Long known for its lack of diversity, particularly when it comes to gender, the tech industry has been seeing a noticeable shift as more women break through the barriers and take on roles at the frontline of technology.
This Women’s History Month, we at HCLTech interviewed some inspiring women HCLTechies who are creating value for the organization and our clients at the frontline every day. Here’s what they had to say:
Sumithra Ranganathan, Senior Vice President, ERS, HCLTech
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: Joining HCLTech as the Global head of telecom delivery marked a pivotal moment in my professional journey. The unwavering trust and confidence the organization has vested in me from the outset of my journey was truly empowering. Whether it was taking charge of critical projects, preempting major customer escalations in large accounts, defining guiding principles for new deals, directly contributing to innovative business models or implementing automation processes in programs within the telecom sector, the trust never wavered.
Representing HCLTech in prestigious forums like Mobile World Congress and being part of the task force for our delivery transformation – each step here has been about growth and empowerment. It's been both challenging and incredibly rewarding.
My role has enabled me to work alongside some of the industry's brightest. These exceptional leaders are contributing to the evolution of Engineering and R&D Services. This has been very gratifying and instrumental in my growth trajectory.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: If you're aiming to climb that ladder faster, here's my advice: embrace assertiveness, take the initiative and proudly showcase your abilities. Don't hesitate to show the world what you can do. Seek out growth opportunities and build your personal brand to navigate biases and thrive in an inclusive work environment.
And for all the women in our field, remember that your abilities are your superpower. By promoting collaboration and nurturing diversity, we are driving empowerment not only for ourselves but also for those around us.
Angela Hall, Regional Director, Service Delivery
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: HCLTech values me as a person and my educational endeavors. HCLTech supports my career goals and has assisted me financially to attend graduate school. The vast knowledge my colleagues at HCLTech bring to me, across multiple business verticals, is an invaluable asset in my professional growth.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: Stay focused and ask questions. Push for the knowledge that is out there. It will be beneficial to your future.
Noha Salib, Program Director, Organizational Change Management
Q. How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: HCLTech has taught me how to find the needle in the haystack. How to listen — hear what the client says, what the client says they want and how you can fulfill their need. It has reconnected to my creativity — I have found my creative home at HCLTech, where I can exercise my passion for advocating for sustainable and effective change and having organizations realize their strategic aspirations.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: We often start with a plan we developed in our late teens or early twenties. Over the years, we forget the origins of “my career plan” and that we had a different worldview when we began. It is ok to do something new or make a new plan as we grow and our priorities change. Remember, it's your career; just as you created it, you can create a new one. It's that simple.
Rinki Talukdar, Group Manager, Marketing – Cloud & Ecosystems
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: HCLTech has provided me with the entrepreneurial environment to ideate, incubate and implement my skills and knowledge in my job role that has helped me learn, contribute, and grow significantly as a professional. One of the reasons for me to rejoin HCLTech in 2021 is its supportive culture that empowers you to put in your brainpower and execute programs creatively, one of the most critical factors in one’s career for exponential growth.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: Be honest and fearless in every little job that you are doing. Find time to network with your colleagues/co-workers beyond your team. And don’t hesitate to ask questions since that is the first step to gaining knowledge and confidence in your task.
Sarbani Das, Senior Account Manager & Sales Lead Canada
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: At HCLTech I have come across great mentors and colleagues who have added immensely to my learning curve at work. I try very hard to always develop new skills and hone existing ones and I have always got the right platform to hone those skills through training programs, certification opportunities and with on-the-job experiences.
I have also got an incredible opportunity to work with motivated and intelligent women from a variety of different business backgrounds and teams at HCLTech, which brings a fresh perspective to the way you approach your own work.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: Stop playing safe. Get out of your comfort zone— take the risk. I think you'll find that you're capable of taking on more and achieving more.
Deborah Armstrong, Associate Director – Service Delivery
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: My latest role at HCLTech has taken me out of my comfort zone. I have spent most of my career on the customer side in IT operations and this role moved me to the client side of delivery. It is a different mindset, that will challenge me as a leader and widen my perspective.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: Always take on new challenges, this demonstrates your determination to succeed, builds your confidence in your abilities, challenges your strengths and builds your skills. I read a study that revealed that men apply for jobs if they feel they’ve met 60% of the criteria, while women will doubt their credentials unless they met 100% of the qualifications. I believe this is true with taking on any new challenges – the key is to push yourself out of your comfort zone, that is where growth happens.
