Gabriela Shah
Gabriela Shah is a dynamic banking and finance professional whose career spans over 14 years across India and the United States. After earning her MBA in Banking, Corporate Finance, and Securities Law from Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth in Pune, she began her career in the highly competitive Indian mortgage and banking sector. Gabriela navigated a male-dominated industry with determination, overcoming cultural and gender-based challenges while advancing from entry-level executive roles to senior management positions, including branch credit head and credit manager roles across multiple financial institutions. Her cross-border experience also includes exposure to U.S. financial markets, giving her a unique perspective on international banking operations.
In July 2025, Gabriela made a pivotal career transition by relocating to the United States to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Leadership at Carolina University. This bold move reflected her commitment to personal and professional growth, as she sought opportunities where her expertise and leadership capabilities could be fully recognized. Gabriela’s PhD research focuses on leadership studies within banking and finance, integrating her extensive industry experience with academic insights. She is also deeply passionate about critical thinking, cultural diversity, and mentoring the next generation of finance professionals.
Outside of her professional and academic pursuits, Gabriela is a national gold medalist in mixed martial arts, a testament to her discipline, resilience, and commitment to pushing boundaries. She actively engages in knowledge sharing and networking, contributing to discussions on data science, finance, and leadership. Gabriela envisions returning to a senior leadership role in the finance industry upon completing her doctorate, leveraging her unique blend of operational expertise, cross-cultural experience, and scholarly insight to drive innovation and strategic growth in global financial institutions.
• MBA in India
• National Gold Medalist in Mixed Martial Arts
• Achiever for the Month
• Best Performance for the Quarter
• Best Performer in West Zone
• Data Science Women's Conference (Charlotte)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the support of strong women in my life and my refusal to give up no matter how challenging things get. My mother always supported me and wanted me to achieve what she had done in the past, even when my father and brothers were against my career choices. My sister pushed me to try mixed martial arts at age 35 when I thought I was too old and not physically strong enough - she believed in me and said I could do it. Even in my professional life, when my immediate manager wasn't supporting me, I went to higher authorities and asked for help with my training schedule for nationals, and they supported me too. I've learned that women push other women forward, and that support has been crucial. I also never gave up, even when I was the only woman working late nights in a male-dominated industry, even when I had to start at the lowest level despite having my MBA, and even when I faced constant questions about marriage and children instead of being judged on my work. I kept switching companies to grow, I worked Saturdays and Sundays and came home at midnight or 2 o'clock, and I refused to settle for easier paths like teaching or government jobs. At 35, I made the bold decision to come to the U.S. and start a PhD, which was a turning point in my life. Through martial arts, I learned that you can do whatever you want to do at any age, and that same determination drives everything I do.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received came from the Honeywell Chief Technology Officer I met at a women's conference in Charlotte. She shared her journey of working in the finance industry for 15 years and then shifting to digital technology management, which totally inspired me. When someone asked her what additional skills you need to develop to get into a leadership position, she said something that really stuck with me: you should know whatever you are doing, and you don't have to think about what people are saying. If you know what you're doing, you can do it all. Instead of worrying about doing something new, just go for it and see whatever happens. That advice resonated deeply with me because it validated my own journey of taking risks and not letting others' opinions hold me back.