Moderator:
Ms Anu Hasan – Indian Actress, Television Anchor & Entrepreneur
Panelists:
Ms Lakshmi Narayanan – Whole-time Director, T Stanes & Co
Ms Vilasini Subramaniam – Financial Services Professional, Podcast Host, Chartered Accountant & Founder, The V-Women Project
Sqn Ldr Ramita Choudhary – Indian Air Force (IAF), Ironman 70.3 Goa (2025) Qualifier
Ms Anu Hasan
When I look at the women seated here, I see resilience in motion. Success is never a straight line—it is often circuitous, filled with setbacks and breakthroughs. Whether it is nurturing a 160-year legacy, navigating finance at scale, or flying in the Air Force, excellence comes from embracing complexity rather than avoiding it.
One thing I strongly believe is that our response to challenges defines us. When something goes wrong, instead of asking “Why me?”, I ask “Why not me?” and more importantly, “What next?” That shift changes everything. It moves us from helplessness to action.
On reinvention, I would say don’t try to emulate anyone else. The path I have taken suits my personality, my strengths, and the consequences I am willing to accept. If you want to diversify, understand yourself deeply—your capabilities, your strengths, and your appetite for risk.
I don’t fear failure. I may feel embarrassed after failing, but fear has never stopped me from trying. That distinction is critical. Fear prevents action, but failure teaches you who you are. Every role I have taken—actor, entrepreneur, author—has been about exploring my own potential.
Balancing tradition and modernity is often seen as a dilemma, but I think it becomes simple when you are clear about your values. Once you know what defines you, navigating cultural expectations becomes easy. The world is changing, and we must evolve with it, but without losing our core.
Ultimately, the question to ask yourself is: “What am I capable of?” The answer is always bigger than you imagine.
Ms Lakshmi Narayanan
Whole-time Director, T Stanes & Co
Leadership for me has always been about responsibility—towards legacy, people, and the future. When I entered our 165-year-old organization, I was deeply conscious of the impact of our products on health and the environment. That led me to question our direction and eventually shift from agrochemicals to eco-friendly biological solutions.
This transition was not easy. There was resistance in the market, skepticism within the ecosystem, and uncertainty about acceptance. But conviction guided me. We conducted extensive field trials, demonstrated results, and built trust with farmers. When they saw higher yields and better quality produce, it validated our direction. That moment reaffirmed my belief that leadership requires courage to act on conviction.
I believe leadership rests on three pillars: clarity of vision, capability to execute, and collaboration. You must know your direction, build competencies, and work together as a team. Communication ensures alignment, and alignment drives success.
Leadership is not entitlement—it is earned through hard work, commitment, and sacrifice. Women often underestimate their strengths, but resilience, multitasking, and empathy are powerful assets. We must leverage them consciously.
To young women, I want to say this: there is no perfect balance between work and life. It is about integration and making choices. Do not feel guilty about those choices. Gender bias may exist, but do not let it define you. Focus on your performance—recognition will follow. The glass ceiling is not external; it is internal. Believe in yourself and aim higher.
Sqn Ldr Ramita Choudhary
Indian Air Force (IAF), Ironman 70.3 Goa Qualifier
In the Air Force, the machine does not differentiate between a man and a woman. When you are in the cockpit, only your skill, preparation, and confidence matter. That is the mindset I carry—competence over everything else.
Preparation is the key. In our profession, there is no margin for error. The only way to handle that is to prepare thoroughly and consistently. Preparation builds confidence, and confidence drives performance.
My Ironman experience reinforced this belief. The total distance feels overwhelming, but when you break it down into smaller parts, it becomes manageable. Even during the race, I focused only on the next step. Leadership is similar—break big challenges into smaller, achievable goals.
At a certain point, everything becomes mental. The biggest challenge is not physical endurance but mental resilience. That inner strength determines whether you finish what you start.
Growing up, I was afraid to try new things because I feared judgment. But I later realized that fear only limits you. There is always something better waiting beyond fear. So my message is simple—do not be afraid to try.
Women do face more expectations and restrictions, but many of these are mental barriers. With the right support system and self-belief, they can be overcome. Confidence comes from preparation, and preparation is always within your control.
Ms Vilasini Subramaniam
Financial Services Professional, Founder – The V-Women Project
Over the past year, I have interacted with many women leaders, and a few consistent themes have emerged. The first is showing up—no matter how difficult things seem. The second is resilience and curiosity—continuing to learn and stay engaged.
The third, and most important, is generosity. Leadership is not just about personal success—it is about lifting others. When we “pay it forward,” we create ecosystems that enable more women to succeed. For a woman’s success, it truly takes a village.
From a business perspective, I strongly believe in focusing on fundamentals. Solve a real problem, stay customer-centric, and build strong governance. Avoid chasing vanity metrics like valuations. If your fundamentals are strong, success will follow naturally.
Perfection is something many women struggle with, including myself. We try to be perfect in every role, and that pressure is unnecessary. Let go of perfection. Stay the course, and growth will happen—even if it is not linear.
Another challenge is isolation. Many professionals feel they are alone in their struggles, but that is rarely true. When you reach out and talk to others, you realize that everyone faces similar challenges. Build networks, seek mentors, and stay connected.
Authenticity, strong fundamentals, and meaningful relationships are the foundations of sustainable leadership.
Q&A
Ms Anu Hasan
When I was asked about navigating multiple careers, my first response was simple—don’t emulate anyone else. Understand yourself deeply. Know your strengths, your limitations, and your willingness to take risks. That self-awareness will guide your decisions better than any external advice.
Fear of failure is something I have consciously worked on. I may feel embarrassed if I fail, but I don’t let fear stop me from trying. If you remove fear, you open yourself to possibilities. Trying something new always teaches you something about yourself.
On balancing culture and modernity, I believe clarity of values is the anchor. If you know what matters to you, navigating expectations becomes easy. The world is evolving, and we must adapt, but without losing our identity.
Ms Lakshmi Narayanan
When asked about introducing change in legacy organizations, I believe trust is the foundation. Values, integrity, and ethics must remain constant. Change should be introduced with transparency, dialogue, and calculated risk-taking. When people trust your intent, they support transformation.
To young women, I would reiterate—do not seek balance; seek integration. Make your choices confidently and stand by them. Do not let guilt hold you back.
One trait I wish to see in every woman is self-belief. Confidence is the key to breaking all barriers.
Sqn Ldr Ramita Choudhary
On the question of boundaries, I believe women face more expectations and restrictions. However, many of these are mental. The fear of judgment often holds us back more than actual barriers.
Safety is a real concern, but beyond that, we must overcome internal hesitation. Surround yourself with supportive people and focus on your goals.
If there is one message I want to leave, it is this—don’t be afraid. There is always something better waiting beyond fear.
Ms Vilasini Subramaniam
When asked about leadership skills for young women, I emphasize strong fundamentals and authenticity. Communication skills also play a crucial role—they can give you a significant advantage as you grow.
For young professionals, especially those starting out, networking is essential. Build relationships early, seek mentors, and engage with communities. Growth is not just about knowledge—it is about connections.
If I had to choose one trait, it would be fearlessness. When you are fearless, you can achieve far more than you imagine.
