Bluegrass IIBA Volunteer Spotlight: Usha Talabhaktula Earns the Above & Beyond Award
Our Volunteer Spotlight Series continues with Usha Talabhaktula, recipient of the Above & Beyond Award. This award recognizes a volunteer whose contributions consistently exceed the expectations of their role — and Usha's track record with the chapter makes her a natural first recipient.
Usha joined the Bluegrass IIBA Chapter Leadership Team as Director of Technology in 2020, and since then her fingerprints have shown up across nearly every corner of the chapter's operations.
On the technology side, Usha has led research into new tools and platforms for the chapter, including evaluating and selecting the event platform Bluegrass IIBA uses to deliver its annual conference — a decision that shapes the experience of every conference attendee and presenter. She keeps the chapter website current as well, regularly updating pages throughout the year.
One of her most meaningful recurring contributions is building the annual pages for new inductees into the Bluegrass Business Analysis Hall of Fame. Each year, it's Usha who makes sure incoming honorees are properly recognized on the chapter's site. In 2024, Usha found herself on the other side of that process when she was inducted into the Hall of Fame herself, a testament to the impact she's had on the chapter.
Usha's contributions go well beyond the technology behind the scenes. She's been deeply involved in planning the chapter's annual conference and, on the day of the event, has taken on hands-on logistics, often facilitating an entire presentation track — making sure sessions run smoothly and speakers and attendees have what they need throughout the day.
From the technology that runs behind the scenes to the logistics that make conference day possible, Usha Talabhaktula consistently shows up for Bluegrass IIBA in ways that go well beyond her job title — exactly what the Above & Beyond Award is meant to recognize.
Stay tuned — we'll be recognizing a new volunteer and a new award every week.
