Radhika Batra Shah | Radhika's Fine Teas & Whatnots
Each tea leaf has a purpose. Some are mood lifters, others help you relax, whilst some work as aphrodisiacs. You just need to know what to select for any particular day.' - Radhika, Founder of Radhikas Fine Teas and Whatnots.
Radhika is a celebrated tea sommelier who first introduced the idea of fine teas in India and all things around it. Right from the art of brewing fine teas to hosting customised tea ceremonies, Radhika's Fine Teas - a premium signature tea brand - has been tantalising many a palate in urban Indian households.
From a marketing professional to an entrepreneur to a mom, Radhika's tea story is a fine blend of warmth and originality. Her travel tales across India in search of the finest tea leaves and her ingenuity in coming up with the most unique tea blends ensure that you get that perfect brew every time you make a cuppa. And if you follow her fine tea recommendations, you end up turning your otherwise ordinary day into a tealiciously fine day.
Come, join her on this journey as she unfolds the magic of the finest of leaves in your tea cup. A journey where you will discover that tea isn't just black or green, but a beautiful infusion of good mood and good health paired with some perfect munchies.
Swati Gupta | Ernst & Young
“Miles to Go before I Sleep” is a thought by Robert Frost that has been a life definer for me. A talent development professional with a decade of experience, I have been proud to have got a chance of training more than 10,000 individuals and help them achieve their true potential. Connecting with people and seeing a smile on their face is my passion and my driver. I firmly believe that life presents us with countless opportunities to learn, grow and spread knowledge and it is just the presepective that we choose to adopt during these trying times that makes all the difference.
Blessed with multiple awards, I have been associated with various prestigious organisations. I currently work with EY as a Manager in Learning and Development. In my role and beyound, I aspire to be an instrument of empowerment for people and thus I support women and young girls from under priviledged background in their quest of gaining emotional and financial independence.
Prashanthi Reddy | Barclays
I come with a very balanced experience in business functionality, technical, cross functional domain expertise, innovation and working with startup eco-systems. Apart from my corporate experience, I love working with start-ups - there is so much energy, new ideas, and learning. I also enjoy travelling, building networks and engaging with people, especially in the start-up community. I am on an advisory board of women's web and mentor couple startups. I am also a wellness enthusiast. By passion, I am a wellness consultant and a registered yoga teacher, a marathon runner, MS biker - the largest cycling series in North America.
Pratyusha Meda | Barclays
I am passionate about Table Tennis since childhood. I come from a town which did not have adequate facilities that could help me live my dream of being a National Level Table Tennis Player. I travelled 20kms on a daily basis to reach the only academy in the town and my parents have sacrificed their sleep to get me there at 4am. Seeing my love for the game, they encouraged by taking me to the nearest city for some good coaching that could take me a little far. I remember those days where my mom used to gather school notes from my friends and fill up my books so that I could spend additional time on my TT practice. My passion for the game and the encouragement from my parents and School has taken me so far that in the very first year of my TT career, I have achieved 8 State Titles and the momentum continued for 4 long years (2002-2005). As a 4 time National qualifier in a row, I have made my family, School and State proud of my achievements which is a bigger medal than anything else.
I pursued Chartered Accountancy and started working with Barclays since 2013. My eternal love for TT has made me participate in the internal TT tournaments and the fact that I won against better players in these tournaments has given me further hopes. Seeing my impressive game, I was requested to represent my Company in the biggest Inter-Corporate tournament which has seen a participation of 60 companies in the State and I managed to bag a Silver medal there. I kept the momentum going and bagged a gold medal in the National Level Community Tournament held at Pondicherry. My manager and my mentors in my organization have played a pivotal role in keeping my passion for the game going by encouraging me to take part in these tournaments. Today am known for my game and considered a champ in my own small world. I dedicate this success to my parents, relatives, friends, School management and my company without whose encouragement, living my dream couldn’t have been possible.
I am a Young AVP at Barclays and have received appreciation notes & awards signed by the BSS CEO and Regional leads for revamping a process, implementing controls awareness campaign in Chennai BSS, organizing knowledge sharing sessions, hosting town halls and various events.
