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:
Kirsten Torchalski, Associate General Manager, Digital Business
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: HCLTech has exposed me to the workings of a global company and immersed me in new cultures I otherwise wouldn’t have known so closely. At HCLTech, strong relationships and collaboration are essential to getting things done. Learning how to work effectively with people across different roles – and making mistakes along the way – has simultaneously humbled me and built my confidence, which serves me not just professionally but also personally.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: Trust yourself. Trust your expertise. Trust you have something valuable to say. Speaking up and sometimes getting it wrong is better than never speaking up at all. I used to be afraid to speak up because I thought others in the room knew better than I did. It wasn’t until I left my comfort zone and started sharing my perspective that I really grew in my career.
Anupama Goel, Associate General Manager, Global SCM
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: At the onset of my career, I began working as a software developer at HCLTech. What I like most about working here is that I can switch departments every few years and learn about new facets of the business that interest me. Having held various delivery and management roles, overseeing both implementation and ASM engagements, I later transitioned to a practice role. In this new position, I identified focus areas that helped me grow as both a professional and an individual. The training programs offered by HCLTech's learning academy helped me to continuously refine my skills.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: Be fearless to explore the new opportunities that are coming your way, and you should do so with an open mind.
Giang Nguyen, Senior Project Manager, ERS, HCLTech Vietnam
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: From the day I joined the organization, I’ve been learning. HCLTech teaches me something new every day. My managers have been extremely supportive and have helped me in achieving my targets and have provided me with guidance at every step of the way. It’s a great feeling to have the full support of not only my managers and my colleagues but also other departments in the company. It makes me feel like I’m always ready for the challenges that await me.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: If you want to do something, just do it, and do it with all the passion in the world; the results will follow suit.
Divya Sardana, Innovation Success Specialist, Enterprise Technology Office
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: Although I started working as a full-time employee with HCLTech in 2021, I got associated with the ETO team back in 2019 as a summer intern. At the end of my internship, one thing was clear – I wanted to be back here. With the kind of exposure, experience, and mentorship provided to me as an intern, the foundational setting of my upcoming professional life became immensely strong.
In the last couple of years, I was fortunate enough to wear multiple hats and find my niche in a role that involves problem-solving, critical thinking, technology advocacy and subject matter expertise in next-gen technologies.
In addition to providing a multitude of growth opportunities, HCLTech has also given me adequate learning and training opportunities, with premium institutes, so that I can continue to upskill myself in a rapidly changing world. I am immensely grateful to my team and leaders for playing a crucial role in the early years of my professional life and helping me achieve more, every day.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: It is okay to prioritize your career and professional growth. It is okay to not be able to find the "balance" in the initial years. It is okay to do things that lie outside your comfort zone. It is okay to unlearn and relearn new things.
The key is to not find the right opportunities for yourself, but instead, find your right self for every opportunity you get and make the most out of it.
Shagufta Yasmeen, Associate General Manager, Cloud Security
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: I joined as a Management Trainee in the Cybersecurity Global Presales team and had the opportunity to work with our global clients in architecting their cyber architecture. I also had the opportunity to meet our clients F2F to present our solutions and participate in MVD’s & BAFO discussions. Traveling for work not only helped me grow professionally but also personally.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: Believe in yourself and have the courage to take up any challenge because nothing is impossible. Have the right attitude towards your work and put your heart and soul into it. This will definitely take you to great heights. We as women have tremendous potential in us to accomplish anything and live our dreams.
Maureen Keating, Practice Director, Product Planning & Strategy – Digital Consulting
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: I started at HCLTech as a freelance, then was brought on within a year as a Senior Solution Director, where I developed the business and messaging for Product Management services. The role leveraged my experience at Cisco, Apple, Adobe and The Product School.
My work developing new clients and service offerings for what is now called Product Strategy and Planning recently earned me a promotion to Practice Director. I’m now working with the sales team to win new deals for Digital Consulting and to staff and develop a group of more than 60 ideapreneurs.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A. HCLTech has some great resources for women, like the Women Connect Network, which I belong to, a networking group supported by the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion office that presents inspirational speakers and promotes the growth and development of women with programs like ASCEND, for which I am a mentor.
I also encourage women to make their aspirations clear to their managers so that they can develop the skills required to move into desired growth areas, like certifications, taking on direct reports or taking on projects in new vertical or horizontal areas.
Shourya Awasthi, Global Marketing Manager, Financial Services
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: I have worked with multiple teams across HCLTech. My experiences and takeaways have enabled me to grow into the full-stack marketeer that I am today. I was exposed to opportunities early on that pushed me to go beyond my role and develop as a well-rounded professional. Be it shooting for an experiential reality device in a green room to hosting a global client-led celebration to developing the go-to-market strategy for a $100 million business unit, I am fortunate to have contributed to a variety of projects that HCLTech has offered, and I owe it to my FS leadership for enabling me to take flight.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: The world is paving the way for more conscious leaders, once you start to develop your powers of empathy and imagination, the whole world opens its possibilities to you. Empowered women empower women toward a more inclusive, diverse and sustainable future.
