Srishti G. 

Senior Program Manager, Technology Enablement

At Toast, learning is more than encouraged—it’s expected, supported, and celebrated. Every Toaster receives a professional development stipend, renewed annually, to support their growth in ways that are meaningful to them. For Toasters in India, that means access to funds that can be used for online courses, certifications, training programs, degrees, inclusive learning, textbooks, conferences, exams, and more. Here’s how five Toasters in India are using that support to grow boldly and intentionally.

Toast’s professional development stipend enabled me to pursue the U.S. CPA certification. Since my role regularly involves U.S. GAAP, I wanted to deepen my expertise and handle complex accounting scenarios with more confidence. The CPA sharpened my technical skills, boosted my confidence, and helped me bring more value to my work. The stipend removed the financial barrier and gave me the freedom to pursue something deeply aligned with my career goals. It’s empowering to know I can keep building my skills while contributing more meaningfully to my team and our finance strategy.
 — Nandhita K. (She/Her), Accounting Manager (Chennai)

My professional development stipend facilitated a mix of hands-on learning: a React course, TypeScript deep dive, system design training by A. Bhayani, and even a copy of The Staff Engineer’s Path. These helped sharpen my frontend skills, deepen my system design knowledge, and broaden my thinking beyond just code. This focus has made me more effective, more strategic, and more prepared for senior roles. It’s helped me grow in both day-to-day execution and long-term career direction. Toast’s support here isn’t just nice to have—it’s a major career accelerator.
 — Abhishek S. (He/Him), Software Developer II (Bangalore)

I invested in Playwright, Appium, and API automation—tools that are crucial for building scalable, efficient test systems. I chose a certified course with hands-on practice, which helped me understand and implement modern automation standards right away. The best part? I was able to use what I learned to support real projects—and also guide teammates who were new to automation. It’s not just about technical growth, it’s about enabling impact at scale. Toast investing in this kind of growth motivates me to keep pushing myself.
 — Sadik Basha D (He/Him), Senior QA Engineer (Chennai)

The stipend allowed me to complete a six-month certification in HR Management and Analytics from IIM Kozhikode, which included training in Excel, Power BI, and topics like workforce planning and retention analytics. Coming from an engineering background and working in Talent Acquisition, I wanted a more structured and data-informed approach to people strategy. This course helped me connect the dots between data and decision-making, and gave me the confidence to contribute more strategically in hiring and beyond. The stipend wasn’t just financial support—it was a clear sign that Toast believes in our long-term growth.
 — Aishwarya G. (She/Her), Talent Acquisition Partner (Bangalore)

The stipend empowered me to pursue an MBA that focuses on business strategy, financial analysis, and leadership. I wanted to strengthen my ability to think cross-functionally and contribute to Toast beyond my core role. The MBA has helped me grow both professionally and personally, giving me the tools to understand big-picture challenges and work more effectively across teams. Having access to the stipend meant I didn’t have to delay or second-guess this decision. It was the right learning at the right time—and Toast made it possible.
 — Sameer Nawaz S (He/Him), IT HelpDesk Analyst (Bangalore)