This is the question we posed to the women leaders: What challenges did you face as a woman from a modest background? How did overcoming them contribute to building your confidence?
One way confidence is born is through struggles. It is also nurtured by the right support, bold choices, and an unshakable belief in oneself. Whether shaped by progressive parenting, the challenges of motherhood, or navigating biases in the workplace, women turn every roadblock into a stepping stone. From redefining work-life balance to proving their capabilities in male-dominated spaces, they refuse to let societal norms dictate their paths. Their journeys of the women in this story are a testament to the fact that confidence isn’t just about standing tall – it’s about moving forward, no matter the odds.
Relentless Demands
Aditi Mukherjee, Chief People Officer at NCDEX, believes that navigating biases is an integral part of every woman’s journey, encompassing both conscious and unconscious challenges.
From being the first of the daughter in her family in late 90s to go out of the city for higher studies, to travelling to remote locations and managing high-stakes projects to handling intense workplace pressures – all while raising a toddler – Aditi challenged every assumption. The demands were relentless, especially in the early years with a spouse whose profession also required long months of travel. Yet, she found a way to build a supportive ecosystem of great colleagues, understanding bosses and of course enabling family. “Growing up as one of four daughters, I and my sisters learned at a very impressionable age from my grandfather the importance financial independence for women. The journey from there to today was difficult, but these challenges taught me prioritization, adaptability, and the ability to thrive in chaos,” she reflects.
Society often expects women to be primary caregivers, and while that role comes with its own responsibilities, Aditi learned to reframe it. Rather than viewing personal and professional commitments as competing forces, she saw them as opportunities to refine her skills.
Work Life Balance
Another dimension come from Arti Shekhar, Sr Exec VP & Chief Compliance Officer at Kotak Mahindra Prime. Her challenge wasn’t just managing work – it was navigating the guilt that often follows working mothers. “Balancing parenthood and profession was my biggest challenge,” she shares.
Fortunately, with access to good house help and family support, she found a way to make it work. Flexible hours became her solution, ensuring she could be fully present at home while giving her best at work. “A huge shout-out to all my bosses who were supportive and always result-oriented,” she adds.
Kirti Gulaati, Cluster Head, Executive Vice President at Yes Bank, acknowledges that one of the most significant challenges she has faced is managing her dual responsibilities as a dedicated professional and a committed working mother. Balancing both roles required immense determination and effective time management.
“There were times when the demand of work and family felt overpowering, and insecurity emerged,” she shares. However, these experiences ultimately strengthened her resilience and resolve. She learned to prioritize efficiently, set boundaries, and, most importantly, show herself the kindness needed to manage both responsibilities without guilt. Overcoming these challenges has bolstered her self-assurance and influenced her leadership style, allowing her to guide and assist others facing similar struggles.
Differentiation is the Answer
For some girls, confidence begins with unwavering dedication of their parents. This is the case for Kripa Krishnamoorthy, SVP, Talent Strategy – Asia, at Synchrony. Despite financial constraints, they prioritized her education – enrolling her in top schools, funding classes beyond their means, and sacrificing their own aspirations to support hers.
Yet, she was always conscious of the things she lacked – privileges her peers took for granted. Some were academic, like extra classes and library memberships; others were social, like movie outings or meals after college. This awareness didn’t hold her back – it pushed her to differentiate herself.
With limited resources, she made strategic choices – learning Japanese, pursuing Company Secretaryship, and competing in high-reward debates. “I developed an instinct for maximizing value building what I now see as my own consultant style 2×2 matrix: low cost, high differentiation,” she reflects. This mindset became invaluable in the corporate world, where every disadvantage hides an advantage.
As her career advanced, she defied expectations that women should prioritize family over ambition. Balancing motherhood, she took on a high-stakes assignment in Hong Kong while her husband remained in India. She continues to navigate such challenges even today.
More women are charting their own paths today, but the internal struggle remains – self-doubt, guilt, questioning every decision. Confidence, she learned, isn’t something you’re born with; it’s built through choices that push you beyond the familiar. “Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. But the key is retaining agency – making decisions on your own terms.” And when you do, the right support has a way of showing up. For Kripa, it always has. And for that, she is grateful.
Growth Mindset
Lakshmi Prasanna Susarla is Executive Director at Wells Fargo. She comes from a lower middle-class family, and financial stability has been a challenge. As a student, she used to take tuition and music classes to help support her parents financially. She took a loan in her first job to afford a larger apartment for her parents to live in, which made things better for them as a family. Those decisions helped in making her believe that if one has the will, grit, and determination to make things happen along with a growth mindset (‘Sankalpam’ in Telugu), things will work their way. This thought process became deeply rooted in her and built confidence in herself that ‘I can do.’
Overcoming Guilt & Self-Doubt
All the challenges these women experienced were largely external. Paulomi Desai, Chief People Officer at Niwas Housing Finance, faced an internal challenge. Balancing work and family was never a struggle – her strong support system made sure of that.
