What message would you like to share on the occasion of International Women’s Day? What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

Don’t wait for change to happen, be the change, embrace collaboration, break barriers and always be true to yourself, never doubt yourself, stand up for what is right, act with integrity, stay humble, strive for the best, celebrate your achievements and support women in reaching their full potential. International Women's Day is a powerful reminder to celebrate the achievements of women, acknowledge the progress made, and work towards a place where every woman is recognised, respected, and afforded equal opportunities.

What does “great leadership” mean to you? What key traits do you value the most?

Leadership, to me, is the ability to build trust, inspire and guide a team towards shared goals whilst enabling a fair, positive and inclusive culture. Key traits that I value are Empathy, Adaptability, Resilience, Commitment to Continuous Learning and Development, and Authenticity to ensure team and personal growth.

What does gender equality mean to you?

Gender equality means dismantling barriers, ensuring equal opportunities for all genders. It's not just about fairness; it's about the ability to pursue one's aspirations freely, leveraging unique talents to create a more inclusive and equitable future to drive innovation and progress.

Which women have inspired you the most professionally and personally? How?

Some women who have inspired me are those who have advocated women's ability to defy conventions such as Indra Nooyi (grit, determination, commitment to innovation and sustainable growth), Michelle Obama (self-assuredness, persistence and inclusivity), Sudha Murthy (giving back to society, standing up for what is right and making a positive impact) and Kiran Bedi (driving reform to bring on positive change) to name a few. Their passion, hard work, and clear vision, serves as a reminder that anyone can overcome barriers to achieve success.

What kind of a role model do you aspire to be?

I believe it's good to do your own thing whilst drawing inspiration from others; retain your identity and individuality. As a mentor / leader, I aspire to be independent, confident, straightforward and lead by example where I want the best for my team's well-being and performance. I want to enable self-reliance, create an environment where high standards are nurtured and empower my team to pursue their best selves thereby creating a collaborative team.