Woman In The Mirror | BFSI Edition

Nitika: You know they say that numbers never lie. Well, in finance, they tell some pretty incredible stories. But here’s what I’m really curious about. Who are the women behind these numbers? The ones turning spreadsheets into success stories.

Hi everyone, I’m Nitika and welcome to Woman in the Mirror. Today’s episode, it’s special.

We’re sitting down with some amazing women who are absolutely crushing it in the BFSI world. Now, this isn’t going to be your typical, here’s how I made it story, trust me. We’re diving into some real stuff, the moments that tested their limit, and the wisdom they earned the hard way. And yes, even the times they thought about giving up, but didn’t.
But let’s be honest, that’s where the real gold is, right?

Today, I have three powerhouses joining me – Veda Persad, Country Executive, Northern Trust India, Mamatha Madireddy, Managing Director & Head of HSBC Global Service Centres (GSCs), India, and Sirisha Voruganti, CEO & Managing Director, Lloyds Technology Centre.

They’ve turned roadblocks into stepping stones, pushed through the tough days, and built some pretty extraordinary things along the way. And the best part? They’re here to share it all with us. The good, the bad, and everything in between.

So let’s grab our coffee or tea, get comfortable, and talk about what it takes to lead with heart in an industry that is obsessed with numbers.

You know what I love about great stories? A protagonist who battles the odds. My first guest, Veda, is someone who knows how to navigate uncharted waters. Thirty years, three countries, and nine different roles at Northern Trust later, she’s now the Country Executive for India. But here’s what makes her story special.

It started with a family that believed work ethic trumps everything else. Growing up in Canada with immigrant parents from the West Indies, Veda learned early on that your potential isn’t defined by where you come from, but by where you are determined to go.

Veda: First of all, I was the first in my family born in Canada, so I am Canadian-born and raised. It was very different back in the seventies, eighties, and nineties in Canada—not just for women, but for people of color. It was a very different environment then. However, I grew up with a strong work ethic from my parents, which has resonated and stuck with me throughout my career.

Like you said, I’ve been in this industry for about 33 years now. I started in 1991, and next month, I’ll be celebrating 20 years with Northern Trust. My entire journey has been in the custody and financial services space—whether that’s operations, client service, sales, or marketing.

I even moved to the manufacturing side for a little while and worked for a mutual fund company in Canada. Since joining Northern Trust, I’ve had the honor of being in nine different roles across three countries. I came to India nine years ago when I was asked to take on a role here. Seeing the Indian macro environment and how talent was evolving and developing, I knew it was something I wanted to be part of.

That was nine years ago, and my journey has been amazing—exciting, crazy, chaotic. But through that chaos comes opportunity. It has been an incredible journey so far.

Nitika: Veda’s journey is a testament to resilience and adaptability in the face of change. It shows us how embracing challenges—whether navigating cultural barriers or stepping into new roles across countries—can lead to extraordinary growth.

My next guest, Mamatha, brings a different yet equally powerful perspective on leadership. With over 27 years of experience in the BFSI sector, including 23 years at HSBC, Mamatha has not only led with vision but has also championed diversity, mentorship, and sustainability every step of the way. Let’s dive into Mamatha’s story and uncover the lessons that have shaped her incredible journey.

Mamatha: My career spans 27 years, with 95% of it in banking. The majority of my career has been with HSBC. I joined HSBC GCC in September 2001 as an Assistant Manager when we were a team of about 450 people—a happy, small family where everybody knew everyone.

Today, we’re close to 28,000 in HSBC GCC in India, and I take immense pride in having been part of that journey. My career has been filled with ups and downs—great successes and great failures. I choose the word “great” carefully because I strongly believe in celebrating intelligent mistakes. The only condition is not to repeat them. You try, make mistakes, learn, and move on quickly.

Throughout my career, I’ve taken on many different roles—some that came my way, some that I aspired for, and others that I was nervous about but still embraced. This courage to try something new and trust myself, along with the ecosystem around me, has been key to my growth.

Now, I have the opportunity to contribute to the industry and the community. I sit on the boards of several NGOs and recently became the nasscom GCC Chair. This is a tremendous opportunity to give back and influence the right initiatives for the industry and community.

On the personal front, I’m married with a 17-year-old son, and like any parent, I’m navigating the challenges of his education and growth. Life has been busy, good, and humbling, and I look forward to what the future holds.

Nitika: Mamatha’s journey epitomizes purposeful leadership—focusing on creating impact beyond business goals. From mentoring women leaders to giving back to the ecosystem she’s learned from, Mamatha shows us how leadership can drive both progress and empowerment.