Aditi Kumar, Senior Manager, IoT WoRKSTM
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: As a young STEM graduate upon joining HCLTech, I was given an opportunity to work with industry leaders who helped me grow into the professional that I am today. Having access to the regular training sessions, I was able to up my skills and was equipped to address our customer’s needs via training and e-learning sessions.
As part of the HCLTech – Shiv Nadar University program to identify and groom young leaders of tomorrow, I had a chance to be a part of a rigorous MBA program and interact with senior leadership both within the organization and outside. I was able to reciprocate and contribute to the company’s growth by joining the corporate marketing function as an SMT.
The exposure to and willingness of senior leaders in the function helped me capitalize on their experience while being able to interpret and add my unique perspective to the thought. This has helped me take a balanced yet individualistic approach to any situation presented.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: • Set clear goals: Defining clear and measurable short-term and long-term goals to align expectations and be able to track progress is essential.
• Seek feedback: Always continue to seek feedback and take it in stride.
• Build relationships: Seek and develop relations both within and in the external professional community to create a strong ecosystem of advisors, mentors and advocates who would continue to offer guidance, support and feedback.
• Continue to re-skill and up-skill: Aim to continuously refresh, learn and develop skills either through formal training, taking new opportunities and projects or sharpening your skill set.
• Advocate: Don’t shy away from sharing your accomplishments and validating the efforts of others.
Jasrina Ahuja, Head, Regional Sales & Account Director
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: HCLTech has given me the opportunity to learn, explore my strengths and grow professionally. It has provided me with the right environment and strong support which has enabled me to perform to my fullest, step outside my comfort zone and explore new opportunities. The guidance provided by our wonderful leaders has enabled me to confidently work towards my goals.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: • Don’t limit your thoughts, think big and be ready to take challenges.
• Step outside your comfort zone, don’t be shy in taking risks and follow your dreams.
• Work-life balance is important and HCLTech will provide you with all the support to manage personal and professional ambitions.
• Don't hesitate in asking for help, there are wonderful peers and leaders who want to see you succeed.
• Good to have a mentor within or outside the organization, who can be your confidante and guide.
Tanushree Ganguly, Global Practice Director, Digital Business
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: This is my second stint at HCLTech. I have spent 10 out of 17 years of my career at HCLTech. During these 10 years, I have been lucky to have had mentors who are not only exceptionally good at their job but are also really nice human beings. These years have not always been smooth sailing on a personal front, but I have been incredibly lucky to have had managers who have stood steadfastly by my side at various points in my career. I would have probably thrown in the towel long back and several times if not for the support I got from them.
Out of all the relationships I have nurtured in my life, my relationship with HCLTech has easily been one of the most rewarding. It has allowed me to be myself.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: The goal of growing "faster" can sometimes become addictive and counterproductive. I feel that for growth to be sustainable across a career that spans 30-35 years, it must be rooted in very strong relationships. Nurturing these relationships needs time and consistent effort, and they don't produce immediate results. But when they do, they can pole vault the career trajectory, and one only needs two or three of such pole vaults. So, investing time in nurturing relationships with colleagues, mentors, and stakeholders at work should be a best practice.
Sheila Kaur, SAP Portfolio Lead — ASEAN
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: HCLTech has allowed me the space and autonomy to lead and make decisions. I was thrown into the deep end on multiple occasions, I picked myself up with sheer determination, perseverance and passion to contribute to HCLTech’s business growth in the region.
My background in consulting tremendously helped me take on numerous leadership roles and excel during my HCLTech tenure. With the confidence and trust HCLTech had in my abilities, I’ve been motivated to take on different senior roles from service delivery to delivery management for applications and now a portfolio lead for SAP. This enriched experience has also inspired me to be part of the Women’s Connect in HCLTech, support and build other women within my working environment by listening, mentoring, guiding and supercharging them.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: Be confident to take on new challenges, new territories, take risks. You may fall, make mistakes but these setbacks make you stronger and more resilient to rise and succeed. Strive to lead in whatever you do and continue to voice your opinions as they matter.
Kamini Malik, Assistant Manager, Enterprise Technology Office
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: HCLTech has accelerated my professional growth in numerous ways. I can map my professional journey to success because of the coaching and mentoring I have received from the organization. I am growing as a part of a self-motivated team which has given me opportunities to network with the ecosystem and broaden my scope of industry knowledge and expertise.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A. My advice to women colleagues who aspire to grow faster is to believe in themselves; demonstrate their willingness and stand up to the challenges. Embracing sustainable creativity and networking are the two rules I have been following to grow myself.
