Sai is known for her authenticity, which is both powerful and humble

Muriel James Living Principles Award 2026
A Tribute to
Sailaja Manacha

I have known Sai since we did our Training Endorsement Workshop (TEW) together in Calicut in 2009. I have observed her journey from afar, mostly through her presence on social media — such powerful and authentic short videos inviting people into their own potency! The times we met up at international conferences were always wonderful moments of reconnection.

It was such a joy to hear her closing keynote at the World Conference in Montpellier — such a powerful and humble way of being who she is in the world, inviting other women to do the same. On a personal note, a highlight of the conference was being able to sing with Sai at the very end. Even her way of approaching me to do this embodied all the Muriel James principles — an invitation to consider it, permission to give it a go, permission to say no, trust in me to get my part of the music together and permission to decide not to do it right at the last minute should it feel not right for me! And of course, it all was a wonderful experience!

She is indeed a living testimony to the principles of transactional analysis!