As the saying goes, success is sweeter when shared.

My final guest, Sirisha, is a trailblazer at the intersection of technology and finance. Over the past decade, she has transformed legacy systems, leveraged the power of data, and collaborated with fintechs to drive innovation in the BFSI sector. Sirisha’s journey is a testament to the impact of wholehearted commitment—never halfway, always exceptional.

Sirisha: It’s a bit funny how I ended up in financial services. I was leading innovation at Mahindra and presenting to two gentlemen from MasterCard who were impressed with our work. That led to my first job, transitioning from tech to fintech.

Over the last 10 years, I’ve focused on architecture, data, and digitization in banking and financial services. I’m also deeply passionate about fintech—recognizing that we don’t need to invent everything internally. Collaborating with third parties and jointly creating amazing experiences has been a big part of my work.

One of the best aspects of being in India is its position as the second-largest fintech investment hub. This has significantly shaped my portfolio and experiences. For me, it’s all about tech—especially deep tech—even within banking and financial services.

Nitika: Sirisha shows us that leadership is about showing up, staying curious, and embracing challenges. She reminds us that every step forward can lead to something extraordinary.

Nitika: Sirisha shows us that leadership is about showing up, staying curious, embracing challenges, and believing that every step forward can lead to something extraordinary.

Now let’s get real. What does it take to sit at a table when the world assumes you don’t belong there? For Veda, it meant leaning into her strength and authenticity, using the unconscious bias she faced as an opportunity to connect with others on her own terms. For Sirisha, it was pushing back against the dismissive label of a diversity candidate, proving that decades of hard work and merit—not her gender—earned her a seat at the table.

Let’s hear from Veda and Sirisha as they open up about what it’s like to carry these perceptions, flip the script, and lead with confidence.

Veda: Sometimes I get asked, what is it like to be a woman who’s ascended to this level? And I have to admit, I don’t think of myself as a woman first; I think of myself as a leader first. I’m a strong, energetic, passionate leader who just happens to be a woman.

I think a lot of this comes from how I was raised. My parents were immigrants to Canada from the West Indies, and I grew up with two sisters. So, in a house of three girls, there was never any gender bias. We weren’t held to different standards for boys versus girls. That mindset, instilled in me from a young age, carried through to my career. I never saw myself as a woman in this position—just as a person in this position.

Now, how did I use that to my advantage? In Canada, especially 20–30 years ago, I was petite—I like to say I’m five foot two, with the help of heels. I was also a person of color. These characteristics could lead to unconscious biases, shaping how others viewed my capabilities.

But sometimes, those biases work to your advantage. People’s guards come down around you. They don’t feel defensive or threatened, which lets me connect with them on a deeper level. That ability to get close and really know someone has been one of my strengths.

Sirisha: I’ve had people tell me, “Oh, she’s a diversity candidate. That’s why she has this job or role.” It’s extremely demeaning to an entire career when someone says that. After spending 30-plus years in the industry, you know you’ve earned your role purely on merit and the value you bring to the table—not your gender.

Maybe early on, organizations might keep seats open to bring in gender diversity, and that’s okay. But as you rise in your career, your achievements speak for themselves. I don’t believe anyone in leadership is there solely because of their gender. Many of us holding these seats have worked incredibly hard to get here.

There is no shortcut to success. Be the best at what you do—whatever that is—and ensure there’s no one on the floor who can do it better than you.

Nitika: Veda and Sirisha shared how women can challenge the stereotype that success is just a diversity win by staying authentic, proving their merit, and breaking through bias with resilience and determination. So, how do you cut through the noise of criticism and conflicting advice to stay focused?

Mamatha believes in insulating herself—listening only to those she trusts and who genuinely have her best interests at heart. Sirisha builds on this with a reminder that resilience, perseverance, and staying in the race are essential for long-term success.

Mamatha: The way I deal with this filtering process is critical. At senior levels, there are countless conversations happening around you. The more visible you become in the industry, the more those conversations multiply.

Insulating oneself from comments, body language, or anything that disturbs you becomes very important. What we need to do is identify, acknowledge, accept, and work on feedback from people we trust—those who genuinely care about our success. Otherwise, it all becomes too confusing, with contradictory advice pulling you in different directions.

There’s only so much time in a day, so it’s crucial to focus on feedback that truly matters, from people who matter.

Sirisha: There are a few things I’ve learned over time.

First, it’s a level playing field after a certain point. Your gender doesn’t matter—you’re competing at the same level to reach the top.

Second, the race isn’t over until the very end. Resilience and perseverance are key, especially in long careers. You have to keep at it, no matter what.

