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The inclusion of women in the technology and analytics fields has historically been low, with women primarily underrepresented in both the workforce and leadership positions. This lack of diversity can have negative implications for the technology industry and society as a whole. Not having enough female role-models in the boardrooms and computer labs creates a psychological bias and a mentorship gap that further worsens the situation creating an endless loop that is difficult to break.
Saarthee Founder & CEO and 2023 Women to Watch in Women in Cable and Telecom (WICT) Philadelphia-Shikha Miglani said, “From an early age, girls are taught to play safe, be likeable, have limited ambition and blend in. When we grow up, we overcome these strong psychological biases where we need to take risks, be tough when the situation calls, and be insanely ambitious and intellectually superior – everything we are expected not to be. While the men were learning to kickbox from day one, we suddenly find ourselves in a boxing ring trying to build endurance.”
Shikha saw these conflicting messages and the evolving situation for girls, including for her three-year-old daughter, and decided to start the clothing store, Girl of Substance. Shikha is also the founder and CEO of Saarthee. As she raised her daughter and navigated the challenges with the evolving opportunities, she constantly observed and applied her learnings to Saarthee.
It started with having open candid conversations at her workplace. Shikha believes that the key to addressing systemic gender biases lies in formulating the right policies and creating mentorship programs. It also lies in the inspirational encounters that come from strong female leaders in life, media, and workplaces that pave the path and ignite the spirits.
Saarthee believes that promoting and encouraging women into leadership roles is crucial for the growth and success, not just of the company, but the overall growth of society. Industries that cross domains, such as tech and data, will benefit most from the increased visibility of women in leadership positions and playing a vital role in helping companies develop more inclusive products and services.
This will also inevitably lead to a much more diverse, vibrant, and inclusive workplace culture that drives better customer experiences, higher employee satisfaction, and increased profitability. Organisations are now recognising that women not only bring a unique perspective and fresh ideas, but they also provide the much-needed EQ (emotional quotient) along with the IQ required for successful innovation and leadership.
Moreover, stronger gender diversity within a team has been shown to improve problem-solving, creativity, and decision-making ability of employees leading to greater business success.
Saarthee works passionately towards empowering women in tech and analytics. Nurturing this diversity and inclusivity allows them to tap into the full potential of its workforce leading to greater innovation and growth. With a strong presence of women in leadership positions, Saarthee is proud to lead by example and is committed to enhancing female participation in the industry.
“We also expect women at Saarthee to make themselves capable and start taking responsibility for their actions as well. This is because rights and responsibilities go hand-in-hand,” Shikha said. This has enabled them to take on more responsibilities and helped fuel their careers.
Speaking about her journey at Saarthee, Shikha said, “Saarthee has taught me to be in touch with my own strengths and instincts as a woman. I do not have to be a man to be a strong and powerful leader. When you combine intellect with empathy, it transforms the most challenging situations at the workplace and beyond. It has been a journey of rediscovering myself.”
“My advice to women would be: forge meaningful friendships across genders and you will never feel alone,” she added.
“Saarthee has been fortunate to have two feminist leaders. My co-founder and chief coach at Saarthee, Mrinal Prasad, is a huge inspiration and a role-model for men who support and promote gender equality at the workplace,” she said.
Co-founder Mrinal said, “By trusting the expertise of women and giving them leadership roles, we are fostering an inclusive culture at Saarthee that values and supports diversity in the workplace.” He added that women are being heard at different forums across the organisation, providing them with a platform to share their opinions, ideas, and feedback, and building a community where heart-to-heart communication can flourish and a safe forum can be created.
By having women in top leadership positions, Saarthee is demonstrating its commitment to gender equality and creating role models for other women in the organisation.
It is evident that Saarthee’s initiatives towards increasing the participation of women in tech and analytics are commendable. By providing an environment that supports and encourages the growth and development of women, the company is breaking down barriers and driving positive change in their industry.
One of their priorities is to ensure a supportive and safe work environment as a required policy to address and eliminate any inadvertent bias and discrimination. They also believe in providing equal pay and benefits for all employees and ensuring that women have access to the same opportunities as their male counterparts.
While the world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, Saarthee lives and breathes the spirit of the day – every single day.
