How long have you been in the financial services industry?
Sejal Shah, Director and Head of Global Markets that, BNP Paribas India Services: I have worked in the financial services industry for 15 years.
How did you get into this industry? Was it a conscious decision or did it just “fell in”?
Shah: I started my career within India. that Service industry. I knew about “captives” (as the term was used at the time to refer to global capacity centers/global innovation centers), so I grabbed the opportunity when it came along.
What is your day-to-day role?
Shah: Our team is over 1,000 people, so managing everything takes a lot of time. Also, since the team is made up of his 30% of employees worldwide, I spend time connecting with management teams and stakeholders around the world, where I make short-term, long-term, and strategic decisions. will be done.
I'm passionate about making a difference, so I spend time with teams working to solve problems. We recently created an engineering function with the goal of leveraging technology to reduce technical debt and help businesses be more efficient. that tool. I love spending time with them. The days are quite long, but they are also very fulfilling.
What project or work are you most proud of in your career in the industry so far?
Shah: as part of my journey BNP Paribas (BNPP), I have had the opportunity to lead various transformation projects. The challenges and lessons learned are very different, so I would like to touch on two.
At the inner that, consolidated confirmation requests to provide one global platform for paper and electronic confirmations for all asset classes, with delivery managed exclusively from our India center. The integration saved the platform 20% year over year. This was a huge deal at the time, as offshoring was still a new concept to many global executives in the capital markets sector.
As a local initiative, I industrialized the hiring process across the country. that Our India center has been able to save approximately 35 years of labor time per year.
What are you currently working on and what does it mean in your position?
Shah: With one-third of our global workforce in India, this center is not just an offshore location, but a true strategic global partner. We are responsible for many initiatives in the technology space, including addressing technology obsolescence and discovering use cases such as: A.I./M.L. can help. Given the current economic headwinds, it is imperative to build organizations that are productive, sustainable, and cost-effective. Business stakeholders expect us to adapt quickly to our services. that Equip yourself to meet ever-changing and increasingly demanding business needs.
How much help did you receive from internal mentors/role models during your career?
Shah: I have been fortunate to have mentors at every stage of my career. Not necessarily formal, but many well-wishers who made me aware of many do's and don'ts as I progressed. A few years ago, when I was promoted to my current role, the bank put me through a formal coaching program with an external coach. At the same time, I believe that observing the people around me, my juniors, colleagues, and seniors, is itself a source of learning.
To what extent does your company have a formal framework in place to identify and promote talented women, ensuring they have every opportunity to realize their ambitions and contribute to the business?
Shah: BNPP She is a strong supporter of women in leadership. We strongly urge all leadership programs to include female representation. The same goes for promotions and raises. From junior-level onboarding to senior management, gender diversity is a key metric. We have specific programs for women, including Women in Technology, Women in Ops, and the Leadership Connect series with women leaders.
To support women returning to the workplace after a career break, our talent acquisition team implements programs such as Return to Work. As part of learning and development, BNPP sponsors certification courses with premium institutions to help women gain the skills they need to advance their careers.Career training programs are available all over the country. BNPP Places specifically designed for women, sponsored by senior leaders that.
Traditional Indians where career was not a top priority, did not have the right qualifications to get a job in the IT field, had to find a way to become financially independent, and had no support or career guidance. As a woman with a background of having to find my own way forward, this award is the culmination of all the ups and downs in my life and all the struggles I have experienced over the years.
What has been the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome in your career in the industry so far?
Shah: Many years ago, I was passed over for a promotion because the appointment was based on the recommendation of an influential person. My manager had already told me I was being promoted, but things changed at the last minute. That incident shattered my confidence. I almost quit, but I managed to hold myself back, control my emotions, and learn to reflect on what I might have done differently if I had had the upper hand. That event allowed me to know myself better. Over time, I built a good team with my new manager and continued working together until he took on a new role. I got promoted and offered him the vacant position.
What is the most valuable lesson you have learned in your career so far?
Shah: Don't get carried away by emotions, instead look at things objectively, reflect on yourself, look for ways to be more impactful, learn to think outside the box, and communicate effectively.
What advice would you give to women just entering the industry?
Shah: Have your own vision, be confident, don't be afraid to ask for help, and be strong.
What does this award mean to you?
Shah: Although a career was not a top priority and I didn't have the right qualifications to get a job in the IT field, I had to find a way to become financially independent and had no access to support or career guidance. As a woman with an Indian background and having had to find my own way forward, this award is the culmination of the ups and downs of my life and all the struggles I have experienced over the years. The sense of accomplishment is indescribable.
