In Class 9, when girls were expected to choose needlework and boys chose commerce, I picked commerce. It sounds trivial now, but it taught me my first lesson in leadership: when the script doesn't fit your purpose, write a new one.
Early Career: Building from Scratch
Early in my career, I built a CBSE-affiliated school from the ground up in a small hill town, raising capital, hiring, getting approvals, and convincing parents to trust a new idea. Later, I moved into large corporations, where I learned to shift from an owner-mindset to influence without authority, aligning diverse teams, respecting process, and making inclusion a daily practice. When language became a barrier, I learned a new one to belong to. When speed met structure, I leaned on purpose and persuasion.
Lessons from Sport and Work
Sport taught me grit; work taught me grace. A favourite line I carry from school days is: "Winners don't quit, and quitters don't win." I have failed, recalibrated, and moved again, always asking, "What did this teach me?" I have also learned to keep joy non-negotiable. I tell every candidate: skills can be taught, not attitude, so it matters.
Technology and Human Intelligence at Recykal
At Recykal, technology is at the core where AI drives business guided by human intelligence. While data brings traceability and trust, it is the people who bring empathy and add momentum. The circular economy is not just about closing material loops; it is about the human commitment to make a real impact. That is not a tech output; it is what you earn when you invest in innovation and people, every single day.
Advice for Women Navigating Their Ladders
To women navigating their own ladders: do not chase perfect, chase progress. Build an inner circle that tells you the truth and roots for you anyway. Be a team player because together you can solve the most complicated problems with ease. Success is not measured just by titles, but by the teams you have grown, the courage you have modelled, and the doors you have opened for others.
Future Focus and Purpose
I live a few years ahead in my mind, visualising what a better Wednesday looks like, and then I work backwards. That future focus keeps me grounded in the present. Purpose sets direction, people create momentum, and perseverance delivers compounding returns. The rest is just noise.
