Vithyaa Thavapalan was born in Western Sydney, Australia, to Tamil parents who fled Sri Lanka during the war.  Growing up herself and twin were not surrounded by South Asians. Though she quickly learned to adapt, but in the process, lost her ability to speak her mother tongue. However, this did not stop her from later founding Brown Boss Babes, Australia's first women’s empowerment organisation dedicated to uplifting South Asian women, proving that identity is not just about language but about action.
 

From an early age, Vithyaa defied cultural and gender norms, often against her parents' wishes. While many expected her to follow a more conventional career path, she pursued forensics and stepped into the male-dominated world of fire investigation. As one of the very few women of colour in the world investigating fires, she navigated a space where she was often the only woman in the room.

 

Over the course of a decade, she became a Certified Forensic Fire Investigator, leading complex fire and explosion investigations across Australia and overseas. Her expertise and leadership saw her rise to the role of General Manager, overseeing a national team, driving business development, and ensuring operational excellence. After some discriminatory behaviour within the business she resigned and went on to create Forensic Origin & Cause Investigations in 2024, the first fire investigation company to be founded by a woman of colour in the world. 

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Despite having no formal business training, Vithyaa embraced entrepreneurship with the same fearless mindset that guided her career. In 2018, she founded Murs De Fleurs Events and Sydney Flower Walls which has now transformed into The Events House, an award-winning full service events company. She later co-founded a specialty tea business, where she oversaw strategic planning, product sourcing, and marketing. Between managing operations, leading teams, and scaling businesses, she developed a strong foundation in business development, marketing, and leadership.
 

Her passion for community-building and empowering women led her to establish Brown Boss Babes after experiencing negativity from family and friends when she created her first business. Brown Boss Babes is a platform that connects and uplifts South Asian women in business and leadership. Expanding on this mission, after becoming a mother, she has launched The South Asian Foundation Australia, a charity dedicated to supporting and celebrating the South Asian community through business awards, leadership and community programs.

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Her dedication and achievements have been widely recognised, earning her multiple awards. 

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Beyond her professional and entrepreneurial ventures, Vithyaa is a sought-after speaker, sharing her insights on business, leadership, women’s empowerment, and resilience at industry events, universities, and community forums.

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Through every challenge and success, she has remained committed to breaking barriers, creating opportunities, and inspiring others to forge their own paths. Whether investigating fires, building businesses, or empowering communities, she continues to prove that resilience and determination can ignite lasting change.
 

And for her, this is only the beginning.