I am truly grateful to be a part of an organization that has been the core of global innovation for the last 14 years. In my first eight years of leading global finance operations, I had this unique opportunity to help expand SVB’s global footprint. Over the last six years, I have worked directly with start-ups and funds in the US/Northern California and Global Markets (India and MENA). The hustle and passion of the global innovation ecosystem for creating and investing in what’s next, is awe-inspiring. Being curious is vital and has been consistent across the roles I have taken on. As I am interacting with my global clients building cross-border SaaS solutions, organic baby products, blockchain or micro satellites, my approach is to be curious, listen, learn, and adapt with an aim to create value beyond banking.

My approach to decision-making has evolved over the years. The problem that is needed to be solved dictates the nuances to the process in most cases. It is critical at the end of the day that we prioritize our clients, employees, and shareholders first. We are a mission-driven organization guided by our values - empathy for others, speaking and acting with integrity, embracing diverse perspectives, taking responsibility, and most importantly, keeping learning and improving. When the priorities are clear, usually, the decisions tend to be more apparent.

Women, in general (me included), are perfectionists. We want to achieve/deliver 150% to represent us at 100%. Our hesitation in putting ourselves out there until we feel ready puts us behind the race from the start. “Believing in yourself” is the first step. The confidence and approach of women entrepreneurs are changing for the better. Initiatives such as Neythri, CXXO by Kaalari, TiE Women, and several others are working tirelessly to help bridge the gap, empower women entrepreneurs and investors and inspire others to support this much- needed movement.

Black and Latinx individuals and women remain underrepresented in the innovation economy, especially in leadership roles as executives, board members, investors and startup founders. SVB’s Access to Innovation program was launched to help build a more diverse, equitable and accessible innovation economy.  SVB has been at the center of innovation for nearly 40 years, and has the networks, the expertise and the perspective to help accomplish this goal. Together with our partners, we are building broader talent pipelines at all levels; providing access to resources and training; making funds available to entrepreneurs and investors; and opening up networks to those who have been excluded. 
For more information, visit https://www.svb.com/about-us/living-our-values/access-to-innovation

Diversity is a global issue. According to the Q1 Venture Monitor, VCs invested $10B in companies with at least one female founder across 675 deals in Q1 2021 ($22.1B in 2020), and nearly a quarter of all VC deals went to companies with at least one female founder in Q1 2021, consistent with 2020. While the data is trending in the right direction, we still have a long way to go.
Gender diversity in India is significantly behind when compared to the US – number of female founders/co-founders, number of female investors (GPs), number of women on boards. $/# of deals invested in women, women-focused funds /accelerators/support groups, etc. Awareness of the issue and prioritizing the problem to implement the right solutions are two critical steps that will help India develop a more diverse innovation economy.

Adversity drives innovation. A growing number of companies are adding inclusion and diversity strategy as a part of their growth plans to ensure they are building culturally diverse, strong teams. To help solve the DEI challenge, several start-ups help provide organizations the right tools for accountability and decision-making, including Talenya, Textio, Kanarys, Handshake, The Mom Project, Flockjay, and many more.