And third, take help when it’s offered. It’s impossible to be a 10 out of 10 on everything. Women, in particular, face this challenge. There’s always that critical meeting on the same day your child is sick, or a parent-teacher meeting at school you can’t attend. The ecosystem often guilt-trips women in these moments.

In the early years of your career, you may need a little extra help. I’ve been fortunate to have people step up for me during those times.

One thing I’ve learned to tell myself is: It’s okay to be a 6 out of 10 sometimes. Kids are more understanding than we think—they forgive us for some of these lapses if we talk them through it. What matters is focusing on what’s most important at that moment. When you do that, you’re mentally satisfied and can return the next day ready to give your best to everything else.

Nitika: Mamatha and Sirisha both share practical strategies to navigate challenges and keep moving forward with clarity and confidence. But resilience isn’t just about work. It’s about finding balance—in the roles of a mother, a wife, and a leader. Especially when all those roles collide.

As Sheryl Sandberg famously said, “You can have it all, you just can’t have it all at once.” For Mamatha, it came down to what she called ruthless prioritization—being clear about what truly matters.

Mamatha: Yeah, and there’s always guilt, right? There’s always guilt that you’re not spending enough time with your child. The phrase I always use, Nitika, is ruthless prioritization.

It’s about your priorities. You have to be ruthless, you have to be clinical about it, and decide what matters most at that point in time.

For me, I never miss PTMs or any school events—no matter what. That is my priority. I’m very clear about this with my boss. I still remember when my son was five or six years old, he had his first stage performance.

The first time he came on stage, the crown was almost falling into his eyes. He was looking for us, and when we waved at him, the pleasure on his face was priceless. These are small things, but they are so important.

Because you can’t do everything all the time. Fatigue definitely sets in, and you have to learn how to prioritize.

There are times when you just have to say, “It’s okay.” I might do this for the next 12 months because my priority is, say, my child or elderly care. It takes time and effort to build the ecosystem around you.

When I got married almost 20 years ago, I was very clear from day one with my mother-in-law about my work schedule. I told her, “These are my timings. I come into the office at 10 and leave around 8. There are certain festivals when I’ll have to work, but there are others when I’ll take time off to do the puja at home.”

It’s about setting clear expectations. That’s where I see some women struggling. When I hear their conversations in the washroom, it’s often about how they’re trying to balance everything.

Nitika: You know what I admire about Mamatha? It’s refreshingly honest—the way she masters knowing when to say yes, when to say no, and building that balance that keeps you grounded both at home and at work. But here’s where it gets interesting.

Veda shows us that prioritization isn’t just about your to-do list—it’s about creating a space where people feel safe, where they aren’t afraid to fail, and where they know they have the support they need. It’s about balancing between giving your team the wings to fly and stepping in to help when the winds get rough.

Veda: This goes back to my kids. When my kids were little, I would always say to them, “I don’t care what it is that you’ve done—just please come and tell me first. Don’t let me find out from someone else. Whatever it is, we can work on it together and figure it out.”

The same principle applies to my work life. If something goes wrong, if there’s a mistake that’s happened—or even if you think one might happen—come and talk to me first. Let me know so I can help, rather than finding out after the fact.

I’m not saying people try to cover things up, but sometimes they want to solve their own problems, and I completely understand that. Many times, it works out perfectly well for them, and that’s great. But if it doesn’t, and they’ve gone down the wrong path, I end up stepping in to clean things up.

Had I known earlier what they were dealing with, I could’ve perhaps steered them a little differently—not taken over, but simply guided them in the right direction.

Even if it’s just an early warning sign, that kind of openness and honesty is critical. To me, being open, honest, and early is a non-negotiable.

Nitika: There’s another reality that affects many women leaders—a reality we don’t often hear about: menopause. The physical and emotional challenges it brings can be isolating, especially in high-pressure environments.

Sirisha opens up about managing demanding leadership roles while navigating these physical changes. She reminds women leaders that they’re not alone in this journey and that their strength lies in showing up every single day, even when the going gets tough.

Sirisha: Yeah, I’m sure a lot of us in our mid-forties go through this, right? You’re sitting in a meeting, and something important is happening, and suddenly you experience hot flashes. You start sweating or feel the need to step out for a breath of fresh air before coming back in.

Some of these experiences aren’t things you want to talk about too much. As I said, there aren’t many seats at the table, and you wonder what calling attention to something like this might do to your career. So, you end up going through much of it alone.

That said, some organizations today offer coaching as part of employee well-being programs. You can talk to someone about what’s happening and get help. I haven’t personally used such support, but we do offer it in our organization.