Saarthee’s emerging leaders and associates shared their thoughts on being gender-equal at the workplace. Here are some excerpts:
Anshu Miglani, Vice-President (Consulting), Saarthee UK, said: “Women in leadership positions, be it at Saarthee or elsewhere, are shining role models and inspiration for many. Empowered women empower other women and allow them to believe in themselves without the fear of failure. Together, we rise and so does the company and the nation.”
Mario Monzo, Principal Consultant, Saarthee USA, said: “Working at Saarthee under a driven, intelligent, and innovative woman leader has been a great experience. Shikha provides the kind of leadership that encourages growth and both personal and professional fulfilment. It has been a great experience working for a woman-owned organisation that sets great standards.
Charu Malik, Senior HRM at Saarthee, reflects on her professional journey and how working with diverse female colleagues and leaders has been invaluable to her. She says that she was drawn to join Saarthee due to her admiration for the co-founder, Shikha, who promotes a culture of women empowerment, inclusivity, and empathy that fosters gender equality. “During my two years at Saarthee, I have been profoundly impacted by an environment that challenges me to push boundaries every day, unleashing my hidden talents and strengths,” she said.
Roshni K, currently overseeing the Operations at Saarthee, shares her incredible experience working at Saarthee for over five years. She describes it as a workplace that promotes inclusivity and support for women. “I feel valued and appreciated as a member of the team, and I know that I am making a positive impact in the industry,” she said. She acknowledged the opportunity to grow and develop her skills and appreciated the sense of community and belonging that comes from working at a place that strives to empower its women.
Riddhima, Analytics Delivery Lead, who moved Onsite (Philadelphia, US) and has been associated with Saarthee for over eight years, feels her association with Saarthee has helped her evolve into a strong leader, and has taught her the importance of supporting fellow women, helping them realise their true potential. “Working at this company gave me the opportunity to witness the incredible impact that women can have in leadership roles. I am proud to have been part of a team that valued and celebrated the contributions of women,” she said.
Roli Saxena, Saarthee’s Delivery Lead, appreciated the opportunities provided to take on challenging assignments and participate in organisational decisions, emphasising the need to redefine women’s leadership beyond stereotypes. “I have been given the opportunity to take high visibility, more challenging assignments and be part of organisational decisions. It helps me experiment with new ways of exercising leadership. Becoming a woman leader is more than being put in a leadership role – we need to address how women are seen and the qualities that are associated with a leader,” she said.
Anshul Jain, a Senior Lead associated with Saarthee for over five years, feels that Saarthee is the best place to learn and grow for any individual. She acknowledges that the support received from the co-founder has really helped her grow in her career. “I will always be grateful for the mentorship and guidance I received from the women leaders at this company. They are incredibly supportive and give me the confidence I need to take on new challenges,” she said.
Garima Chopra, the Analytics Delivery Lead, said, “As a part of the women’s leadership at Saarthee, I have had the chance to contribute to vital decision-making and policy structuring. There is a disproportionate distribution of female leaders in the tech industry, but at Saarthee this is different.” Garima added that having a woman founder enables Saarthee to provide them with an equal platform to showcase their metal without gender biases.
Priya Verma, with over eight years at Saarthee, praised the company’s nurturing environment, characterised by support, cooperation, and opportunities for growth and development. “Saarthee has given me numerous opportunities for growth and development and provided an exceptional work environment where I have had the privilege of learning and growing. In addition to meaningful work, engaging team-building activities, and opportunities to acquire new skills, I have found that the founders and other members of the team are always available to offer both professional and personal support,” she said.
Kiran Jangir, Assistant Manager said: “Saarthee enables you to grow and take on greater responsibilities based on your skill. I can proudly say that Saarthee is the best place to work for women and for all. It will give you every chance to stand out and prove yourself.”
Shaurya Gupta, another Senior Lead highlights: “I was heard and trusted from Day 1, which motivated me to put my best foot forward in all the projects that I have worked on. Saarthee is an amazing workplace for women as it provides equal opportunities to fully explore one’s potential. It empowers one to challenge themselves and explore unknown territories.”
Scott Morris, Associate & Principal Consultant, Saarthee USA, said, “The value female leadership brings to the table is on full display at Saarthee, which embraces gender equity from founders and executives to engagement leads and analysts. It has almost become a religion starting at the top with Shikha, the CEO and powerful guiding light leading a team of true experts that helps top companies to new heights by optimising the value of their data.”
