I grew up as a ‘tweener’, not fully belonging to one culture or another. It wasn’t until later in life that I realized the impact my unique upbringing had on shaping me as a person. Coming from a family with contrasting backgrounds, my mother was from a Westernized household while my father came from a more traditional background. This dichotomy extended to my grandmothers as well, with one being devoutly Hindu and the other more dependent on her family.
Spirituality played a significant role in my childhood, as my family followed a Guru’s teachings and we spent our summers in an ashram. This upbringing set me apart from my English-speaking cousins and exposed me to a different way of life. Despite these differences, my parents had high aspirations for me and my siblings, encouraging us to pursue higher education and follow our passions.
Straddling two worlds taught me resilience and adaptability, shaping my perspective on leadership. The ability to bridge cultural gaps and understand diverse perspectives became a valuable asset in my career. Lessons from my family, including discipline, curiosity, and spirituality, laid the foundation for my success in a male-dominated industry.
Embracing my identity as a ‘tweener’ allowed me to see opportunities where others saw obstacles and build bridges where others saw divides. This unique perspective has been key to my journey and has shaped me into the leader I am today. Despite feeling out of place at times, I now recognize that my in-betweenness has been the foundation of my success. It has allowed me to navigate uncertainties without losing sight of who I am and where I come from.
