Editor | Editorial Strategist · Chennai, India

Vandana Viswanath

I bridge worlds. The technical, the commercial, and the scientific, all translated to plain human.

Welcome to two decades of editorial work across publishing, IT, BFSI, marketing, and environmental science.

Portrait of Vandana Viswanath
01 — About Me

In a Snapshot

I am an editor with two decades of experience delivering publishing-grade content across IT, manufacturing, and BFSI.

I have spent much of my career translating technical information for people who did not have the context to read it. I have worked in fast-paced marketing communication environments and edited scientific publications for environmental conservation organizations. I have also led editorial governance and mentored teams of content writers and editors, while establishing quality frameworks that cut rework.

My editorial instinct always favors clarity and directness over flamboyance. A defining strength of my practice is my command of referencing style guides and English variants. I am known for my ability to rewrite complex technical content into clear, simple language for any audience, global or local.

I live in Chennai and am pursuing an MA in Women’s and Gender Studies.

02 — The Journey So Far

Twenty Years in Marketing and Technology

Feb 2024—May 2026 Toss the Coin
Editor/Marketing Partner
More
  • Managed content quality across client engagements
  • Established editorial checklists and workflows
  • Mentored and reviewed a team of content writers, improving draft-to-publish speed and consistency
  • Edited long-form deliverables and wrote video scripts for explainers and campaign collaterals
  • Worked as client partner for three gov-tech organisations
2021—2022 Foundation for Ecological Security
Communication Consultant
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  • Authored content for the Indian Biodiversity Information System (IBIS) portal
  • Created user manual and help content for the Integrated Forest Management Toolbox (IFMT) app
  • Produced policy summaries, donor reports, and outreach campaigns
2018—2024 Independent Practice
Editorial Consultant
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  • Consulted on editorial strategy for biodiversity protection campaigns
  • Created marketing content for several global startups
  • Wrote press releases and fundraising collateral
  • Edited research manuscripts
  • Partnered with SMEs to convert technical content into audience-appropriate communications
2016—2018 Fidelity Information Services (FIS)
Senior Technical Writer
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  • Produced product documentation and periodic release notes for this BFSI IT major
  • Collaborated with development and QA teams to verify accuracy
  • Authored user guides, internal knowledge articles, and maintained documentation templates
  • Translated technical requirements into clear consumer communications
2016—2017 Care Earth Trust
Editor, Book
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  • Edited and co-authored “The Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu
  • Consolidated multi-disciplinary research papers into a handbook for policymakers and forest department staff
2010—2015 Cognizant Technology Solutions
Senior Technical Communicator
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  • Edited technical documents and marketing collateral for Cognizant’s clients, its own Content department and the Cognizant Global Technology Office
  • Led and mentored a team of writers and editors; supported hiring of editors
  • Improved readability scores and Flesch-Kincaid grade levels across technical content deliverables
  • Designed and facilitated regular training sessions on writing clarity, bias-free language, and business English
2009 Kumaran Systems
Consultant, Corporate Communications
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  • Rebuilt and rewrote the company’s corporate portal
  • Wrote whitepapers and blog articles to support marketing positioning
  • Edited and restyled the portal for consistency and brand alignment
2007—2008 Standard Chartered Bank
Associate Manager — Corporate Affairs, Scope International
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  • Managed internal corporate communications including intranet content and internal publications
  • Ensured all communications adhered strictly to Standard Chartered brand guidelines
  • Conceptualised and edited audio-video presentations for different units of the company
2005—2007 Sify eLearning
Editor / Technical Communicator
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  • Wrote eLearning courses for Microsoft, Cisco, and UNDP
  • Edited eLearning content and created technical user manuals
  • Developed internal training materials on editing standards and grammar
  • Trained on the Microsoft Manual of Style (MSTP) and Cisco Style Guide
2003—2004 Animation Reporter
Editor
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  • Planned issues and wrote and edited content for the animation industry magazine
  • Liaised with contributors and animation production houses including Sony, Disney, and Pixar
  • Coordinated a team of designers across two years of magazine production
2003 Ability Foundation
Assistant Editor
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  • Wrote and edited content for outreach campaigns and the disability rights awareness magazine
  • Supported communications for disability rights advocacy and inclusion programmes
2002—2003 Median Corporate Communications
Corporate Communications Consultant
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  • Wrote and designed brand strategies for corporate clients
  • Created content for websites, newsletters, product manuals, and press releases
  • Wrote book reviews and business features in The Business Standard and The Business Line
2001 City Mag
Reporter
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  • Covered news and features for this start-up weekly tabloid
  • Interviewed renowned writers and doyens of the performing arts
  • Investigated and reported on a child trafficking nexus based in Chennai
2000—2001 The Hindu
Intern
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  • Completed an internship in the Reporting and Editing sections of India’s national newspaper of record
  • Prepared myself for a career in writing and mass communication
03 — Selected Writing

Essays: On Inclusivity, Gender,
and Bias-Free Language

04 — Education & Skills

What I Bring to the Page

Core Strengths
Editorial Leadership
  • Content workflow governance
  • Quality frameworks
  • Style-guide stewardship
  • AI-integrated editing
  • Team mentoring & review streamlining
Corporate Communications & Marketing
  • Messaging strategy
  • Campaign and event collateral
  • Video concept and scripting
  • Client relationship management
Technical Editing & Documentation
  • Training manuals
  • User guides and FAQs
  • RFPs, whitepapers, and eBooks
Language, Style & Readability
  • American and British English
  • Bias-free communications
  • Referencing style guides
  • Flesch-Kincaid grading
  • Audience-appropriate prose
Environmental & Science Communication
  • Portal content
  • Scientific paper co-authoring
  • Book editing
  • Biodiversity documentation
  • Citizen science engagement content
Education
MA in Women and Gender Studies (IGNOU)
Ongoing
PG Diploma in Journalism, Public Relations & Mass Communication (Madras Christian College, Madras University)
2000–2001, 1st rank
BA English Language & Literature (Mahatma Gandhi University)
1997–2000, 1st rank/gold medalist
Other Capabilities
MarketingMessaging · Campaign collateral · Client stakeholder management
Gender & Legal ComplianceAwareness of Indian legal mandates · Practical grievance redressal
Creative WritingPoetry · Fiction · Avid reader
LanguagesMalayalam, English, Hindi (Professional) · Bengali, Tamil (Spoken)
Avocations
  • Documentation volunteer for campaigns educating the public and media on industrial pollution effects
  • Volunteer for biodiversity conservation projects
  • Member of the Management Committee, The Other Media (2019–2024), a Chennai-based environmental justice NGO
05 — Get in Touch

Let’s Talk About
Your Content

Whether it’s editorial governance for a growing team, a technical document that needs to read like it wasn’t written by a robot, or a manuscript that needs a steady hand, I’d like to talk about your content.

LocationChennai, India

References are available on request, via LinkedIn Recommendations.