Being a firm believer of “Giving it back to the society”, with the help of my parents, I have actively participated and organized several free Ayurvedic camps over 5 years in my hometown to spread the message of Ayurveda to the humanity. I have volunteered for ‘India Turns Pink’ and ran marathons to create the awareness of breast cancer among women. At present, sponsoring the education of a couple of underprivileged kids in my hometown. Being a resident of a drought prone town, my current research is on how to attract rain by natural means and I am close to arriving at a solution to this based on the books written by ancient maharishis. By God’s grace, I have achieved all this at the age of 25 and plan to do much more in the years to come.
Deepali Bhardwaj | The Skin & Hair Clinic PVT Ltd
I am a dermatologist and internationally trained laser surgeon. I was awarded a fellowship in dermatosurgery and lasers by the International Society of Dermatology at Tehran, Iran; a European Mentorship Award at the Centre of Excellence for Allergies Munich, Germany; and awarded Lasers & Cutaneous Medicine Fellowship at Kasemrad Hospital, Bangkok.
I have given lectures in various countries like Holland, Munich, Bangkok, Monaco, and Tehran and various cities like Shrinagar, Calcutta, Chennai, Manglore, Pondicherry, Goa, Shimla and Delhi in the field of Cosmetic Science, Dermatology, avoidance of quackery; and Public Interest forums like those at India International Centre, Book Club of Delhi Gymkhana Club, India Islamic Cultural Centre and India Habitat Centre on Anti Ageing and myths in Cosmetic treatments. I am also running a trust by the name of Anjandeep which helps in poor women in society through empowerment. Besides that I have been lucky to touch the lives of a few kerosene burn victims. I have with God's grace achieved all this at the age of 32 and believe I truly have miles and miles to go before I sleep.
I am currently occupied with a study on stem cell science and its role in ageing.
Sumita Dass | Life of Vision Foundation
Sumita Dass, founder of the Life of Vision Foundation, is an educationist and mentor in a multicultural setting in UK and India. For the past 20 years, she has led a Professional Development Program for Leaders in planning developing welfare programs, campaigns for Sheffield Council for Children & Young People's Inclusion.
She has organized programs on women empowerment, health for life bringing together communities, survivors and those who have been touched by illnesses, special need kids and cancer awareness across Delhi NCR. She has promoted these across Northeast India, through events, exhibitions and shows, encouraging women artists with their tribal art and drawing attention to social injustice, highlighting issues plaguing our society today. She is also mentoring Rotary Youth Leadership programs on Education, Social Equality and Eco-Social Health to encourage youth leaders.
She has received a number of awards including the Woman Achievement Award in March 2016 on International Woman Day at Constitution Club of India; the 8th National Women Excellence Award 25th Nov2015 by NEC Ministry of DoNER Government of India and IECSME on International Day Of Elimination of Violence Against Women; the 18 Rajiv Gandhi Global Excellence Award 2015, felicitated by National Commission for Women at India International Center; and the Icon of the Year Award 18th (TII Award) 2014 as a social entrepreneur for contribution to the society towards Health for Life campaigns.
Poonam Todarwal | SR Batliboi & Associates
I'm a 29-year-old chartered accountant by profession. I started my career as an intern with EY in April 2007 and over a period of nine years (including three years of internship) with great dedication, discipline and smart work with an unmatchable interest in doing things in a new way, I have managed to make my name in an esteemed firm like EY wherein my seniors and clients trust me and my work and find me to be a leader in a few years from now. My team looks upon to me as their role model and it gives me immense pleasure when people come upto me with a request to get a chance to work with me. I have been given a five rating (significantly exceeded expectations) for seven years out of nine for my performance and have been awarded an "Excellerator award for individual and team excellence" thrice.
Apart from work, I'm a trained Bharatnatyam dancer and also enjoy sketching, painting and travelling. I'm extremely keen in serving the community later in life for which I try to give my little time now by teaching slum kids. At this age, I believe in building an educated self-sufficient society and try my best at every stage to develop people, shape their careers and make them an independent cause. Being independent is the greatest asset an individual can possess.
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Sakshi Nanavati | Royal Bank of Scotland
Sakshi Nanavati, with a Master's in Economics from the prestigious SNDT University, is surfing the high tides of her career in The Royal Bank of Scotland Business Services.