Yes, it can be harder to handle stress as you reach a certain age, and it could be detrimental if you’re not physically strong. But I think it’s crucial to stay fit, exercise, and ensure you’re mentally and physically resilient to take on these roles.

Nitika: Sirisha’s honesty is one of the most powerful things. In a world obsessed with leadership strategies, she opened up about something many women face in silence. Leading at the top is challenging enough—now imagine your body having its own agenda in the middle of a crucial meeting.

But as Sirisha reminds us, real strength isn’t about being invincible. It’s about showing up, staying resilient, and taking care of yourself along the way.

Renowned psychiatrist Viktor Frankl once said, “Between stimulus and response, there is a space. And in that space is our power to choose our response.” Leadership is about how you respond, not just how you react. And the brief pause between a trigger and your response is where the real work happens.

Veda takes us inside that moment, sharing how she’s learned to harness it using honesty, self-awareness, and a deliberate pause to turn emotional triggers into thoughtful, measured actions. Let’s hear how she does it.

Veda: As much as I might sometimes be screaming inside and my head might feel ready to explode—and I think people can sometimes see that on my face—I will very purposely walk away and calm myself down.

Even when it comes to emails—because we all know how triggering emails can be—I have a rule. I’ll write the email, but I won’t put any addresses in the “To” field, just in case something goes horribly wrong. I’ll address it to no one, maybe just myself, and write it out. Then I’ll walk away.

When I come back to it, what started as a paragraph of ranting either gets toned down or, if it was just one terse sentence, I’ll soften it up. I’ve learned at this point in my career and my life that I don’t want to react—I want to respond.

It’s important to give yourself that space between reaction and response to ensure a more thoughtful reply. I’m not saying it has to be devoid of emotion because emotion shows you care. But it’s about finding the right balance—giving yourself time to get the temperature of your response just right.

Nitika: I’m sure, just like me, many of you have had your childhood passions take a backseat. But you’d be surprised how much your passions outside of work can shape the way you lead.

For Sirisha, badminton and dance weren’t just hobbies—they were a part of her identity. And while she may not compete anymore, she finds her way back to the court or stage whenever she needs to focus or recharge.

For Mamatha, dance taught her storytelling, discipline, and how to think on her feet. Let’s hear how these childhood passions continue to shape their leadership journeys even today.

Sirisha: What sport teaches you is that every time you fall, you get back up again and prepare yourself for the next match. Maybe because of sports, you learn to handle pressure as you’re growing up.

I used to play badminton at the state and national levels for many years. Whenever I’m stressed, it’s always good to hit the shuttle—it works like magic for me. Just being on the court, seeing it, and playing is so rejuvenating.

I’ve also been a dancer. I’ve given a number of performances—Kuchipudi is the dance form I learned. I trained for about 17 years and performed in many parts of the country.

Mamatha: Dance taught me so much. I started learning dance when I was six years old. You have to be so organized, focused, and concentrated, and sometimes you have to think on your feet.

For me, because I started so young, it became part of my DNA. It taught me planning and focus—almost to the point of being boring sometimes!

Dance also teaches storytelling. Through the dance form, you’re telling a story, and you have to gauge the audience—the vibes you’re getting back. Do you need to do something more or something less? Thinking on your feet while performing sharpens your reflexes as well.

Nitika: You know what’s fascinating about great leaders? They draw inspiration from the most unexpected places. For Sirisha and Mamatha, it was their childhood passions. Who knew that dance and sports would shape how they lead today?

But it got me thinking—what really sets exceptional leaders apart? Maybe it’s not just about what they achieve but how they grow along the way.

I love how each of our guests brings something unique to this conversation. Veda has learned to turn self-doubt into strength through reflection. Sirisha has mastered the art of storytelling to inspire action. And Mamatha? She’s all about making smart mistakes, learning from them, and keeping her focus on what really matters.

Let’s hear what they have to say about this.

Veda: Doubt now, when it comes into play in my head, is something I almost take through a logical checklist because I have the experience now.

Back then, it would eat away at my brain, honestly. I would relive the moment over and over again. But now, I’ve almost learned to let go of it. I remind myself, “Okay, fine, I fell down, but I hit a home run 99 times before this.”

If I were to give advice to someone earlier in their career and dealing with doubt, it would be to remind yourself every day of something you did to move forward. We tend to focus on the negatives—on the times we fell down.

So, if you can build a habit, just like taking a multivitamin in the morning or having a cup of green tea in the evening, reflect on one thing you did today that made you a better version of yourself. It’s a small but powerful habit.

Sirisha: I think one of the most important aspects of leadership is the ability to communicate or tell a story. Communication becomes really important at some point.