Ankhee Debdas, Regional Sales Director
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: In 18+ years of my career I have worked with various clientele, corporate leadership teams and in different roles like Account Manager, Engagement Partner, Corporate Strategy & Operations Lead and Go-to-Market Lead. HCLTech has further broadened my perspective and vision through exposure to various symposiums and technology workshops and enriched my insights to further enhance my approach to customer problem-solving.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A. My advice would be to bring your own unique strengths to the fore and leverage them to maximise your impact. Multitasking, the ability to listen and discern meaningfully, prognosticating and being empathetic are some strengths that come naturally to women, how we can use this while building on other strengths is what we need to focus on.
Christina James Puthiyadath, Associate Manager, CSM Business Marketing
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: HCLTech has given me a platform to challenge myself constantly. I was entrusted with the responsibility of managing the Benelux region when I began. In just two years, I have a team of my own and have taken on additional responsibilities along the way. Today, I manage the entire Europe marketing with 20+ EN accounts across the region.
You would think that one can only imagine what you are capable of. But at HCLTech, I get to constantly explore what I am capable of, push that limit and be more. Every day is an opportunity to prove myself, not to the world, but to the warrior in me.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: Have hunger in your belly. As far as you are hungry for more, you will keep growing. My mom always says, “Take all the help you need.” In both your professional and personal life, remember to always ask for help. It’s all about teamwork and constantly talking to each other.
Tanveen Raza, Deputy Manager | Partner Manager-SAP Ecosystem Unit
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: I started my journey with HCLTech straight out of college and HCLTech provided me with the best learning experiences and abundant opportunities to grow. While working as a consultant during my formative years & receiving numerous appreciations, HCLTech gave me the opportunity to showcase my abilities and be part of a fast-paced global team handling the strategic partner ecosystem.
The incredible leaders showed so much confidence in me, and my mentors at HCLTech inspired, motivated and supported me throughout this new challenging role. I was fortunate to get to learn from the best. Almost a decade of transformational, supercharging professional and personal milestones and the constant support of my team has helped me shape into the individual I am today. I’m so glad to be part of the HCLTech family.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: HCLTech is an amazing place that never ceases to surprise you. Don’t shy away from asking for help or new opportunities and explore every opportunity that comes your way. Work hard; appreciate and celebrate every achievement and always have an appetite to learn and grow.
Neha Sharma, Senior Analyst, Enterprise Technology Office
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A:I started my career with HCLTech in early 2022, since then, I’ve received numerous opportunities for learning and development. Courses and on-the-job training have kept me abreast with the latest developments and best practices in the industry. Moreover, it has provided me with increased confidence and motivation. All of this has lent to improved performance and higher satisfaction levels. Also, the encouragement and guidance given by the management and my peers have helped me reach a completely new level of self-belief and confidence.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: Never doubt your potential. Always be sure of yourself and what you are doing.
Nidhi Jugiani, Open Innovation Specialist, Enterprise Technology Office
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: HCLTech has given me the best learning experiences and abundant opportunities to grow. It has given me an open platform to implement innovative ideas, explore them and has provided apt resources to execute them. Most importantly, it has provided me with the opportunity to work with an amazing team who provide continuous support and encouragement.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: Speaking up and sharing your perspective is always better even if it is making a small impact or sometimes no impact. Keep updating your skills. Continuous learning is the key to achieving milestones.
Rabika Naiyer, Senior Account Director
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: HCLTech has helped me in elevating my professional career by providing me with excellent mentorship. The leadership’s guidance has helped me pursue my aspirations. It has taught me to believe in setting high goals and to not stop until I get there.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: You can achieve anything if you have passion, drive and focus. Believe in yourself strongly. Build trust and work collaboratively. Leadership is all about making others better because of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence. I believe that one’s actions must create a legacy that inspires others to do more.
Mridula Sreenivasan, General Manager, PMO, Digital Analytics Delivery Management
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: I highly appreciate HCLTech’s leadership. They understood my capacity and capability and assigned me multiple challenging roles in my areas of my interest – Digital & Analytics and Project/Program management.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: Be yourself! Be confident, be knowledgeable, be strong and be second to none on all fronts of life.
Neha Lamba, Sales Head - Strategic Growth Initiatives
Q: How has HCLTech helped you grow professionally?
A: HCLTech helped me with the freedom to structure my work life balance and gave me the ability to control my career. It allowed me to run with experimental ideas as well allowed me to take on specific challenges as and when I wanted to. As a result, it allowed me to grow and stay challenged.
Q: Any advice for women colleagues who aspire to grow faster?
A: Advocate for yourselves.
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