In her five year rich career in RBS, Sakshi has moved up the ladder assuming three distinct roles. Starting her career with the Managing Director's office to now being a Manager in the Transformation team, leading the customer and people agenda; she has attained success in each of her roles.
Beyond the business deliverables, Sakshi has been in the forefront of Employee Engagement programmes, like establishing the Community Investment framework and driving the diversity and inclusion priorities for the organization.
Sakshi is a Bachelor of Economics from Mithibai College of Arts and also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from Welingkars Institute of Management Development.
In addition to the numerous achievements in RBS, which include being exceptionally selected for the Future Leaders Programme and chosen from amongst 6,000 employees for the Management Associate Programme, she has been, for over a decade, a key contributor to the Rotaract District Organisation - a youth wing of the Rotary International.
A holder of the coveted Chancellor's Gold Medal, Sakshi nurtures her aspiration of accomplishing her PhD and later contributing in the space of academics.
Nischala Murthy Kaushik
Nischala is a new-age marketer, and is responsible for global marketing and thought leadership initiatives in a global information technology, consulting and outsourcing company. Her work revolves around business strategy, Go-To-Market initiatives, global branding, creative "no money marketing" campaigns, end-to-end content programs, partner collaborations and events. She thrives in work environments which compel her to use the left and right side of her brain, and which also involve a blend of logic, creativity and making a global impact.
Beyond work, she is a thinker, dreamer, mentor and ideapreneur and all her ideas find a creative outlet in her words. She is a writer / blogger, and publishes regularly on her own blogs and in media publications of global repute like Huffingtonpost, Economic Times and YourStoryCo.
An IIM-B alumnus, her claim to fame is being featured among many Best-of blogging lists, Twitterati and in the print media; and most recently she gave her very first TED(x) talk. She is also a mom and that keeps her balanced, grounded and rooted to reality. She is a strong advocate of #WomenAtWork and never misses any opportunity to write or speak on the topic to help move the dot forward on empowering women to pursue active careers.
Rising Stars 2016: So what happened next for our winners? | Part Two
In 2016, thanks to the help of a number of amazing supporters and sponsors, WeAreTheCity ran its Rising Star awards programme for a second year.
The aim of the awards was to identify 100 future leaders and role models under, management level, across 10 different industries. After more than 800 nominations and an intensive judging period, we finally arrived at our shortlist and opened the public vote.
The public vote resulted in over 27,000 votes from across 112 different countries and galvanized amazing support from our nominees’ networks, their companies, the press, as well as our own sponsors and supporters.
After a final judging process, we identified our amazing top 100 winners and celebrated their awards alongside our sponsors at a ceremony hosted by Barclays.
We spoke to our winners about life after winning a Rising Star award.
First we spoke with Karen Glenn, EA to Robin Brown VP Portfolio & Marketing & Kevin Kearns CFO at Colt Data Centre Services and a winner in our Rising Stars in EA/PA category, sponsored by Executive & Personal Assistants Association.
Karen, tell us what has happened in your career since winning the Rising Star awards back in June?
“When it was announced that I was a winner of one to the PA/EA Rising Stars, I had just been 1 week into a new role in the City of London. So, I here I was the new girl working hard to establish myself in a new company and then announced to them that they had hired a 2016 We are the City Rising Star EA award winner. I felt that I would have to set the bar high and felt I should ensure that I transitioned into the new company and role as quickly as possible. I have since been told that it was a pretty gutsy thing to do 1 week into a new job – the Execs I support would now expect an exceptional EA.
On the afternoon of the night of the award presentation, I was called into a meeting, my bosses came into the room followed by HR, I then thought, “hello – I hope this isn’t going to be bad..” Then they presented with some champagne to celebrate the award and told me how proud they were to have me working for them. Since then I like to think that I haven’t disappointed them and conversations and passing the usual probation period indicate that they more than happy.
When I am not working, I have been pulling together the 2nd networking event for NESS “Essex PA Network”, with my co-founder. Even though I work in London, I live in Essex and feel that it is important that the PAs of Essex have a regional network as not everyone wants to travel into London after work to attend events. Although it is time consuming with my working week and daily commute, NESS, is something that I am extremely proud and passionate about and with my co-founder, we aim to continue to grow this local network which then allows me to “pay it forward” to our “Nessies”.