Alexandria O’Connel, Senior Regional Director – Service Delivery
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: HCLTech has encouraged me to take ownership of the business relationships and engagements I work in. Truly owning my piece of the business has allowed me to learn how to identify issues and find solutions and how to use not only my strengths but the strengths found in my team to make our business even more valuable to the clients we serve.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A. I was told sometime back when an opportunity presents itself, just say yes. It’s okay if it feels scary and unknown. It’s okay if it’s not directly in the path you’ve been traveling. It’s okay if you don’t have all the answers before you start. Just say yes and see what happens. This kind of willingness to try new things leads to exponential growth.
Paromita Mukerjee, Senior Director, Digital Foundation
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: HCLTech has provided me with unparalleled global business and industry exposure over the years. It has given me the freedom to think, implement and challenge. And I’ve received great mentorship throughout my career.
The organization has thrown enough challenges at me to help me prove my mettle and be on a journey that I cherish every day. I truly appreciate the work culture and ethos here that enables all of us to spread our wings and fly high.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: Dream big and work hard. And develop an attitude to help others as you grow in your career. Also, keep learning and make your presence seen and heard wherever you can. I also believe that we remain empowered and positive in the industry and society if we have a sustainable, diverse, equal, and inclusive workforce and leadership.
Hiep Nguyen, Associate General Manager, ERS Research, HCLTech Vietnam
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: I joined HCLTech as an AI researcher. This allowed me to take up in-depth research on the newest artificial intelligence technologies, work with the top AI models, and develop our solutions. My team of extremely smart and highly qualified colleagues also help me improve myself as a professional.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: My advice to women colleagues who want to get ahead faster is — to focus on expanding your knowledge base and skill sets. Seize every opportunity that comes your way. It’s important to be proactive at work, exchange knowledge with colleagues and learn from wherever possible.
Additionally, you should build relationships with other professionals in the field. This will open new opportunities and help build a strong professional network. Finally, you will achieve your carrier goal if you believe in yourself. Set a career path and persevere to follow it.
Devleen Mishra, Associate Manager, Corporate Marketing — Cybersecurity and GRC services
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: HCLTech as a workplace has given me a lot of freedom to experiment and put my ideas in motion. The plethora of opportunities here has helped me hone my craft and built a strong foundation as a marketing professional. I am lucky to have a supportive team and peers who have guided and encouraged me in every step of my journey, helping me achieve more and beyond my career aspirations and goals.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: The world in general has pre-defined what women can or cannot do. Break those barriers and know that nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it. A passion for what you do, hunger to learn, hard work and consistency will help you realize your dreams.
Anna Mitrovic, Area Sales Director, Financial Services, Germany
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: Coming from a different professional background with little to no experience in technology and large IT services companies, taking on the new role at HCLTech was definitely a risk and completely out of my comfort zone.
Honestly, I was very overwhelmed the first few weeks and didn’t know whether it would work out at all. The mix of completely new topics, an entirely new company structure and culture, new ways of working, a different customer base and a new home (I moved for the job) was quite a lot to take in at first. Soon I realized that being in a new environment and having to find my feet quickly is one of the fastest ways to grow.
I’ve now spent eight months at HCLTech, all thanks to my team, my manager and other colleagues (who are still helping me out every day). I am getting more and more confident in my role and area of responsibility. I learned to just go for it, be ambitious, courageous and to trust the process and I feel very lucky to be part of an environment that allows me to do so.
Most importantly, I’m grateful to get the chance to learn something new every day, both on a professional but also on a personal level, simply by working with great industry experts and leaders in a dynamic and fast-growing environment.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: • Speak up for yourself (the most important one, especially for us women).
• Don’t overthink your next steps, be open to new challenges and be willing to be uncomfortable at times.
• Know when to speak and when to listen.
Aashima M Pathak, Associate Vice President
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: It’s been a great second stint with HCLTech, all with the same customer where I had the opportunity to work in a diverse portfolio. There have been immense learning opportunities from all facets of business which helped me grow in the organization to be promoted to a leadership role.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: Believe in yourself and focus on how you can better yourself each day. Think beyond constraints and you will find ways to achieve your goals.
