Shweta Saran PgMP, IIML COO, CFE, CCEP-I, CICP, Corporate Law

I attribute my success to the unwavering support of my family, the guidance of mentors, and the trust placed in me by the leaders and teams I have worked with throughout my career. Being away from my family while working in the United States would not have been possible without their encouragement, understanding, and constant support.

I have also been fortunate to work in an organization that empowered me to take on new challenges, explore opportunities beyond my formal education and experience, and continue learning throughout my career. Many of the most significant transitions in my professional journey, from finance and compliance to operational excellence and artificial intelligence, were made possible because someone believed in my potential and gave me the opportunity to grow.

I believe success is rarely an individual achievement. It is built on the support, trust, and investment of others, combined with the willingness to embrace challenges, work hard, and make the most of the opportunities you are given.

One of the most valuable pieces of advice I have received is to continue doing my best work regardless of who is watching and who is not. Maintaining a strong work ethic, taking ownership, and remaining committed to excellence have guided me throughout my career.

Another piece of advice that has stayed with me is, "Don't just chase titles, chase learning." Throughout my career, I have continued to study, pursue new certifications, and take on challenging roles, even when the outcome was uncertain. While not every opportunity leads exactly where you expect, each experience has contributed to my growth, broadened my perspective, and provided immense personal and professional satisfaction.

That mindset has encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone, embrace opportunities beyond my formal education and experience, and continually challenge myself to learn and grow. Over the years, it has enabled me to transition across diverse disciplines, including finance, compliance, risk management, operational excellence, and artificial intelligence, each of which has strengthened my capabilities and shaped my leadership approach.

I believe that continuous learning, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace new challenges are among the most important drivers of personal and professional growth.

Be curious and never stop learning. The career you start with may not be the career you end up loving the most. I began my journey in operations and finance and, over time, had opportunities to work in compliance, risk management, governance, operational excellence, and now artificial intelligence - this after my primary education in Physics!. Each step taught me something valuable and prepared me for the next challenge.

Don't be afraid to take on roles that feel uncomfortable or outside your area of expertise. Some of the greatest growth comes from saying yes to opportunities before you feel completely ready. Work hard, remain humble, build strong relationships, and remember that your reputation is built by the quality of your work, especially when no one is watching.

I believe one of the greatest opportunities today is helping organizations harness the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in ways that are practical, responsible, and sustainable. AI has the potential to enhance productivity, improve decision-making, and create entirely new ways of working, but realizing that potential requires much more than deploying technology.

The challenge lies in building the right foundations for success, including governance, workforce capability, and organizational trust. In my experience, the most successful AI initiatives are those that focus not only on technology, but also on helping people understand how to use it effectively and confidently. This includes investing in upskilling, creating communities of practice, and fostering a culture of continuous learning.

As organizations continue their AI journey, the greatest opportunity will be enabling people and technology to work together in ways that drive innovation, strengthen business outcomes, and create lasting value.

Family, trust, and a strong work ethic are the values that matter most to me. Family provides perspective and grounding, while trust is the foundation of every meaningful relationship, whether personal or professional. I believe trust creates opportunities, strengthens teams, and enables people to achieve far more together than they can individually.

I also value integrity, resilience, and a commitment to doing my best regardless of recognition. One story that has always resonated with me is that of a spider repeatedly trying to build its web. Despite falling time and again, it continued its efforts until it succeeded. To me, that story is a reminder that success is rarely a straight path. It is built through perseverance, learning from setbacks, and having the courage to keep moving forward.

Throughout my career and personal life, I have found that growth often comes from challenges rather than achievements. Success is not defined by never failing, but by continuing to learn, adapt, and try again. These principles continue to shape my approach to leadership, learning, service, and life.