Suman Nair

My mother is my role model as she instilled in me the desire for being self-sufficient and independent. She was not hesitant to venture into areas not traditionally handled by women and proved herself, such as running a business. From a broader perspective, I find many women around us, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, quite inspiring for their spirit to get on with life despite unfavourable situations.

Inclusion, to me, is about respecting the uniqueness of each individual and allowing them to be who they are. It is not generosity. Moreover, inclusion doesn’t need to be based on gender, race or any other demographic definition. It must be applied to everyone in every walk of life and more so in an organisation. Inclusion makes people welcome and valued and works as a building block for great teams.

In my professional role, I encourage my women colleagues to be confident and aspire for significant achievements. I encourage them to take care of themselves and voice their concerns, making decisions based on their priorities without feeling guilty about it. Hopefully, I could also inspire those who look up to me for inspiration by doing whatever I do the best.