Rebecca Marshall, Group Manager, EMEA
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: Since starting at HCLTech, I have received exceptional support. From day one, the HR inductions helped me to understand the culture and goals from a company perspective. I have also received tremendous support from my manager and peers who have provided guidance and support when needed which helped me settle into my new role. I have also found that there is a lot of online training available to help you grow.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A. Listen to people; take advice but also ensure you use this to make personal decisions that are right for you. Be positive and use any setbacks as a positive to learn from and move forward. Everyone is different and people reach their aspirations in different ways and at different times. Everyone's journey is not the same. You just have to believe in yourself.
Suja Vel, Sales Director, Lifesciences and Healthcare
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: As a second-generation HCLTechie, being part of Anil Tickoo’s team has been a five-year dream come true. The perfect combination for a salesperson is leadership that empowers, an ecosystem that delivers and a team that endeavors, and with HCLTech, success is inevitable.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A. I strongly believe there are no women leaders, there are only leaders. But we women have the unique advantage of empathy. This allows us not just to think about our clients but to walk in their shoes. What we call “implicit requirements” is something that is natural to us as women to pick up, and drive with a passion that is second to none. Carpe diem!
Sangeetha Prabakaran, Head, Client Solutions Group, Lifesciences and Healthcare
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: Discounting my stints in academics as a teacher and a researcher, HCLTech is the fourth organization in my corporate career; by far my best employer and a place that I can call home.
HCLTech allows free thinking and doesn’t confine people within the realms of roles or geographical boundaries. If one has the right skillsets, the sky is indeed the limit here. I joined here in 2011 as a Deputy Manager and right now I head the presales function as a Director — this goes to prove that HCLTech has indeed groomed me professionally to where I am today. I owe it to my mentor Srikanth Shetty for his trust and confidence that has taken me thus far.
Dr. Sandesh, who is my unit head and RM, has been an empathetic leader and guide who stands by me in all the decisions that I am empowered to take. I don’t believe in turning back anywhere from here — it just has to be “onwards and upward”.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: Firstly, find your sweet spot or calling, this could be an area where you see yourself fitting well and working towards it. Have that as a singular goal, while keeping in mind that the world around us is changing too. So, while the goal is a set, it is not static and you have to keep evolving with it with much dynamism. Trust yourself and the processes that will help you get there.
Make your presence felt in everything that you do so that it takes you a step closer to where you want to reach. Eventually, create your own brand; something that you want to be known for, your own signature statement and then in no time you will find yourself growing much faster than your thought you would.
Kaveri Chonira, Regional Sales Director
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: Success is what motivates me to do a good job. Knowing the fact that my hard work and perseverance in HCLTech will help me achieve greater professional success is what keeps me going. HCLTech in my opinion is one of the best places to work at.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: Never limit your dream and expectations for being a woman. Never step back from voicing your view for being a woman. Embrace it proudly!
Surabhi Chauhan, Group Manager, Digital Business Alliances
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: I owe the success I have had so far within HCLTech to the progressive leadership of the Digital Business who acknowledged the potential in me and appreciate the skills and values I bring to the role and the Partner Ecosystem. I have been fortunate to have a fantastic set of colleagues who enable open communication and provide a safe space to make mistakes and grow. I work with teams across various functions and admire the fact they are open to try new ways of working that comes from different experiences and support each other for mutual success.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: Keep knocking on doors until someone answers. Believe in yourself and stop second guessing yourself; you are capable of doing twice as good in half the time.
Lopamudra Roy, Sales Director, Mega^LT
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: HCLTech is committed to DE&I and is making significant strides with having move diverse employees in Leadership roles. I’m a living, breathing example of this. I’ve recently been hired in a leadership role for Mega^LT’s sales organisation.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: • Have self-belief in your abilities and talent.
• Do away with your own moral dilemma that you are taking time away from your family or not doing enough for them.
• Leverage ecosystem support if applicable so that you can give your best to your work.
• Do not hesitate to take on new opportunities and embrace change.
• Challenges will always be around, but you are smart and talented enough to take them heads on.
Diana Ireland, Program Director
Q: How has HCLTech helped you to grow professionally?
A: I’ve been in the industry for over three decades now. I have travelled the world and worked on various deals. In the last five years, working with HCLTech, I have discovered a whole new way of business life and embraced a whole new culture. When working for an innovative organisation where it lives and breathes with a trend setting, solutions-based mindset, your thirst for knowledge becomes insatiable. A day has not gone by when I have not learned something new. My whole career has been around advancing change and making improvements for the better. HCLTech has taught me, you do not have to know everything and there is always a business practice who can assist you. From a growth perspective my networking skills have advanced exponentially, I personally enjoy finding out about new people and this helps me with relationship building.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who inspired to grow faster?
