Padma’s areas of expertise include talent acquisition and management, HR Strategy and Operations, Policy Development, Employee Relations and Engagement, Talent Review and Succession Planning, among others. She has proven expertise in building and scaling global and Indian startups, and has hands-on experience in streamlining operations by instituting HR policies and practices. She writes about creating a level playing field and treating women on par with men by dismantling deeply ingrained gender stereotypes and empowering them to pursue careers in STEM-related professions. She believes that, in India, not many women traditionally choose a career path around STEM education. The reasons are manifold, including entrenched stereotypes and social biases, besides infrastructure policies and low-powered incentives.
“The importance of family support in shaping a woman’s education and career path cannot be emphasised enough. The lack of it, along with societal and cultural biases, is a predominant reason for women being held back from pursuing careers in STEM. Further, women tend to face the ‘double burden syndrome’ in which they are expected to take on the dual responsibilities of work as well as home. Learning to master the balancing act, women still find themselves at crossroads at every life milestone – marriage, kids, etc. -- of either continue working in a supportive structure or quitting to fulfil the demands of their multifarious roles in the household.”
