Avanti: Yes She Can

On this episode of Avanti Yes She Can, Vandana is joined by one of the most influential women in banking in India – Kalpana Morparia. With a 40 year career working for the likes of ICICI Bank and JPMorgan, Kalpana has helped build the foundation of modern banking in India. She talks to Vandana about her expansive career across the two banking institutions, the lessons she learned as one of t...

Kicking off a brand new season of Avanti: Yes She Can, Vandana switches things around. In this episode, she’s passing the mic to Avanti alum, Priyanka Palshetkar, as she takes a seat in the guest chair alongside her friend – comedian, actor and producer, Kaneez Surka. Together, they talk to Priyanka about supporting each other through hardships, laughing at inside jokes even twenty yea...

Avanti: Yes She Can is back with a brand new season! Last season, our host and co-CEO of Avanti Fellows, Vandana Goyal, spoke to inspiring women who’ve worked their way to the top and built something from nothing. Yet, when we talk about success, it’s hardly ever achieved without the support of those around you – to be precise, without allyship. Joining Vandana this season is her...

Shar Dubey is former CEO, Board Member and Advisor for Match Group. Shar earned her Bachelor's in Technology from Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, where she was one of the few female students in her class. For women breaking into a field where they are underrepresented, Shar talks to Vandana about the importance of investing your energy in enhancing your strengths, identifying your unique...

  Anu Menon is an award-winning film director and writer who brought the extraordinary story of mathematician and astrologer Shakuntala Devi to life. As a child, Anu was always drawn to storytelling but never imagined that she would enter the world of filmmaking. She talks to Vandana about being one of the few women in India to hold directing and writing positions in film and TV, and reflects on w...

  Prashasti Singh is a standup comic who came from the small town of Amethi, and claimed fame with Comicstaan . Prashasti opens up about her start at Indian Institute of Management to making the bold leap into the world of comedy. She talks to Vandana about how no matter what career path we choose, showing up and giving it our best shot is vital.   CREDITS: Host & Creative Director: Vandana Go...

  Noorain Khan, the daughter of Pakistani immigrants, has risen to become the first Muslim American to serve as the National President of Girl Scouts of the USA. With a successful career in corporate law, non-profits, and public policy, Vandana explores Noorain’s story and how it reminds us that we can achieve anything we set our mind to, as long as we believe in our capabilities.    CREDITS: Host...

  Meena Lakdawala-Flynn shares her journey from being a talented young gymnast dreaming of Olympic glory, to her influential role as the Partner & Co-Head of Private Wealth Management at Goldman Sachs. She talks to Vandana about her upbringing as the daughter of first-generation Indian immigrants in Texas, who supported her every dream; and emphasises the need to inspire our daughters to pursu...

  Paulomi Shah is a Partner & Head of Enterprise Risk and Trade Operations at Apollo Global Management, a firm that has $28.41 billion in net assets. As a naturally curious and determined student, Paulomi's passion for learning led her to Barnard College at Columbia University. Having spent several years in the banking sector with firms like JP Morgan and HSBC, Paulomi reflects on her career a...

  Gayatri Shenai is a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company. Growing up with a twin brother, Gayatri’s parents ensured both their children were treated equally - a value that has shaped her into the person she is today. As a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Gayatri has conducted research on women's advancement in the workplace and spearheaded an annual conference for women execu...

Ruchi Sankhe is the founder of Infinity Investment Advisors and LuxeList. Born to grandparents who were refugees from Pakistan, Ruchi's early years were spent constantly moving across India. Despite the challenges, she excelled academically, earning a Master’s in Finance in the USA, where less than 10% of her class were women. With a career spanning nearly three decades in wealth management, Ruchi...

Sumitra Pasupathy is a Malaysian engineer turned social entrepreneur, who went from a boisterous girl in convent school, to winning a British Council scholarship to attend the prestigious Cambridge University. Starting from her role as a founder of Playeum, an NGO focused on children's play and education, Sumitra talks to Vandana about what we can do to help women overcome cultural barriers in the...

In the first episode, Jyoti Chopra, currently the Chief People, Inclusion, and Sustainability Officer at MGM Resorts International, shares her transformation from a shy young girl to a leader of a billion-dollar company. She reflects on how her immigrant parents shaped her work ethic and how her time at the United Nations drove her to make real change in the world. As one of the few women in Ameri...

“There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women”  -- Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General (May 2016)   Education non-profit Avanti Fellows works to help young Indian students - especially girls-  lift themselves and their families out of poverty in a single generation through access to quality careers in STEM. In this podcast, join Vandana Goyal, co-CEO of Avanti...