done with work, the kids take over. The last time I got to choose, I think I watched one Telugu movie in 10-minute intervals over about 30 days,” she smiles. “But I love crime dramas, science documentaries – anything that makes you think.”

That same analytical mindset drives her love of engineering.

“I’ve always sought out challenges and focused on delivering my best work. I began my career in 2006 as a junior developer in India, and from that moment on, my passion for my work has only grown stronger. That mindset helped me move into a Technical Lead role and eventually become a Principal Engineer, where I get to tackle complex challenges head-on alongside my talented team.

“My day often starts with reviewing emails, project updates, and system alerts,” she says. “Then it’s reviewing my team’s work, meeting stakeholders, shaping solutions. But the best part is the people – mentoring, unblocking, collaborating. Finding ways to align technical solutions with business goals.”

Anitha originally came to Australia in 2011. She joined Foxtel Group in 2016 as a Mid-level Java Developer and returned in 2022. She credits the company’s culture and leadership as key reasons for both decisions.

“I was trusted with important work early on, and I always felt like my voice mattered – even as a mid-level engineer. That made a huge difference. It gave me the confidence to keep stepping up.”

That foundation of support gave her the courage to take on bigger roles, including a leap into the public sector as a Senior Product Engineer at a government agency on the frontline of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The experience built her resilience, sharpened her leadership skills, and led to a promotion to Principal Engineer in under a year.

“You learn the most in the hard moments. That’s when your mindset, your communication, and your ability to stay calm matter the most.”

Returning to Foxtel Group felt like a full-circle moment – reuniting with some of the same leaders who had mentored and backed her earlier in her career, now in a leadership role herself.

“It was incredible to come back and see that the leadership culture remained just as strong, empowering and supportive,” Anitha explains. 

“I was so happy to see many of the same people still here – still encouraging, still leading with trust and respect."

“They had been part of my journey from the beginning. It felt like coming home.”

Leading teams, building culture 

Today, as Principal Engineer, Anitha leads a high-performing team that’s known across the business for its delivery, cohesion and can-do spirit. She believes her leadership style is shaped by the culture that helped her grow – one based on ownership, trust, and a collective commitment to excellence.

“Leadership isn’t a status, it’s a responsibility. I lead the way I would want to be led – with clarity, trust, and honesty. That’s what my mentors gave me, and I try to pass it on."

“My team gets called the ‘rockstar team’ because they always get things done,” she smiles. “And I’m so proud of them – it’s a real testament.

“They deliver. Every time. We’ve created a space where everyone steps up. When there’s a crisis, nobody says, ‘This isn’t my issue.’ Everyone asks, ‘How can I help?’ That’s rare. That’s culture.”

The shift from individual contributor to leader was one which Anitha says involved both skill development and a shift in mindset. 

“A big part of my growth was shifting from focusing purely on technical execution to thinking about the bigger picture. You go from being a doer to a strategist. You think about systems, people, impact."

“Early on, I realised that communication was key. Being able to explain complex technical concepts in a way that everyone could understand was a game changer. I spent a lot of time refining this skill, as I noticed how much more effective I became when I could bridge those gaps.

“I had to become comfortable with making decisions that impacted not only the team but the broader organisation. This meant being comfortable with ambiguity and trusting my instincts while still involving my team in the process. Over time, I became more confident in my ability to navigate high-pressure situations and prioritise what truly mattered.

“I also learned to step back and empower my team members to take ownership of their projects, which has been incredibly rewarding. My leadership style is hands-on but not controlling. I want my team to have space to think, solve, and grow.

“Sometimes, the most important thing I do is listen. I don’t jump in with answers right away. I try to ask the right questions and help people find their own solutions. I’ve learnt that leadership isn’t about having all the answers – it’s about creating the conditions where the team can do their best work.”

She also believes in the importance of recognition.

“Technical work is often invisible unless something goes wrong,” Anitha explains. “So, when it goes right, it’s important to acknowledge that too.

“Everyone on the team should feel like they matter. I try to make sure people feel seen – even if it’s just a quick thank you or a message that says, ‘I noticed what you did.’

It's particularly fitting that now Anitha is the one being recognised through the B&T Women Leading Tech Awards. 

“The Awards night was fantastic,” she says. “It was inspiring to see so many women achieving great things.  

“I’ve posted it everywhere – on LinkedIn, with friends – I’m genuinely proud. Just being in that group of finalists means a lot.”

A vision for the future 

For those looking to follow Anitha’s path from individual contributor to leader, it all begins with belief. 

“My advice to anyone, especially women in tech, who aspires to grow into leadership positions is to start believing in your potential,” she says.   

“I’ve had the privilege of being mentored by some incredible people throughout my career, and they played a huge role in helping me see my own worth.

“Women often feel like they’re not ready, but the truth is, you grow into the role. Take opportunities, learn as you go, and always speak up – your voice matters.”

She also believes embracing continuous learning, and patience with yourself is key. 

“The tech industry is always changing, and staying adaptable is crucial. For me, that’s meant taking on projects outside my comfort zone and making sure I’m always expanding my knowledge,” Anitha says.  

“Don’t be afraid to take on tough challenges and be patient with yourself. We all make mistakes; we’re not machines. Learn from them and keep moving forward.”  

This is the mindset that has driven Anitha’s own career forward. And she’s not done yet.  

What’s next?

“I want to understand the full scope,” she says. “Right now, I’m contributing to just one piece of the puzzle – but my goal is to take ownership of an entire project. That’s the next challenge I’m aiming for.”

Foxtel Group has truly been a game-changer for her career.

“The leadership here is so down-to-earth and empowering. There’s no micromanagement – just trust and support,” Anitha explains. 

She was recently selected for Project Sandberg, our leadership development program focused on empowering women in tech – another achievement she’s proud of. 

“Foxtel Group invests in its people. We want to lead in innovation, which makes it an exciting place to work – but also in culture. That’s rare. And that’s why I’m here.”