“As a working mom, it’s more of an inner battle – pushing through self-doubt, navigating office politics, and dealing with mom guilt. But these experiences shaped me, teaching resilience and empathy, both essential for a leader managing multiple generations,” she reflects. Her confidence wasn’t built through external validation but by overcoming internal doubts – learning to trust herself and embrace the complexities of leadership with empathy and strength.
Protecting Oneself
Smitha Sudheendra, ED, Chief Operating Officer – Wealth Business, JM Financial, recalls that working in sales during the early stages of her career was particularly challenging, especially as a woman in a male-dominated society. She faced situations where people expected favors in return for business and had to deal with inappropriate behavior and concerns for her safety.
“Protecting one’s integrity, vanity, and self-respect while achieving sales targets and remaining among the top was very tough,” she states. However, every hurdle she crossed with her presence of mind, smart handling of situations, and resilience strengthened her confidence, and she emerged as one among the toppers during those times!
Breaking the Mould
Growing up in Ranchi in a traditional joint family, Priya Prasad, CHRO at Indostar Capital, was expected to follow the conventional path of marriage and homemaking. But she aspired to break the mould and build a career.
Her parents supported her ambitions but insisted on marriage. She agreed – on one condition: her education would not be compromised. “Six months into my MBA, I tied the knot. I skipped campus placements and moved to Mumbai to start fresh – both personally and professionally.”
The city was overwhelming – the fast pace, crowded trains, and constant movement were unlike anything she had known. Managing finances, navigating public transport, and balancing home and work were daily challenges. But she embraced them. “Every day brought new decisions, and I was enjoying the process of carving out my path.”
In her early career, motherhood often felt like a setback. Watching batchmates and peers move ahead left her questioning if she was falling behind. But with time, her perspective shifted. “Looking back, I realize the trade-offs were worth it. Personal achievements matter just as much as professional ones.”
Values & Shared Goals
Growing up in a traditional joint family that moved to Bengaluru in the 1970s, Rashmi Murthy Krishna, Head of Institutional Business Governance and Controls, Group Capability Centre, ANZ Bengaluru, watched her parents work tirelessly to build a stable life. While most around her followed familiar paths, she was drawn to new opportunities, especially in education and career choices.
“Convincing my family was never easy. They believed in tried-and-tested methods, and challenging those norms required constant negotiation.” These experiences sharpened her ability to think from multiple perspectives, take ownership of her choices, and navigate decisions with conviction. She also valued the power of positive influence – seeking guidance from friends and working collaboratively to grow together. These principles, rooted in her upbringing, naturally led her to banking – a field where relationships, ethical decision-making, and shared goals define success.
“The values instilled by my family, my ability to build partnerships, and my drive to achieve through fair means drew me to this industry.”
Over the years, her ability to balance diverse perspectives and take calculated risks became a strength. She thrived in collaborative environments, ensuring that different viewpoints were acknowledged while maintaining a structured, goal-oriented approach.
“I’m passionate about motivating people to bring their best and fostering an environment where collaboration leads to meaningful outcomes.”
Continuous Learning
Leaving her hometown to build a career in a metropolitan city was a daunting step for Shweta Srivastava, CHRO at SATYA MicroCapital. “With no corporate exposure, limited resources, and intense competition, I often felt like I didn’t belong.” But she refused to let circumstances dictate her path. Determined to bridge the gap, she focused on continuous learning, thorough preparation, and staying ahead of industry trends.
“I pushed myself beyond my comfort zone, presented innovative ideas, and embraced challenges head-on.”
What once felt intimidating became an opportunity for growth. Over time, perseverance and self-investment transformed uncertainty into success. Her journey reinforced a powerful lesson: Confidence isn’t innate – it is built through persistence, preparation, and the courage to keep moving forward.
Thriving on Encouragement
For Abhishikta Chadda Munjal, CRO at IIFL Home Finance, confidence was never a battle – it was nurtured by an environment where gender was never a limitation. Growing up in a modest background, she was fortunate to have parents who treated her no differently than a boy. What this did is instill in her a strong sense of self-worth. With a progressive upbringing that emphasized capability over convention, she never saw being a woman as a barrier.
That foundation extended into her personal life, where her life partner became her unwavering pillar of support, standing by her at every step of her career. The unconditional backing of her family played a crucial role in shaping her confidence and self-belief.
So, what is her biggest source of motivation now? It is her young daughter. Abhishikta shares: “Her innocence and curiosity remind me of the importance of staying grounded and focused on my goals. Her smile and hugs give me the strength to push through challenges and keep striving for excellence.”
For Abhishikta, confidence was not built through struggle but through an ecosystem of encouragement – one that allowed her to pursue her ambitions without the weight of societal expectations.
Conclusion
True confidence isn’t about having all the answers – it’s about embracing the unknown with courage. These women turned obstacles into opportunities, proving that resilience, self-belief, and support can rewrite any narrative. Their journeys are a testament to perseverance, reminding us that success isn’t about fitting in – it’s about carving your own path.
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Defining Moments that Boost Confidence