A: I mentor several people inside and out of HCL. One Advice I usually offer them- find a career that you are passionate about, and you would still perform if there were no salary. As there will be days when you would want to rethink your chosen career path and it is on those days, your passion will pull you through.
So, create a plan- short, medium, and long-term. Draft steps of how you wish to get from the short to medium and medium to long, with target dates and an action plan. Share your plans with those who can influence and support you in your journey. Then be disciplined, consistent and practice your craft, study, complete professional certification training, volunteer in areas, if it is outside your current career to obtain experience. Find a buddy in the area you wish to excel in. Join networking groups you affiliate with.
It is Important to let your line manager know of your ambition as they may be able to support you and connect you with others with the same mindset. Be realistic with your goals and if you miss a target date, do not be disheartened, just keep going. When you have a clear goal in mind and the strategy to achieve it, your outlook will become very positive, and this will show in your actions, posture, and tone. You should then start to get noticed. If not speak up and make yourself heard.
Magdalena Kubica, Digital Business Services Head, HCLTech Poland
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: As Director at HCLTech Poland since 2021, I've been instrumental in leading a strategic fintech client's digital program, encompassing application transition, modernization, digital transformation, data monetization and innovation. My responsibilities expanded as the Digital Business Poland Lead, where I oversee multiple clients and work towards enhancing our digital business footprint. I've also established an EU innovation lab and implemented process improvements.
In my role, I collaborate closely with global sales and GTM teams, significantly contributing to business development. Currently, my focus is on strengthening nearshore capabilities in Poland, while also working closely with the markets in Romania and Iberia.
Additionally, I work on enhancing brand visibility through various initiatives and active participation in talent events, technology, and agile conferences.
HCLTech's employee-first philosophy aligns perfectly with my dedication to lifelong learning. I've enriched my leadership capabilities through the Leaders in Transition program and enhanced my skills as a delivery leader in the StepUp Executive Program. Keeping pace with evolving market trends in technology, leadership, and business, I've acquired certifications in AWS partnership, Corda blockchain for Business, LESS for Executives, and currently I am exploring the realms of AI and GenAI. HCLTech’s emphasis on continuous learning resonates deeply with my professional ethos.
I value the nurturing atmosphere at HCLTech, which encourages knowledge-sharing among digital business professionals. In this culture, I coach on best practices and promote knowledge exchange, contributing to a collaborative learning environment enriched by shared insights.
Moreover, I mentor in HCLTech's formal mentorship program, guiding the next generation of IT leaders. This mentorship role is not just a professional duty but a personal commitment to fostering growth and aiding others, embodying the essence of my position at HCLTech.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: As women striving for professional growth, it's important to approach our careers with strategy and determination. Here are some key pieces of advice to help you accelerate your career advancement:
• Embrace Lifelong Learning: Always seek opportunities to learn and grow. View change as a door to new possibilities, not as a setback.
• Cultivate Self-Awareness: Understanding your personality traits and transferable skills is crucial. Assess the skills required for your next role and work towards acquiring them.
• Step Out of Your Comfort Zone: Don't shy away from new challenges. Remember, skills are developed through practice, persistence, and discipline. Embrace these challenges as stepping stones to achieve your goals.
• Maintain a Positive Attitude: Approach your work with positivity and helpfulness. Build and nurture your professional network – every connection counts.
• Seek Mentorship: Find a mentor who can guide you, offer different perspectives, and help you stay focused on your goals.
• Challenge Stereotypes: Don't believe the stereotype that technology is only for men. The IT field is diverse with numerous roles to be discovered and mastered.
• Dream Big, Yet Stay Realistic: Aim high in your aspirations, but also be realistic in setting your goals. Don't limit your potential.
In summary, the journey to professional growth involves a blend of continuous learning, self-awareness, embracing challenges, positive networking, seeking guidance, challenging stereotypes, and setting ambitious yet realistic goals. As women in the workforce, adopting these practices can significantly enhance our career trajectories and help us reach our full potential.
Join the movement and share your stories on social media with #ShePowersProgress and get a chance to feature on HCLTech’s official social media handles. Keep an eye on this live blog for more such stories.
To learn more about #ShePowersProgress, visit: https://www.hcltech.com/shepowersprogress
