I moved from finance to analytics to leading a global biz

If you had asked me as a teenager what I wanted to be, I would have said “a doctor.” Life, however, had different plans and I found myself taking a very different route. What started as a pivot soon became purpose. I became a chartered accountant, and over the years, discovered that every career detour can open unexpected doors when navigated with curiosity and courage.

The early years were far from easy. Like many first-generation professionals, I started with humble beginnings, no corporate playbook, just ambition and hard work.

There were moments of doubt, long nights spent studying, and early jobs where I had to prove myself more through persistence than privilege. However, those years built my foundation of discipline, humility, and a quiet confidence that no opportunity is ever “too small” to learn from.

I began my career in the IT/ ITES/ product-oriented industry, where I learned the value of structure, scale, and process excellence. The turning point came when I transitioned to the retail sector. Retail, to me, was love at first sight – it’s human, dynamic, and deeply data driven. It blends art and analytics, head, and heart. Over time, my journey moved from finance to analytics to leading global business services – a path that taught me that leadership isn’t about titles, but about influence and impact.
Every transition required reinvention . I had to unlearn, learn, and relearn constantly. From managing numbers to managing people, from solving problems to shaping solutions, I discovered that the real currency of leadership is relationships. The most fundamental part of any business is human connection – building trust, listening with empathy, and helping others thrive.
Mentorship and allyship have been the cornerstones of my growth . I’ve been fortunate to have my family and mentors who believed in me even before I did. I now see it as my responsibility to pay that forward to mentor emerging talent, especially women, and to remind them that asking for help is not a weakness, but wisdom in action.
Through every career phase, one constant has been the pursuit of clarity . Clarity of purpose, of values, and of “why.” That clarity has helped me navigate challenges, make tough calls, and stay grounded amidst change.

Looking back, my journey has been anything but linear, it’s been more like a jungle gym than a ladder. Yet, it’s been rich with learning. Courage, for me, isn’t about being fearless. It’s about being authentic, vulnerable, and willing to start again.

If I had to leave one message for women building their careers, it would be that success is not defined by how high you climb, but by how clearly you see your purpose and how deeply you connect with people along the way. And above all, persevere with conviction and self-belief, unapologetically. No one will ever know your worth better than you do. Showing up, standing tall, and facing challenges isn’t optional, it’s essential.

Padma Srinivasan is head and senior director of global business services at 7-Eleven Global Solution Centre India