Former Microsoft and Starbucks leader builds inclusive art studio in Sunnyvale

Shubhada Zunjarwad, a former technology executive, has turned 22 years in tech into ANFS Studio, an art and wellness space in Sunnyvale focused on creativity, confidence, and community. The studio has also earned a Best of 2026 award from ActivityHero as Zunjarwad expands classes and partnerships for children, teens, adults, and seniors.

Why it matters: - Shubhada Zunjarwad is showing how a career pivot can become a community asset. - ANFS Studio gives Sunnyvale residents of all ages a place to make art, build confidence, and connect offline. - The studio’s mix of classes, events, and partnerships makes creative learning more accessible in a digital-first world.

What happened: - Zunjarwad founded ANFS Studio in Sunnyvale as an inclusive art and wellness space. - The studio offers workshops and classes for children, teens, adults, and seniors. - The programming includes painting, pencil sketching, and collaborative art. - ANFS Studio recently received a Best of 2026 award from ActivityHero. - Zunjarwad previously spent 22 years in technology, starting as a software engineer and later becoming a technical product leader. - She held senior product management roles at Microsoft and Starbucks.

The details: - Zunjarwad’s background includes product design, user experience, and strategic execution. - Her studio work emphasizes confidence, mindfulness, and connection. - She built ANFS Studio to give people a space to explore art without pressure or judgment. - The studio hosts themed events, partners with local artists, and supports community programs. - Zunjarwad also works with the Sunnyvale Community Center. - At the annual HandsOnTheArts event, she hosted a Rock Mandala art station and guided around 300 children ages five and up in painting rocks. - She volunteers with the Sunnyvale Public Library and leads art workshops there. - Her next library session is scheduled for November 13 and will focus on Sand Art for teens. - Zunjarwad speaks English, Hindi, Kannada, and Marathi. - She earned a Master of Science from Old Dominion University. - She also completed professional certifications in product management and development, business planning, competitive and market analysis, product strategy and roadmaps, data analytics, persuasive communication, and leadership foundations.

Between the lines: - Zunjarwad’s move from technology to art reflects a broader shift from screen-based work to hands-on community experiences. - Her message centers on process over perfection, which fits both creative education and leadership. - The studio’s focus on mindfulness and personal expression positions art as both a skill-building activity and a social outlet. - Zunjarwad sees creative anxiety and automation as barriers that make in-person art spaces more valuable.

What's next: - Zunjarwad plans to keep expanding access to creative experiences through community partnerships and workshops. - She is encouraging students to slow down, work with their hands, and rediscover the satisfaction of making something original. - Her advice for young women is to trust their voice, start without waiting for a perfect moment, and treat each experience as part of the learning process.

The bottom line: - Zunjarwad is using a long career in tech to build a studio culture rooted in creativity, resilience, and human connection.