Reflections 2019

Last day of the year calls for some reflection for an year that went faster than I had expected (seriously feels like a blink!). A silent yet festive office helps put the thoughts into words quicker than expected. So here are my favorite takeaways from the year 2019:

1.      You don’t need fancy offices and money to start movements; all you need is a bunch of people with good intent– Who can believe that the Inclusive Walkathon that we partnered with India Inclusion Foundation was entirely run by volunteers over weekly calls and sitting on pavements to draw out execution plans. Their only remuneration being hot dosa and coffees from legendary Konark Kanteerava Darshini and all the happy smiles they received from the 5000 + people who participated on the main day for the Inclusive Walkathon plus all the warmth and hugs we got from the people from the disability background who participated in full spirit. The below pic has stayed with me all this while with two of my favorite people from the walkathon experience. I met great people and made great memories and hoping impacted a few lives while doing so. 

2. Inclusion Dialogues – An idea that turned out to be quite a game changer in our organization when we started holding monthly Inclusion Dialogues. It is quite humbling to hear life stories of so many achievers and how they are contributing to inclusive communities in their own special ways. Each story impacted each one of us in a unique way and inspired to not give up in life easily and to keep striving for things we truly believed in. The clarity of thought that some of these achievers possessed is rare to find. It will be unfair to pick favorites, but I truly enjoyed sessions with Madhumitha Venkataraman, Founder - Diversity Dialogues, Diversity and Inclusion Evangelist and Alina Alam, Founder - Mitti Cafe. An absolute powerhouse of women who are impacting so many lives around them! 

3. Women Leaders Talk – It is always a privilege of my job role that I continue to meet some amazing women leaders and this year was not very different. One thing that has always stood out for me in most of the women leader I have spoken to is their clarity towards career orientation and enjoying their work and not making it a 9 to 5 job. Some amazing experience were shared, and a lot of inspiration was taken from Anagha Kale from VMWare and Ruby Tomar from HP for redefining women in business for me. 

4. Lastly, a huge inspiration for me always has been my volunteers!. The energy and passion they bring to the causes and the belief with which they support inclusive programs truly makes Allegis an 'Inclusive Workplace'. I feel privileged to work with these people day in and day out and building an organization where people are recognized for the abilities they bring to the table and not the societal definitions attached to them.

Looking forward to 2020 with more excitement!