I have also had some approaches via twitter and Linkedin from other PAs in my network, asking me for some careers advice. It is a real compliment to think that they value my opinion, experience and guidance to help them advance further.”
What top tips would you give to our other members to enhance their careers?
“Don’t let yourself stagnate, if you don’t see any opportunities for you to develop your career internally, then it may be time to take the bull by the horns and move on. We are creatures of habit and sometimes just the thought of change is scary, but, there really are loads of opportunities out there for you, and if you work hard you can achieve your goals. It may take baby steps to get there but it will happen if you have the ambition and desire.
Networking (both via social media and in person) and it is a great way to get your profile/personal brand out there, I believe that for PAs/EAs networking is really important. The PA community on social media is fantastic and so supportive to each other.
It is important to make sure that you take every development opportunity you can, technology changes so quickly, you can also learn from your own networks that you are part of. Development isn’t always about having to spend money on training courses, although they are great, but don’t rule out any free training opportunities that may come your way. If you can get a mentor they can also help you in terms of development both professionally and personally.
Remember that you will never know what you are capable of until you take that first step and go for it.”
Next we spoke to Squadron Leader Sherry McBain, an RAF Nursing Officer, a team leader on the Critical Care Air Support Team (CCAST) and a winner in the Rising Stars in Defence category, sponsored by PA Consulting Group.
Sherry, tell us what has happened in your career since winning the Rising Star awards?
“Since the awards, my fellow Defence category winners and I have been celebrated across Defence Media platforms.
Life continues to be busy, In my day job, I continue to be the Lead Staff Officer responsible for the preparation, mobilisation and recovery of all Unit personnel sent on exercises, Operations or Defence Tasks. I am also responsible for the preparation, facilitation and delivery of all military mandatory training and the physical development of approx. 400 Unit Personnel.
In my role as Deputy Chair of the RAF Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Network I co-organised a Defence LGBT Pride in Defence Conference which focused on Leadership, Culture and Outreach and was held at Ministry of Defence Main Building, Whitehall . The aim of the conference was to look at how Defence embraces the LGBT community, recognises the value of LGBT personnel, and how this continues to require strong leadership from both inside and outside the LGBT community in order to remain an employer of choice. We had 140 Attendee’s from all ranks and grades. Our VIP guest included the Permanent Secretary, the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, Chief of Defence People alongside Ruth Hunt (CEO Stonewall) and Senior leaders from all Services. The conference evaluated exceptionally well and the Chief Of Defence People has agreed to sponsor this event going forward.
Since the awards I was invited and participated in the ‘Authenticity in Leadership’ panel at the GE Aviation UK Diversity Conference. I also had the honor of leading the RAF marching contingent at this years’ London Pride in front of 80,000 spectators – one of my proudest career moments to date.
I was also very surprised to be notified recently that I have been selected to attend the Women of the Year Lunch on 17 October and I am humbled to be regarded as a ‘Woman of Achievement’ amongst 400 extraordinary women, one of whom I am delighted to announce, is my wife Mandy.”
What top tips would you give to our other members to enhance their careers?
“Believe in yourself; even on those days when your brain is telling you ‘you can’t do it’. Take a deep breath and give it your best shot… you will never be able to do something unless you try. For all those people watching you – you set the standard and they will try to overcome their inner voice too remembering what you were able to achieve when you tried.
As a nurse I find helping others exceptionally rewarding whether that is in a nursing capacity, as an Officer in the RAF or as a friend/colleague. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing someone you have helped or mentored achieve their goals, whether that be promotion or acceptance onto a professional course or an improvement in their confidence. Time is a valuable commodity but try to make time for those who need it. Try and take on something challenging that stretches you – you only truly know what your capacity is when you put yourself into stretch.
Find a good role model and observe what they do and how they do – take the bits you admire and emulate them. It helps build your confidence and enables you to become the very best ‘you’.”
WeAreTheCity would like to extend our sincere thanks to all of our Rising Stars for sharing their successes with us. We are sure you will agree that they are all achieving amazing things and offering sound advice to future Rising Stars.
We look forward to featuring more of our Rising Stars next week. Please note our Rising Star programme for 2017 opens on 1st February 2017. More details will be posted to the site during January – click here for more information and to register your interest in our awards.
Source: WeAreTheCity - Information and jobs portal for business women