You can’t just say, “I’m technically very sound, but I can’t communicate.” That already stumps growth. You have to be able to stand up for your team, speak for them, and negotiate on their behalf.

It’s extremely important to over-index on communication, whether it’s oral or written. One thing we’ve found very effective is putting people—both men and women—through storytelling sessions. We formally teach them how to communicate, and I think that’s incredibly important.

Mamatha: I always draw from my own experience, Nitika, when I talk to budding women leaders. And I like to keep it very simple—it’s probably the MS Dhoni or Rohit Sharma style.

First, stakeholder mapping is key. Make the effort to list your stakeholders and establish how often you want to connect with them.

Second, celebrate intelligent mistakes.

And third, ask questions. Knock on the door—it’s okay. The answer might be a no or something you don’t like, but at least you asked. As they say, no regrets.

Nitika: Life’s biggest lessons rarely come with a neat bow. The same goes for leadership. It’s all about asking the right questions and learning as you go.

You know what’s fun, though? Getting leaders to drop the corporate speak and just get real. So, we played a little game with our guests—a rapid-fire round that got them thinking about everything from their younger selves to their coffee habits. What would they tell their 20-year-old selves? Who makes them laugh no matter what?

Nitika: Since this is Woman in the Mirror, if you had to look at yourself in the mirror and tell your 20-year-old self something, what would it be?

Veda: Be patient and love yourself. Be your own best friend.

Mamatha: Celebrate intelligent mistakes more. Ask more questions. You’re the best.

Veda: Love it.

Nitika: And if you had to look in the mirror and tell yourself something today, what would it be?

Veda: Continue to be grateful and appreciate everything you have every day.

Mamatha: I’d probably say, “Carve out more me-time.”

Sirisha: I’d tell myself to be the best.

Nitika: And assuming it was not a mirror but a looking glass, and you had to tell yourself something 10 or 20 years ahead, what would that be?

Veda: Celebrate all of the amazing work you’ve done and the foundation you’ve built over the years.

Mamatha: I’d say, first, continue to stay fit and be relevant. Even today, when I talk to my son, I sometimes feel like our conversations aren’t relevant because his generation speaks a completely different language. I find myself saying, “What are you trying to say?” And then he gives up.

Sirisha: Nothing comes easy. Love to keep going.

Nitika: Who or what always manages to make you laugh, no matter what?

Veda: My husband. Oh, that’s nice.

Nitika: Is there someone who has deeply inspired you? What about them stands out to you?

Sirisha: At work, there are so many fresh faces—Gen Zs—who bring positive energy. It’s always refreshing to walk the floor, listen to their ideas, and see how they think outside the box or find easier ways to do things.

But in my personal life, my go-to person is my mom. She’s my source of inner strength. At 83, the way she manages her life is incredible. I think, “If she can do it, I can definitely do it.”

Mamatha: For me, it’s Mahendra Singh Dhoni. I’m fascinated by how his mind works. You can almost see the gears turning as he processes things while staying calm.

I’ve also been fortunate to have two very strong women in my life—my mom, who’s a doctor, and my dance teacher, who’s in the civil services. She’s a breast cancer conqueror and a Padma Shri awardee. These two women are my life coaches.

Nitika: What’s the worst piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Veda: “Beta, you’re too assertive. You need to dial it back.” I didn’t pay attention to it because that’s who I am. I’m going to lean forward, and I’m glad I did.

Nitika: And what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

Veda: There are two pieces of advice I cherish. One is, “Don’t get so caught up in where you’re going that you forget where you are.” The second, which I’ve made my email signature, is, “Sell your strengths and buy your weaknesses.”

Sirisha: The best label I’ve ever been given is that I’m an understanding leader. That means a lot to me because I over-index on people. I truly believe organizations are about people, not individuals. Success is a team effort. When someone recognizes that in me, I take immense pride in it.

Nitika: What’s one book that has left a lasting impression on you?

Mamatha: A book I read in 1999—Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach. It’s a story of perseverance, but what really stood out to me was the idea of grooming the next generation to think beyond their limits. It’s always been inspirational.

Nitika: You know what strikes me the most after today’s conversations? Leadership isn’t about following a mapped-out path. Just look at Veda, Mamatha, and Sirisha. They didn’t just climb the corporate ladder—they built their own.

To every listener who’s ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or unsure, this episode is your reminder: Your journey is valid. Your challenges are your strength. Your potential is limitless.

As we close this chapter of Woman in the Mirror, remember: Your potential isn’t defined by the roles you’re given, but by the stories you choose to write.

So until next time, I’m your host, Nitika Goel. Keep showing up, keep standing tall, and never, ever let anyone dim your light.