Beyond Limits, Beyond Labels

Madhavi Latha Prathigudupu is a visionary business leader, social advocate, and entrepreneur with over 30 years of professional experience spanning corporate leadership, advocacy for disability inclusion, and sports empowerment. Currently, she serves as the co-founder and director of AM Media & Sports, a startup that leverages digital platforms to produce and distribute content focused on sports, inclusion, and societal change. With her deep expertise in media, sports, and digital marketing, Madhavi has established herself as a dynamic force in advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across various industries.
As a co-founder of AM Media & Sports, Madhavi plays a pivotal role alongside her partner in shaping the company’s vision to become a global leader in media and sports. Together, they aim to inspire diverse audiences through innovative storytelling and dynamic events. Their mission is to empower communities by creating impactful content and events that educate, inspire, and entertain, while fostering inclusivity and driving positive change.
​
Madhavi's journey as a leader began in the banking industry, where she spent over 30 years, serving as a senior professional in retail and corporate banking. She was a trailblazer in driving corporate initiatives for women’s empowerment and disability inclusion creating lasting changes within organizations. Later, she transitioned into becoming an advocate for persons with disabilities and a passionate promoter of inclusive sports programs.
She is the founder of “Yes We Too Can”, an initiative focused on ensuring accessibility and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities, and the YWTC Charitable Trust, an organization that drives social empowerment. In her various leadership roles, Madhavi has been instrumental in founding and leading para-sports organizations such as the Paralympic Swimming Association of Tamil Nadu and the Wheelchair Basketball Federation of India, which have impacted hundreds of athletes across the nation.
​
Madhavi is also an accomplished writer, media creator, and director, co-directing and producing impactful films and documentaries that amplify inclusion in both the corporate and sports ecosystems. Her autobiography, Swimming Against the Tide, has earned widespread acclaim, including praise from India's Prime Minister and Former Vice President. She has been featured in several prestigious publications and has spoken at prominent forums, including TEDx and the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA).
​​
Her work extends beyond the realms of sports and media, as she actively consults on DEI strategies for corporations and governmental agencies. Through her numerous initiatives, she has championed change and built pathways for people with disabilities to access equal opportunities in both education and the workplace. Madhavi serves as an advisor to Anyssa Venture Capital, which focuses on disability inclusion in Asia and Africa. Madhavi’s diverse skill set spans public speaking, corporate sensitization, adaptive sports advocacy, media production, andcorporate DEI leadership. Her dedication to empowering others has earned her recognition through awards such as the Inspirational Women Award and the Great Diversity & Inclusion Award.
Key Expertise
-
Content Creation, Direction & Production for Digital Platforms
-
Sports Event Conceptualization, Organization & Execution
-
DEI Consulting & Corporate Sensitization
-
Adaptive Sports Advocacy & Empowerment Programs
-
Digital Marketing Campaigns & Social Media Management
-
Media for Inclusion & Cinematic Storytelling
-
Leadership in Disability & Women’s Empowerment
Notable Awards & Recognitions
-
Following Films made by her through her Trust have been screened at prestigious platforms like the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2024:
-
When Opportunity Knocks the Recruiter’s Door: Storywriter, co-screenwriter, and protagonist.
-
Beyond the Court - The Indian Wheelchair Basketball Journey: Co-director.
-
Stride: Producer through our Trust.
-
Selection Committee Member of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Arjuna Awards - 2017
-
Led a team of 15 coaches and administrators of wheelchair basketball who were invited by U S Dept of State under their Sports Visitor Program to US in Mar.,2019
-
Served as a member of Tamilnadu State Govt Advisory Board on Disability Affairs
-
The Hindu Achievement in surpasing disability
-
Rotary Club of Chennai Galaxy Distinguished Award
-
Women of Resilience Award – AGUA Women Exemplar Awards
-
Ewolv Women Achiever Award
-
Great Diversity & Inclusion Award – Career Growth Plus International
-
Inspirational Women Award – Homepreneur Award 2022
-
Path Breaker Award – Working Women Achiever Awards
-
News 7 Thangam Tharagai Award​
Certifications
-
Completed short-term courses in Acting, Dubbing, and Smartphone Filmmaking from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune - 2022-2024Competent
-
Completed Audio Description Training from American Council of the Blind (ACB)’s/Audio Description Project (ADP)’s Audio Descriptive Institute
-
Communicator (CC) & Advanced Leader Bronze (ALB), Toastmasters International
-
Certified Mental Health First Aider (MHFA), England
-
Certified Documentary Credit Specialist (CDCS), IFS, UK (2006-2012)
-
Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), ACAMS, US (2009-2012)
-
Certified Associate of Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB) , IIBF- 2000 -
-
Certification in Trade Finance (CTF), IIBF - 2003
Education
-
B.A. (Mathematics), Osmania University, 1989
My Journey on Esteemed Stages
Government & Policy Institutions
-
LBSNAA, Mussorie
-
NITI Aayog
-
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
-
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
-
The ICRC & Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
-
British Deputy High Commission, Chennai
-
U.S. Consulate, Chennai
-
Australian Consulate, Chennai
​​
Corporate & Industry Leaders
-
TCS
-
Accenture
-
Deloitte
-
Cognizant
-
Hyundai
-
Barclays
-
R R Donnelley
-
KLA
-
Thryve Digital Health LLP
-
Dow Chemical
-
Fiserv
​
Sports Organisations
-
NBA India
Academic & Research Institutions
-
IIT Madras
-
IIT Madras Research Park
-
IIM Indore
-
Loyola College
​
International & National Conferences
-
DBT South Asia Conference 2024
-
Times of India Sports International Conference, Pune
-
International Film Festival of India, Goa 2024
-
Hyderabad Literary Festival
Developmental & Non-Profit Organizations
-
UNICEF
-
Go Sports Foundation
-
NASSCOM
-
FICCI, Delhi
-
CII
​
Media & Cultural Institutions
-
British Council, Chennai
-
The Hindu
-
Press Institute of India
​
Finance, Trade & Market Institutions
-
NCDEX, Mumbai
List of places… and many more
Social Activities
-
Founder of Yes, We Too Can!!! Movement, which is aimed at promoting adaptive sports
-
Founder President of YWTC Charitable Trust which is aimed mainly to empower persons with disabilities
-
Founder General Secretary of Paralympic Swimming Assn of Tamilnadu (PSATN)
-
Organising Committee Chairperson for an International Seminar on adaptive sports
-
Worked in close liaison with Tamilnadu State Govt to get G.O.s in support of adaptive sports and to construct a Hydrotherapy pool
-
Founder President of Wheelchair Basketball Federation of India (WBFI)